Page:Six Months at the White House.djvu/340

Rh reasoned logically, through analogy and comparison. All opponents dreaded him in his originality of idea, condensation, definition, and force of expression, and woe be to the man who hugged to his bosom a secret error if Mr. Lincoln got on the chase of it. I say, woe to him! Time could hide the error in no nook or corner of space in which he would not detect and expose it.

"Though Mr. Lincoln had accurate perceptions, though nature was extremely suggestive to him, though he was a profound thinker as well as analyzer, still his judgments and opinions formed upon minor matters were often childish. I have sometimes asked prominent, talented, and honest men in this and other States for their manly opinion of Mr. Lincoln's judgments.  I did this to confirm or overthrow my own opinions on this point.  Their answers were that his judgments were poor.  But now what do we understand by the word 'judgments?'  It is not reason, it is not will, nor is it understanding; but it is the judging faculty,—that capacity or power that forms opinions and decides on the fitness, beauty, harmony, and appropriateness of things under all circumstances and surroundings, quickly, wisely, accurately.  Had Mr. Lincoln this quality of mind?  I think not.  His mind was like his body, and worked slowly.

"One portion of mankind maintained that Mr.