Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-23

ing hours were spent in his society. Those
rides around the lines, and the Presidents 8
fine horsemanship, assuredly not to escape
ewes ever keen in that regard. ''The great
est have ever known" Grants words to
me again and sgain. Mournful on one oc-
casion because he did not 60 to the theater
on the fatal night, as he had appointed.
"Might have reached other conclusions
Perhaps! I have sometimes tried to fancy
what might have been, had not fate swayed
Grant from this engagement. An infuriated
young actor, maddened with brandy, with
the blind rage of frenzy worse than in
sanity. in the presence of a young soldier of
43, fresh from the army, in the fullness of
alertness and strength, famous for his per-
sonal courage in an army of brave men.
Grant believed that Booth could never have
unlatched the door of the stage box, latched
it and drawn his pistol without hearing him,
an impression more than probable, remem-
bering Grants phenomenal acuteness of
hearing and observation. ''Might have
reached other conclusions" Undoubtedly,
but why dwell upon it now.
Lincoln always seemed very much of q
man. I have never read q description of
him that recalls him quite as 1 knew him.
Something always beyond and beyond. Nor
has fame been kind to him, in the sense that
fame is never kind unless it is just, There
is little justice in much that is written of
Lincoln. There comes the dismal fear that
he is to live in an apotheosis, to be treated as
Washington by Marshall. His sad fate may
invite this. Assassination is ever conse-
Grafton, for thus do the gods appoint their
compensations. We see it in Caesar, Henry
w., William of Orange, Garfield. The fig
cta syNTa q
vision, not a man. For of such is human
sympathy and human love.
WOULD STAND ON THE RECORD.
can think of no one who would care to
be known as he was so much as Lincoln; to
have posterity remember that he had muscle
and Drawn, and not become fantasy like
this we call Washington going on his knees
from elm tree to elm tree in state of moral
indecision and despair, painted to us as if
there was but one honest, clean-headed
soldier in his day. And as the incense mists
float and form into clouds and the real Lin
coin vanishes into a kind of pantomime di-
vertissement, one might hear him say:
Save me, save me, friends, from this slush
called history; from this miasma of adula-
tion. misconceptions running riot; from this
of falsities-for in truth l was a
man, a man of my day and hour, living
with my duties and opportunities and striy-
ing with them as a man should do"
The atmosphere about the White House
in those Lincoln days was unnatural. It is
hard for those of us who are accustomed to
ways of peace to understand the Washing
ton of the war times. Mr. Lincoln did not
impress the capital as welcome personal
force. Living in an element of detraction,
he was not a popular man. It would be
hard to recall his friends or favorites. I
presume Forney was as near to Lincoln as
any one of those in politics or journalism.
He edited the leading Republican newspaper
in the capital, as well as in Philadelphia
was brilliant writer, an eloquent speaker,
and an earnest, intrepid friend. Yet can
never recall in my observation of Forney,
any other feeling but that of doubt as to
what the President might or might not do.
This was the tone which peryaded many of
he political circles which surrounded For
ney. 1t was not a coterie of the opposi-
ton, but, on the contrary, very much a
coterie of the Presidents friends. Simon
Cameron was there every day, and yet
when Mr.. Cameron resigned the War Office
and Mr.. Stanton was nominated there was
no one more surprised than Forney. The
President did it alone.
FoRNEY AND SLAVERY.
Nor can write the name of Forney with
1ut pausing q moment to linger on his name.
A distinguished man in those days, tre-
nendous force in the war, To Forney the
owe the Anti-Lecompton con-
with Buchanon, which was the
oattle of Lexingtan in their war against,
slavery, the first flank movement that made
success possible. Others came in-Broder-
ck, Douglas, Walker, Haskin, Hickman,
Dougherty-but Forney led the way. For !
years he had lonely, disheartening cam
paign, only to see, when he had broken the
pro-slavery lines, others who were never in
.he range of danger rush in to the honors
md apportionings. 1 was a witness of the
,arnestness with which he had made this |
Anti-Lecompton crmpaign, of his over
Mastering, absorbing enthusiasm. 1t was
,ver in his mind, the refrain to every move
nent and harmony of his lite.
"What shall say to this fire company"
aid Daniel Dougherty one day, as he |
pounded into Forney's room. 'I must |
present the foreman with silver trumpet. |
Give me an idea"
"Yes," said Forney, looking out upon
Washington Square; Eyes, 1 would take |
occasion to dwell upon the fine, self-deny- |
ng heroism of these fremen's devoted lives; !
If their protection of our homes, and I |
would adiure them to remember Douglas |
md follow Walker, and never cease to war
lpon the infamies of Lecompton.
Said with the utmost sincerityi It was
he one thought in his mind. And having
hat desperate courage which makes one a
Forney in his contests never had
,ut one thought-to win. Thus he served
he Republican party, and with what
1 shall not say.
FIRST IMPRESSION OF LINCOLN
Lincoln had no more strenuous friend
han Forney. The admiration of Fornev
ror Lincoln came with experience. The
irst impression Lincoln made upon him
vas akin to that upon Stanton, as read In
he letters of the Secretary. "And what of
he new PRESIDENT" asked Forney, as he
,ame into his editorial rooms from a Wash
ngton visit about the time of the Inaugural
ion.
1.-THE new President" said Forney,
throwing up his hands, as if 1 had made
INQUIRY about one of Du Chaillu's gorillas,
the new President-unspeakab That |
With what one has seen in the White House,
o see what he must see."
Yet, as with Stanton, when Forney came |
% know Lincoln, to study him with his own |
,yes, he became his profound, undaunted |
md uncompromising friend.
What confess, and, as rejecting the |
ceilings of the elders around me, was dis |
rust of Lincoln. 1t comes back as an evil /
lence of the strength of the man. 1 take 1t
hat great genius is always solitary-that |
yc attain the Alpine altitude whenever we
.scend. Lincoln measured the men about
lim at their value. He knew their worth, |