Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1910 — ST. VALENTINE McClellan’s Talent. [ARTICLE]

ST. VALENTINE

McClellan’s Talent.

President Lincoln one day remarked to a number of personal friends who had called upon him at the White House: “General SlcClellan’s tardiness and unwillingness to fight the enemy or follow up advantages gained remind me of a man back in Illinois who knew a few law phrases, but whose lawyer lacked aggressiveness. During the trial ot the case, the man finally lost all patience and springing to his feet, vociferated: “‘Why don’t you go at him with'a fl. fa., a demurrer, A capias, a surrebutter, or a ne exeat, or a nundam pactum, or a non est, or any old fool

“I wish," said Mr. Lincoln, “McClellan would go at the enemy with something; I don’t care what. General McClellan is a pleasant and scholarly gentleman. He is an admirable engineer; but he seems to have a special talent for a stationary engine."