“One time I remember I asked Mr. Lincoln what attribute he considered
most valuable to the successful politician,” said Captain T. W. S. Kidd,
of Springfield.
“He laid his hand on my shoulder and said, very earnestly:
“‘To be able to raise a cause which shall produce an effect, and then
fight the effect.’
“The more you think about it, the more profound does it become.”
“ABE” RESENTED THE INSULT.
A cashiered officer, seeking to be restored through the power of the
executive, became insolent, because the President, who believed the man
guilty, would not accede to his repeated requests, at last said, “Well,
Mr. President, I see you are fully determined not to do me justice!”
This was too aggravating even for Mr. Lincoln; rising he suddenly seized
the disgraced officer by the coat collar, and marched him forcibly to
the door, saying as he ejected him into the passage:
“Sir, I give you fair warning never to show your face in this room
again. I can bear censure, but not insult. I never wish to see your face
again.”