Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-23
A sERIoUs-NIINpMD MAN.
That is What it is said THAT Aineolr
Was s-ff-fFu

Was. rfEU
From a Sketch in the PhilddeLp1iq Press By
Jtti0e WeLJ0n.f Il z
With all the jOllity OF hfs everyday
life, in all but the surface indications Of
mis- character he was sad and serious.
The poem which be so often quoted, "Ohl
why should the spirit Of mbrtalbe proudW
was a reflex in poetic form OF the deep
melancholy OF his soul. / have heard him
as he sat by the decaying embers OF an
old-fashioned fireplace, when the days
merriment and business swere over and
the nights stiffness had assumed domin-
ion, quote at length his fayOrite poem.
Another story 10 told illustrative Of Mr..
LincOln's ability to relieve the embarrass-
ment Of his situation as President by a
master stroke Of wit. in 1862 the people
of New York city were apprehensiYe OF a
b0mbardment by some OF TIE Confederate
cruisers; public meetings were held to
express the gravity of the situgtion. end
to induce the government 20 do something
by way OF permanently protecting the
city. In contamination OF that purpose
a delegation Of nifty gentlemen, represcn-
ting in tneir own right 800, 100000, was
selected 10 visit Washington and have an
Interview with the President, and induce
him TO detail gunhCat TO protect the
city. The committee requested gentle
man then staying IN Washington 10 ar
range with the President time when he
could see them. -n F.~ Fr.Et
Mr.. Lincoln seemed to b much puzzled
what to say or do, and remarked TO the
Gentleman who was arranging as to the
interview: 81 have no gunDOats or ships
OF war that can be spared from active
service, but, inasmuch as they have come
to see me, shall have TO SEQ them aud
get along rs best / can" The coIsmittee
called at the appointed time, and were
introduced as gentlemen ''repTqseutiGg
SlOO,OUO,O0O in their own right" The
chairman Of the delegation made a very
earnest appeal To the President fOr pro-
lection, and remarked that they repre-
scented the wealth Of the city, "$l00,000,-
600 in their own right" Mr.. Lincoln heard
them attentlYely, evidently impressed
with the hundred Millions" and replied
as follows: Nc
"deutlemen, / am by tho constitution
commandments Of the army andnAvy
of she United States; and, a. a matter Of
law, can order anything done that IL
practicable 10 be done; but, az. y matter
Of fact, / am not in command 0fthe gun
boats or ships Of war; as a matter Of fact,
! do not know exactly where they are,
but presume they are actively engaged.
II Is impossible for me in this condition OF
things to furnish you a gunboat. The
credit Of The government is at a very low
ebb. Greenhacks are NOT worth more
than 40c. or 50c. on the doligr, and IN tlus
| condition OF things, " VIVA worth hAlf
as much as you gentlemen are rep
resented TO be, and as badly = fright-
ened a. you seem to be, ] would build
gunboat ana give il TO. the gov
eminent"
The gentleman who accompanied the
delegation snya he never saw xW9uIQ0o
slnh % such insignificant Proportions as
th" cnmmitteo rccrUs~ed the throeh8ld 81
The White House sadder but wiser mtn.
lhey had learned that money, as we'll az
muscle, was factor OF war.