New-York tribune., 1867-02-15


were Shakespeare and Pope. He never read Byron.
and of contemporary American poets preferred the
patriotic selections chiefly. Milton he knew by
heart and was a good literary reader of the Bible.
His friends were selected with regard to their sin
ccrity chiefly: he loved not Cques, and those who
knew him best were younger than he He was caIl-
tiOs III friendships, no OwOrshlpper and for Mr..
Douglas, his most prominent antagonist had much
less admiration than rcpuslOn. Douglas was uncaslly
arrogant in LncOns presence the latter, never SEN
sitivc nor Hurried, 50 grew by bis imperturbabty
that when hc reached the White House, Mr.. Douglas
less surprised than anybody else. The great
Senatorial campaign, III which they figured together
Is isTemembered by every SpIngllelder. Douglas, with
his powerful voice and tacile energy went into il I'M
der full steam. Lincoln began ucidly and autlOusly
When they came ont of 1T Douglas was worn down
with rage and hOarSeness and Lincoln was frcSlier
than ever He prepared all the speeches of this
paign by silent meditation. sitting or lying alone
studying the flies on the ceiling The best evidence
of his superiority in this debate s the fact that the
Republicans circulated both sets of speeches a cam
paign document III 1860, and Mr. Douglass friends re-
fused to do
The most remarkable episode Of HendOn's cOnver-
satiOn--which am repeating by memory, Onl y-re-
lates tO Mr.. LincOln's Presidential aspirations. In
common with most people, had concluded that this
great honor came 10 Mr. Lincoln without paving. rs
unexpected AZ IL was unsolicited and 10 him a stagger
ing piece of luck like a lottery prize. This estimate
is charming one, hut 1t Is not true one. When the
Douglas and Lincoln contest ended the defeated
man said to his partner.
Billy, knew should miss the place when
competed for it, This defeat will make me Presi
dent
He refused, in the interim, any proposition looking
TO his acceptance of lesser office and this with the
concurrence OF his friends and family At the same
time he took no immediate means to precpitate
his opportunity, rather, like a man destined sat
closely to study and vigilance read all the is
sues as they developed and waited for his call.
1t came. at last, in special invitation TO visit
New-YOrk and speak in the Cooper Institute. He
felt intuitivey that this the RubicOn, and with
a human thrill. paused and hesitated
1t is possible that at this moment had any close
friend whispered stay" the Republic might be dead
and Abraham Lincoln living.
60 Nh. Lincoln" said lerndOn, ''make your best
effort Speak with your usual lucdity aud thorough
ness"
Home said "GO" also
He appeared in New York. as all of you remember
and his success there drew the attention of the cOun
try 10 his name. The West can originate men: the
East must pass them, and the firm of Lincoln and
Herndon died. in reality, when the Convention met
at Chicago He had by this time reached the HI CHEST
usefulness in his State of which his nature was
capable.
The best lawyer in it, the hero of debate equiva-
lent to SenatOrship, with mind too broad and
grave for mere gubeuatOral place, and already by
four years destiny and preparaLon Pgeaqent ef the
United States hc won't az 10 the Dost with auInitY