Sitting before his desk in his office, at the White House, Lincoln
quaintly uttered: "I wish George Washington or some of those old
patriots were here in my place so that I could have a little
rest."--(Heard by General Viele.)
* * * * *
"I CAN BEAR CENSURE, BUT NOT INSULT!"
An army officer appeared before the President with a statement of his
defense against a sentence of cashiering. He was told that his own
paper did not warrant the superior interference. But he showed up twice
more, repeating the plea and the version of his own preparation.
At the continued repulse he blurted out:
"I see, Mr. President, that you are not disposed to do me justice!"
If Lincoln was the embodiment of any one virtue it was justice to all.
At this slur he sprang up and put the fellow out of the door by a lift
of his collar, saying:
"Never show yourself in this room again! I can bear censure, but not
insult!"
* * * * *