Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-05-19
Test of a President.

The story was told years ago by Mr..
Dixon, of Rhode Island, 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 more vigorous policy
was demanded. There had been meet
ing OF prominent northern men, in
GLIDING governors OF northern states.
They passed resolutions that the cam
paign should be more aggressive, and
commissioned Mr.. Dixon to call on Mr..
Lincoln, tell him OF the meeting and
read to him record of its conclusions.
Mr.. Dixon said that he undertook the
task with good deal of satisfaction,
and felt like 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 q little to
the impressiveness of the latter's elo-
quence. When Mr.. Dixon was through
Mr.. Lincoln said to him: Dixon, you
are good fellow and | have always
had high opinion of you. 1t is need
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,
in justice to myself, you must remem-
Der that Abraham Lincoln is the presi-
dent of the United States. Anything the
right or wrong, will be the act of A bra
ham Lincoln, and Abraham Lincoln
will by the people be held responsible
for the presidents action. But | have
proposition to make to you. Go home
and think the matter over Come to
me tomorrow morning at o'clock,
and | will promise to do anything that
you by then have determined upon as
the right and proper thing to do.
Good night"
MIR. Dixon left the White House feel
ing even larger than when he entered
it, 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
the United States. Many suggestions
occurred to him, but one after another
was dismissed as for some reason out
of the question. When morning light
broke he had not determined upon his
course, upon the policy which he was
TO impose upon the president. He de-
cided 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 it was at
reception at Secretary Seward S, and
Mr.. Dixon tried to get by in the crowd
without attracting special attention.
But the long arm Of the president shot
out, grabbed Dixon and dragged him
to one side. by the way, Dixon"
said Mr.. Lincoln, ~ believe ! had an
appointment with you one morning
about three weeks ago" Mr.. Dixon
said he did recall mention of some
thing of the sort. "Where have you
been all these weeks?" asked the pres
ident. "Here in Washington, said
Mr.. Dixon; ''but to tell the truth, Mr..
President, have decided never to keep
that appointment, Il thought you
would not when / made it for you, "
was Mr.. Lincoln's comment.
1t makes a big difference when a
man has the say, when the response
bility rests individually on him, as to
what he will do or refrain from doing.
Waterbury American.