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


edy that deprived nation Of its head
and at the same time made 4 martyr
will soon be- here. Those who lived
during Mr.. I.incOln's time remember
him as we'll for that kindliness. that
humorous pathOs. which characterized
him as for tue marvellous adroitness
with which ne 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.
II was away back In the autumn OF
lSGO 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 vOcs ton did not
reply IL am a reporter" but journal
ism" From this It is to be inferred
that l had high opinion OF the news
paper business and a correspondingly
high opinion Of my own attributes. be-
ing in SO 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 so to Spring
field. see Mr.. Lincoln, II possible. and
get an interview. | arrived In Spring
field In the morning and In the after
noon went to Mr.. LincOlns home. l
was surprised ut 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 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 a
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 90
and put out his hand In a 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 bis dignity as the
coming chief executive Of u great ma
tiOn-t0 me. q journalistic representa-
tive Of q great newspaper. However.
I repressed my feelings and began the
interview, 6rst drawing forth with AZ
much importance AZ I could assume
q notebook In which to lay down those
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me to
the nation.
INT. Lincoln" l said. u shall be
much Obliged to You II you will give
me the names Of such members Of
your cabinet az 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 10 kind.
". 80 fatherly a way that I believed
he would give me such Information as
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"
"And your pOlicyT"
THAT has been determined too"
There was something In his eye that
puzzled me-
Would you have any objection to
giving them to meT
"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
his pockets somewhat difficult mat
ter with boy on each shoulder maui
ing him-to draw forth something, but.
not finding what he wanted. be con-
tinued:
'"The truth Ia that list Of my cabi-
net and an outline Of my policy are in
that desk over there. and I have lost
the key"
] cast a quick glance at bis eye and
saw q merry spark In Il, while the cor
ners Of his mouth were quirked up.
took In the situation at once. Shut
ting my notebook. I arose and. abash-
ed. was about to withdraw whom hs
stopped me.
''Sit down. young man." he said.
Perhaps l may give you some other
points that are not locked up and TIE
key lost You have come al The way
from Chicago for factD, and " you
60 back empty handed they won't Ike
It There may be something I can ~
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 be had finished b
shook Oh the boys and. rising-I
thought that be would surely 20
through the ceiling-put out his great
broad hand and with another Of his
kindly smiles babe me adieu. hoping
that ! would satisfy my Journals hun
cry nav.
That In more than half q century
ago The world now knows what It
"a not know tben-the wise patience
Of Abraham Lincoln. But what has
fixed that wisdom and patience In the
hearts Of the people Il that kindness
which the immense burden resting
upon him never prevented his exercis-
Ing. whether II was 30 . soldiers Wild
DIV or In considering q deserter's mes