Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-15

Lincoln-"Oh, that is all talk of some
enthusiastic friend of mine in Illinois.
There is nothing in it. Mr.. Corwin, there
is nothing in it."
| Mr.. Corwin-"Oh, but there is. The
talk is not confined to the state of Illi-
nois, but it is all over the country. You
have enthusiastic friends all over the
country who are talking of you for the
Presidency"
Lincoln-"Oh, the talk is not serious
at all 1T is just an enthusiastic impulse,
and don't mind it.
Corwin-"But it is serious, and as the
convention of the Republicans will as
semble early next year. it is the purpose
to place your name before the Convention
for the Presidency, and they will, per-
4s4ps, ,~-----
Lincoln-"What, nominate me when
there are such great men as Seward and
Chase in the field ?"
Corwin-"There is the very point
the friends of Chase and Seward are al
ready up in arms against each other, and
who SO fit to. come in and reconcile all
the interests and antagonisms of the
eontending friends of these candidates ~
Lincoln--"So you really think there
is chance for me? Well, Mr.. Corwin,
don't think there is anything in it,
and the fact is, don't encourage the
idea, for have no ambition to be Pres
ident, and shall not encourage the idea.
That never entered my head. Indeed,
Corwin, I do not think am fit to be
the President of these United States. I
have not the requisite ability. I am
lot competent to fill the Presidency. /
cannot compare in anything with Chase
and Seward. Now, I'll tell you what
am willing to run for Vice. President,
if the Convention will nominate me for
that, and the Republican party is will
ing. | think that with little study Of
Cushing or Jefferson's Manuel, ] might
acquire enough knowledge to sit in the
chair of the Vice President and preside
over the deliberations of the Senate.
You know it does not require a great
genius to do that, and this | think I
could be capable of with a little extra
study"
Corwin-"But the people do not think
so. They will want you for President .
Lincoln-"I don't think the people
will be SO foolish as that, Mr.. Corwin
for I know that | am not fit to be Presi
dent, and [ know that the people know
that too. But 1 would really thanl
them. and be very grateful to them i
they would take it into their heads t.
make me their Vice President. the dutie
of which. | believe, I could inform my
self to attend to. But I do not think a
all of being President Of this great coun
try-no, not at ALL ~.
And so the conversation in this strain
went on till two o'clock in the morning
but Lincoln stuck to it to the last tina
he was not fit to be President.
Mr.. Corwin and myself bid good.by t
Mr.. Lincoln in the wee hours Of morn
that he might go to bed and get hi
proper sleep. AS we came out Of th
room into the still open Office, Mr.. Coz
win remarked to me, sort O. confidential
ly. "a great man that Abraham Lincolr
Judge Carter; SO great. indeed, that B
does not know anything about it himself
He will do for President. he viii max
. first rate one, and / think the Reput
lican Convention will nominate hi
fresh from the people. and the Republ
: can people will elect him." 9'i
This was saying great deal for Ill
: Corwin, who was frequently talked |
! for President himself, and if he had 70
J lowed his young career and success
might have been the President, but !
u got soured once upon a time, and he W;
: no longer ambitious.
. AS to Mr.. Lincoln. I think the reco
: lection is too good to be lost. 1t shov
J beyond a doubt the native simplicit
. and humility of the man. and he WI
:, has these in his soul as virtues, it
;. safe to say has all the rest.