Lincoln, in the great receptions, often heard flattering remarks that had been made short so as to be delivered quickly. But his apt replies were always equal to the remark. On one occasion, as the handshakers came by, an elderly gentleman from Buffalo said, "Up our way we believe in God and Abraham Lincoln." To which the President replied as he took the next hand, "My friend, you are more than half right." Somewhat similar is a noble reply of Lincoln to some over-zealous religious friends which has become justly famous. A clergyman, heading a delegation with one of the many immature and injudicious appeals, said sadly, "I hope, Mr. Lincoln, that the Lord is on our side." "I am not at all troubled about that," was the instant reply, "for I know that the Lord is always on the side of right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that this nation and I should be on the Lord's side." CHAPTER VIII I. THE MAN AND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE Abraham Lincoln, as President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of its army and navy, never seemed to know that he was any more bound to look out for the good opinion of the world than at any time before. To him there was no such thing as presidential attitude or pose. He did not see that he had any part to act out more than he had always had. Life might be a stage, as Shakespeare had described it, and Lincoln had played many parts, but it was always as a man. "Nothing was more marked in Lincoln's personal demeanor," says one of his intimate friends, "than his utter unconsciousness of his position. He never seemed aware that his place or his business was essentially different from that in which he had always been engaged. All duties were alike to him. All called equally upon him for the best service of his mind and heart, and all were alike performed with a conscientious, single-hearted devotion." Mr. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner, says, "The great predominating elements of Mr. Lincoln's peculiar character were: First, his great capacity and power of reason; second, his excellent understanding; third, an exalted idea of the sense of right and equity; and, fourth, his intense veneration of what was true and good." Thackery expresses a vision of character that might well be used to describe the motive-interest of Lincoln, and every other youth who desires to be worth while: "Come wealth or want, come good or ill, Let old and young accept their part, And bow before this awful will, And bear it with an honest heart. Who misses or who wins the prize,-- Go, lose or conquer as you can; But if you fail or if you rise, Be each, pray God, a gentleman."