Part 16 (1/2)

MAKING THE DAGGER STAB THE HOLDER.

Upon the first debate of the Lincoln-Douglas series, an admirer of the former, having no doubt now ”the stump speaker” would defeat the meretricious parliamentarian, said:

”I believe, Abe, you can beat Douglas for the Senate.”

”No, Len, I can't beat him for the Senate, but I'll make him beat himself for the Presidency.”

Douglas did gain the prize, but he lost his chances in the presidential race by alienating the whole Southern vote.--(Related by Mr. Leonard Swett, the ”Len” above, to Mr. Augustus C. Buell.)

THE TAIL OF THE KITE.

”Congress, like the poor, is always with us!”--(To General Grant.

”Grant's Memoirs.”)

NO DAY WITHOUT A LINE.

”I don't think much of a man not wiser to-day than he was yesterday.”--(A. Lincoln.)

TRUTH AND THE PEOPLE.

”The people are always much nearer the truth than politicians suppose.”--(A. Lincoln.)

”CALL ME 'LINCOLN.'”

Like the Friends, Abraham Lincoln had a dislike for handles to a name, and at the first incurred criticism in fastidious Was.h.i.+ngton circles by his using the last name and not the Christian one to familiars. To an intimate friend he appealed:

”Now, call me 'Lincoln,' and I'll promise not to tell of the breach of etiquette, if _you_ won't (Ah, how well he knew the vanity of great men's Horatios!), and I shall have a resting spell from _Mister_ Lincoln!”

THE ELOQUENT HAND.