The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-01-04
As BIG As LINCOLN.
Ola Abe's sohcme for Getting Bid Of nj
Unwalcone Caller.

UnwalcoMc Caller.
For this anecdote Hon. John J. Van
Allen, who contributes 1t to the Now
York Sun, is authority:
Long Tom Davis, of Owego, N. p, was
lawyer of unusual and conceded
ability, an ardent Republican, an en-
thusiastic admiror of President Lincoln,
and during the later years of the war q
valuable member of New York State
Legislature. In 1864 ho won't to Wash
ington, and while there called on the
President with tho intention of criticis-
ing a certain line OF policy the expedi-
ency of which was then questioned by
many patriotic citizens,
Besides being tall enough to warrant
the use OF tho Phenomenal adjective by
which no was distinguished from all
shorter Tom Davises, he was q man Of
somber temperament and singular
gravity of manner. Life for him was
too short and serious for smile, and
being, for this among other reasons,
quito incapable of understanding the
character of Mr.. Lincoln, he returned
from the capital amazed and panied by
the conviction, which he did not hesi-
tate to express, that our illustrious
President was little better than buf-
foon.
"Why, you greatly astonish me, Mr..
Davis" said gentleman to whom no
communicated the impression Of the
President. ~ thought you were one of
his warmest supporters"
swell, I'll tell you," was the reply,
'just how he received me and you can
Judge for yourself. Having been intro
duccd to him in terms most fiattering as q
stanch Republican and efficient member
of tho legislature, began to make tho
suggestions had in mind, whereupon
tho President, eying mo thoughtfully,
inquired: Davis, how tall o man arc
yOu?
'I replied that was six feet two
inches, upon which he rejoined: why,
arc you as tall as that9 Come, let me
see, and, backing me against door, he
took poncil. marked my height on the
jGmb and afterward his own, the two
marks being close together
"Wo're pretty nearly Of sise,' he
said, fDut, Davis, think my foot is
longer than yours So he insisted on
measuring feet, after which he began to
discuss our weights and the size of our
chests and arms.
SIN this way, with these trivial COM
PARSONS and conjectures. he took up all
my time, fully fifteen minutes. until
man came In who applied for O clerical
position in ono Of the departments ON
the strength Of having lost hand In the
service Of his country.
"'Oh, you 90 and sec Seward, said tho
President Il don't know any thing about
your hand. You may have lost 1t In o
steel trap
"Now," concluded Mr.. Davis, earnest
ly, "do you think be has the requisite
dignity for 30 high an Officer"
The interview. of which the foregoing
Is q mere outline, seems deliciously
amusing from the fact that Mr.. Davis,
patriot and statesman that he was, had
not the rcmotest appreciation Of tho
humor Of the incident. The President,
bprdened and worn, bowed by his At
lantean load OF responsibility and
wearied by long days work, was in no
mood to go over with his visitor ground
trayersed before, perhaps in
Cabinet debate. Perceiving
that Mr.. Davis was man Of nearly his
own build, he found In this topic an os.
capo from q discussion he dreaded. 1t
was this ability to momentarily lay
aside his dignity in q laughing or boyish
prank which enabled Mr.. Lincoln to
stand up under his weight Of care, and
1t was this which rendered him such an
enigma TO tho eaturpino Mr., Davis,