The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-29


coin year ago?
"Of the career brought thus suddenly to
this tragic close, 1t 10 yet too early to make
any estimate that will not require revision.
It is probable that the judgment of histo-
~ will differ In many respects from that Of
Mr.. Linooln's contemporaries; and in no
respect, perhaps, more than In reversing
the current tenor of the public thinning ON
what has been considered the vacillation Of
his character. It must never b overlook.
ed that Mr.. Lincoln was elevated to the
Presidency without previous training;
that he was novice in the discharge of
high and executive functions. Confront
. novelty, magnitude and difficulty which
would have caused 0e most experienced
statesmen to quail, beset on Ill aides BY
the most conflicting advice, it would not
have been wisdom, but shallow and fool
hardy presumption, indicating unseemly
levity Of character, il he had affected q dis
play of the same kind of confident deci-
cock boat In fair-weather. II, under such
circumstances, he had played the role Of =
man of decision, he would have forfeited
all title to be considered . man of sense
When the most experienced and reputable
statesmen of the country came to opposite
conclusions, it is creditable to the strength,
solidity, and modesty of Mr.. Lincoln's
mind. that he acted with cautious and
hesitating deliberation propcrtioned rath-
or to = sense of his great responsibilities
than to q theatrical notion of political stage
effect.
Had the country, previous to Mr.. Lin
coins first election, foreseen what was
ident man Of Mr.. Lincoln's experience
and peculiar type OF character. But If his
party was to succeed, We doubt whether
foresight and delibefation would have
made 80 good choice. With the Republi.
can party in power, this terrible struggle
was inevitable and, with q man Of liked
views and infexable purpose at the head
have resulted either in q dissolution Of the
Union, or civil war in tho North. In ei,h-
er event we should have lost our institu
| tons. The stability ofa republican gov
eminent, and indeed Of any form of free
government, depends upon it's possessing
that kind of flexibility which yields easily
to the control of public opinion. In this
respect the English Govern ment 10 more
pliable than our own, the Administration
being at all times subject to immediate
change by losing the confidence of the rep
resentatives OF the people; whereas under
our Constitution IN iron infleXibility can
maintain itselfin Office for the full period
displacing 1t, except Dy revolution. In or.
binary times, this works we'll enough; for
the growth Of opinion, in any ordinary
four years, could not be 90 rapid a. to
indispose the people to await the Presiden-
tial election. But when there was let loose
upon %, at the beginning OF the last ad-
ministyation, the Wild outbfeAking Of tur.
bulence and treason, the development of
opinion went forward with gigantic strides
corresponding, in some degree, to the vio-
lence and magnitude Of the contest. Any
policy which Republican President might
have adopted with decision In the Spring
of 1861, and adhered to with steadiness du-
the Government to be shivered into frag-
ments by the shocks of changing opinion.
What was wanting IN the fexibility Of our
political system was made up in The char
acter of Mr.. Lincoln. Whatever may be
thought Of the absolute merits Of the late
Presidents observation-disclosures which It
would not be decorous to express our
views on this occasion-it cannot we'll be
denied that It has been, throughout, toll.
cradle faithful reflex Of the predominant
public opinion, at any particular stage,
tight and wise, II different question; but
1t cannot be doubtful that the predominant
opinion carries with 1t the predOminance
Of physical strength. a government
against which this is arrayed in gathering
force, must yield TO 1t or 90 to pieces. Had
Mr.. Lincoln started with his emancipa-
ton policy in the spring of 1881, his admin
istrafion would have been wrecked by the
moral aid which would have been given
i! the South BY the Northern conservatives,
including 4 large part Of the Republicans
party, Had no refused 70 adopt the eman-
ssa PoRsy %sSs Ssa ~ 1:a Aas Ssye
refused public support 70 the war, and the
South would have gained it, independence
| bY their Gid. With sti6 Republican
Senate, the Government would have been
| at . deal lock, and the violence Of opidaon
would have wrenched Ito conflicting parts
asundsr. Regarding the growthof opinion
ceds that Nj. Lincoln's alowness, indeci-
sion end reluctant changes Of policy, have
been in skillful, Or st least fortunate, adap-
ttons 70 tae prevailing public sentiment Of
The country. Some 64v0 changed more
rapidly some more slowly than hs but
there are few Of his Cou0trymen who have
not changed ct all.
"lf We look for the elements Of character
(which have contributed TO the extraosdi-
nary and constantly growing popularity Of
Mr.. Linc0ln, they are not fal 70 seek. Tue
kindly, companjomable, jovial turn Of his
disposition, free from every faint Of alice
tation, puerile vanity. or porSessx insolence,
conveyed . strong impression Of worth,
heart. ne never disclosed tho sliRhtest
symptom that he was da1sled or elated BY
HIS eroak posihon, Or that it was Incumbent
upon hun to be anybody but plain AbFa-
ham Lincoln. This was in infinitely bet
Ter taste than would have besn any at3smps
70 put on manners that did net sis easily
upon his training and habits, under the
false notion that he would be supporting
the dignity Of his office. No oaense in
manners IS 50 intolerable % aHectation;
nor anything so vulgar - soul baun ted
| by an uneasy consciousness Of vulgarity.
Mr.. Lincoln's freedom from any such up-
start afectations was one Of the good points
Of his character; it betokened his genuine.
ness and sincerity.
1.-THE conspicuous weakness Of Mr.. Lin.
coln's mind On the eide Of ima1ination.
taste, and refined sensibility, has rather
helped HIM In the estimation Of the multi.
tude. Exeept 90 far - they contribute
something . dignity Of character, these
qualities have little scope IN the pursuits
Of . salesman; and theie misplaced obtru-
sion is always oaensivs. They arc great
aid, to be sure, in electric appeals to the
passions; but, IN times like these through
which we have bssn living, the passions
! have Assdsa ssdassyss. net Incentives and