The solitary journalist-politician spoke freely of himself and his
intentions for the future. With a few passages from our talk on this
point, I will terminate my account of the interview.
"You see I am here chained to the pen," he said, "and, luckily, I have
that which defies the conscript officers, if the Government takes a
fancy to order editors into the ranks."
Smiling slightly as he spoke, he showed me his right hand, the fingers
of which he could scarcely bend.
"I was wounded at Cold Harbor, in June, 1862," he added; "not much
wounded either; but sufficient to prevent me from handling a sword or
musket. It is a trifle. I should like to be able to show an honorable
scar[1] in this cause, and I am sorry I left the army. By this time I
might have, been a brigadier--perhaps a major-general."[2]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
[Footnote 2: His words.]
"Possibly," I replied; "but the position of an editor is a powerful
one."
"Do you think so?"
"Don't you?"
"Yes, colonel; but what good is the _Examiner_ doing? What can all the
papers in the Confederacy effect? Besides, I like to command men. I
love power."[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
I laughed.
"I would recommend the philosophic view of things," I said. "Why not
take the good the gods provide? As a soldier, you would be in
fetters--whatever your rank--to say nothing of the bullet that might
cut short your career.
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