The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-20
THE LINCOLN STATUE.

II 10 crsditable to the city OF Washington
that the first statue erected In this country In
honor OF Abraham Lincoln has been con-
strueted and placed upon Its pedestal In the
National Capital. The snteeedent prepare
tions for this great work were entered upon
and carried forward In so quiet manner that
but few persons knew anything In regard to
what was going on until the eonsummation Of
tho grand and patriotic work. 1t was not
until the Inauguration ceremonies were an
nounced by the Mayor, without ostentation,
that many of our citizens had an inkling that
everything was In readiness for the imposing
demonstration. The Mayor received contri-
buttons from our citizens, deposited them In
Mcssrs. Riggs l. Col bank, who Judiciously In
vested them, and proceeded in his own way,
gy, to complete the task assigned him and the
result is, that we now see In front OF our City
Hall q monument worthy to commemorate the
noble deeds and patriotic services OF the mar
tyred statesman. There Is another significant
fact which we may mention In this eonnec-
tlon; the statue 10 the work Of q resident
Washingtonian. For this really fine work OF
art, we are not indebted to some foreign artist,
but the man who wrought 1t Is with US and OF
W., and for this life-like creation out OF marble
we owe debt OF gratitude to one OF our own
citizens.
AL WIN " iio" Jul oWh ahe
foreign lands, may now have the opportunity
to look upon the accurately defined lineamcnts
Of that great man who served his country In
that hour Of EXTREMIST peril as no other man
has served 1t, since the days Of Washington.
Let all who love their country, who venerate
a pure life, noble purposes, and heroic deeds,
go to the front Of our City Hall and gaze upon
the beautiful monument upon apex Of which
stands the marble statue Of Abraham Lincoln.
We have already devoted a considerable
space TO an account Of the inaugural eeremo-
niles the day after this statue was erected; 1t
will not be expected, therefore, that we should
make at this time any protracted remarks.
One month before his death, Mr.. Lincoln
delivered his ever memorable inaugural ad-
dress In the following words, which are worthy
to be inscribed In letters OF gold. These words
will live 10 history as long as his name shall
be remembered.
On the 4th of March, 1855, just as he was
about to take the oath Of Office and to enter
upon his second term, Mr.. Lincoln said:
Neither party expected for the war the
magnitude or the duration which 1t has already
attained. Neither anticipated that the cause OF
the conflict might cease with or even before
for an easier triumph, and result less funda.
mental and astounding.
"Both read the same bible and pray to the
same tOu; ana each lnyOkes HIS AID against
the other. 1t may seem strange that any men
should dare ask a just Gods assistance in
wringing their bread from the sweat OF other
mems faces; but let Us judge not, that ice be not
Judged. The prayers of both could not be an.
swered. That OF neither has been answered
fully. The Almighty has his own purposes.
Woe unto the world because of offences, for II
needs be that offences come; but woe to that
man by whom the offence comcth.' II we shall
suppose that American slavery Is one of these
offences, which, in the providence of God
must needs come, but which, having continued
through His appointed time, He now wills to
remove, and that He gives to both North and
south this terrible war az the rOe due 10 those bV
phom the offence came, shall we discern therein
any departure from those divine attributes
which the believers In a living God always
ascribe to Hlmt Fondly do we hope, feryently
DO we pray, that this mighty scourge OF war
may soon pass away. Yet, II God Wills that
It continue until all the wealth piled BY the
bondman's two hundred and fifty years OF un-
fcquited toll shall be sunk and until every
drop OF blood drawn with tho lash shall be
paid by another drawn by the sword; as was
said three thousand years ago, so still 1t must
be said, The Judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether
with malice fopdyd none, trih charity 10 dh
with trmness in the right, as God gives US 10
see the right, let us strive on to finish the
work we are In; 10 bind up he nations rounds,
10 care for him who shall have borne the battle
and care for his widow and his orphans; to do
all which may achieve and cherish lust and
alasting peace among ourselves and with ali
nations"