Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>"LET HIM SQUEAL IF HE WORKS."</h3> <p>One of the Northern war governors was admirably loyal and devoted to the reunion, but he was set on doing things his own way, and protested every time he was called on for men or material. Lincoln saw that he was willing, and was only like the lady who "methinks protests too much." So he told Secretary Stanton, who laid before him the objections:</p> <p>"Never mind! These despatches do not mean anything. Go right ahead. The governor reminds me of a boy I knew at a launching. He was a small boy, chosen to fit the hollow in the midst of the ways where he should lie down, after knocking out the king-dog, which holds the ship on the stocks, when all other checks are removed. The boy did everything right, but yelled as if he was being murdered every time the keel rushed over him in the channel. I thought the hide was being peeled from his back, but he wasn't hurt a mite.</p> <p>"The shipyard-master told me that the boy was always chosen for the job, doing his work well and never being hurt, but that he <i>always</i> squealed in that way.</p> <p>"Now, that's the way with our governor; make up your mind that he is not hurt and that he is doing the work all right, and pay no attention to his squealing."</p> <p>To his confidant, General Viele, the President said:</p> <p>"We cannot afford to quarrel with the governors of the loyal States about collateral issues. We want their soldiers." <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />