Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-09-13
ROcoIlocrions Of Lincoln.

His latest anecdotes of public men, pub
lshcd in the Washington Sunday Chronicle,
Col. John W. Forncy devotes TO President Lin
coin and Andrew johnson. We quote a few
paragraphs;
"Whcn Stonewall Jackson was killed, and one
| of nv assistant editors spoke kindly of the
| better part of his character, Abraham Lincoln
wrote me commencing the tribute to brave
adversary. If you visited Lincoln he never
wcared you with dreary politics or heavy theo-
rieS, or glorifed himself and his doings. In
| every crisis he sought the advice, not OF his
enemies, but of his friends. To his convictions
he was ever true, but his opinions were always
subject to revision. He delighted in parallels
and especially in the rude jokes of the South
and the West He hailed Artcmus Ward and
Petroleum Nasty as bencfactors of the human
race, and no witticism, whether delicate or
broad, escaped his keen appreciation. He was,
witha, a man of sentiment, reading Shakes
peare like philosopher, and remembering the
best passages. little poem, written by Fran
els de Haes Janvier Of Philadelphia, called
"The Sleeping Sentinel was an especial favor
lite, and "The Patriots Oath" and "Sheridan's
Ride" by Thomas Buchanan Read were always
recited at his request by Mr.. Murdoch, whenever
that loyal actor visited the metropolis. He cared
little for the pleasures of the table, and although
reared among a frontier people, largely adj
dicted to intoxicating drinks, he preferred water
as q beverage. He Liked the theatre, especially
when Edwin Forrest, Joseph Jefferson, John
Brougham or John S. Clarke was the star.
Though he frequently accompanied Mrs Lincoln
TO the opera, il was rather in obedience to a So
cial demand, or an eagerness for rest in the cor
ner of his box, than taste for scientific music.
He was a capital peacemaker, and was especially
rcSOlute IN refusing to adopt the enemies Of his
friends. He had horror of making speeches,
although a fine colloquia orator, and when he
did address the people it was in short sentences,
and only for few moments at time. In these
addresses, as well MS in his messages and letters,
he said things that will survive for generations.
| think never saw him out of temper but
once, and that was when ! presented him the
unanimous confirmation of a certain parsonage
for high office. "Why did the senate not con-
firm Mr. - and Mr.. -? My friends knew
wanted this done, and wanted it done to-day"
and then he used certain strong expressions
against the successful person. looked at him
with some surprise, never having seen him in
such mood, and said: "Why Mr. Lincoln,
you seem to hold me responsible for the act of
the senate, when you must be aware eff the Gus
tom under which that body acted "Oh, no."
was his reply, 81 was not scolding you, my
friend but fear | have been caught in trap
Many fierce conflict took place in his presence
between angry politicians, but it required a very
strong proFocation to overbalance his judgment
or his equanmity. Not so, however, with an
appeal tor mercy; not so with petition from
the poor. Here he was as weak as a woman,
piASN
CENTER sex.
When the Baltimore convention, which re-
nominated him for president was about to meet,
and Mr.. Hamlin declined being candidate for
vice-president in order that the democratic ec-
ment might be represented, MIR. Lincoln person.
ally advocated Andrew johnson, and was backed
by Mr.. Seward, who was, however, interested in
the defeat of Daniel s. Dickinson, pressed for
the same post by his opponents in New York.
The contrast between Lincoln and johnson
bn aI Nv an, uaiJn
with the unhappy 4th of March, 1865, when
Andrew johnson was inaugurated yce-presi-
dent in the senate chamber. do not desire to
see the curtain rise before a scene that both par
ties seem willing to eXpunge-the republicans,
who apologized for it when it occurred, and
the democrats, who regretted it after johnson
Joined their despairing columns. But | can
never forget President Lincon's face as he
came into the senate chamber while johnson
was delivering his incOhcrent haranguc. Lin
CON had been detained signing the bills that
had Just passed the old congress, and could not
witness the regular opening of the new senate
till the ceremonies had fairly commenced. He
took his seat facing the brilliant and surprised
audience, and heard all that took place with un-
utterable sorrow. He then spoke his short in
auguTal from the middle portico of the capitol,
and rode quickly home. Bitter malcdictiOnS
were Immediately hurled against the new vice
president. 1 FASTENED to his defense with the
best of my Abilities believing the affair to have
been an accident. Threats of impeachment
were common in both parties, especially among
the democrats; and the crusade got SO fierce at
last that found myself included among those
who had helped Mr.. johnson to his exposure.
But no voice of anger was heard from Abraham
Lincoln. While nearly all ceDsured, and many
threatened, Mr.. Lincoln simply said, sit has
been a severe lesson to Andy; but | do not
not think he will do it again"
In little more than a month"; Lincoln was in
his grave and Andrew johnson his successor.
Both have had their trial before the same pco-
pie. The verdict on each is reversible.