Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1888-01-07
LlNcoLh,s SECRETARY.
A Chat With Colonel Nicoiay About TIL
Presidant,s Characteristics.

Chat With Colonel Nicoiay About the
Presidents characteristics.
'.How did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself
during the campaignP''
tsHe 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 ali 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 a 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
lmpudence to come wearing seces-
| sion cockade in his hat. Lincoln spoke
to him pleasantly, and shook hands a.
with the others, and the intruder sat
around half an hour, looking foolish
and saying nothing, and finally went
out. The crowd quietly ignored the
intended insult"
''Mr. Lincoln was just as democratic
in the White House, I believe" I said.
''Yes.' assented Colonel Nicolay,
''and that went far toward giving him
his firm hold on the hearts of the peo-
pie. 1t was his custom, while he was
Preside nt to hold an informal recep-
ton between twelve and one o'clock
each day, to hear in person the
requests and wishes of al orts
of people who chose to come to
to see him. Rich and poor white and
black, crow ded into the business Office,
(now Colonel Lamont's) shook hands
and told him what they wanted. He
generally wrote card and referred the
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 put
down the rebellion; mothers who had
sons in the army; relatives of men who
had been ordered shot; tramps who
were hard up and wanted money or
transportation to enable them to 90
somewhere. 1t was like some ancient
Druid standing under an oak tree and
dealing out justice to the realm"
''Didn't the people exasperate Old
Abe sometimcs?"
'Not often. He listened patiently
to all, seldom protecting himself even
from bores. l never saw him angry
but twice. and then only momentarily.
He turned one man out of the room
and laid his hand on his shoulder to
hasten his departure if necessary"
asked if Mr.. Lincoln comprehended
that he was in constant danger of his
life
"Of course" said Colonel Nicolay.
cit was often discussed between his
friends and himself. They would say:
Now, Lincoln, you must look out and
be constantly on your guard. Some
crank is liable to come along and kill
you His answer always was, I will
be careful. But I can not discharge
my duties and withdraw myself en-
tirely from danger of an assault. T see
hundreds of strangers every day, and
if any one has the disposition to kill
me he will find opportunity. To be
absolutely safe, l should cock myself
up in box Threa tening letters
came, and these I2always showed to
Mr. Lincoln, who generally turned
them over to the War Department.
". 4. Crofut. IN indianapolis Journal.