The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1907-09-06
D0DGED THE ISSUE.
a Story About Lincoln and Ono of His
Would Be Advisers.

Would Be Advisers.
The following story was told years
ago by Mr.. Dixon of Rhode Island,
q Republican congressman Of promi-
hence In wal 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 q meeting Of prominent
northern men, including governors of
northern states. They passed resolu-
tons that the campaign should be
more aggressive and commissioned
Mr.. Dixon to call on Mr.. Lincoln, tell
him of the meeting and read to him
q record Of its conclusions. Mr.. Dix
ON said that he undertook the task
with a good deal of satisfaction and
felt like q very large sized man when
he went up to the White House one
evening to deliver himself Of his mis-
sion.
Mr.. Lincoln listened without inter-
ruption to what Mr.. Dixon had to say,
n silence which added not a little to
the impressiveness Of the latter's elO-
Quence. When Mr.. Dixon was through
Mr.. Lincoln said to him: Dixon, you
are q good fellow, and 1 have always
had q high opinion Of you. 1t Is need
less for me to add that what 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,
in Justice to myself, you must remem-
Der that Abraham Lincoln is the presi-
dent Of the United States. Anything
that the president of the United States
does, right or wrong, will be the act
Of Abraham Lincoln, and Abraham
Lincoln will by the people be held re-
sponslble for the presidents action.
But 1 have a proposition to make to
you: Go home and think the matter
over. Come to me tomorrow morning
Mt 0 o'clock, and I will promise to do
anything that you by then have deter
mined upon as the right and proper
thing to do. Good night"
Mr.. 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. Diminishing this
pleasant thought, he consulted with
himself as to what would be done
when the responsibility fell on him to
decide the policy of the president Of
occurred to him, but one after another
was dismissed is 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 or the next.
Indeed, three weeks went by before
he saw the president. Then 1t was at a
reception at Secretary Stewards, and
Mr.. Dixon tried to get by in the crowd
without attracting special attention.
But the long arm of the president shot
n side. "By the way, Dixon" said
Mr.. Lincoln, "I believe I had an ap-
pointment with you n morning about
three weeks ago" Mr.. Dixon said he
did recall a mention Of something of
the sort. where have you been all
these weeks?' asked the president.
Here in Washington" said Mr.. Dix
on; -"but, to tell the truth, Mr.. Presi-
dent, 1 have decided never to keep
that appointment" 81 thought you
would not when 1 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.