New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-26

r.Rp LAMoN SKETCHES AMAN OF DESTINY
.xnrrIox, FAITH AND HRRolsM THE LEADING
TRAITS OF AN EXALTED CHARACTER
C0l,0.i0ht. 1888.

TRAITS OF AN EXALTED CHARACTER.
Copyright. 1888.
Wa 7 IN sav in this polite age, that Abraham
,,rcoln was born in q condition of life not only
sr,rble and obscure, but abject and sqaalid. and
-,,rounded by circumstances most unfavorable to
culture. to the development OF great talent ana
the promotion of nobility and purity OF that won
derful character he afterward developed. it would
sbock the fastdous and super6ne sensibilities OF
the average reader and it would be regarded as
urima hce evidence Of felonious intent and subject
ma to the ignominious charge of being unworthlly
inspired by an antagonistic animus. In justice to
the truth of history however, it must be ackuowi-
eaped that such are the facts concerning this Won
derful man, in whose life nothing should be
concealed from the public scrutiny. either in the
surroundings of his BIRTH his youth, his manhood
or his private or public life and character Let all
the facts concerning him be known and he will
appear brighter and purer by the test.
Ambition was one of the ruling characteristics
of this great man from the cradle to the grave.
When he was abont fourteen years OF age then at
school-after mounting stump in the school house
ward woods, l meant, ut the time OF the MONDAY
recess, he acclaimed the sermon preached the DAY
nrevious by an itinerant Methodist preacher.amost
r.rbn,im. He astonished some of the neighbors who
banpeued by chance or otherwise to be present.
One of them asked him this question: Abe, what
do ron expect to make of yourself when you grow
mn TO be a man" He promptly replied: al expect
20 he President of the United States before l die
The writer of these pages riding over the pralries
of Illinois with him long years ago. travelling from
one county to another to attend the courts. was
told by him repeatedly that he did not recolect the
time when he did not believe that he would at some
aav he President II seemed to him manifest
Il hav dacy m N q
In the fullest confidence Of realizing his prediction
In the year 1s47 lett my native state, Virginia
and settled in Danville Illinois: shortly after my
arrival there the Circuit Court for that county met
There we're in attendance at this court many
LAWYERS from the different parts OF the States OF
Illinois and Indiana-many OF whom aftcrward
became very distinguished men. Lincoln was the
great character the centre of the greatest atrac-
tion During the follow ing winter at Spring
field. q very large party was given AZ Mr.. Lncolns
residence Being invited attended. and after
being introduced by Mr.. Lincoln to Mrs. Lincoln
Mr.. L. having left us in conversational remarked
70 her that her husband was great favorite in the
eastern part Of the State where had been stop
ping EYES," she replied al he is a great favoritc
everywhere, he is to DO President OF the United
States some day; il had not thought SO never
would have married him, for yon can he is not
like no would make magnificent President =
Mrs Lincoln from that day to the day of his in
auguration never wavercd in her faith that her
hopes in this respect would be realized.
At one time ufterward the writer went to Mr..
Lincolns Office at the White House and found the
door locked; he went through private room and
through side entrance into the Office he found the
President lying on q sofa, evidently greatly dis
turbed and much excited, manifestly displeasel
with the outlook. Jumping up from his reclining
position he advanced. SAYING
GYou know better than any man living that from
my boyhoOd up my ambition was to be President.
1 am President of part of this divided country
at least but look at me. wish had never been
born 1t Is white elephant on my hands and hard
tn manage; with fire in my front and rear having
to contend with the jeslousies of the military COM
manders and not receiving that cordial cooperation
aud support from Congress that could reasonably
be expected with active and formidable enemy
in the field threatening the very Likelihood of the
Government makes my position anything but bed
of roses"
Then Frightening up his whole nature seemed all
ut once to change could see q merry twinkle in
his eye as he said: II only keep my end of the
animal pointed in the right direction will vet get
him through this internal jungle aad get my cnd of
him and HIS tail placed in their proper relative posi-
tons have never fatered in my faith Of being nj
tmately able this rebellion and of remit
ing this divided country, but this improvised Wig
liant committee to watch my movements and keep
me straight appointed by Congress and called the
Committee on the Conduct of the War is mar
plot and its greatest purpose to be to hamper
my action and obstruct the military operations
With oil those contendiug perplexitics Mr..
Lincoln never, up to the time Of the surrender at
Appomattox. doubted the ultimate success of our
arms
short time before the fall of Vicksburg great
dissatisfaction became rife at General Grants tardi
ness in moving on the enemy's works; there was @
pretty general feeling in favor of relieving Grant
from his command and appointing some one who
would make short work of that formidable strong
hold of the enemy and relieve the people from their
great state of anxiety. Mr. Lincoln had great
faith In General Grant He was being constantly
lmportuned and beset by the leading politicians to
turn Grant out Of the command Being in his
Office one day ABOUT this time he said to me fear
have made Senator Wade of Ohio. my enemy tor
life" @HowT he was asked Wade was hero
lust now urging me to dismiss Grant, and in re-
sponse something he said led me to remark
Senator, that reminds me of O story YES yes.
Wade petulantly replied: 1t 10 with you, sir. all
story-story-you are the father Of every military
blunder that has been made during this war. You
arc on your road 10 h. sir.with this Government
by your .obstinscy. and you are not mile of this
minute I good naturedy said to him: Senator.
that just about the distance from here to the Cap
itol, Is 1t notf He was very angry. and grabbed
no his hat and cane and went away"
Lincoln then continued to say: "To show
TO what extent this sentiment prevails even
Washburne, who has always claimed Grant
as his by right of discovery. has deserted him. and
really believe hm the only civilian friend Grant
has left. Grant advises mo Lincoln had never seen
Grant no to this timel that be will take vicksburg
by the Fourth of July. and believe he will do it
and he shall have tho chance"
L'ncons courage was equal to his ambition. No
l.L x.~.a Il