The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-04-09
An Interview With
President Lincoln

edy that deprived a nation of It's head
will soon be here Those who lived
during Mr.. Lincoln's time remember
him as well for that kindness. that
humorous pathos. which characterized
him as for the marvellous adroitness
with which he steered the ship of state
through the turbulent waters Of four
one of the most tragic events of the
worlds history.
Ii was away back in the autumn OF
1860. was then twenty years old,
had been graduated from one of the
large eastern colleges and had selected
Journalism for profession When
asked what was my vocation l did not
reply 81 am a reporter" but journal
ISM" From this 1t is to be inferred
that had a high opinion OF the news
paper business and a CORRESPONDENCE
high opinion Of my own attributes, be-
ing In so exalted calling.
My work was with a 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 go to Spring
field, see Mr.. Lincoln, if possible. and
get an interview. arrived in Spring
field In the morning and In the after
noon went to Mr.. Lincoln's home.
was surprised at being admitted with
out any ceremony whatever and was
ushered into living room. wherein
sat the next president In rocking
chair. There were two little boys, his
sons, with him. the one sitting on his
shoulder. maintaining his position by
his grip with both hands on the presi.
dent elects hair. The other boy was
climbing up behind with a view to dis
pute his brothers. seat and to effect
similar Judgment ON the other shout
der.
Mr.. Lincoln was restrained from ris.
ing with one boy on his shoulder and
another holding on to his coat collar.
He excused himself for not doing SO
and put out his hand in very friendly
way. But he made no move to stop
the boys from their athletic amuse-
ment This did not seem to me quite
in keeping with his dignity as the
coming chief executive of great ma.
tion-to me. a journalistic representa-
tive Of a great newspaper. However.
! repressed my feelings and began the
interview, first drawing forth with as
much Importance as | could assume
a notebook In which to lay down those
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me to
the ma ton
"Mr. Lincoln" | said. II shall be
much obliged to you II yon will give
me the names Of such members OF
your cabinet as you may have decided
upon. II any. and what policy You in
tend to pursue. II you have settled
upon pOiicy.'
Mr.. Lincoln iW,ked AT me in so Kind
~. so fatherly y way that ! believed
he would give me- sncb Information ~
would enable me To astonlsb the
world
anything for you In my power =
Have yon settled on yonr cabinet
vr. Lincoln?'
oh yes. Every member has been
decided upon"
And yonr poiicyr'
THAT has been determined too"
There was something In his eve that
puzzled me.
'would you have any objection I"
giving them to meT
None whatever YOu are welcome
10 II all Nothing would give me more
pleasure than to give
He was trying to put his hands in
his pocket-a somewhat difficult mat
Ter with a boy on each shoulder mani
ing him-to draw forth something. but
not finding what be wanted. he con
timed:
THE truth Is that list Of my cabi.
net and an outline Of my policy are In
thar desk over there. and ! have lost
the key"
cast a quick glance at his eye and
saw merry spark In IT, while the cor
ners Of his mouth were quirked up.
took In the situation at once. Shnt
ting my notebook, arose and. abash
ed. was about to withdraw when ne
stopped me.
''Sit down. young man." he 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
20 back empty banded they won't like
II There may be something I can say
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
ucular course, all Of which took down
verbatim. When he had finished he
shook on the boys and. rising-I
thought that be would surely 90
through the ceiling-put out his great
broad hand and with another Of bis
kindly smiles babe me adieu, hoping