Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-10-29

posterity that they might desist. For single
moment IL did not occur to him that the man
Bile spirit, one willing to destroy the freest Gov
eminent the sun ever shone upon. was giving
vent to itself upon him as the Chief Executive OK
the nation, only because he was such Executive
AS lawyer in yeur midst he would have avoided
all this Islander. for his life pure and simple
one, and no doubt he would have been much
happier man; but who can toll what might have
been the fate of the nation but for the pure un-
selfish and wise administration of Lincoln
From March, 1864, to the day when the hand Of
An assassin opened grave for Mr.. Lincoln,
then President OF the United states my
and intimate as the nature Of our respective
duties would permit: To know him per-
sonay was to love and respect him for his great
qualities Of heart and head, and for his patience
and patriotism. With all his disappointments
from failures on the part of those TO whom he
had intrusted command, and treachery on the
part of those who had gained his confidence but
to betray it, never heard him utter complaint
nor cast censure for bad conduct or bad faith.
1t was his nature to find excuses for his adver-
saries In his death the nation lost Its greatest
hero. In his death the South lost its most just
friend.
Vice-President Wilson added few
words of graceful eulogium. He was
followed by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax,
who delivered brilliant extemporaneous
speech, in which the career, mind and
heroism of the dead President were
briefly but ably alluded to.
Speeches were also made by Gen. Sher-
man, the Hon w. 7. Under and Mr..
Meade, the artist
The benediction was then pronounced
and the vast multitude separated, leaving
the statue of Abraham Lincoln in lonely
grandeur to tell future generations the
story of his humble origin, his noble
life, his mighty achievements and his
tragic death.
The statue is of course the central at
traction of the monument, and deserves
all the attention it receives. 1t is cast of
bronze from captured cannon donated by
Congress, and weighs, with its bronze
pedestal, six tons. 1t was placed in po-
sition Oct. 3, 1874. Mr.. Lincoln was six
feet four inches high, but he had the
"stoop" of the shoulders and the droop''
so often seen in tall Western men; new
ertheless, when in the heat of debate, he
Strengthened himself up so as to reach
his extreme altitude, but without entire
ly avoiding the round shoulders" which
every one has noted 1t is this figure
which Meade has reproduced, and he has
done it with marvellous fidelity The
figure is dressed in the double breasted
long frock coat and full pantaloons in
fashion in 1865, and these garments
already begin to look old fashioned, and
really seem to heighten the vari- simili-
tude. The polse of the figure-a char
acteristic of the man--is also repro.
duced in the inclination of the head to
at the same time the stoop of the shout
kn Aato Of
faithfully copied. Lincoln's high wrinkled
forehead, the mole on the flesh, fold of
the cheek, the deep recessed eyebrows,
the peculiar nose, and the dropping lower
lip, these are all fixed in bronze so as to
remain forever. Since the statue has
been in position it has not been visited
by any professional artist or art critic,
and what is written above in relation to
the figure is from personal observation,
| and from remarks made by Springfield
people who knew him well. They all say
the likeness in face and figure is perfect,
and that profile view is absolutely life.
like. 1t is probable that this statue will
be the standard from which others may
| be taken, and 1t is considered in this
sense very fortunate that it Is so correct.
The members of the association are to
be congratulated on their success in OBJ
tanning so satisfactory work of art, not
less than Meade, whose professional
reputation must be greatly enhanced by
it. 1t is not improper to say that the
association is composed of the old and
intimate friends of Lincoln, who entered
upon and conducted the enterprise wholly
as labor of love Nc officer or men,
Der of the association has ever drawn
any salary, pay, or perquisite.
The ccat-of-arms on the stone pedes-
tai Of the statue is slightly raised from
the standard copy. The eagle stands
upon the shield partially observing the
stars, the olive branch has fallen from
his grasp and lies under the shield, and
broken chain is held nalf in his
talons and half in his beak. The
departure from the standard design
was made to enable the artist to symbol
ize the fact that the olive branch having
been rendered to and refused by the reb.
els was cast to the ground, that a part of
the stars or States were temporarily OBJ
scured by the rebellion, and that in the
struggle which ensued the chain of slav-
cry was broken. AS a work Of art this
seems in design, composition, and execu-
ton to be perfect. The statue is no
doubt per ect likeness, but this coat-of-
arms is original in conception and beau
tiful in execution; the first is an un-
doubted portrait, but this is production
the design of which is most original,
striking, apparent and comprehensive.