XXV.

DAVID R. Locke.

write recollections of Abraham Lincoln is a

pleasant task. The greatest man, in some respects, who ever lived, and in all respects the most lovable-a man whose great work gave him the heart of every human being-with a heart-throughout the civilized world, and whose tragic death made a world sigh in pity. It was an honor to know him, and more than an honor to be approved by him.

The first time I saw the great and good Lincoln (alas! that "great" and "good" cannot be more frequently associated in speaking of public men) was at Quincy, Ill., in October-I think it was-1858. It was at the close of the greatest political struggle this country ever witnessed. Stephen A. Douglas was the acknowledged champion of the Democratic Party, a position he had held unquestioned for years. He came into his heritage of leadership at an unfortunate time, just when the scepter was departing from the organization which he had headed, but he was especially unfortunate in being pitted against the most honest statesman in the opposition,

a man upon whose face the Creator had set the assurance of absolute, unselfish integrity-of one whose outward seeming was a true index of the inward man. Douglas was perhaps as honest as politicians usually are; he had doubtless worked himself up to the point of actually believing the lies which he had fashioned to subserve his own ends; but Lincoln had never so deceived himself. He was absolutely honest-honest all the way through—and in face and manner satisfied all men that he was So. What might happen to him never influenced either his advocacy or opposition of any measure that might come before the people.

A mere politician like Douglas, who was so full of self that there was room for nothing else, was very indiscreet in trying conclusions before the people with any such man as Lincoln. The average instinct of the masses in such matters is unerring.

I found Mr. Lincoln in a room of a hotel, surrounded by admirers, who had made the discovery that one who had previously been considered merely a curious compound of genius and simplicity was a really great man. When Lincoln was put forward as the antagonist of the hitherto invincible Douglas, it was with fear and trembling, with the expectancy of defeat; but this mature David of the new faith had met the Goliath of the old, and had prac

tically slain him. He had swept over the State like a cyclone-not a raging, devastating cyclone, the noise of which equaled its destructive power, but a modest and unassuming force, which was the more powerful because the force could not be seen. It was the cause which won, but in other hands than Lincoln's it might have failed. Therefore, wherever he went crowds of admiring men followed him, all eager to worship at the new shrine around which such glories were gathering.

I succeeded in obtaining an interview with him after the crowd had departed, and I esteem it something to be proud of that he seemed to take a liking to me. He talked to me without reserve. It was many years ago, but I shall never forget it.

He sat in the room with his boots off, to relieve his very large feet from the pain occasioned by continuous standing; or, to put it in his own words: "I like to give my feet a chance to breathe." He had removed his coat and vest, dropped one suspender from his shoulder, taken off his necktie and collar, and thus comfortably attired, or rather unattired, he sat tilted back in one chair with his feet upon another in perfect ease. He seemed to dislike clothing, and in privacy wore as little of it as he could. I remember the picture as though I saw it but yesterday.

Those who accuse Lincoln of frivolity never knew

him. I never saw a more thoughtful face, I never saw a more dignified face, I never saw so sad a face. He had humor of which he was totally unconscious, but it was not frivolity. He said wonderfully witty things, but never from a desire to be witty. His wit was entirely illustrative. He used it because, and only because, at times he could say more in this way, and better illustrate the idea with which he was pregnant. He never cared how he made a point so that he made it, and he never told a story for the mere sake of telling a story. When he did it, it was for the purpose of illustrating and making clear a point. He was essentially epigrammatic and parabolic. He was a master of satire, which was at times as blunt as a meat-ax, and at others as keen as a razor; but it was always kindly except when some horrible injustice was its inspiration, and then it was terrible. Weakness he was never ferocious with, but intentional wickedness he spared.

In this interview the name came up of a recently deceased politician of Illinois, whose undeniable merit was blemished by an overweening vanity. His funeral was very largely attended: "If General

had known how big a funeral he would have had," said Mr. Lincoln, " he would have died years ago."

But with all the humor in his nature, which was

more than humor because it was humor with a purpose (that constituting the difference between humor and wit), his was the saddest face I ever looked upon.

His flow of humor was a sparkling spring gushing out of a rock-the flashing water had a somber background which made it all the brighter. Whenever merriment came over that wonderful countenance it was like a gleam of sunshine upon a cloudit illuminated, but did not dissipate. The premonition of fate was on him then; the shadow of the tragic closing of the great destiny in the beyond had already enveloped him.

At the time, he said he should carry the State on the popular vote, but that Douglas would, nevertheless, be elected to the Senate, owing to the skillful manner in which the State had been districted in his interest. "You can't overturn a pyramid, but you can undermine it; that's what I have been trying to do."

He undermined the pyramid that the astute Douglas had erected, most effectually. It toppled and fell very shortly afterward.

The difference between the two men was illustrated the next day in their opening remarks.

Lin

coln said (I quote from memory):

"I have had no immediate conference with Judge Douglas, but I am sure that he and I will agree that