Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-04-26
Lincoln and Hayes.

The suggestion has frequently been
made that there is a striking similarity
in the characters of the late President
Lincoln and President Hayes. In
purity Of character, and in sincere
love for the country, there is no doul t
much similarity in the two men, No
one doubts now, that Mr.. Lincoln was
one of the purest statesmen that has
lived in this country. But during his
administration, few men were more
violently assailed than was that good
man Nor were the assaults confined
to members of the opposition party.
Men of his own party men who had
been foremost in aiding his elevation
to the Presidency, were strongest in
their deGunciations of his conduct.
Time has silenced his enemies and
caused all persons to recognize his
great worth. Mr. Hayes enters upon
the duties of the Presidency and,
like Lincoln, has troublesome questions
to settle; questions upon which hon
est and patriotic men differ widely.
He must meet them, and goes about it
at once, exhibiting ability and firm
ness, mingled with caution, equal to
that exhibited by Lincoln. He meets
with opposition from members of his
own party, as did Lincoln he exhibits
the same determined spirit as did
that great President; he will try one
method to improve and settle difficult
ties, and if it does not work, he will
abandon it, and try another. Has he
not the example of the martyred Lin
coin for his course? We are not entire
ly clear that his course in regard to
South Carolina and Louisiana is right
in all respects we are clear that it is
pursued with the purest of motives on
the part of the President, and we de-
sire that it shall be fairly tested
Twelve years have passed since
President Lincoln was assassinated
The country has experienced great
changes since that time new gen
Grafton is growing up; old enemies
are dying off; the old bitterness i
fading out, and another patriot, whe
is no less than Lincoln, a Statesman
and a philanthropist, Rutherford B.
Hayes, occupies the Presidential chair
The conciliatory utterances of Abra
ham Lincoln at Richmond and Gettys
: burg have been re-echoed in the letter
of acceptance and inaugural address
of President Hayes, and now, as then
have found a responsive throb in the
hearts Of the American people, Let
US hope that tho blood of Lincoln ha:
ceased its silent appeal for vengeance
and that the North and South alike
are ready to follow him who, like Lin
coin, would be Preidident, not Of Z
section, but of Union. For the first
time since the 14th of April, 1865
the Angel of Hope seems to hover
: above our long distracted country, and
so bright is the prospect that no more
vivid contrast III the history of the
last century can be found than the
dread and woe of April IA, 1865, and
the joyous expectancy of April IA,
1871 Twelve years ago, the remains
of the beloved President lay wrapped
in the American flag at the Executiv.
Mansion, while North and South were
even greater foes than during the war;
now that flag waves over reunited
Union, and another President, as ear.
nest, as. srue, and as just as the Great
Martyr, is endeavoring to tranform
the last vesti9es of sectional prejudice
| into a fraternal love which may yet
make possible universal sympathy
with the leading sentiment of the rev.
olution: Il am not a Virginian l ain
an American . Madison Journal.