Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-04-21


 a measly few de not After Mr. Lin coln's election to the presidency and be- fore his departure for Washington great concern regarding him began to mani fest itself in the minds of the people outside of Illinois and especially in tho eastern states. Being comparatively un- known and entirely devoid of expert ence in all executive office, the question naturally asserted itself, Is he the right man for the place, and will he be equal to the great emergency that awaits him: Residents of Illinois and especially those supposed to be near the president elect had this inquiry propounded to them during the closing months of 1860 from friends and correspondents ill every part of the country.
 Among others who wrote to Herndon in this vein was Henry Wilson, United States senator from Massachusetts and later vice president of the United States. This was Berndon's reply, dated Dee. 21, 1860: ''I have been Mr Lincoln's g law partner for over 16 years and his intimate and bosom friend for even q 4OuStl t4ltiC A4let4l tiAAt l hAiA3AN HUH BGl- ter than he does himself l know this seems a little strong, but I risk the as sertion. Lincoln is man of heart-aye, as gentle us maiden and as tender but he has will as strong as iro1l He therefore loves all mankind, hates s}ay- cry and every form of despotism Put these together-loye for the slave and q
 
 and unyielding shall be done when he has the right to act-and you can form your own conclusion. Lincoln will fail here-namely, if q question of political economy. if any question. comes up which is doubtful, questionable, which no man can demonstrate, then his friends can rule him. But when on jus tice, right, liberty. the constitution and the Union, then you may all stand aside he will rule then, and no man can move him-ne set of men can do it. There is no fail here This is Lincoln, and you mark my prediction. You and l must keep the people right; God will keep Lincoln right" To Edward L. Pierce of Boston, ill letter written in Springfield the very day of Lueoh's s inauguration, he said: Lincoln has the most womanly heart I ever knew. His judgment is excellent-not keen and subtle, but broad, deep and comprehen- sive. His conscience is his ruling attri- bute They guarantee q priori high hopes of the future. know of no living man whom would sooner trust D
 . a. # n acter, this manly, upgrudging tribute of respect, it seems ought, on the one hand, to demonstrate that Helndon fully comprehended the man whom he undertook to portray, and, an the other, to set at rest the doSpicable and often times malicious misrepresentation that have frem time to time f0und their way into the press of the day charging him with jealousy of Lincoln and Of conniy. ing with those who sought to under mine him m public esteem. Of course the fame cf Lincoln is fixed" beyond our power to add cr detraet but il assigning Herndon his place in history 1t is due his memory that the world i should weigh all the facts.
 It k neither my purpose nor prercga. tive to apologize fcl VT vindicate the latter's conduct or positlou, but 1 know that So far as Lincoln aud Helndon themselves were concerned there never existed the least friction CT distrust Neither was il the others way 50 far as political henars ge, and, although satisfied with the obscurity Of his posi. tion, Herndcn did everything ill hia power to promote his partners fortunes His loyalty was never questioned. Ma. for Henry c Whines ssvs that oa the