The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-18
An Interview With
President Lincoln
By F. A. Mitchell

The nftieth anniversary Of the trag.
edy that deprived nation of its head
and at the same time made d martyr
will sOOn be here. Those who lived
during Mr.. Lincoln's time remember
him as we'll for that kindliness. that
humorous pathOs. which characterized
him 40 for the marvellous adrOitness
with which he steered the ship OF state
through the turbulent waters Of four
years OF war. His assassination was
one Of the most tragic events of the
worlds history.
1t was away back In the autumn OF
lS6O. was then twenty years old.
had been graduated from one Of the
large eastern colleges and had aelected
Journalism for profession. When
asked what was my vocation did not
reply II am \ reporter" but journal
ism" From this It u to be inferred
that had high opinion OF the news
paper business and CORRESPONDENCE
high opinion Of my own attributes. be-
ing In 20 exalted calling.
My work was With Chicago news.
paper. and some time after Abraham
Lincoln's election to the presidency Of
the United States | was directed BY
the managing editor tO 90 to Spring
Geld, zee Mr.. Lincoln, II possible, and
get an interview. I arrived In Spring
Geld In the morning and In the after
noon went to Mr.. Lincohs home.
was surprised at being admitted with.
out any ceremony whatever and was
ushered into living room. wherein
Sat the next president In a rocking
chair. There were two little boys. his
sons, with him. the one sitting on hts
shoulder. maintaining his position BY
his grip with both hands on the presi.
dent elects hair. The other boy was
climbing up behind with view to dis
pute bis brothers seat and to effect a
similar Judgment On the other shout
der.
Mr.. Lincoln was restrained from ris-
ing with one boy ON his shoulder and
onVSnCA uOtoihk VI " uAS COhl COtloIs
He excused himself for not doing 90
and put out his hand In very friendly
way. But be made no move to stop
the boys from their athletic amuse-
ment This did not seem to me quite
In keeping with hts dignity a. the
coming chief executive of u great ma
tiOn-tO me. journalistic representa-
tive Of great newspaper. However.
I repressed my feelings and began the
interview. 6rst drawing forth with az
much Importance as could assume
a notebook in which to lay down those
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me t.
the nation.
"Mr Lincoln" l said, II shall b
much obliged to you II you will give
me the names Of such members Of
your cabinet a. you may have decided
upon. II any, and what policy you In
tend to pursue. II you have settled
upon policy"
Mr.. Lincoln looked at me In % kind
". 40 fatherly way that ! believed
be wonld give me such Information AZ
would enable me to astonish the
world.
II shall be glad" be said. ITO do
anything for you In my power"
"Have you settled on your cabinet.
Mr.. LincOln?"
-Oh. yes Every member has been
decided upon"
yovpe s,otluv
THAT has been determined too"
There was something In his eye that
puzzled me.
would you have any objection to
giving them to mer
"None whatever You are welcome
to It all, Nothing would give me more
pleasure than to give"-
He was trying to put his hands In
bis p0cket-a somewhat difficult mat
ter with a boy on each shoulder maui
ing him-to draw forth something. but.
not finding what he wanted. he con-
timed:
'"The truth h that list Of my cabi-
net and an outline Of my policy are in
that desk over there. and I have lost
the key"
4 cast . quick glance at his eye and
saw . merry spark In II while the cor
ners Of biz mouth were Quirked up. !
took In the situation at once. shut
ding my notebook. I arose and. abash-
ed. was about to withdraw when hs
stopped me
'Sit down. y0ung man." be said
Perhaps ] may give you some other
points that are not locked up and the
key lost You have come all the way
from Chicago for facts. and II you
60 back empty handed they won't like
II. There may be something can aay
to help you out"
He proceeded to tell me humorous
incidents Of the election that had given
him the presidency and other items
that would not pledge him to any par.
ticular course. all of which took down
/, verbatim. When he had finished he
shook Oh the boys and. rising-1
thought that he would surely 90
through the ceiIing-put out his great
broad hand and With another Of hie
kindly smiles babe me adieu. hoping
that would satisfy my journals hun.
cry nav.
That In more than half q century
a2o The world now knows what II
&c not know then-the wise patience
Of Abraham Lincoln. But what has
fired that wisdom and patience In the
heasts Of the people h that kindliness
which the Immense burden resting
upon him never prevented his exercis-
Ing. whether II wss 10 Q soldiers wid-