Lincoln on Political Blowhards or McClellan’s Engineering Expertise

Lincoln’s experience with Political Blowhards and McClellan’s Engineering Expertise, both resulted in a frustration that the President dealt with in his subtle commentary. Politicians seem to have an innate ability to expound on any subject, at any given time, whether they have any knowledge of the substance of discussion or not. General McClellan’s combination of bluster and ego resulted in similar accomplishments, as that of the Politician, all bark and no bite.

When Lincoln was on the campaign trail in Illinois, his talent for oratory grew daily. A story tells of one young political aspirant, a blowhard, who followed Lincoln to almost every speaking engagement and interrupted the future president’s speech with his nonsensical ramblings and self-centered ambitions. This grandiose orator could not fathom why, the audience didn’t comprehend his brilliance and potential political greatness?

Lincoln as always, responded to the audience and answered the young man’s unasked question;

“I don’t object to being interrupted with sensible questions, but I must say that my boisterous friend does always make inquiries which properly come under that head. He says that he is afflicted with headaches, at which I don’t wonder, as it is a well-known fact that nature abhors a vacuum, and takes her own way of demonstrating it.”

During Lincoln’s presidency, one of his major headaches was General McClellan. Lincoln and his cabinet had great hopes, that the “Boy General” would whip the Army into shape and lead the Federal Forces to victory over the southern insurgency. McClellan had the education, style, class and persona of a young Napoleon, his troops worshipped him, and according to himself, he could do nothing wrong. What more could a government or a nation want? President Lincoln knew what was lacking, even if his General didn’t.

To a group of visiting friends, President Lincoln stated;

“I wish 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.”

Bummer