Omaha daily bee., 1911-11-19
PUBLIC MEN OF OTHER DAYS
Eldest of Senators Gives a Perspeo.
tive Of the Past
MEMORIES OF SENATOR CULLoM
Anecdotes of Presidents Lincoln,
johnson, Cleveland, Harrison
and Roosevelt Noted Re-
hind the scenes.

Senator Shelley NJ. CullOm OF Illinois
pulls back the curtains from perspec-
tive Of public life extending back to war
times and tells about the leading figures
On the scenes. OF which he was part,
in his book OF reoollectons brought out
by a. c. McClurg & Co. Chicago. Sena-
tor Cullom Is now So lie has been in
public life or close to it all his man
hood life. and politician all the time.
As might be expected his recollections Of
men and events cover long stretch Of
time and abound with characteristic ansc-
dotes.
In his relations with Lincoln. Cullom
discovered that the martyred president
was something Of politician himself
For instance, Just before Liucolns re.
nomination. in 1864, Culom. who was q
strong Lincoln man, found IN his frame
up Of the situation that It looked pretty
had for the president So he went to the
White House and told tho President what
he had discovered-thRt in this and that
locality the whole sentiment was against
him. Let him tell in his own words how
he discovered that Lincoln was better
politician than he was:
Well It is not quite SO bad as that
he said. lie took down his directory and
/ soon discovered that he had a far more
Intimate knowledge OF the situation than
had. lie had every one marked, knew
how he stood, and the list made a bettor
showing than | had expected" Lincoln,
In fact, was an Incompatible politician
and never left anything to chance.
He was reminded says Cullom "of
little story. couple OF Irlshmen came
TO America and started out To foot into
taa
they came to a piece of woods. They
thought they heard a noise, but did not
know what II was. They deployed TO
either side Of the road to find out, but
we're unable to do so and finally one
called to the other: Pat, Pat, let's 80 on;
this is nothing but dommed noise.'"
Andy JOhnsOn's Time.
one Of the strangest stories told by
Cullom Is about how George $. Bout
well, In other respects a sane man,
firmly believed President johnson to
have been a conspirator in securing the
assassination OF Mr.. Lincoln"
Against Johnson Cullom pits "Old Ben
Wade" Of Ohio, the candidate OF tho
radicals for the presidency OF which
they proposed 10 rob the man duly
chosen for It by the people. Cunom
himself was an antl-Johnson man; yet
he is pleased that The conspiracy to
place Wade In the White House failed.
Than Wade" says he there was no
more unsafe man in either house of con
gress." The plot to drive johnson out
and put Wade In was unquestionably en-
glneered by the great revolutionist,
Thaddeus Stevens.
Wade at first was for Johnson John
SON." said he, in his first interview with
the president, I'VE have faith In you.
BY the gods, there viii be no more
trouble In running the government"
Wade must have meant that the trouble
they had had with Lincoln would now
disappear. When he found that the new
president was bent on carrying out Lin
coins policy this confidence disappeared
There WERE" says Cullom 1.-TWO strik
ing points in Johnson's character, and
knew him well, First, his loyalty to the
Union and, second, his utter fearlessness
of character. lie could not be cowed; old
Ben Wade, Sumner. stevens, all the
great leaders OF that day, could not
through fear influence him one particle. -
In 1861, when tho ConfederateB threat
ened him, the one southern senator who
was loyal to the Union. Johnson, had
said this, which Cullom declares the key
to his character;
II want TO say, not boastlngly, with
no anger in my bosom, that these two
eyes of mine have never looked upon
anything in the shape OF mortal man
that this heart has feared"