Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-11
SENSITIVE MEN.
Presidents Excited BY Newspaper
Criticism.

/ repeated to Mr.. Mcdonald last even
ing in his library, says New York Sun
correspondent, that Mr. Hendricks, in a
previous conversation with me, had OBJ
served that Presidents were the most
sensitive of men in regard to newspaper
criticIsm-that he had found Mr.. Lincoln
greatly concerned, and had seen Andrew
johnson tremble with excitement while
reading what he believed an unjust
editorial opinion regarding his admins
tratiOn. eyes," answered Mr.. McDon-
aid, "a consciousness Of responsibility
begets extreme sensitiveness. l remem-
Der, with Mr.. Hendricks, calling on Pre-
sidert Lincoln during the month of Janu-
airy, 1865, to intercede tor BoWles, Mill
gan, and HOrsey, who were condemned to
death by a court martial. | think the
clock told 1870 as we entered the
anterOom, which was crowded with peo-
pie, and some OF the most distinguished
of the country. | looked around and
despaired of an interview with the Presi-
dent that evening, and we sent our cards
in with reluctance. Mr.. Hendricks was
10 the Senate, it is true, but a Democrat,
and / had few months previously been
defeated for Governor of Indiana by
Morton. Great was our surprise to be re-
ceiyed Immediately. But greater sur
prise was in store for US. When we left
Mr. Lincoln that night the clock told
IL 80, and there was not a soul in
the anterOOm. All of that time, with the
exception of few minutes, the President
took up explaining Horace Greeley's mis-
taken views regarding the Niagara Peace
Commission. When presented to
Lincoln, he said: Il need no introduce
ton to Mcdonald. We have practiced
law in the same circuit long years, and
told stories far into the night around the
same coal fire. Then he plunged into the
subject nearest his heart, beginning with
Horace Greeley's first letter, tracing the
development, step by step, as he would
have stated a law case, until the confer
ence ended. Mr.. Lincoln not only be-
lieved that hewas right, butfelt called upon
to convince the country that he was
right.
''This exhausted, said: I'VE did not
call, Mr.. Lincoln, for the purpose of tell
ing you what is in the record, but to ac-
quaint you with outside facts l then
told him that the Knights of the Golden
Circle was not reasonable organization,
as represented, or hostile to the conduct
of the war in the proper acceptation of
that term, and, though neither Senator
Hendricks nor myself were ever mem
bers, good men had Joined, believing it a
protection.
q Il have lived too long in Illinois, MIR.
Lincoln replied, ito believe that any con-
siderable number of citizens in that State,
Indiana, or Ohio could be guilty OF trea-
son. Gen. Singleton, for whom l enter
tain the highest respect eve were Wings
together he at the disbanding of that
party going to the Democrats and l to
the Republicans }, explained it all lately,
and he told me that he had been a Knight
OF he Golden Circle
Although these men are charged with
crime calling for capital punishment
| said, knowing you. l felt that the
death penalty wOGld never be executed if
explanation was made.'
'If | had to do the butchering for the
world Mr.. Lincoln replied, there would
be an appalling meat iamine.''