Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-04-10

=
N sEsSss president and Mrs.
Su.Iaaa asNSEN&E ER Lincoln gave pub
v#l M Hi lie reception at the
~ }4S white house. which
ooeSI / attended. The
$lM president stood in the usual
HfgAA reception room. known as
HIN the blue room with several
cabinet officers near him.
and shook hands cordially with
everybody, as the vast procession
OF men and women passed in front
of him. He was in eyening dress
and wore . turned-down collar size
too large. The necktie was rather
bread aud awkwardy tied. He was
more OF a Hercules than an Adonis.
His height OF six feet four inches en-
ahiea him to look ever the heads OF
most ot his visitors. His form was un-
calmly and the movements OF his long.
angular arms and legs bordered at
times Rpon the grotesque, His eyes
were gray and iisproporSionately small.
His face wore a general expression OF
sadness. the deep lines indicating the
sense OF responsibility which weighed
upon him, but at times his features
Lighted ap. with bread smile and there
was merry twinkle in his eyes as he
greeted an old acquaintance and ex-
changed few words with him in a
tone a. familiarity. He had sprung
from the common people 10 become one
OF the most uncommon OF men.
Mrs. Lincoln occupied a position
on his right Fer time she stood on
a lire with him and took part in the
reception, but afterward stepped back
and conyarsea with some of the
wives Of the cabinet officers and other
personal acquaintance who were in
the room
At abole $50 o'clock sudden COM
motion near the entrance to the room
attracted general attention and upon
looking n that direction / was sur
prised to see Gen. Grant walking along
modastly with the rest OF the crowd
toward Mr.. Lincoln. He had arrived
from the west that evening and had
come to the white house TO pay his re-
Speats 20 the president. He had been
in Washington but once before, when
he visited IL for a day soon after he
had left West Point. Although these
two historical caracters had never met
before, Mr.. Lincoln recognized the
general from the pictures he had seen
OF him With face radiant with de-
light he advanced rapidly two or three
steps toward his distinguished visitor
ana cried out: why, here is Gen.
Grant! Well, this is q great pleasure.
assure you,' at the same time seizing
him by the hand and shaking it for sew
erai minutes with rigor which show
ed the extreme cordiality OF the well
come.
The scene now presented was deeply
impressive. Standing face to face for
the sirst time we're the two illustrious
men whose names will always be in
separately associated in connection
with the wa OF the rebellion Grants
right hand grasped the lapel of his
coat: his head yas bent slightly for
ward and mis- eyes upturned toward
Lincoln's face. The president, who
Was eight inches taller. looked down
with beaming countenance upon his
gHest.
Although their appearance, their
training and their characteristics were
in striking contrast, yet the two men
had many traits in common and
there were numerous points OF resem-
blance IN their remarkable careers.
Eaen was OF humble origin and had
been compelled to learn the first les
sons OF life IN the severe school of
adversely Each had risen from the
people possessed an abiding conf
dence in them and always retained a
deep hold upon their affections. Each
might have said to those who were
inclined TO sheer at his plain origin
what marshall of France. who had
risen to dukedom, said to the
hereditary mobiles who attempted to
snub MIN In Vienna: II am an an
eestor: you are only descendants" In
great crisis Of their country's his
tory both had entered the public SER
vice from the same state. Both were
conspicuous for the possession Of that
most uncommon of all virtues. com
mon sense. Both despised the arts OF
the demagogue and shrank from posing
for effect or INDUCING in mock hero
les. Even when their characteristics
differed they only served to supple
mcnt each other and add still greater
strength TO the cause for which they
strove. With hearts too great for rivalry.
with souls untouched BIZ jealousy, they
lived 10 teach the world that 1t Is time
to abandon the path of ambition when
it becomes 50 narrow that two cannot
walk Il abreast.
The statesman and the soldier con-
vefsed for few minutes and then the
president presented his distinguished
guest to Mr.. Seward The secretary OF
state was very demonstrative in his
welcome and after exchanging few
words led the general to where
Mrs. Lincoln was standing, and
presented him to her. Mrs. Lin
coin expressed much surprise and
pleasure at the meeting, and she