The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-06-09
Abraham Lincoln's 0ratory.

eiOquence winch cnoImo tuo hooaoAs 49,
which charm dies when the voice has ceased.
But no had behind every word spoken by
him such strong force Of character and hon.
esty of opinion, that conviction always foi-
lowed this highest type Of eloquenee. Amer
lea never produced his equal in his iOrciole
and happy style "of putting things stating
his positions. We will illustrate by ono in
stance In his letter giving his reasons tor
employing negro soldiers no ntters this SEN
tence: ..t
thought that in your struggle to save the
Union, to whatever extent the negroes should
cease helping the enemy, to that extent il
weakened the enemy g resistance to you. Do
you think differently? Ithoughtthat what
ever negroes can be got to do as soldiers. leaves
just so much less for white soldiers to do in
saving the Union. Does it appear otherwise
TO you?
What could the grumbler say in reply
Why, those words and the manner OF put
ting them were perfect cstoppel upon any
farther discussion in reference to employing
negro soldiers. But to draw his moral after
unhosing his opponent, Mr.. Lincoln imme
diately says:
But negroes, like other people, act upon
motives. Why should thew do anything for
us, IL we will do nothing for them? IL they
stake their lives for us, they must be prompt.
ed by the strongest motives-eveu the prom.
iss Of freedom; and the PROMISE MADE MUST
NE KEPT.
The words uttered in his debate with Judge
Douglas will remain as specimens Of the best
argumentative oratory on record. and his
deep insight into thingsis shown by almost
the frst words Of his opening speech:
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
believe this Government cannot endure per
manently half slave and half free. do
not expect the Union to be dissolved-l do
not expect the house to fall-but do expect
il will cease to be divided. Ii will become
oil one thing or all another.
Further on he states volume Of objection
to the "Nebraska Bill'' which he styled
mons,rous injustice, in this pithy and point.
cd sentence:
am again opposed to it in that it forces
so many really good men amongst ourselves
into an open ,rdr with the pery fundamental
principles Of eirii liberty, critiei=ing the Dec.
iaration of independence.
Again he says:
That is the electric cord in the Declaration
that links the hearts OF patriotic and liberty
loving men together. that will link those pat
riotic and liberty-loving men together as long
rs the love of freedom exists in the minds OF
men throughout the world. i
should like to know If taking this old Dec
laration Of Independence, which declares
that all men are equal upon principle. and
making exceptions, where will il stop? IL
one man says it does not mean the negro.
why not another say it does not mean some
other man? IL that Declaration is not the
truth, let us get the Statute book in which
We find it and tear il out Who il so bold
IA to do it? IL it is not true. let us tear 1t
out. [Cries OF "no, no."l Let W aitk 10
it then; let us stand firmly by ii then.
Throughout that great debate, which is
the most memorable in our calendar, the able
Judge Douglas found his adversary ever ready
and ever prepared to meet him upon all
points with that eloquence, sententious rs il
was, that always made him master of the
situation. But he has uttered words that
will DO quoted as long as the English Ian.
guage is spoken. In closing his great speech
at the Cooper Institute. he beautifully says: :
Let us have faith that right makes might.
and in that faith let US to the end dare do
our duty, as we understand it.
In his first inaugural he touchingly appeals
to his fellow citizens ut the South to preserve
the faith and memory of the Fathers, and
adds:
am 10th to close. We are not enemies,
but friends. We must not DO enemies.
Though passion may have strained, it must
not break our bonds OF affection. The mys-
tic chords Of memory, stretching from every
battlefield and patriot grave, to every living
heart and hearth.stone all over the broad
land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union,
when again touched. as they surely will be,
by the better angels Of our nature.
Had tho instigators Of rebellion but lis.
tened to that great heart pleading so tender
ly with them, what mountains Of crushing
sorrow would have been spared the land
The climax to every and all efforts Of the
late President to give thoughts words, was
his second inaugural address. Read in the
light of subsequent events. it comes upon us
now like the benediction which follows prayer
the last sad parting words OF that Father
10 dearly beloved. who was about to yield his
life for the sake Of the Republic. Those
words were not less mighty thin the prayer
Of Habbakuk. nor less lofty in inspiration
than those Of jeremiah, nor Of less Chris.
tan fervor than the best thoughts Of Job:
Fondly do we hope, ferveutly do we pray
that this mighty scourge Of war may speedily
pass away. Yet if God wills that il con.
tinue until oil the wealth piled by the bond.
mems two hundred and City years Of unre-
Quilted toll shall be sunk, and until every
drop Of blood drawn with the lash shall be
paid bv another drawn with the sword, as
was said 5000 years ago, so still it must be
said that the judgments Of tho Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
And ut the las. he SAYS:
With malice towards none, with charity
for all. with frmness in the right. us God
gives US to sec the right, let us strive on to