The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-03-31
LIncOLN'S SECRETARY.
Chat with Colonel SicOisy About tine
Presidents Characteristics.

! Presidents Cbsractertstics
"How did Mr.. Lincoln bear himself
during the campaignp"
''He was always self-pOiscd man.
quiet and eguablo In temper. seldom
greatly clated 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 crrands called on him In the
Governors room in the State House.
which was assigned 10 him. Many
same from nero curiosity. and they
would sit awkwarlly 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 10 him Of their use,
and he would sometimes take the end
Of an axe helye between his fingers and
hold the axe out at arms ler9th. 10
show that he had not lost his strength.
In various simple ways he thus man
aged 10 kill time. One fellow had the
inpudence % come wearing seces-
sion cockade in his hat. Lincoln spoke
10 him pleasantly, and shook hands As
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 rs democratic
in the White House. believe" said.
"Yes." assented Colonel Nicolay.
"and that went far toward giving him
his firm hold on the hearts Of the peo-
pie. II was his custom, while he was
President. TO hold an informal rccep-
ton between twelve and one o'clock
each day, 10 hear in person the
requests and wishes of all orts
Of people who chose TO come TO
TO see him. Rich and poor. white and
black, crowded 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 go
somewhere. 1t was like some ancient
Druid standing under an oak tree and
dealing out justice to the realm
Didn't the people exasperatc Old
Abe somctimcss'
"Not often. He listened patiently
to all, seldom protecting himself even
from boros. | 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"
Iaskod If Mr.. Lincoln comprehended
that he was in constant danger of his
life.
"Of course" said Colonel Nicolay.
"It 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 60 come along and kill
you His answer always was, Il will
be careful. But | can not discharge
my duties and Withdraw myself en-
tirely from danger of an assault. i see
hundreds of strangers every day. and
if any one has the disposition to kill
me he will find opportunity. To be
absolutely safe, | should cock myself
up in box Threatening letters
came, and these | always showed to
Mr.. Lincoln, who generally turned
them over to the War Department" ~