Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-09-04
D0DGED THE IssUE
%A Story About lincoln ard One Of His
Would Be Aosisess.

Il Would BE ADVISERS.
The following story was told years
ago by MI Dixon OF Rhode Island,
a Republican con- resslilan of promi-
nence In war days, was when the
war was still only half over and many
people at the north felt that d more
vigorous policy was demanded. There
had been meeting of prominent
northern men, including governors of
northern states. They passed resolu-s
tons that the campaign should be
more aggressive and commissfo
Mr.. Dixon to call on Mr.. Lincoln, tell
him Of the meeting and read to him
a record Of its conclusions. MI. Dix.
on said that he undertook the task
with a 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 mis-,
sion. 5s3@
Mr. Lincoln listened without inter
ruption to what Mr.. Dixon had to say,
silence which added not 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 d high opinion Of you. 1t is need
! less for me to add that what comes
from those who sent you here is atl-
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-
sponsible for the presidents action.
But have proposition to make to
you: Go home and think the matter
| over Come to me tomorrow morning
at 8 o'clock, and / will promise to do
tanything that you by then have deter
mined upon as the right and proper
thing to do. Good night. = I,
Mr.. Dixon left the White House feel
ing even larger than when he entered
1t, 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
the United States Many suggestions
occurred to him, but one after another
] was dismissed as for some reason out
1 Of the question. Whan morning light
broke he had not determined upon his
course, upon the policy which he was
I to impose upon the president. He de
cided he would not go to the White
House that morning. He did not &c
the next day or the next. FL
Indeed, three weeks went by before
he saw the president. Then 1t was at 3
reception at Secretary Stewards, an6
Mr.. Dixon tried to get by In the crow6
Z without attracting special attention
/ But the long arm of the president sho
J. out, grabbed Dixon and dragged hin
one side. BY the way, Dixon" salt
/ Mr.. Lincoln, 81 believe had an ap
q pointment with you one morning abou
three weeks ago" Mr.. Dixon said b,
did recall a mention Of something o
the sort Where have you been al
+ these weeksY asked the president
J Here In Washington" said Mr.. Dix
on; 'but, to tell the truth, Mr.. Presi
!. dent, have decided never to keel
that appointment = Il thought yol
: would not when / made 1t for you,
was Mr.. Iincoln's comment.
It makes a big difference when
u man has the say, when the respons
= bility rests individually on him, as t
/ what he will do or refrain from doing.