Lincoln had periods while “clerking” in the New Salem grocery store during which there was nothing for him to do, and was therefore in circumstances that made laziness almost inevitable. Had people come to him for goods, they would have found him willing to sell them. He sold all that he could, doubtless.
The store soon became the social center of the village. If the people did not care (or were unable) to buy goods, they liked to go where they could talk with their neighbors and listen to stories. These Lincoln gave them in abundance, and of a rare sort.
It was in these gatherings of the “Four Hundred” at the village store that Lincoln got his training as a debater. Public questions were discussed there daily and nightly, and Lincoln always took a prominent part in the discussions. Many of the debaters came to consider “Abe Linkin” as about the smartest man in the village.
ONLY LEVEL-HEADED MEN WANTED.
Lincoln wanted men of level heads for important commands. Not infrequently he gave his generals advice.
He appreciated Hooker’s bravery, dash and activity, but was fearful of the results of what he denominated “swashing around.”
This was one of his telegrams to Hooker:
“And now, beware of rashness; beware of rashness, but, with energy and sleepless vigilance, go forward and give us victories.”