The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-28
An Interview With
Preslden Lincoln
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ana al the same tlftit Hi;.ut Il tllirtyr
will soon he here lh">r Win lived
during Mr. Lincoln uine remember
humorous pathos viii h t...ara trrize,!
him AZ for the marvellous adroitn,ss
with which he strertd the snip OF state
through the turbulent waters of tour
years Of war His assassination was
one Of the most tragic events oi the
worlds history.
II was away back in the autumn u
1861 | was then twenty years uid.
had been graduated from one OF the
large eastern colleges and had selected
journalism for profession When
asked what was my vocation did not
reply II am u reporter" bu, JOURNAL
ism" From this 1t is to be inferred
that had high opinion OF the news
paper business aud CORRESPONDENCE
high opinion Of my own attributes, be-
ing In so exalted calling.
My work was with Chicago news.
paper, and some time after Abraham
I.incoln'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 q 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 view to dis
pute his brothers. seat and to effect a
I 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.
ae excused himself for not doing 10
, and out 0ut his hahd In very friendly
way. But he made 10 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 0f d great ma
uOn--t0 me. journalistic representa-
tive Of great newspaper. However.
repressed my feelings and began the
interview, 6rst drawing forth with as
. much importance as could assume
notebook In which to lay down those
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me to
the nation.
"Mr. Lincoln" I said, II shall DO
much obliged to you II you 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 policy"
Mr.. Lincoln looked at me In 10 kind.
". 80 fatherly way that ! believed
be would give me such information as
would enable me to astonish the
world.
II shall be glad" he 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 policyY"
"That has been determined too"
There was something In his eye that
puzzled me.
Would you have any objection to
giving them to meT'
"N0ne whatever You are welcome
to 1t all. Nothing would give me more
pleasure than to give
He was trying to put bis hands in
bis pockets somewhat dificult mat
ter with boy ON each shoulder maui
ing him-to draw forth something. but
not finding what be wanted, be con-
tinued:
1.-THE truth 10 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 q quick glance at bis eye and
saw a merry spark In II. while the cor
ners Of bis mouth were quirked up. !
took In the situation 1t once. Shut
ting my notebook. arose and. abash-
ed. was about to withdraw when he
stopped me.
'Sit down. young man." be said.
Perhaps I 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 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
ticular course. all Of which took down
verbatim. When be had finished he
shook OF the boys and. hsing-I
thought that be would surely 60
through the ceiling-put out bis great
broad hand and with another Of his
kindly smiles babe me adieu, hoping
that would satisfy my journals hun
CRY NAV.
That il more than half a century
ago The world now knows what It
"a not know 'thcn-the wise patience
Of Abraham Lincoln. But what has
fixed that wisdom and patience in the
heasts of the people is that kindness
which the immense burden resting
upon him never prevented his exercis-
ing. whether II was to q soldiers Wild
ow or in considering deserter's mea-
aage asking ciemency.