They got so far in half an hour that Lincoln could say, in his hearty way:  “Colonel, how tall are you?” “Well, taller than you, Mr. Lincoln,” replied the Mississippian.  “You are mistaken there,” retorted Lincoln.  “Dr. Bateman, will you measure us?” “You will have to permit me to stand on a chair for that,” responded the Doctor.  So a big book was adjusted above the head of each, and pencil marks made at the respective points of contact with the white wall.  Lincoln’s altitude, as thus indicated, was a quarter inch above that of the Colonel.  “I knew it,” said Lincoln.  “They raise tall men down in Mississippi, but you go home and tell your folks that Old Abe tops you a little.”  The Colonel went away much mollified and impressed.  “My God!” said he to Dr. Bateman, as he went out.  “There’s going to be war; but could my people know what I have learned within the last hour, there need be no war.”

During the Presidential campaign, the vote of the city of Springfield was canvassed house by house.  There were at that time twenty-three clergymen residing in the city (not all pastors).  All but three of these signified their intention to vote against Lincoln.  This fact seemed to grieve him somewhat.  Soon after, in conversing upon the subject with Dr. Bateman, he said, as if thinking aloud:  “These gentlemen know that Judge Douglas does not care a cent whether slavery in the territories is voted up or voted down, for he has repeatedly told them so.  They know that I do care.”  Then, drawing from a breast pocket a well-thumbed copy of the New Testament, he added, after a pause, tapping upon the book with his bony finger:  “I do not so understand this book.”

The poet Bryant was conspicuous among the prominent Eastern men who favored Lincoln’s nomination for the Presidency in 1860.  He had introduced Lincoln to the people of New York at the Cooper Institute meeting of the previous winter, and was a firm believer in the Western politician.  After the convention Mr. Bryant wrote Lincoln a most friendly and timely letter, full of good feeling and of wise advice.  Especially did he warn Lincoln to be cautious in committing himself to any specific policy, or making pledges or engagements of any kind.  Mr. Bryant’s letter contained much political wisdom, and was written in that scholarly style for which he was distinguished.  But it could not surpass the simple dignity and grace of Lincoln’s reply: 

     SPRINGFIELD, ILL., JUNE 28, 1860.

Please accept my thanks for the honor done me by your kind letter of the 16th.  I appreciate the danger against which you would guard me; nor am I wanting in the purpose to avoid it.  I thank you for the additional strength your words give me to maintain that purpose.

     Your friend and servant, A. LINCOLN.