Major Hoxsey, Excelsior (N. Y.) Brigade, wounded in the Fighting Joe
Hooker division, could not accept a commission in the army, but wished
to be put upon the staff of the volunteers, as he could not walk. He
was upheld in his desire by Adjutant-general Hamlin, who accompanied
him to the President. They were both asked to sit while the authority
consulted the Congressional laws. Staff appointments could not be heard
by the President unless the general commanding the desired rank was
approving.
"I have no more power to appoint you without that request," said the
President, "than I would have to marry a woman to any man she might
desire for a husband without his consent!"--(By General Charles Hamlin.)
* * * * *
"A LUXURY TO SEE ONE WHO WANTS NOTHING."
Senator Depew was secretary of New York State in 1864, under Governor
Seymour. He had to wait upon President Lincoln, reelected, to harmonize
the calls for men, as his State was split on the accusation that the
draft favored one party above the other. His official business
finished, Secretary Depew called to bid farewell. Lincoln was not
holding a reception, but sitting in that study accessible to the
public, that never was a public man's sanctum before--or after. He was
intruded upon all the time, as he let the door remain wide open. (Old
New Yorkers may recall P. T. Barnum, the showman's, similar habit.)
Every now and then some petitioners would make a desperate rush in and,
on seeing they were not repelled by order or by the ushers' own
initiative, others would be emboldened to do the same. The New Yorker
no sooner took this cue than the besieged man perceived him.
"Hello, Depew! what do you want?" was his hail.
"Nothing, Mr. President, save to pay my respects to you, as I am going
home."
"Stay! it is such a luxury to see any one who does not want anything!"
He had the room cleared and discussed the war, interspersing the
dialogue with apposite stories.--(Told by Senator C. M. Depew.)
* * * * *
"ACCUSE NOT A SERVANT----"
As the possibilities of rapid advancement were redoubled during the
war, the President, in his first term of office, was stormed by the
office-seekers, who thought it the best plan to have occupiers of posts
ousted to give them an opening; so they maligned and even accused chief
officials with a freedom unknown in other countries where the
bureaucracy is a sacred institution--as within a generation it has
become here. Lincoln rebuked one of these covetous vexers by saying
gravely to him:
"Friend, go home and attentively read 'Proverbs,' chapter thirteen,
verse ten."
The rebuffed applicant found at that page in the book: "Accuse not a
servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found
guilty!"--(Attested by Schuyler Colfax.)
* * * * *