If I had had
my way, this war would never have been commenced. If I had been
allowed my way, this war would have been ended before this; but
we find it still continues, and we must believe that He permits
it for some wise purpose of His own, mysterious and unknown to
us; and though with our limited understandings we may not be able
to comprehend it, yet we cannot but believe that He who made the
world still governs it."
Children held a warm place in the President's affections. He was
not only a devoted father; his heart went out to all little folk.
He had been kind to babies in his boyish days, when, book in
hand, and the desire for study upon him, he would sit with one
foot on the rocker of a rude frontier cradle, not too selfishly
busy to keep its small occupant lulled and content, while its
mother went about her household tasks. After he became President
many a sad-eyed woman carrying a child in her arms went to see
him, and the baby always had its share in gaining her a speedy
hearing, and if possible a favorable answer to her petition.
When children came to him at the White House of their own accord,
as they sometimes did, the favors they asked were not refused
because of their youth. One day a small boy, watching his chance,
slipped into the Executive Office between a governor and a
senator, when the door was opened to admit them.
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