The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-13
House of Representative

Carpenters large painting Of President
Lincoln reading his Emancipation Proclama-
ton 10 the Cabinet was hung behind the Speak
er's chair. covered with flag.
on motion Of Mr.. Potter Dem. y. ". the
privilege of the floor during the presentation
ceremonies was given to families Of the men,
bers 81 President Lincoln's Cabinet.
At2 O'Clock the Senate entered. and William
A. Wheeler took the chair. the Speaker sitting
ai his left.
Mr. Garfield Rep. Ohio then rosc and made
the presentation speech. lie said that the pic
ture was the patriotic git of an American
woman. whose life had been devoted to charity
and TO tho instruction and elevation of the Ia
loring poor. He pronounced n pnnegyrir on
Lincoln and his advisers; recalled the history
Of the proclamation. and praised the picture rs
a faithful representation of ono Of the most re-
mnrNable scenes in history.
Mr. stephens Dem. Ga u knew Mr.. Lincoln
well. We were together during one Congress |
/ was as intimate with him as WIS with any
other man Of that Congress. except. perhaps.
He was warm hearted. hc Wis generous. he
! WIS. as he aiierwnrd snid. possessed OF u heart
| which had malice TO none and charity 10 all. ,
! In bodily form h, was above a." average. and
/ $50 In Intellect. He was not highly cultivated.
hut had native genius inr ahoV' a." AVERAGE
oyer OVERLOOKING with the m.iA Of human kind
mss; - much for MIN personally. and -
much the deeper from nay attachment
10 him was The pnnE in ny. own nren-t.
rs w'il as in those ol millions, at the
WAS the climax OF our WOE. of our trouble.
| Now ~ 10 the great historical event wh!f! IN is
picture commentaries. and which we are here
| to-dHy To- commemorate. This h. subject. per-
haps. which tho people II this day and genera
| uon are not exactly in TIA" condition to weigh
! not the chief o1iect of Mr. Lincoln. The myth.
| the idol with which his whole soul was con-
| Crrned WAS the preservation OF th" Union.
Indulge me moment on THIS suplee, ~ So
called slavery, II was not an unmitlgated evil
It Wa not without lis compnsaiion. II j. my
| purpose now, however. I" bury. not a. praise.
The question OF the relations ~ the races WIS
one ol the most DIM ult problems that stat 49,
mon or philanthropists. legislators or luri~ts.
ever had 10 solve. II i, past with ua Since the
south has been released from all her rcsponsI
/ hillty about it, il has been common To speak ~
the coored people a. the wards of tn" nation.
May | not say. with appropriateness aud
with duerevcrcnce, IN III" language OF Grorgla' 5
greatest intellect that they are rather the wards
gard them WHY. in IL" Proyidcncc Of God
they were permitted 10 CON" her" u Is not Tor
us 20 say; but they have Il location here AMI
can say for myself and for those of my lmmedi-
nir circle OF acquaintanre, ana Tor ~" Nhol,
southern Llrthat thrrr Is n1t ON" WHO would
now change the condition of things. suhugato
the rolor",i man, or put him in The coniitinn y,
was in before II there is one In NIL the South
who desires suoh change. nm not aware oi H.
1t was only to avoid ~ then thought agrrni-l
evil. that went with my State: holding tina, H.
Ne my duty. but believing All tl,e time that
! AFTER the passions ol the day and hour Were
"y@r lhr great law which prodn ed the Onion
tasc-would neccssnril, bring H. toy .thrr
again in some mode. or other. What shall
/ We do IN the future Down South We ARE, do
ns tho best W. cnn forthe colorrd people, hop.
INK earnestly that they viii u; themselves Tor
higher civilization. The nag no longer floats
over provinces. but over States no longer ovrl
subjects hut over citizens whit" and h,urk
Why can We not look hopefully To- the future
is il adrlusion, is il a fancy which / have
iuiulged in.thni thrrr H. a uohi'r and grandc
future for these United States than nnyihina
that We have y't attained II MAY hr u d"u
MIlfn % q
vest my mind whie linger un this stage Bu
II IN" rmhers Of the late most lamcntable wa
are left. and little additional fuel ronts I,
ilamc them up again; If the conflict of classes
the conflict of labor and capitol. tho conflict 90
race tANt profound chronological qur,ti n Whiul
"" have all got 10 settle, apd tn" most i.lli. ui
one eyer committed 10 the consideration %
statesmen or phlantnropisi~l s al hrrak oui
aud these dangerous elements again aroused
greatly fnr thut the roe .ut troubles ana dis
n@irrs through Nhi IN W. have just Ilt.- "a Wil
prove tu hr bui tn" shadow, The prnuin bra of
deeper and moro dreadful oDlns' which vi.
come upon this continent. hlien'ung and blast
ing the brightest ami best hopes ut mankind.