Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-01-04
LiNcoLN'S SECRETARY.

A Chat With Colonel NIcolay About the
President's Characteristics.
"How did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself
during the campaign?"
HE was always a self-poised man,
quiet and equable in temper, seldom
greatly elated or much depressed. He
was not worried about the campaign.
and had himself thoroughly in hand.
People sent him many curious symbols
of frontier life-axes. mauls, wedges.
rails-and all sorts of people on all
sorts Of errands called on him in the
Governors room in the State House,
which was assigned to him. Many
came from mere curiosity, and they
would sit awkwardly around looking
at him. He could not talk politics
much at such time. and the bulk OF
his visitors were shy of speech. They
handled the symbols that had been
sent in, and spoke to him of their use,
and he would sometimes take the end
of an axe helve between his fingers and
hold the axe out at arms length. to
show that he had not lost his strength.
In various simple ways he thus man.
aged to kill time. One fellow had the
impudence to come wearing a seces'
sion cockade in his hat Lincoln spoke
to him pleasantly, and shook hands as
with the others, and the intruder sal
around half an hour, looking foolish
and saying nothing. and finally wen,
out The crowd quietly ignored the
intended insult"
"Mr. Lincoln was just as democratic
in the White House, believe" l said
YES" assented Colonel Nicolay,
land that went far toward giving hin
his firm hold on the hearts of the PEG
pie. 1t WAS his custom. while he wa!
President, to hold an informal recep
ton between twelve and one O'Clock
each day, to hear in person thu
requests and wishes of ell ort
of people who chose to come t,
osee him. Rich and poor. white ant
black, crowded into the business Office
(now Colonel Lamont's) shook hand
and told him what they wanted. 81
generally wrote card and referred tn
petitioner to the proper department
but often he attended to it himself
Men who wanted Office came; alleged
Unionists who wanted pay for losses
cranks who showed him how to pu
down the rebellion; mothers who ha.
sons in the army; relatives Of men VIII
had been ordered shot; tramps VIII
were hard up and wanted money o
transportation to enable them to e
somewhere. 1t was like some ancien
Druid standing under an oak tree an
dealing out justice to the realm.''
Didn't the people exasperate Oh
Abe sometimes?''
| Not often. He listened patientl
to all, seldom protecting himself eve
from bores. I never saw him angr
but twice. and then only momentarily
BE turned one man out of the roo1
and laid his hand on his shoulder t
hasten his departure if necessary.
Iasked if Mr.. Lincoln comprehende
that he was in constant danger of hi
life.
'Of course" said Colonel Nicolal
1T was often discussed between hi
friends and himself. They would sa,
Now, Lincoln, you must look out al
be constantly on your guard. Som
crank is liable to come along and ki
!, YOU His answer always was, i wi
, be careful But I can not dischare
my duties and withdraw myself e,
tirely from danger of an assault l st
hundreds of strangers every day. an
> if any one has the disposition to ki
me he will find opportunity. To
absolutely safe, should cock myse
up in box Threatening lette
came, and these I always showed
Mr.. Lincoln. who generally turne
them over to the War Department"
w. A. Crofut. in indianapolis Jour,ao