Estimate of Official Honours.
As a further elucidation of Mr. Lincoln’s estimation of Presidential honours, a story is told of how a supplicant for office of more than ordinary pretensions called upon him, and, presuming on the activity he had shown in behalf of the Republican ticket, asserted, as a reason why the office should be given to him, that he had made Mr. Lincoln president.
“You made me President, did you?” said Mr. Lincoln, with a twinkle of his eye.
“I think I did,” said the applicant.
“Then a precious mess you’ve got me into, that’s all,” replied the President, and closed the discussion.
Truly Awful.
“When do you think this war will be ended, Mr. Lincoln?” said an impatient citizen. “Why, when we have whipped the slaveowners.” “Then I’m thinking,” replied the citizen, “that you will never live to see its close. I have already seen its clothes, and they are the most blood-stained and bespattered lot I ever saw. But I trow, sir, war is sure to spoil the habits of a people, especially when they go to sleep in breeches.”