National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-04-15

traits. and public acts are better known to the
American people than are those of any other man
| Of his age. He was mystery TO no man who saw
him and heard him. Though high in position,
the humbiest could approach him and feel at
transparent; though strong, he was gentle;
though decided and pronounced in his convle-
tons lie was tolerant towards those who differed
from him, and patient under reproaehes.
Even those who only knew him through his pub
| lie utteranees obtained tolerably clear idea OF
an %sn, and S ns TIE
| read him knew him.. 4 have said that President
Lincoln was white man, and shared the prcju
| dices common to bis countrymen towards the col
| ored race. Looking back to his times and TO the
condition Of the country this unfrendly feeling on
Ms part may be safely set down az one element O.
American people for the tremendous conflict be-
fore them. and bringing them safely through that
things; first, to save HIS country from ismember-
ment and ruin and second to free his country from
the great crime Of slavery To doonc or the other,
or both he must have the earnest sympathy and
the powerful cooperation Of his loyal felloweou
trymen. Without this primary and essential con-
and utterly frultless. Had he put the abolition of
slavery before the salvation of the Union. he
would have inevitably driven from him q powerful
class Of the American people, and rendered re-
sistance to rebellion impossible. Viewed from the
! genuine abolition ground. Mr.. Lincoln seemed
tardy, cold, dull and indifferent: but measuring
him by the sentiment OF his country sentiment he
was bound a Statesman to consult, he was swift,
II.
Lincoln shared the preiudces of his white fellow
c6untrymen against the negro. it is hardly ncccs-
sary to say that in his heart of hearts .-f
IN HE LokrHED AND HATED SLAVERY.
He was willing while the South was IQyal that IT
should have its pound Of flesh, because he thought
II was 90 nominated In the bond but further than
this no earthly power eould make him 60. 2 . = 4
Fellow-eitizens, whatever else in this world may
be partial, UNJUST and uncertain, ffEae' time! is
impartial Just and certain in Its actions. In the
realm Of mind, as we'll as In the realm Of matter,
n
The honest and comprehensive statesman, clearly
discerning the needs Of his country, and earnestly
endeayoring to do his whole duty, though covered
and blistered with reproaehes, may safely leave
his course 10 the silent judgment Of time. Few
fiercer denunciation than Abraham Lincoln was
during his administration. He was often wounded
in the house Of his friends. Reproaehes came
thick and fast upon him from within and from
without, and from opposite quarters. He was
sailed by ahoitionists: he was assaulted by slave
holders: he was assaulted by men who were for
peace at any price; he was assailed by those who
were for more vigorous prosecution OF the war:
ton war; and he was most bitterly assailed for
making the war an abolition war
But NOW BEHOLD THE CHASaE:
the Judgment Of the present hour is, that taking
him for all in ALL mea surfing the tremendous mag
nitude Of the work before him, considering the
necessary means to ends. and surveying the end
from the beginning, infinite wisdom has seldom
sent any man into the world better fitted for hts
mission than was Abraham Lincoln. HIS birtf.
his training. and his natural endowments. both
mental and physical, were strongly in his favor.
Born and reared among the lewly, stranger to
wealth and luxury, compelled to grapple SINGLE
handed with tho nintiest hsrtishfps from tender
youth to sturdy manhood, he grew strong In the
mission to hich he called by the votes Of his
countrymen. The hard condition Of HIS early life,
which would have depressed and broken, down
weaker men, only gave greater life, vigor and
buoyaney to the heroic spirit Of Abraham Lincoln.
He was ready for any kind and any quality of
work. What other young men dreaded in the
shape Of toll, he took hold Of with the utmost
chccrfulncSs. ----... ........ .... ...
A spade. a rak hoe,
A pick-axe ora bill: : : ,. So 40
hook to reap, scythe to NOV,
A fail, or what yOn will.
ALL DAY LONG CoULp SPLIT HEAVY RAILS
in the woods, and half the night long he could
study his English grammar by the uncertain
flare and glare of the light made by a pine
knot. He was NJ home on the land with his axe,
with his maui with 2luts and his wedges; and he
was equally at home water with his oars. with
his poles, with his planks and with his hOathooks
And whether in his fatboat on the Mississippi
river, at the hreside Of his frontier cabin. he
was man Of work. son of toll himself he
was linked in brotherly sympathy with the sons
very fact gave him tremendous power with the
American people, and matsrtaIly eGntri6ated not
sustaining his administration OF the Government.
Upon his inauguration as President Of the Uni
ted States an ONCE even where assumed under
and stpain the largest abilities. Abraham Lincoln
was NEE by tremendous pressure He was called
upon NOS merely 10 ADMINISTER the OIONernlnent,
but to decide. in the face Of terrible Odds the fate
OF the Republic. A formidable rebellion rose In
his path before him: the Union was already prae-
tiealIy dissolved. His country was torn and rent
asunder at the centre. Hostile enemies wee al
ready organized against the Republic, armed with
the munition-"f war which the Republic hSa pro-
vided for its own defense.
THE TREMENDOUS QUESTION
for him to decide was whether his country should
survive the crisis and flourish or be disinembered
and perish. His predecessor in office had already
decided the question In favor Of national dismem-
berment, By denying 1t the right Of selfdefense
dss n Sr ySn sRe
.patrician, was not the Judgment of Abraham |
common sense, sharpened In the school Of adyer, |
sty, to bear upon the question. He did not hest
tate, he did not doubt, he did not faltcr, but at
cost. the union Of the States SHOULD be preserved
A patriot himself; his faith was firm and un- |
Tmid men said before Mr.. Linooin's inalgura |
ton that We had seen the last President Of the |
United states. voice in influential quarters |
maintained by the swor,l was worthless. Others
said rebellion Of 10000 cannot be suppressed.
and against ali this Abraham Lincoln was clear
in his duty, and had an oath in heaven. He i
calmly and brsveiy heard the voice of doubt and |
fear all around him, but he had an oath in heaven.
make this honest boatman, backwoodsman and /
thot sacred oath. he had not been sehoo ie IN
the ethics of slavery; his plain life favored his
love of truth He hif not been taught that trea.
honesty. His moral training vas against his say
ing one thing when he meant another. The trust |
people was surprising and grand but II was also
enlightened and well founded. He knew the L
American people better than they knew them |
selves, and his trnth was based upon his kncwl- |
. Had Abraham Lincoln died from any Of the |
numerous ills TO which flesh Is heir: had he
paahad af 10 ia vim
constitution and HIS temperate habits gave prom
Use; had he been permitted to see the end Of his /
down but gradually we should SIM have been |
smitten with a heavy grief and treasured his
name lovingly. But dying as he did die, by the
of without warning. not because Of personal hate
for no man who knew Abraham Lincoln could
liberty, he Is doubly dear to us, and Will be
precious forever. ...-a.a.-a
Fellow. ciiizens.I end as hogan, with eongrst-
to-day. In doing honor to the memory OF our
friend and liberator we have been doing highest
We have been fastening ourselves to a name and
fame imperishable and immortal. We have also
been defending ourselves from blighting SANDER.
Then now II shall be said that the colored man Ia
soulless; that he has no appreciation of benefits
benefaetors; when the foul reproach Of ingrati-
us beyond the range Of human brotherhood, we
may calmly point TO the monument We have this
day erected to the memory Of Abraham Lincoln:
sSieilian yespers," and the exercises were closed
by Rev. J. p. Newman, who pronounced the bene-
dictiOn.
The procession was reformed and the great
crowd OF people LEFT the grounds and poured into
the streets. The procession returned along Tenth
street southeast to Pennsylvania avenue, to
street, to First street northwest, TO Indiana ave
nue.. to the City Hall. After eounter-marching In
front Of the City Hall the line was disbanded.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Births Marriages and Deaths Within Week.