The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-11
EMANCIPATION IMMoRTALs.
Carpenter, the Artist, Describing Eminent
Men Whose Portraits He Painted.

Carpenter, the Artist, Describing Eminent
Men Whose Portraits He Painted.
New York Star.
And so the last of your emancipation i'm
mortals has gomez" said reporter to Frank
b. Carpenter, the artist. YES" he replied,
Montgomery Blair was the last. He had
splendid intellect, but was deficient in
sympathy and humor. There was none OF
that kindly smile playing around the corners
OF his mouth and radiating good nature and
fun in the wrinkles of the eye which made
Lincoln such a favorite. | never heard him
tell story and if he laughed at joke it was
in grudging, hasty way. But thought
him remarkable man. Of superb intellect,
great executive force, quite equal In those
respects to any member of that cabinet.
Bates of Missouri, was strong and hne
| character. He was less determined than the
others, but what he said was wise and always
had point. l noticed that Lincoln deferred
good deal to Bates, and had great respect
and liking for him.
81 think Gideon Welles is moderated. He
was little too effusive at times, sometimes
almost garrulous. His manner was some
what against him; it lessened him in the es-
timation of men he talked with think he
| had good deal of that native common sense
and sagacity which seized on the strong
points of situations and stuck to the main
issue. He was not obstructive He knew
he was one of the smaller planets in that
solar system, and had no ambition to set up
for the sun on his own account. Lincoln
liked him l think, because he was honest
and faithful and made no pretensions, but
did his own. hard work well. Chase was a
great man: he knew it and wanted other peo-
pie TO know it; that was his misfortune.
But for that streak OF vanity he might have
been President. Seward had more diplo-
matte, calculating mind than any member
Of the Cabinet; he was more flexible, he
carried his point sometimes by appearing to
give it up. He always felt that he was the
brains of the establishment, and, though
deferential to Lincoln, regarded him COED
deal as charge he was responsible for. In
executive force he was inferior to Lincoln
and Chase and Blair; but Lincoln recognized
his sterling worth in other directions"
You have painted the portraits of many
eminent men, Mr.. Carpenter" we added, at
the first pause.
Eyes; l made portrait of President Pierce
and tell you he was not only capital sub
ject but very smart, able and gentlemanly
man, and | came to admire him very much.
He was moderated by people who got their
impressions of him from hostile newspapers.
| enjoyed making the portrait of Secretary
Marcy very much. He was statesman of
the old type-genial, dignified, manly, but
kindly. Gen. Cass was heavier man every
way than Marcy, but he was very compan-
ioDable. l have made portraits of twenty or
more Presidents and Cabinet members, from
John Tyler to Garfield and have many inter
esting recollections of them. By the way, L
never heard man laugh more heartily than
Mr.. Marcy when one day his colored man
wanted to see him about some small matter.
He looked in the library but the Secretary
was not there. Coming out he met another
servant and in his rich voice, full of the mu-
sic of fun, he exclaimed:
.'That Marcy to others show,
That Marcy show to me-
''Mr. Marcy heard it and was convulsed.
He was fond of good stories and told good
ones himself"