While Mr. Lincoln was in the broadest sense a statesman--comprehending thoroughly the situation as it stood, the things necessary to be done to reestablish the unity of the Republic on a permanent basis, and the materials with which he had to bring about the desired results-he was at the same time. a thoroughly practical politician. He knew the value of "workers," as they are called, of trained politicians, of political methods, and precisely how to utilize them, better than any man in his Cabinet or out of it, with the possible exception of Thurlow Weed. When we come to consider, however, his place in history, the human side of his character, his humor, his fondness for anecdote, his keen apprehension of character, and his rough-and-ready way of handling men, will be forgotten. He did enough of solid and enduring work to place him among the very few supremely great men this country has produced. No conditions had before existed nor can ever again arise which will put it in the power of another statesman to issue an emancipation proclamation. His controversy with Douglas and his speech at Gettysburg will continue him in the front rank of American Presidents, while, more and more, as the facts are sifted, and minor details drop out so that only the great salient points of the civil war and its results are seen, the world will find that he discovered first the weaknesses of generals, and removed them; the defects of plan of campaign, and repaired them; and that he was not only one of the greatest of constructive statesmen, but that he was also a general of the rarest ability. CHAUNCEY M. DEPEW. XXV. DAVID R. Locke. O 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, |