The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-09-04
1;cn, n,iniseenccs Of iIr. Lincoln.

| 3bGttttdTVN"<o VI @'@t
A correspondent of the Lancas,
ter MtcEttyeNccr writes from the
Bedford Springs as follows:
III met Mr. James McDougal, Il
lumber merchant Of Baltimore, oi
high responsibility and one Of the
genial class Of springs visitors who
become generally known and pop
ular. Mr.. McDougul has been an
ardent Republican, a dcmoniac
condition lie reached after starting
in life an Old Line Wing and pas
sing thence through the purgatory
Of Douglas Democracy. McDougal
lost forty thousand and some odd
dollars bytle rebellion, u circun-
statcc which may account for
some Of his bitterness against the
rebels. They say he was in dan
ger Of being lynched in the unpat-
riotic atmosphere of Baltimore in
the earlier days of the rebellion, u
fpet which | can readily believe, for
he is evidently brimful OF strong
opinions and plain language, and
has no disposition to check their
overflow. fIe told mo something
that you will DO glad to hear and
which I am surprised that we
never read before.
When Mr.. Lincoln issued his
Emancipation Proclamation-1 be-
lieve that was the occasion-a dep
utation of citizens from Baltimore
went on to Washington to c0ngrat-
ulatc him. Mr.. McDOugal was one
of the number. They speedily got
through with their address ut tho
White House, and wero about to
leave, with tho declaration that
they would not further trcspass
upon the Presidents valuable
time.
"Tuko seats boys, take seats T.
exclaimed Mr.. Lincoln, as he rang
for chairs to DO brought in. ut
would bc strange if I could not
spare n half hour or an hour for
conversation with friends who have
come from Baltimore to sec me.
The visitors sat down and spent
nearly IN hour in conversation.
Presently the subject of generals
come up, and various opinions
were expressed as to who was the
ablest officer on our side. When
a great many opinions had been
given, Mr.. Lincoln said:
sgGentlemen,IiIl judgment
youhave not struck5tllo right man
as yct.r== =
.ind=of c6llrsazall@wcre=anxious
to.he0r lin name the man, and
asked him 10 do so.|Hc said =
General Hancock. a===
Tho countcnances ofhis visitors
expressed their surprise, and one of
them ventured 10 say that he fcar-
ed Hancock was too rash.
"Ycs,n said Mr.. Lincoln, $50
some Of The older generals have
said to me, and have said to them,
that I have watched General Han.
cocks conduct very carefully and
l have found that when he goes
into action lio achieves his purpose
and comes out with q smaller list
of casualties than any Of them.
Bold he is, but not rash. Why,
gentlemen, do you know what
bis record was at West Point?"
And Mr.. Lincoln went to his
book shelf, and taking down an
army register showed the position
in which Hancock had graduated,
and that furthermore, in u class
that vas ono Of the most disting-
uishcd that had graduated ut the
Military Academy. Continuing to
speak Of him i'll the highest terms,
llo further said:
tell you gentlemen, that il his
life and strength are spared, I be-
lieye that General Hancock is lcs-
tined to be one Of the most disting-
uishod men OF the age. Why,
when I 60 down in the morning to
omen my maitland l arise ut i
o'clock declare that I do it in
fear and trembling lest L may hear
that Hancock has boon killed or
wounded.