The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-20


getting up. No course of reading was
chalked out. He read law, history, philos-
ophy or poetry, Burns Byron, Milton or
Shakespeare and the newspapers, retain
ing them all about as well as an ordinary
man would any one of them who made
only one at time his study. once re-
marked to him that his mind was won
der to me; that impressions were easily
made upon 1t and never effaced. No
said he, you are mistaken. l am slow to
learn and slow to forget that which l
have learned. My mind Is like piece of
steel-very hard to scratch anything on 1t
and almost impossible after you get it
there 10 rub 1t out give this as his own
illustration of the character of his mental
faculties 1t is as good as any have seen
from any one.
1.-The beauty of his character was It's en-
tire simplicity He had no affectation In
anything. True to nature, true to him
self, he was true to everybody and every
thing around him. When he was igno-
rant on any subject, no matter how simple
it might make him appear, he was always
willing to acknowledge 1t. His whole aim
in life was to be true to himself, and be-
ing true to himself he could be false to no
one.
Relaxation In Anecdotes.
"He had no vices, even as young man.
Intense thought with him was the rule
and not, as with most Of us, the excep-
tion. He often said that he could think
better after breakfast and better walking
than sitting, lying or standing. His world
wide reputation for telling anecdotes and
telling them SO well was In my Judgment
necessary to his very existence. Most men
who have been great students, such as he
was, in their hours of idleness have taken
to the bottle, to cards or dice. He had no
fondness for any Of these. Hence he sought
relaxation in anecdotes. So far as l now
remember of his study for composition,
it was to make short sentences and a COM
pact style.
unlike all other men, there was entire
harmony between his public and private
life He must believe he was right, and
that he had truth and Justice with him,
or he was weak man, but no man could
be stronger If he thought he was right.
"His familiar conversations were like
his speeches and letters In this-that while
no set speech of his, save the Gettysburg
address, will be considered as entirely ar
tistic and complete, yet when the gems Of
American literature come to be selected
speeches as from any American orator. So
Of his conversation, and so OF his private
correspondence. All abound In gems.
MY own connection or relation with
Mr.. Lincoln during the war has 80 often
been commented on, and Its extent so Of
ten enlarged upon, I feel impelled to state
that during his whole administration he
never requested me to do anything except
Oh tn hat
except to advise him as to what measures
and policy would be most conducive to the
growth of healthy Union sentiment
His Kindness Of Heart,
''The last interview but one I had with
him was about ten days prior to bis last
Inauguration. Congress was drawing to q
close. 1t had been an important session.
Much attention had to be given to the i'm
portant bills be was signing A great war
was upon him and the country. Visitors
were coming and going to the president
with their varying complaints and Rriev-
ances from morning till night with almost
as much regularity as the ebb and flow Of
the tide, and he was worn down in health
and spirits. On this occasion was sent
for to come and see him. Instructions
were given that when came should be
admitted. Whom I entered his office, 1t
was quite full, and many more among
them not q few senators and members of
congress, still waiting. AS soon as was
fairly inside the president remarked that
he desired to see me as soon as he was
through giving audiences, and that II l
had nothing to do I could take the papers
and amuse myself in that or any other way
1 saw fit till he was ready. In the room,
xuba I ONT oh ca ba
fireplace, dressed In humble attire, two
ladies modestly waiting their turn. One
after another of the visitors came and went
each bent on his own particular errand,
some satisfied and others evidently dis
pleased at the result Of their mission. The
hour had arrived to close the door against
all further callers. No one was left In the
room now except the president, the two Ia
dies and me. With rather peevish and
fretful air he turned to them and said,
We'll, ladies, what can do for your They
both commenced to speak at once. From
what they said be soon learned that one
was the wife and the other the mother of
two men imprisoned for resisting the draft |
In western Pennsylvania. Stop, said he. |
Don't say any more. Give me your petit
ton. The old lady responded: Mr.. Lin |
coin, we've got no petition. We couldn't |
write one and had no money to pay for |
writing one, and thought best to come |
and see you. Oh, said he, L understand |
your casesP He rang his bell and ordered |
one of the messengers to tell GENERAL Dana |
to bring him the names of all the men in
prison for resisting the draft in western |
Pennsylvania. The general soon came
with the list. He inquired If there was
any difference in the charges or degrees of
guilt. The general replied that he knew
of none. Well, then, said he, these fell
lows have suffered long enough, and I
have thought so for some time, and now
that my mind is on the subject believe I
will turn out the whole flock. So draw up
the order, general, and 1 will sign it. 1t
was done, and the general left the room.
Turning to the women, he said, Now, Ia
dies you can 60 The younger of the two
ran forward and was in the act of kneel-
ing in thankfulness. Get up, he said.
Don't kneel to me, but thank God and
CO.
1--WE were now alone / said to him,
Lincoln, with my knowledge Of your nerv-
GUS sensibility, it is wonder that such
scenes as this don't kill you. He thought
for moment and then answered in a Ian
guild voice: Yes, you are to a certain de-
gree right 1 ought not to undergo what