The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-09-23
Bishop NVhitehOuse's EulO.y of
Hbi-x. id tml Lincoln

1t is much to be regretted, OF, many ac.
counts. that, owing to the persistent efforts
of certain newspapers, an impression prevails
among many people that Bishop Whitehouse
was influence! in his action in reference to
the parish at Galesourg, which the recent
diocesan convention at Chicago dissolved, BY
political motives. Nothing certainly could
b. further from the truth. The case was, as
we have already stated, one simply Of diso>
bedience to law. TO show that the Bishop
is not of that decided political BIAS
which certain parties attribute to him, we
refer to the following just and discriminating
tribute to the memory of Abrahon Lincoln,
which we copy from the Bishops Address to
the late convention at Chicago:
TnIx1rY CHrRCH, CHICAGo-In the even
ing OF the same holy day, | preached, and
confirmed 22.
Thus we reached that festai day for which
in fasting. and through the great week of
agony the church had be IN preparing her>
sci. from the crucIfXion. Nature TO rejoice
ia the glorious fact whici brings life and I'M
nertaIsy h .ht. But the ,hurcils triumph
Is hot aS the vain expectation of the worli
1t Is consolation aud hope. not a happiness
In the dark vesimcnt, a. the stricken heart
from its earthly solitude. an1 the mind har-
rassed with crushing care or the toreb jdings
of hes rirs crIOus vlci>siludes. and still find
EAajer a day Of JOY and strength Many re-
aiIze1 this power of christian rejoicing with
tie burden Of personal grIeis, but NV. strick-
en- with la, deed of violence and shudderiug
in fear OF the underlined woes which might
follow tie blow that had thus pierced he
heart of the nation. In an instant an eXecu-
tive head, tried in his hOnorci past, trusted
for the uLroiled future, is stricken by the
hand of an ASSASSIN, and none could tell ot
what conspiracy or hidden force these fend-
i ii few were the representatives but few
honrs only pass and government AID army and
people all remain uudiSturbed ; and from the
death bed Of our noble leader. comes at once
the Easter. and the renewed lie oi our Hn>
broken pOiIty and order.
Many circumstances combined II give
Abraham Lincoln a frmer lold upon the
affections of the people ihan could he secured
by the most popular statesman. His nataral
character aud simple habits were genuine
repubiicanism. which his deep heart of gems
tIcueSs and truth refined and elevated tilt
they rose TO the dignity of iutie .ible action
and-suiemn devotion to God and duty. The
public mind of the Iurth rcloiced IN elevating
to the chief magiSuracy boidness, honesty
firnness, and sagacity. unv.tated as his was
by the chicanery of political life. 1t was the
beginning. of the ~Ouderiul way by winch we
have been lei, when the CHRIST an soul in
structively cries, Not by might. not BY
power but by my spirit, satin the Lord
The qualities which determined his first
electu:- were riLmphantly vinLicated in his
subsequent career. His iniuItive sympathy
with tie heart OF he people. bis marvellous
tact In following its guidance, won confidence
and affection. The viii Of the alority was
Fundamental in his political creed, and he
cxertcd his power cheerfLlly as the exponent
Ut It's wishes and executor of its purposes
lie delight d To call himself the public
servant He filled the character with purity
and integrity and zeal. proud 10 serve, Dut
not STOPPING as a demagogue to cajole AID
lfse the people.
His ready adoption Of measures which
rose in his path, grand in that simplicity,
trustlul III the experiment, secured admra-
tion and support. He was the legitimate
Outgrowth OF American Institutions. Self
made, seli-tau.ht, scli-reliant his educator,
the facts and incidents of the whole social
stare around him. handled with a sagaciols
mind IL rosoiUte viii. a brave and truth
loving heart. lie became thus the man Tor
the emergency-the man OF providence, the
man OF "a lasting example. He did what his
hand found to do, and left name, character,
and ach N eut which the nation will ever
laud and honor.
The guardian which stood around hif'sier
SIZED tears of sincere grief. and the civilized
world has responded in sympathy to our cry
of horror for the deed of blood, and paid its
tribute to- his worth.
We also append the resolution adopted by
the couvc.tIon on the same subject
u soire|, That this convention, repre-
SENTATIVE portion OF that church OF Christ on
earth which is ever loval, cordially responds
to, aud heartily indurSes the eloquent and
patriotic expire sions of thanksgiving uttered
by the bishop in his annual address, on the
return of peace to our beloved land the
establishment: OF the Union. the consolidation
of our government, and the deliverauce oil
our country from the evil of human slavery
and also fully coucurs III his touching and
discriminating eulogy of our late -martyred
president, Abraham Lincoln.