The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-13

political Thought and without access to the great
world Of books. but the few books that came within
MS reach ne dovoured with the divine hunger OF &c
Aus one paper above all others led him captive and
ned us spirit with tho majesty Of It's truth ana The
srbnty oil It's eioqucnce IL was the Declaration oil
American Independence. The author and the sieners
oil That instrument became IN mis- early youth tho
gods OF his political faith doubt u history affords
any example OF lie so early so deeply and so per-
manently influenced by single political truth as was
Declaraton-the liberty and equality OF all men.
Lons before his fame had become natoaal he said -
That is the electric cord In the Declaration that links tho
n vi" such a. ,Ssst the f love- Of
exists IN the minds Of men throughout the world.
That truth runs like thread OF gold through tho
whole web OF his political fe. IL the spear point
o: his logic IN his debates with Douglas IL was the
the Presidency.
MI GARFIELD here quoted an extract from q speech
made by Mr. Lincoln al Philadep ha when on his way
10 Washington, and continued
THE ISSUE OF THE PRocLAMATIoS.
Deep anu strong was his devotion to liberty, yet
deeper and stronger still was his devotion 10 the
Union. for he believed that without the Union pcrma-
nent liberty tor either this would be
Impossible, ard because OF this belief he was rcuc-
tant, perhaps more reluctant than OF associates
10 slr.Ke slavery with the sword. For many months
the passionate appeals OF millions OF his associates
seemed not 20 move him. Ho listened to all the
phases OF the discussion and stated Ian
guage clearer and stronger than any oppo-
nent had used the hangers, the difficulties
and the possible iutilty Of tho act In reference
country were DIVIDED several OF his generals had
proclaimed the freedom of slaves within the limits of
their commando the President revoked their proc
Iamations His Secretary OF War mad inserted u
paragraph in his annual report advocating a similar
poiicy; the President suppressed IL.
HORACE GREKLgY's APPEAL
On the 18th oil August 1862 Horace Greeley pub
ished letter addressed TO me President entitled.
"lhc Prayer OF wenty Millions, in which he said:
In the .aee Of this wide earth Mr. President there
one disntereed determined, Intelligent champion OF
down the rebellion aud al the time uphold the In
citing cause arc preposterous and futile.
To this the President responded In that ever Nom.
orabis despatch OF August % in which he sad:-
there be those who would the the Union
sTas " s sra Ts save DO
the uniGn unless they could at tho time destroy
G.,; 70 save ;Ss tHon ssisT
could save BY freeing =" the slaves Sai' would do it,
also DO MS DO and
Union and VIVA, orosar forSear because DO NO., be-
eve :. helps to save the Union shall do less Whenever
do more Whenever believe sha: aoins will help
Thus against all opportunities, on tho one hand and
remonstrAnces on The otner, he took the mighty
question 10 his own heart, and, during the long
months OF that terrible battle summer wresticd with
II alone. But at length he realized that saving truth
great unsettled questions have no pity Tor Tho repose
oil nations.
ANNOUNCING I'll. DETERMINATION
On the 22d Of September he summoned his Cabinet
to announce his CONCLUSION. Il was my fortune on
That same DAY and few hours alter tho meeting TO
hear from tho lips OF one who participated the story
oil the scene. As tho heads Of the executive depart
ments came IN one by ono they found the President
reading iavorite chapter from great humorist He
was tightening the weight of the great burden which
ing II alone, and here quote from tho publish cd
Journal OF the late Chef Justice oil the United States
Alter reading the extract Mr. Garfield conlinued:-
IL was amended in lew matters of detail and was
signed aud published tnaL day. Tho world knows the
rest, and viii not forget 1t m tho last syllable Of re-
corded time In the painting before the artist has
chosen the moment when the reading ot the procla-
nation was finished and tho Secretary OF Slalo Was
Offering his hrst suggestion profess skill IN tho
sublime mysteries vi art criticism l can only say OF
painting what tho painting says 10 me. know
what this may say TO Others but 10 mo II tells the
whole story Of the scene 10 the silent and palhetio
language OF art We value the rrumbu picture OF the
Declaraton.!1at promise aud prophecy OF wncn this
act was the fullment-because many of It's portraits
were taken from actual life. This picture Is a faith fu
reproduction not only OF the scone but It's acccsso
RES II was pAned NJ tho executive manson, under
the eye OF MI Lincoln who with the artist during
many DAYS Of genial compromising and aided him
arranging the many details OF the picture. Ths
severely plain chamber mot now used tor Cabinet
councis); the plain marble mantel, with the portrait
which jackson and his successors hao presided: the
old fashioned chairs, tho books and maps, tho cap
tured sword with us pathetic history, are ell there
they were IN fact 0tecn years ago. But what Is OF
more consequences, tho portraits are true TO life. Mr.
Seward stid Of The painting, "It vivid represen-
tation OF the scene, with portraits OF fidelity
and so SAID all his associates Without this painting
| tue scene could not even DO reproduced. The
room has been remodeed ITS furniture is gone, and
Death has been sitting IN that council calling roll
Of It's members In quick succession. Yesterday no
added another namo to mis- fatal list and 10 day 10
has left upon tho earth but single witness OF tho
signing OF the Proclamation OF EMANCIPATION. With
reverence and patriotic love tho artist ompshe
his work. With patriotic love and revcrent faith the
donor presents IL 10 tho nation In the spirit
let the reunited nation receive It and cherish II for
ever Applause on the floor and In tue gaeries.)
Spencer OF MR. STEPHENS.
Nr. STEPHENS, oil Georgia. then proceeded in those
orator, 10 address The JOINT convention, wheeling him.
se around, however, 10 position IN which no iaced
the immense audience rather than the Two presiding
officers. Ito said:-
Mr. PRESIDENT SrEAKER There Is but little
ieit for me TO say in the programme assigned mo on
tho artist. my Trend from Ohio dweit length
In regard TO tho muninccnce OF the donor no has lett
mo nothing to say Few instances OF this kind have
none Stay her example in tho encouragement Of art
BIO followed by others.
permit, 10 submit fcw remarks, nrat as to tho
trail ngure-the man. After that as 10 tho event COM
gchcr during ono Congress. was as intimate with
bim ss was with any othcp man OF that Congress,
no, speak. HE was warm hcartcd, he was generous;
be was as no aitcrward SAID, possessed Of n heart
which had malice TO none and charity to all" In
bodily form nc was above the average and SO In IN
tellcct. Hc was not highly cultivated, but had q
naive genius Tar above the average OF his fellows.
Every fcuDtain OF his heart ever Overlooking
with tho milk OF human kindness. so much for him pc
soDally and 60 much tho deeper from my attach
To himI the pang in my breast, well AS in
those VI millions AZ the manner OF his horrible taxing
or That was the climax OF woe, oi trouble,
aud the spring from winch camo afterward unuum-
bcrcd woes. But oil hose events no more now. As q
trend may say
NO farther seek HE m srits 60 disclose,
Or draw his iralties from their dread abode.
There they alike IN trembling hope repose--
Tho bosom Of his father and his God.
SO much have felt It my duty on THIS occasion TO
say GU behalf Of my friend.
Now, as TO tho great historical event which thu
picture commentaries, and which nero
day 10 commemorate. This IS "A subject, perhaps,
AS remarked by my friend IRON Ohl0 MI GarheIo),
when the people Of this day and NOS
exactly IN the condition 10 weigh rgbiiy ana Jnage