With Malice Towards None

[Gene C]

More interesting statements from the book

- But the most memorable thing about him (Herndon) was his nonstop chatter, his effusive philosophizing on everything from metaphysics to sex, science and phrenology .. He (Herndon) regarded himself as an expert psychologist and bragged about his "dog-sagacity", and "mud-instinct", which enabled him to divine other men's inner secrets....A man of causes and a leader in the local temperance movement, he was still a hard drinker and in his later years became an alcoholic.

- For his part, Herndon was fascinated with Lincoln, observed his ways and moods, and haughtily presumed that he understood Lincoln better than Lincoln understood himself.

- Back at the White House, he (Lincoln) informed Mary that she could relax now his victory (re-election) seemed assured. Then he retired to his own chamber and tried to sleep. Unknown to him, Ward Hill Lamon came to Hay's room armed with pistols, bowie knives, borrowed some blankets lay down in the hall outside Lincoln's door. Lamon was afraid that somebody might try to assassinate the President now that he was re-elected. The next morning, he left before Lincoln awoke, leaving the blankets at Hay's door.