The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-03-10
nENnY WARD nNHoHEn ON PRES
IDENT LINCOLN.


speech delivered by Henry Ward
Beccher at Philadelphia on Tuesday
of last week:
The Chief Magistrates of these two
great sections of country are represen-
tativcs of the two corresponding prin
ciplos. Davis was formed Of aristo-
cratic institutions. All his ideas of
society and or government are aristo-
cratic, for the South was but nominal
ly republican. Himself a man of OK
periencc in public affairs, of great
administrative talent, with quick
eye and firm hand, with great will
power, self-power, with nothing sub
tracted from it to the credit of CON
sciences sake laughter, he has just
that abilityywhich is called sharp, keen.
He is an adroit man. He is cunning
statesman. Now, at the beginning,
almost every one admired and envied
him. We granted that the best side
had only dull, honest man, and the
worst side such keen, shrewd mana
ger; and il was often said in the first
year, "Let us have their President,
and give them ours, and we'll whip
them in three months" But, | think,
no man has heard that said within the
last year. Laughter and applause.
Who believes now in Davis sagacity,
in his craftsmanship, His cunning
has ruined him. Men laugh at the.
outcoming Of those very projects
which they admire in their concep-
ton. There was never in civil annals
SO gigantic blunder as Southern
statesmen have made. They have
irretrieyably ruined themselves by
thoir moves, and inflicted vast evil on
their countrymen, and immeasurable
damage on their States, and this is
what they have to show for cunning
statesmanship-cunning and not wise.
Mr.. Lincoln is not cunning but he is
wise, and wisdom tells in the long run.
[Great applause Mr.. Lincoln is q
man of the people. He was formed
by Democracy INTO Democrat. lie
believed in it with a child-liko sim
plicity of faith, as if he didn't know
there was anything else in the world.
lie came to the Presidency by one of
those happenings which men call
chance, and Christian Providence,
without one single gift which poetry
and aristocracy associate with a SUI
preme leader Of a nation. Ungainly
in form, without beauty Of features,
with manner uncultivated even to
that degree that is common TO Amer
lean farmers, not point was there for
romance. With natural shrcwdncss,
with some experience in the admins
tration Of public affairs, not skillful,
however, in discerning Or selecting
men, and then too kind always 10 put
down a tool which by mistake he had
taken up, he has been for three years
learning to govern, and though some
what dull, he has stuck to his lessons
night and day, with such diligence,
that now, at least, jeff Davis could
teach him nothing applause while
on the other hand President lin
coin could teach Jeff Davis good
many things; (applause) among others
that honest principles, bravely adhered
to, arc better craftsmanship always
than tricky cxpcdients. (Applausc.) J
Mr.. Lincoln is the homcly President
of Il homely people. IIo is honest, con,
scientious, single minded, disintcrest.
cdly seeking the welfare of tho nation
first the party next, and of himsclt
not at all. (Applause.) lie has been
faithful to tho great political truths
Of our American system, and he has
shown to the world that successful
government is not the mystery, is no.
the thing 50 rare that only privil-
eyed few can enact it, but that the
good administration Of Government
requires only good common sense and
uncommon honesty daughter and
Iapplausc.) That is all. Instead o
requiring genius, instead of requiring
rare and extraordinary qualities, it re
quiros Just those qualities which mos
politicians sacrifice in order to &c
rnment-common sense and hon
csty (Applause) This is n lessor
for Europe to ponder over Now, tina
il is so, wo would not have had on
President any other. If he had beer
an accomplished scholar, and lcarnc'
by travel and experience; if ho hat
had every conceivable gift that coul,
dazzle the imagination or touch tn
} heart, men would say good Leadership
gave us the victory but now men Ca
say the peoples power, thro' the Pres
idcnt, gave the victory. applause.
Our President has been made, the but
, of ridicule Of our newspapers, and {
, derision among tho exalted official
I, and elegant masters of court ccrcmc
' MICS abroad for l confess Mr.. Lin
coin would cut but q poor figure i
tho Courts of Europe. 0Laughter
But it is our pride, however, to sho'
> these people that wo have carrie
9 through this terrific struggle, the lik
: ofwhich Europe mover knew, not b
! the skill of any extraordinary goniu
I, They took q man from among thon
y y selves, a real man Of the people,
plain, simplc;, hoIncly man, and thj
. . victory Of liberty-loving Democrat
| has bccn achieved under tho lcado
! ship of one of these Democrats
= When slavery was destroyed,
! was we'll that it should have Il
y very best leadership, that no ma