Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1879-10-01
LINCOLN AND DAN. RICE.

That veteran Snowman, Dan. Rice,
is on professional tour through Hi
nois, and a rural Republican editor
there, whose loyalty has been touched
by some of his ring witticisms, calls
him zone of those bitter and aggres-
sive Democrats known in antebellum
days as 'fre-eaters Though Dams
politics are of very little consequence
to himself or anybody else, it is only
fair to say that he claims to be can
Old-line Whig." Whether it was this
deyotion to the dead party which
reused Mr.. Lincoln's sympathies, or,
what is more likely, he wanted
to draw upon the inexhaustible
fund of fun for which Dan is so famous
it is certain they were always warm
personal friends. And, singularly
enough, this friendship, which began
probably in Lincoln's early days, was
continued by him after he became
President, and when it might be sup
posed the pressure of care and respon-
sibility would drive all circus memories
out of his mind. Whenever Rice
visited Washington with his show
during the gloomy years from 1861 to
1865, he was invited to come to the
White House after the evening per-
formance, and usually the Presidential
carriage was waiting for him, so that
he might get there as soon as possible.
Lincoln received him in his private
office, and all ceremony being laid
aside, the two would exchange stories
and jokes, live over by-gone time and
scenes in which the humorous pre-
dominated, and have q mutually re-
freshing season of it. On one of these
occasions, when, as usual, orders had
been given to admit nobody, card
was brought up Lincoln rebuked the
servant for the unwelcome interference,
and then looking at the card, said,
"Well, Dan, there's no help for it
we must let him in. He's a big bug
from Massachusetts,, and it won't do
to deny him now that he's sent in his
name. But you stay, and I'll soon
get rid of him." Accordingly in
few minutes genuine representative
of the highest responsibility of Boston
made his appearance, and saluting the
President with profound dignity, an
nounced himself as a committee ap-
pointed to present 4 set of resolutions
lately passed at large Republican
meeting in his State These resolu-
tions, as Lincoln knew, embodied a
rather severe criticism of Administra
tion policy, at that time too mild to
suit the Massachusetts, "stalwarts."
Listening attentively to the prelimi-
nary remarks of the Boston gentle
man, he took the paper, but without
making any reply to the contents or
the comments, said: BEG pardon,
Mr. -, but before we proceed further
let me introduce to you my particular
friend, Mr.. Dan. Rice" Dan. stood
up and delivered his best bow, but the
committee was struck dumb with
amazement and Indignation. To be
introduced to circus clown by the
| President of the United States was
too much for him. He grew red in
| the face, stared first at one and then
at the other, and then, at last managing
to stammer out q few words of leave
taking. departed in haste. AS the
door closed upon him, Lincoln turned
to Rice with a heavy laugh, and said ::
"Dan, wasn't that well done? Didn't
| it take the wind out of him nicely z"
Dan. admitted that it was o perfect
success, and the interrupted conversa-
ton was resumed with renewed zest.
This anecdote-the authenticity of
which is unimpeachable-ought to put
Dan. Ricc's loyalty far beyond all sus-
picion, and he can afford to defy Re-
publican malice now, henceforth and
forever.