The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-26
AS Bigsa Man as Lincoln.
From the Netv York Sun.

From the Re,c York Sun.
For this anecdote the Hon. John ], Van
Allen is authority:
Long Tom Davis of Oswego, N. Y, was a
lawyer OF unusual and conceded ability, an
ardent republican, an enthusiastic admirer
OF President Lincoln, ami, during the latter
years OF the war, valuable member of the
New ork state legislature. In 1864 be
went TO w ashington, and while there called
on the President with the intention of
crltlcising a certain line of policy, the ex-
pedlency Of which was then questioned by
many patriotic citizens.
Besides being tall enough to warra 1t the
use OF the Phenomenal adjective by which he
was distinguished from all shorter Tom
Davises, he was a man of sombsr tempera.
ment and singular gravity of manner. Life
for him was too short ana serious for a
smile; and being, for this among other
reasons, quite incapable of understanding
the character of Dir. Lincoln, he returned
from the capital amazed and panied by the
conviction, which he did not hesitate to ex-
press, that our illustriouS President was
little better than buifOon.
why, you greatly astonish me, Mr..
Davis" said gentleman to whom he COM
munlcated the impressions of the President.
81 thought you were one of his warmest
"Well, pll tell you," was the reply, ''just
how he received me, and you can judge for
yourself. Having been introduced to him
in terms most ilttering Us a stanca repub-
lican and efficient member of the legisla-
ture, began to make the suggestions had
in mind, whereupon the President, ewing
me thoughtfully, inquired; Davis, how
tall man are you"
81 replied that was six feet two inches,
upon which he rejoined: why, are you as
tall as thatg Come, let me see, and, back
ing me against a door, he took pencil,
marked my hight on the jamb, and after
ward his own, the two marks being close
together.
"'We're pretty nearly of size, said he.
But, Davis, think my foot is longer than
yours So he insisted on measuring feet,
after which he began to discuss our weig hts
and the size of our chests and arms.
''In this way, with these trivial compari-
sons and conjectures, he took up all my
time, fully fifteen minutes, until a man
came IN who applied for a clerical position
in one of the departments on the strength of
having lost hand in the service of his
country.
80, you go and see Seward said the
President. Il don't know anything about
your hand; you may have lost it in steel
trap
Now" concluded Mr.. Davis, earnestly,
'Do you think he has the requisite dignity
for SO high an Officer
The interview of which the foregoing is a
mere outline seams deIiciously amusing
from the fact that Mr.. Davis. patriot aud
statesman that he was, had not the re-
hottest appreciation of the humor Of the in
cident. The President, burdened and worn,
bowed by his Atlantean load of resp 1nsi-
bility, and wearied by long days work.
was in no mod to 60 over with his visitor
ground frequently traverse1 before, per-
haps IN protracted cabinet debates. Per-
ceiving that Mr.. Davis was a man of nearly
mis- own build, he found IN this topic an
escape from a discussion he dreaded. 1t
was this ability to momentarily lay aside
his dignity in laugh or boyish prank
which enabled Mr.. Lincoln to stand up
under his weight Of care, and it was this
which readered him such an enigma to the
saturnine Mr.. Davis.
WATKINS, N. Y. M. NJ. CAss, Jr