The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-12
An interview With
President Lincoln
By r. A. Mitchell

A"e ot1letn anniversary or the tra8-
coy that deprived a nation Of its head
and ut the same time made Z martyr
Will soon be here. Those who lived
during Mr.. uncoln's dime remember
MIN a. we'll for that kiudliness. that
humorous pathos. which Characterised
MIN - 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
1851. 1 was then twenty years old.
had been graduated from one Of the
large eastern colleges and had selected
Journalism for a profession. When
asked what was my vocation did not
reply Il am a reporter" but journal
ISM" From this It IL to be inferred
that had a high opinion OF the news
paper business and correspondingly
high opinion Of my own attributes, be-
Ing In 20 exalted u calling.
My work was with a Chicago news.
paper. and some time after Abraham
Lincoln's election to the presidency OF
the United States l was directed BY
the managing editor to so to Spring
Geld. see Mr.. Lincoln. II 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, mis-
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 view to dis
pute bis brothers seat and to effect q
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 70
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 his dignity as the
coming chief executive of a great ma.
tion-to me. journalistic representa-
tive Of great newspaper. However
I repressed my feelings and began the
interview. hrst dra wing forth with II
much importance rs could assume
a notebook In which to lay down thos<
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me h
the nation.
"Mr. Lincoln" ! said. Il shall b
much obliged to you II you will CIV,
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 settlet
upon policy"
Mr.. Lincoln looked at me In % kind
y. 20 fatherly q way that | believed
be would give me such information q
would enable me to astonish th,
world.
II shall be glad" be said. ITO d,
anything for you In my power"
"Have you settled on your cabinet
Mr.. LincOln?"
"Oh. yes. Every member has beef
decided upon"
"And your policyr'
"That has been determined too"
There was something In his eye tina
puzzled me.
would you have any objection Il
giving them to mel"
"NOne whatever You are WELDON,
to 1t all. Nothing would give me NOR,
pleasure than to give"--
He was trying to put his hands II
bis pocket-a somewhat difficult mat
ter with a boy on each shoulder maui
ing him--to draw forth something. but
not finding what he wanted. be con
tinued:
1.-THE truth ia that list Of my cabi
net and an outline Of my policy are II
that desk over there. and have los
the key"
I cast q quick glance at bis eye AMI
saw a merry spark In II. while the cor
ners Of his mouth were quirked up.
took in the situation at once. Shut
ting my notebook, l arose and. abash
ed. was about to withdraw whsn b,
stopped me-
''Sit down. young man." b said
perhaps may give you some othsi
points that are not locked up and tn
key lost You have come all The way
from Chicago for facts, and II y0s
70 back empty handed they won't lik<
II. There may be something ! can say
to help you out"
He proceeded to tell me humoroua
incidents Of the election that had given
him the presidency and other itemi
that would not pledge him to any par
t1cular course. all Of which ! took down
verbatim. When hs had finished b
shook Oh the boys and. rsing-l
thought that be would surely q
through the ceiling-put out his greai
broad hand and With another Of BIZ
kindly smiles babe me adieu. h0pfne
that would satisfy my Journals hun
CRY nav.
That II more than half Q century
ego The world now knows what II
did not know then-the wise patience
Of Abraham Lincoln. But what has
axed that wisdom and patience in the
hearts of the people Is that kindliness
which the immense burden restina
upon him never prevented his exercis
ing. whether 1t was to soldiers wid
ow or In considering a deserters mes
sage asking ciemency.