The San Francisco call., 1904-03-13

or bis time and or later history as sell
dom having made mistake He was
sometimes deceived In his Judgment OF
men. bur he was hardly ever ar
fault in his Judgment OF measures.
Understanding the American people
better than many men Of greater ex-
perlencr and statesu1anship. he never
entertained a doubt as TO the final is
sue OF the contest When disaster en-
eompasssd Us and defeat held back our
armies he confidently called for more
men Sustained by his fmperturbabis
trust in. the righteousness of our cause
ard IL the power and willingness of
the people to meet all requirements, he
pressed steadily onward TO that per-
feet cons Eu1naat.on Of uaticnal peace.
unity and fresdoEn. which. with a faith
born OF prescience, he felt would be
sure 70 come. and wnich he almost
lived TO see
Mr. lincoln had dual nature. The
gravity OF his .6smeaaor enhanced the
huEr0T OF his tests ard the wit OF his
jests gave strength TO the arguments
they illustrated. Many OF his anecdotes
have found their way fEto print and IL
is not the purpose OF the writer 20
make these papers a vehicle for the
recital Of thrfce-toId tales. one or two
anecdotes viii serve to Illustrate the
quickress Of his wit During the Lin
cOln-DOUgIas debates the Prince OF
Wales and his suite were travelling in
Illinois ard attended upon several Os
these famous discussions. Among the
English party was a young gentleman
who was a good deal fresh and like
many other travellers. had left his good
breeding at home He had been intro
duced to ard conversed with Mr.. Lin
coin and felt privileged 20 address him
At one OF the towns where there was TO
be an afternoon debate Mr. Lincoln ar
rived about the noon hour and proceed
ed at once 70 the country tavern where
he was to have quarters. He was
dusty from the ride. and. without wait
ing 70 be shown to his room. went into
the general washroom. and taking the
implements LETT there for that purpose
proceeded to polish his boots. ~Oh, Mr..
Lincoln. I am surprised said the cub,
who had followed him in in ny cOun-
try a gentleman does not black his own
boots" MOI" said Mr.. Lincoln, pol
ishing away. whose boots then does he
bIack2''
OF q legislative colleague In Congress
who was given to frequent changes OF
opinion. Mr. Lincoln said that his
method possessed some advantages, for
when ne desired TO absent himself he
could-inasmuch as he always spoke
one way and voted another-aIways
pair of with himself OF his opponent.
Douglas. after the latter had been
driven by Lincoln into the declaration
which aEenated from the Little Giant
all Southern support. 8Ir. Lincoln said:
Steve has now a brilliant futurs-be-
hind him"
The history OF the National Repub-
lican Convention OF 1850 has. been
again and again recited. shall not
attempt to recall its details There
is left upon my mind only the men,
Ory Of the hour when the cohorts OF
the master creative spirit OF Repub-
Hcanism. the strong. phff0sOp OphicaI.
tndomita be Seward. fell back step BY
step before the rising. swelling. ad-
vancing tide and amid the waving OF
thousands Of banners the great Saxon
roar OF victory went Up from tens OF
thousands OF threats and all Illinois
shouted Abraham Lincoln into the
Presidency.
The great party which Lincoln first
led 10 national victory was in his day
an expression OF the brains and con-
science and patriotism OF the nation.
May IL continue as such and never be-
come a satrap. scOUrged and weary
running in chains at the chariot
wheels OF PIutus. Nav il live uu-
swindIed by the huckSters OF the eau
Gus and undebauched by the bawds OF
the lobby. May it Live with ears un-
attuned TO the cIiuk OF the briber's
gold and with brow unbranded with
the scarlet letter OF shame Nav IL
live with its foreign policies Hnshaped
by the magnates OF trusts and its In
ances unruled by bankers syndicatss.
May the harvest OF prosperity which
it's sway is bringing TO the nation not
be bIighted by the hot and greedy
blasts OF selfshness while the corn is
yet IN the milk.