The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-02-17

cerned with precision the central idea on
which question turned, and knew how to
dsengage and present it BY itself in few
homely, strong, old English words that would
be intelligible to all. He delightedto express
his opinions by apophthegm, and illustrate
them by parable or drive them home by a
story. Lincoln gained a name BY discussing
qusetions which of all others most easily lead
to fanaticism, but he was never led away by
enthusiastic zeal, never INDUCED in extrava
CANT language, never hurried to support ex-
treme measures, neverallowed himself to be
controlled by sudden impulses. During the
progress of the election at which he was cho.
sen President, be expressed no opinion that
went beyond the Jefferson proviso of 1898.
Like Jefferson and Lafayette, he had faith in
the intentions of the people, and read those
intuitlons with rare sagacity. He knew how
to bide his time, and was less apt to be in
advance of public opinion than to lay behind
He never sought to electrify the public by
taking an advanced position with banner Of
opinion, but rather studied to move forward
cautiously, exposing no detachment in front
or rear, so that the course Of his admiuistra-
ton might have been explained as the calcu-
lating policy of o shrewd and watchful polIti-
clan, had there not been seen within it a
deiniteness of principle which first determined
his purpose and grew more intensee very year,
consuming his life by its every act. His SEN
sibilities were active. He had vividness of
Imagination to picture to his mind the horrors
OF the battle OF the sufferings. in hospitals.
his conscience was more tender than his
feelings. Line bin was one of the uost unas,
suming of men. In times of success, he gave
credit for it to those whom he employed, to
the people and to the proyidences Of God. He
did not know what ostentation is. When he
became President he was rather saddened
than elated, and his conduct and manners
showed more than ever his belief that all men
are born equal. He was no respecter of per-
sons, and neither rank, nor reputation, nor
services overawed him. In judging of char
acter, he failed in discrimination, and his ap-
pointments were sometimes bad, but he
readily deferred to public opinion and in ap-
pointing the head of the armies be followed
he manifest p reference of Congress.
A good President will secure unity to his
administration by his own supervision of the
various departments. Lincoln, who accepted
advice readily, was never governed by any
member of his Cabinet and could not be
moved from purpose deliberately formed :;
but his supervision of affairs was unsteady
and incomplete, and sometimes, by a sudden
interference transcending the usual forms.
he rather confused than advanced the
public business. If he eyer failed in the
scrupulous regard due the relative rights of
Congress, it was so evidently without design
that no conflict could ensue or evil precedent
be established. Truth he would receive from
any one, but when impressed by others he
did not use their opinions till by reflection he
had made them thoroughly his own. 1t was
the nature of Lincoln to forgive. When
hostilities ceased. he who had ALWAYS sent
forth the flag with every one of its stars in the
held was eager to receive back his returning
countrymen, and meditated ''some new an
nouncement TO the South The amendment
of the Constitution abolishing slavery had his
most earnest and unwearied support during
the rage of wag.. We Sc. glimpse into his
soul from his privately suggesting to Louisiana
that in defining the franchise some of the
colored people might be let in. saying ''they
would probably help, in some trying time to
come, TO keep the jewel of liberty in the
family of freedom Ia 1857 he avowed him.
self mot in favor of what he improperly called
negro citizenship. for the Constitution dis
eliminates between citizens and electors. :"
| Three days before his death he declared his
preference that the elective franchise be now
conferred on thevery intelligent of the colored
men, on those Of them who served our cause
as soldiers, but he wished il done by the States
themselves, and he never harbored a thought
of exacting it from new government as a
condition of its recognition. The last of his
life beamed with sunshine, as he sent by the
Speaker of this House his friendly greetings
to men of the Rocky Mountains and the
Pacific slope; as he contemplated the return
of hundreds of thousands of soldiers to fruit
full industry as he welcomed in advance
hundreds of thousands of emigrants from
Europe; as his eye kindled with enthusiast SIN
at the coming wealth Of the nation and Sc
with these Thoughts for his country he was
removed from the tolls and temptations oil
this life, and was at peace.
| PALMERsToy AND LINCOLN.
Hardly had the late President been con
signed to the grave, when the Prime Ministe,
of England died full of years and honors
Palmerston traced his lineage to the time o
the Conqueror. Lincoln went back only te
his grandfather. Palmerston received his
! education from the ripe scholars of Harrow
! Edinburgh and Cambridge. Lincoln's eafh
teachers were the silent forest the prairie
river and the stars. Palmerston was in publ,
life sixty years. Lincoln but for tenth O.
that time. Palmerston was a skillful guidt
i Of an established aristocracy, Lincoln /,
leader or rather companion of the people
Palmerston was exclusively an Enghsbman
and made his boast in the House Of Commons
that the interest of England was his shibbo
leth. Lincoln thought always Of mankind a
well as his own country, and served human
nature itself Palmerston, from his narrow
ness as an Englishman, did not endear hi
country to any one court or y any one people
put rather caused 'uueasiness and dislike
Lincoln left America more loved than ever b,
all the people of Europe.
Palmarcfou woe calT noocoeood apd cd roi
in reconciling the conflicting claims OF tn
factions of the aristocraey. Lincoln. franl
and ingenuous, knew how to psise himself o.
the conflicting opinions Of the people. Pal
: mAston was capable of insolence towards tn
weak, quick to the sense of honor, not heed
: fll of right. Lincoln rejected counsel give
only rs . mattel Of policy, and was not capa
Fheof being wIlfully unjust. Palmerstou, es
sentialy superficial, deligted In banter, an
} knew how to divert grave opposition by play
! full levity. Lincoln was o man of infinite jes
, on his lips with saddest earnestness at hear
0 Palmerston was a fair representative of tn
: aristocralc iiberaiity of the day, choosing fo
his tribunal not the conscience of humanit
. but the House OF Commons. Lincoln took I
} heart the eternal truths Of liberty, obeye
: them as the commands of Providence, an
t accepted the human race as the Indigo Of h
: fidelity. Raimerston did nothing that wi
endure. His great achievement, the separ.
tion of Belgium placed that little kingdol
4 where it must gravitate to France. Lincol
a finished work which time cannot overthroy
a Palmerston is shining example of the able
g. of q cultivated aristocracy. Lincoln SHOW
/ the -enuine fruits OF institutions where the
boring man prepares and assists to form Il
n great ideas and designs of his country. Pa
q merston was buried in Westminster Abbt