The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-01
LINCoLN'S p
The Great Man Thought II Over and Did
Not Call for L..


IL is a story recalled apropos of the
fact that President Mckinley is show
ing much the same conservatism in
his treatment of Spanish-Cuban COM
plications that had previously been
shown by Mr.. Cleveland-surprising as
this attitude has been to many repub-
Leans.
The story was told years ago by Mr..
Dixon of Rhode Island. a republican
congressman of prominence in war
days. 1t was When the war was still
only half over and many people at the
North felt that a more vigorous policy
was demanded. There had been a
meeting of prominent Northern men,
including governors OF Northern
states. They passed resolutions that
the campaign should be more aggres-
sive, and commissioned Mr.. Dixon to
call on Mr.. Lincoln, tell him of the
meeting, and read to him a record of
it's conclusions. Mr.. Dixon said that
he undertook the task with a good
deal of satisfaction, and felt like a
very large-sized man when he went
up to the white house one evening TO
deliver himself of his mission.
Mr.. Lincoln listened without inter-
ruption to what Mr.. Dixon had to say,
a silence which added not a little to
the impressiveness of the ~latter's elo-
Qut1Ct. w men MI. blNol was ilTOuS
Mr.. Lincoln said to him: Dixon. you
are a good fellow. and | have always
had a high opinion of you. 1t is need
less for me to add that whatever comes
from those who sent you here is au-
thoritative. The governors of the
Northern states are the North. What
they decide must be carried out. Still.
I'm justice to myself, you must remem-
Der hat Abraham Lincoln is president
- ~ liz .InA
the president of the United States
does, right or wrong. will be the act of
Abraham Lincoln. and Abraham Lin
coin will by the people be held re-
sponsible for the presidents action.
But l have a proposition to make to
you. Go home and think the matter
over. Come to me tomorrow morn
ing at 3 o'clock, and l will promise
to do anything that you by then ave
determined upon as the right n
proper him to do. Good night"
Mr.. Dixon left the white house feel
ing even larger than when ne entered
il, assured that the president put a
higher value upon his abilities than
he himself supposed. Dismissing this
pleasant thought, he consulted with
himself as to what should be done
when the responsibility fell on him to
decide the policy of the president of
lnt 'ulttu oldAtS- MANY SukktSlibilS
occurred to him. but one after an
other was dismissed as for some rea-
son or other out OF the question. When
morning light broke he had not deter
mined upon his course. upon the pol
icy which he was to impose upon the
president. He decided he would not
go to the white house that morning.
He did not go the next day nor the
next.
Indeed. three weeks went by before
he saw the president. Then 1t was al
a reception at Secretary Stewards. and
Mr.. Dixon tried to get by i'm the crowd
without attracting special attention.
But the long arm Of the president sho,
out. grabbed Dixon, and dragged him
one side. by the way. Dixon" said
Mr.. Lincoln, Il believe | nae an ap-
pointment with you one morning about
three weeks ago" Mr.. Dixon said he
did recall a mention OF something oi
the sort. Where have you been al
these weeks?" asked the president
Here In Washington" said Mr.. Dix.
on; but to tell the truth. Mr.. Presi.
dent, | have decided never to keep tina
appointment" Il thought you would
not when | made 1t for YOU" was Mr.
Lincoln's m
II makes a big difference when .
man has the say. when the responsi,
bility rests individually upon him. "A,
to what he will do or refrain from %.
ing.