The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-17
Has the Republic Been Just 60 the
Family OF Abraham LincOlng

has the kAenupAlc Heon just 10 NAo
Family OF Abraham LincOlng
To the Editor ofthe N. T. Tribune
Sir:-Every patriotic citizen has been palned
and Inundated by the exhibition of injustice
and ingratitude developed by the recent publi-
of certain articles by Mrs. Lincoln. Republics
have been so long reproached for ingratitude
that 1t has passed into pr0verb.
Few more striking illustrations Of 1t can be
found in history than the treatment of the
family of the martyred President. This is the
more strange from the fact that his party has
continued in power since his assassination, and
most of those who were his associates in public
life are in Congress and in the public service, in
positions TO control the action of the Govern
ment An attempt has been made to shield the
Government from this Teproach by the allega-
ton that Mrs. Lincoln is not popular" etc.
1t is enough to say, in reply to all this, that
she Is the widow Of Abraham Lincoln, She was,
while she lived, his cherished and honored wife,
towards whom he ever manifested the most
affCctiOnate regard and respect. BtOken-hearted,
and almost grief-distracted, is 1t not most un-
generous and unmanly to make her conduct
now, since her terrible and crushing bereave.
ment the subject of careless criticism and
cruel censurel Neither the world nor posterity
will, upon such grounds, excuse the American
people or the American Congress for their
neglect-their injustice-towards the family Of
the late President.
No gallant soldier ever gave his life more
directly a sacrifice for his country than Lincoln.
BE was murdered because of his fidelity to
Liberty and the Republic By his death his
family has been left without a protector and
without the means Of adequate support. The
least that Congress should have done was to
have given to his family the salary which the
assassin prevented him from receiving. But it
is precedent long established in our Govern
ment to pension the widows and children of
those who are killed in the service. Shall the
widow and children of Abraham Lincoln be the
only exceptions?
would not have our country initiate the ex-
1avagant expenditures lavished by Europe upon
her great men; but America could we'll take a
lesson from abroad in justice, il not in gratitude,
to those who render her great and distinguished
service. In Europe is seen everywhere the
wealth and honor lavished upon her great men.
Go to Blenheim and see the magni6cence which
England lavished upon her Marlborough. Go
toWestminster Abbey, and see how monarchy
bonors its heroes and statesmen.
Go to the residence of wellington and turn
over the appropriations of Parliament, and see
the millions which Great Britain proudly offered
the conqueror at Waterloo. Go to Paris and
see how nations revenues have been proudly
spent to honor the memory of Napoleon These
are not examples to be followed by plain,
simple, economical republic; but Is it proper or
just that the widow of Lincoln should not be
provided with home in which, suitably to the
position her husband occupied, she should re-
ceive the good, the intelligent, the distinguished
from all the world, who love to honor the
memory of the great Emancipator by respectful
attentions to his family?
Is there man in the republic who would
question an appropriation which would give to
Mrs. Lincoln such home, and to her son the
best education the country can afford?
Congress has not done its duty in this regard.
Let it at its approaching session relieve the
republic from just reproach, by voting to the
family of Lincoln such sum as will educate the
son and decently support the widow.
Very respectfully yours, ISAAC N. ARNOLD.
Chicago, Oct. 7, 1867.