Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-03

he was SO wrapped up in the great questions
with which he had to deal that it is hard
to tell where his ambitions ended and his
convictions began. He was far-seelng.
remeli'- sa campaign with Douglas. /
turns came in, though Lincoln had the
popular vote, a legislature had been chosen
which would elect Douglas. l met Lincoln
coming home just after the news had been
received. | said: We'll, Mr.. Lincoln, we
are BEATEN"
yes he replied, we are beaten"
"I an very sorry said I, and at this old
Abe put his hand on my shoulder, and, look
ing down at me with a smile, replied: "'Oh,
my boy, don't worry; it will all come right
in the end
ward, and l believe he saw even then that his
defeat would make him president of the
United States.
Il got my first desire to go to Washington
to congress through Lincoln" Mr.. Cullom
went on. at was the night before he left
Springfield to go to his inauguration. l was
at this time speaker Of the Illinois house, and
as l entered bis parlor l said:
Mr.. President, / want to come to Wash
ington if possible before you leave
"Lincoln's eyes laughed as l used the words
Mr. President and he replied, emphasizing
his form of address: Mr.. Speaker, / hope
you will
II then began to scheme to get to Wash
| ington and was soon elected a member Of
congress"
THE ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN.
At this point the conversation turned TO
politics, and during it / asked Senator Gull
lom to give me a short statement as to the
issues of the next campaign.
Senator Cullom replied: THE issues are
| not many, but they are very important. The
republican party will espouse protection,
sound money and true Americanism, advo-
eating a strong foreign policy on the basis of
America as against the world"
Can the republican party succeed on such
a PLATFORM ,,
"Yes,' replied Senator Cullom; / think
there is no doubt of it,
Senator Cullom," said ], "how would you
like to be president Of the United States?"
The senator thought a moment, and re-
piled:
II would like it very much. l don't believe
ii would be a very hard Office to fill. The
president should choose good men to help
him. If he selects his cabinet and subordi-
mates properly these will bring the authori-
ties, the situation, and the information that
he needs properly before him, and good COM
mon sense Is enough to determine the rest"
"What qualities should a president have?'
III should be a man Of the people. He
should lie a patriotic American, should BE-
possessed Of common sense, and be a man
who knows how to select men and handle
men,"
II hear your name mentioned in many
quarters for the position" said |, las a can
didate for the republican party"
Yes" replied Senator Cullom. 81 have
been talked of in times past, and | believe
there Is some talk about me now. To tell
the truth, ! am tired of the talk, and | have
illustrated my situation by comparing it with
that of a boy who went to school with ne at
Mount Morris. This boy l will call Sam.
He is a prominent man now, and | dare not
mention his name. Well, Sam could not for
the life of him learn Latin, and he was kept
in the same Latin book from one term to
another. At last his teacher, in despair, said
to him:
Sammy, why don't you study and get
out Of this? Aren't you ashamed to remain
right here in the same place week after
week?'
Sam talked through his nose. His CONVEX
sation was a continuous whine, and In reply
he whlned out: Yes, ! am, and ! would
study II | had a new book, but | am tired OF
this. It's the same old thing over and over
again, and il It's not to go any farther, ]
want TO stop IT,
"And that" concluded the senator, with a
laugh, lis my position as TO the talk about
me FOR the presidency"
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