Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-06-08
National Lincoln Monument.
OFFICE STATE Surf Pubic INSTRUCTION
T,rtxois SppIxcrtrrn Mtv ~ lS6S


OFFICE STATE Surf Public Instruction
ILLINOIS, SrRINGFIELo, May 81, 1865
To the Presidents. Faculties and SfH6eHts of the
Uniuersities, Colleges, and other library, Sciea-
tic and Professional Schools ard Corporations
in the United States:
The object of the National Lincoln Monu-
ment Association is TO build becoming Mona
mcnt over tine grave of ABRAHAM LINCOLN, lato
President of the United States. The Association
is duly organized under the laws OF Illinois It's
President is His Excellcncy, the Governor; and
is Treasurer is the Hon James H. Bev cridse,
State Treasurer. By resolutions unanimously
adopted on the llih instant, the cOuntemnce and
participation of the Literary, Theological, Scicn-
tifc, and Professional Institutions OF the country
we're earnestly solicited; and the un lers gEed was
instructed in the namo of the corporation. to
bring the subject to their notice and request their
favorable action. In pursuance Of these instruc- 4
tiOns this Circular is respectfully addressed to the
distinguished bodies and corporations embraced in !
the resolutions Of the Association. IL will be
seen that the State of Illinois is publicly AMI OH
cially pledged To that the financial and business
aft lrs Of the Asso,i ltion conducted with the I
integrity and dignity becoming great Common /
wealth engaged in great enterprise. 1t Is, there
fore, requested that early and liberal action be Ia
ken by the various Institutions designated herein,
in such manner the authorite, in each case
my deem mos, appropriate or expedeat, and that
the dOnItiOuS and contributions Oi each Institution |
be forwarded TO Hon james II. Bevegidse, Spring
field. Illinois, vino will promptly acknowcng: re-
ceipi, and place the mount to the credit OF the
proper Institution and State.
The undersigned will also be pleased TO receive
from the President, other proper Officer, Of ,ch
Institution, statement Of the amount contributed
wiki such facts. incidents o. rcmlrks as may seem
proper TO be communicated 10 bt enlbol,d in a
special report which II IS intended TO publish in re
/ laticu TO the branch of the Monument Enterprise
entrusted to him. The contribution Of each Insti-
! tuition will be further acknowledged by an apprO-
PIRATE certificate diploma, bearing the seal OF
the Cooperation, and signed by is officers.
] Illinois does not wish TO build this Monument
alone. She does not claim a ABaAHsM LINCOLN as
ner Cxelus' son; but the gill; OF God Ia the ma
ton aud he age. That here was his home and
here forever viii be his tomb. i deemed sgii-
clcut reason why the call Tor 4 National MOnu-
meut should emanate from this State and this
c.ty. The Association desires to be regarded u
O..y tic c3cRR'l thlOagh which the QrOmgtngs OF
The popular heart may Ind cxpre sIou.-the instru-
oul% Us fiern inc forms oi enduring
strength and beauty.
While tie position lately held by Mr. LIycoIS
TIE Chief Magistrate OF the K, public renders it
Proper Tor this Association embrace every circle
and c.lSs in the sphere oil lis invitation, it i
th>a.ht that there are considerations which add
peculiar weight and fitness to appeal TO the
grca, Literary Institutions Of the country TO Join
in the proposed h0nlrs 10 his memory.
Though himself iebIrred. by the rugged ncces-
silics OF his early lie, from the liberal culture VI
the schools. yet the great fountains OF sci nee,
learning ard ttste--the colleges and seminlries
the laud-hld no iruer friend thln Mr.. LINCOLN.
Sincerely lamcniing that their rich treasures
denied 70 himself. lie early detcrm;n ned that his
sons should not bc so dcprived; purpose which,
in the case of one at least. he ivei to y accom-
plished. With unerrng discernmcut he loug ago
and maintained the philosophical and historic
truth. which only superficial observers deny, that
colleges are the Necessary pyecrsoTs of common
schools, and by "A much as he esteemed the latter
to be the hope OF the nation, did he hold the for
mer III vereration and honor Although he was
in the popular phrase, "self made man, yet he
never affected 10 des2;se the learning that nude
him. nor to underyalue the blessings conferred by
that higher literary trimming, the loss of which he
ever regarded as an irreparIble personal mS!Or
tune. With a real love and great natural aptitude
for the arts and sciences, he avai'ed himself Of
every opportunity TO encourage taste. and difuse
knowledge of them among the people OF the
lustre " hIch he mi ght have shed upon the world
of Arts and Letters had he been permitted TO tread
the halls of learning, well Judge from the
grasp and power aud genius shown in his actual
productions.
lie furnishes to the masters of thought in our
universities and colleges perfectly SAFE and thor
ouey worthy model ,f a christian statesman, pa
trot and man. whom they may hold up the ad-
niring love add imitation OF their students without
hesitation, fear or reservation. OF what other dis
tinguished American (save Washngtonj can this
be saii9 Does not the Professor feel that duty
quircs him, in every other case, TO check the en-
thusilsm OF the student by reminding him OF errors
and flaws TO be 'i1ed? 1t is great thing 10
have such a character TO commead to the student.
The lustre of great names, standing b Idly out
upon the canvas of history, will ever attract the
gaze, and ryet the attention and study of the bouy
| auta ardent and ina mon oathprp1
at Seats OF Learning. The influence of such
names, for good or ill., is often enduring as life.
Is it not something that here is to whom the
most ambitious may be pointed model, with
Out fear Of obliqu.y to his reason poison to his
heart Was ever an example more rich and pure
and yoiceful to American youth? To the children
of poverty and toll it says: Despair not the hum
blest may be exalted--to the amlcss: Live for
worthy purpose-to men OF business il grandly de-
clares:- Honesty is the best pocy-to the politi-
clan: Truth is better than cunning. 1t teaches
/ Courts that sincerity is the nobes and suIest di
plomlcy. 1t rebukes the atheist by the solemn
pathosland grarfiesir OF the Last Inaugural. Its
fearful iEterrogatory TO the rebellious STAKEHOLDER
is: "IIow dare yoI ask just Gods assistance in
wringing your bread from the sweat of other mems
facesT' Ii teaches the patriot and Christian hon
to live for mankind, and how to die for country
and for liberty. Do not our colleges owe some
thing TO his memory for such an educating and en-
Hobling example as this!
But the elements of character which most ex
a'ted him-whch earned for him among his friends
and neishbors, 5soutriquet .more honor .ble than
that awarded to- Aristides-which bound him to
the GOOD, who knew him, by indissolube ties of
love and confidence-whch made him President
which kept him infexible of purpose and uniailing
in faith in the DARK est days of the Republic
which caused him in the fulluess OF time TO smitc
the Pharaohs of Slavery with the flaming breath OF
his immortal Proclamation, calling whole race
from despair and death Up to life and hope--the
qualities of head and heart which did these things,
Martyrs of Liberty, and shrined his memory in the
heart Of the natod with love more tender and
reverent than has bseu given to any other son of
the Republic since the death OF " ashington; are
his simple unsworving truthtulness; his humble
trust in God; hisiufexible fidelity to bis convictions
of truth and duty; his rnsuspecting fraukness and
generosity; his quenchsss love of liberty, and the