The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1867-03-20

Mr.. Lincoln seized an axe handle from
a hardware store and went alone II
open a way to the ballot>box. His ap
pearance iutimidated them, and we hac
neither threats nor collisions all that day
lie was never sick during the whole 0
our long acquaintance, but being maj
OF slow circulation, and OF most regu.
lar habits, capable OF subsisling upon
morsel, he was wiry aud indursted he.
yond the best of our Western men. and
even with Booths bullet in his. brain he
lived ten hours. His life, in general
was smoth and uuruhled. He had nc
prejudces against any class, preferrina
the Germans to any of the foreign ele-
ment, yet tolerating-as l (Herndon,
never could-eveD the Irish
Did he ever drink p
'OEly in Indiana, when he took whisk.
ey as ague medicine. After bis nomi,
nation for the Presidency it was sug,
gested to him that the Visiting Com
mittee would require some hospitality
Very WELL he said, ANY food that is
proper l have authorized to be purchas
cd ;
But these gentlemen will expect some
liquors
i can't permit to strangers what do
not do myself. No liquors, Billy there's
the tavern
OF miscellaneous books, Mr.. Lin
coins tavorites were Shakespeare and
Pope. He never read Byron and of
cotcmporary American poets preferred
by the patriotic selections chiefly. MI,.
on he knew by heart, and was a good
literary reader Of the Bible. His friends
were selected with regard to their sin.
ceri,y, chiefly; he loved no, cllques, and
those who knew him best were young.
er than he, He was cautious in friend.
ships, no hero worshipper, and tor Mr..
Douglas, his most prominent antagonist,
had much less miration than repul
sion Douglas was uucasily arrogant
in !.incoln's presence, the latter never
sensitiye nor furrled, so grew by his
impertublity, that when he reached
the White House, Mr.. Douglas was less
surprised than anybody else, The great
Senatorial campaign, in which they
figured together, is remembered by
every Springfe!der. Douglas, with his
powerful voice and tacile energy, went,
into it under full steam. Lincoln began
lucid'y and cautiously. When they
came cut OF it, Douglas was worn down
with rage and hoarseness, and Lincoln
was flesher than ever He prepared
all the pe,ches of this campaign by ST.
lent meditation, sitting Or lying alone,
studying the flies on the ceiling. The
best evidence of his superiority in this
debate, is the fact that the Republicans
circulated both sets of speeches as a
campaign document in 1860, and Mr..
Douglas friends relus d to do 80.
TIE most remarkable episode ci IEern-
don's COW, rsatioa-whic am repeating
by memory, only-reates to Mr.. Lin.
coins Presidential aspirations. In com,
mon with most people, had concluded
that this great honor came to Mr. Linn
coin without paving, as unexpected as
it was unsolicited, and to him stag>
gering piece OF luck, like lottery prize
This estimate IS a charming one, but il
is not true enc. When the Douglas
and Lincoln contest was ended, the de-
teated man SAID to bis partner;
'Billy, l knew should miss the place
when | competed fer it. Th defeat will
make me President
lie refused, IN the interim, any pro.
position looking to his acceptance Of a
lesser Office, and this with the concur,
renee of his friends and family. AT the
same time he took no immediate means
to precipi,a,e his opportunity, rather,
like man destined, sat more closely to
study and vigilance, read all the issues
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. lie felt intultively
that this was the Rubcon, and, with
human thrill, paused and hesllatod.
1t is possible that at this moment, had
any close friend whispered stay the
Republic might 10 dead and Abraham
Lincoln living,
60, Mr. Lincoln said Herndon,
make your hest effort. Speak with
your usual lucldity and thoroughness,'
Home said Co. also.
lie appeared in New York, as all of
you remember, and his success there
drew the attention OF the country to his
name. The West can originate men,
the East must pass them, and the firm
OF Lincoln and Herndon did, in reality,
when the convention met at Chicago -
He had by this time reached the high
est usefulness in his State, of which his
nature was capable.
The best lawyer in it, the hero of a
debate equivalent to a SenatorShip, with
mlnd too broad aud grave tor mere
gubcrnatorial place, and already by
four years destiny and preparation
President of the United States, he
went up to to the post with dignity and
ease that made men stare, because they
had not seen til steps hey took upon
the road.
them all that am. If God spares my
lite to the end, shall come back among
you and spend the remnant OF my
days
Me never returned to Springfield till
ulory brought HIM home under her
plumes, a completed life, and the prairie,
like neighbor, opened its door and
took him in.