He was an American in earnest. He believed in that democracy which is democracy indeed. He believed in the Constitution of the United States, and his one desire was that its blessings should be extended and made perpetual over all this continent. I look back upon him with intense gratitude. He set up the landmarks toward which we are to come, the boundaries which we are to attain to. He proclaimed the principle of continental unity, and that unity he would found in freedom, in progress, and in improvement of every nature. Such were the principal men by whom Mr. Lincoln was surrounded. They were very independent men. They were not always satisfied with his decisions, with his action; but he was always master of the house. There was no pretension about Abraham Lincoln; he did n't put on any airs, and I never heard him say a harsh word to anybody. I never heard him speak a word of complaint even. These other gentlemen, the members of the cabinet, like human beings in general, were not pleased with everything. Much was imperfect; much was not ordered in the best way; much, perhaps, might have been done better if they individually had had charge of it. Not so with the President. He was most calm, equable, uncomplaining, and, to my mind, one of the happiest men that I have ever known. He always had a pleasant word for everybody. What he said showed the profoundest thought, even when he was joking. He seemed to see every side of every question. He never was impatient, he never was in a hurry, and he never tried to hurry anybody else. To every one he was pleasant and cordial; yet they all felt that it was his word that went at last, and until he had decided, the case had n't been decided, and the final orders not issued yet. But, before going further, let me endeavor to give those in this audience. who never saw Mr. Lincoln some idea of his personal appearance. He was a very tall man -six feet four inches. His complexion was dark, his eyes and hair black, and, though he was of lean, spare habit, I should suppose he must have weighed over two hundred pounds. |