The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-02

father Now, want you to name the Superin-
tendent of Public Printing There are plenty OF
applicants. There Is Cincinnati editor. . Chi
cago editor. Louisville editor and John u. De-
Frees of South Bend. Ind
81 told him he had better appoint Defrees
He had been the Republican candidate for Public
Printer before the House, and would have been
elected If Adams had voted for him. but he had
refused because Defrees had attacked
his father in ths South Bend paper.
Practically, he was the best man for the
place. Lincoln swung round on his chair in his
usual awkward manner, and asked me how I
liked the way things were going. / answered
that everything seemed to be going on very we'll
own son appointed in the Marine Corps Three
days after James Forney was appointed and to-
day is the oldest captain in the rank in the
United States Marine Corps. Defrees was also
appointed. He asked me to call again, but
never did. came to New York and practiced
Law. although offered the appointment of col
onel in the regular army on the staff of General
Mcclellan to look after legislative matters. But
determined not to take blood money from the
government Cameron asked me to come to New
York and purchase 100, 900 muskets But they
were not to be bought If I could have made
that purchase, could have cleared $500 000 So
you see was pretty intimate with Lincoln and
his Cabinet"
..Whatdi you think of Lincoln personally?.
'Of Abraham Lincoln would say: The Bible
tells US that men sprang up almost spontane-
ously at times to be rulers of the people-many
without learning or culture. 1t always seemed
to me to be special dspensation of Divine
Providence which made Lincoln President He
was just the man for the time. His mildness of
disposition, conciliatory character, integrity
firmness Of purpose breadth of craftsmanship
great simplicity and kindness made him a fitting
ruler over the American Nation, and patriot to
carry through successfully the suppression of
the greatest rebellion the world ever witnessed
reuniting in brotherly concord and general
prosperity the people of America The
ability with which he conducted his candidacy
for the United States Senate with Stephen A.
Douglas, though not SO popular speaker but
with quaint expressions, logical arguments and
readiness to crack Jokes, caused the eyes of the
Republican party, though he was defeated to be
turned towards him as the Moses that was to
bring his party into power. Ihave often thought
of him in comparison with the Savior The in
spiration which brought forth that wonderful
Sermon on the Mount was divinity ITSELF So
with its corailary, the Declaration of Independ-
ence, wrought by jefferson. There is more wis
dom in that sermon than in anything else in the
same compass The simple minded rail-
splitter, without education except what he
gained himself delivered grafton at
Gettysburg that will last forever and
be appreciated as q classic of the American peo-
pie as long as the Nation exists His taking off
was horrible. and to be deplored But that he
died when his fame at its zenith is a fact
that all must recognize In the love and affection
of the American people, his name will be indis-
solubly united with that of George Washington,
the founder of the Nation and its savior. The
Grafton at Gettysburg was one of great literary
ability, brought from the heart. with beauty of
diction. There are men of history poetry, art
and letters who live forever. Bryart's 'Thana-
topsis' written before he was eighteen years old;
Poes Raven and Gray's Elegy' would have
made each famous without anything else So
Will the martyred President Lincoln's grafton at
Gettysburg live forever.