New-York tribune., 1907-03-01
4 TALK WITH LINCOLN.
Prof. Bailey Recalls Orators Ac-
count of Fehcitous Illustration.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir; Joseph II. Choates admirable speech
about Abraham Lincoln as he appeared when
he first came East to speak in Cooper Institute.
forty-seven years ago. and OF his wonderful
career and character. reminds me OF a memor-
able talk IT was my good fortune 10 have with
Mr.. Lincoln at that time.
After his great speech IN New York he gave
the same, essentially. IN New Haven. and was
so pleased with It that l went to Meriden 20
hear It again.
few days after. taking the train FOR New
York. I saw Mr.. Lincoln in the car. and could
not resist the chance OF speaking with him.
Nothing could have been. more gracious than
his invitation TO sit down in the seat by him
"NIr. Lincoln" I said. 'it has been my lot 70
hear a good many Republican speeches but
never one that stated the principles and policy
OF the party so clearly and strongly and with
little offence 10 opponents as yours"
Mr.. Lincoln said: I'VE have 70 learn TO state
our side on the stump out West with as little
offence as possible TO opponents. as We have
both parties before US"
''But how did you acquire your extraordinary
power of putting things?"
Mr.. Lincoln. not satisfied with such a general
compliment lifted up his Ions forefnger and
said. For instance?" and I recalled his original
and telling Illustration OF not striking at slavery
In the slave states. although It was admitted to
be n great moral well a political and in
dustrial evil.
reminded him OF the strange fact that lloyd
Garrison. Wendell Phillips and other anti
slavery leaders gave up their right 10 vote even,
rather than swear allegiance to the Constitu-
ton. which they ferJely denounced for in
directly supporting slavery in The slave states.
YOU Nj Lincoln are the only man in the
nation who has had the wit to get round that
moral point.
II viii be remembered that his Illustration
was. III good man sees VenOmOuS snake IN
the road. his first instinct viii be 10 kill it be-
fore 1t harms some one But il ne comes home
and finds that veuomous snake cooled round his
babies in the trUndle bed. he dare not strike
he might do more harm than good" And then
he added with an tndesCrtb16le electric out
buIst; But who proposes to put that same
venomOus snake into yonder clean beds where
our children are soon To so? The Democratic
party"
When asked how he happened on that felici-
tous illustration he replied; Il often felt that
the moral question was the weak point in my
argument. and was not at all satisfied with my
statement. The truth is / gave that speech sew
eral times before l hit on that illustration At
one time il suddenly flashed like In
spiration while l was on my feet speaking"
Mr.. LincOlns scanned and rugged features.
as Mr.. ChOate calls them. lighted up with
nearly smile at my appreciation or his rare SiIt
of expression. His manner was so cordial; he
seemed as If talking with an old friend instead
OF a stranger; kindly questioned me about my
own life and work and when | told him was
instructor of oratorical speaking in Yale Col
lege he seemed doubly pleased that his plain
speaking" he called it, should be SO highly
valued.
When reference was made to his famous de-
bate with Douglas he said: MR.. Douglas is q
debater of great ability and shrewdnesS. and
knows Well all the prejudtceS of the people OF
our state. and has no scruples about appealing
TO them" When his unanswerable arguments
and appeals to justice and right in that debate
were referred to. he mOdestly said: If had
any advantage in that contest over Douglas it
was that determined before We began that.
whatever happened / would not, even for
moment. lose my temper" And added, paren-
thetically: II not a very bad tempered
man as men go. but 1 knew how irritating
Douglas could be ON the stump"
1t was only natural that should recall this
accidental talk with growing pleasure when Mr..
Lincoln rose TO the highest hOnOrs in the nation,
becoming its President and In mere ways than
one 'the foremost man Of all this world" The
surprising thing Is that the President should re-
eal IT, To a trustee of Yale calling at the
White House he said: 81 once had very In
terestins talk with a Yale professor about
rhetorcs should like 70 meet that man again" !"