New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-04
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES OF ABRAHAM
LINCOLN.
ALycrURE BY HORACE GREELEY.

Horace Greeley delivered his lecture entitled
personal "reminiscences OF Abraham Lincoln" last
evening at the Cooper Institute, for the benefit of dis
abed soldiers and the widows and orphans OF those VINO
died in the for the Union The evening was exceed
ngly incement, and the attendance was consequently
less than the known popularity of the lecturer would
otherwise have secured. MI Greeley was introduced az
the weknown friend OF the soldier OF humanity and OF
American liberty, and was received with ap-
plause. He remarked, in commencing, that for the
sake of the object which had called them together he 70
GREETED the unfavorabe OF the weather and trusted
that on some other OCCASION under favorable
pieces and perhaps with more attractive speaker tney
might again meet to do honor and give tribute 70 tnoe
who had given and done much for us Biography, IN
latter days. has degenerated into eu0gy: Every man
who in any manner becomes the oeG % pnDS 1Ieh
now depicted 70 ostsmoss Srrate cbaracteS
~ will undoubtedly be transformed In the course OF tne
rectitude else the curved line will be inssed
as the true line OF beauty. Henry Will figures
to the model husband; Bacon Is still the visest
greatest but longer the meanest OF mankind; and
Mary Stuart. whose beauty and scrrows we have
been accustomed to weep, now appears 10 u
life OF Abraham Lincoln had been often written but
which he had conveyed to the speaker hts
own idea Of the He should endeayor TO represent
Mr. Lincoln be he speaker had seen him. and as he
thought he knew him. The picture woud show him to
been less the supernatural genius that his euogs
described him. and better in intellect and heart than bus
instruct inspire, and stimulate the young men OF the
present day than either OF those idealzed creations
The lecturer sketched the early life or MIR. Lincoln
abiding to the circumstances surrounding his birth.
the migration Of the family to Indiana the heavy o~
OF hs mother and brother. and not long after OF he
eldest sister the almost total lack OF any opportunity
acquire the elements OF what Is generally e2sed
education Inc entire employment OF ms y9an sca
early manhood IN abOrious. manual pursuits, his nnt
tive thirst for the knowledge contained in books, IA
his way. his leaving his fathers house and studying
local surveying as means enable him 10 continue the
an pees Here the speaker looking st the
facts Mr. Lncons early life, suggested the inquiry OF
successful life is what is generally implied in tho
term common school education" Jackson Harrison.
Benton COrwin and others received less than TINS Van
Buren, but little more, Clay and Lincoln much less; yes
Henry Clay for example in the zenith OF his feappeared
inferior OF the college educated men by whom he Was
habitually surrounded what effect his two voyages
had upon the mind Of boy aud bred almost
beyond the confines OF CIVILIZATION must be imagined. lt
was graduation from the narrow vista In which he
had lived INTO larger life 1t taught him much IL sus
The speaker traced the political career of Mr. Lincoln
from his first nomination member OF his own slate
Legislature, IN 1881 until he was chosen ITS speaker IN
in his State Thence he seut TO the House OF Rep
resentatiyes, and after serving one term returiea
home, and little observed outside the limits OF ms
state until the KansasNebIaska bill called him into INC
field earnest opponent OF that measure Then hs
engaged in the famous Senatorial contest with Mr.
Douglas which the lecturer regarded as one OF t1e
most remarkable and important events Of ITS Kind ever
contest but the remarkable abilities which he displayed
m that canvass for him the nomination Of the Ma
Office
MIR Greeley traced the OF Mr. Lincon's steady
and sure advancement the confidence ana support OF
his party from almost the lowest portion IN untl ne
became its acknowledged leader first In ms state, ana
then i'm the nation first his entire fealy 10
the party being ever the rm steady, earnest advocate
OF whatever the majority OF the party desired ana sec
ondly 10 his admirable logical powers which enabled m@
10 Instantly perceive and appreciate the VIZ.
OF an argument and at the same tune 10 ~
sent IL To an audience in the most forcble and cOuy
form The lecturer spoke OF the influence eheIsea ~
the existing OF conducting canEassss ~ nae
country upon the popular mind. believing .n t ,lsns
tice Of the general public discussion OF qes snd mat
Is the strongest safeguard OF our 20, he nre
without the stump American HOerp .v. conr.a
seryed for generation In referring 10 the =. t ar
81 MT lincoln "A President the speaker arrNe ~ .n
three conclusions respecting the character ol t ,, 1
1he apnarent apathy which characterized VIC ,itn va,
,nonths ~ bis administration while tue hSpSlVu, Ss
Gathering head arose from the obstinate
President that there could really De III this % yon
fratrirdnl WAR When the truth was iuy
him he rose 10 meet the emergency Win AZ o n.ysr
of his nature but throughout the entire war nc ,o
ready TO meet and consider any proposluoh the
cessation OF boodshed. Ills sole aim was " ,,no,
Union and secure the country. To eneet NE 1900
matters must give way II the Union eoulu W. Ifn
by retaining Slavery, Slavery should DC retSo,
could be restored by destroying slavery lhel To-, IN
should be DESTROYED 1t this Thought tha e ~ ~, M,
the earlier days OF the Rebellion TO veto the efforts ,
felent military commanders To free the slaves III sn
charge and later in the TO proclaim seherai e""