Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-20

gltterlng coin to the spendthrift hope--en.
riches the brain, ennobles the heart, and
quickens the conscience. Between his lips
words bud and blossom.
If you wish to know the difference be-
tween an orator and an elocutionist--be-
tween what is felt and what is said
between what the heart and brain can do
together, and what the brain can do alone
read Lincoln's wondrous words at Get
tysbnrg, and then the speech of Edward
Everett. The Grafton of Lincoln will never
be forgotten. 1t will live until languages
are dead and lips are dust. The speech of
Everett will never be read. The elocu-
tlonists believe i'll the virtue of voice, the
subllmlty OF syntaN. the majesty of long
sentences, and the genius of gesture. The
orator loves the real, the simple, the nat
nral. He places the thought above all.
He knows that the greatest IDEAS should be
expressed in the shortest wcrds--that the
greatest statues need the least drapery.
Lincoln was an immense personality
firm but not obstinate. Obstinacy is
egotism trmness, heroism. He intlu-
enced others without effort, unconsciously;
and they submitted to him as men submit
to nature, nnconsciously. He was severe
with himself, and for that reason lenient
with others. He appeared TO apologize for
being kinder than his fellows. He did
merciful things as stealthily as others COM
mlttcd crimes. Almost ashamed of ten
dcrness, he said and did the noblest words
and deeds with that charming confusion
that awkwardness-that is the perfect grace
of modesty. AS a noble man. wishing to
pay small debt to poor ncighbor. re-
luctantly offers n S100-bil and asks for
change, fearing that he may be suspected
either of making a display of wealth or q
pretense of payment. SO Lincoln hesitatcd
to show his wealth of goodness, even to
the best he knew.
A great man STOPPING. not wishing 10
make his fellows feel that they were small
or mean.
He knew others, because perfectly ac-
quainted with himself. He cared nothing
for place, but everything for principle;
nothing for money, but everything for in
dependence. Where no principle was in-
volved, easily swayed-willing to go slowly
If i'll the right Notwithstanding willing
to stop, but he would not go back. and he
would not 60 wrong. He was willing tc
wait. He knew that the event was not
waiting, and that fate was not the fool OF
chance. He knew that slavery had de-
tenders, but no defense, and that they who
attack the right must wound themselves.
He was neither tyrant nor slave. He
neither knelt nor scorned. With him, men
We're neither great nor small-they were
right or wrong. Through manners, clothes,
titles, rags, and race he saw the real--that
which is. Beyond accident, policy. COM
promise, and war. he saw the end. He was
patient as Destiny, whose undecipherable
hieroglyphics We've SO deeply craven on his
sad and tragic face.
Nothing discloses real character like the
use of power. 1t is easy for the weak to be
gentle. Most people can bear adversely.
But if you wish to know what man really
is, give him power. This is the supreme
test. 1t is the glory of Lincoln that, hav-
ing almost absolute power, he never abused
it, except upon the side of mercy,
Wealth could not purchase, power could
not awe, this divine, this loving man. He
knew no fear except the fear of doing
wrong. Hating slavery, plying the master
seeking TO conquer, not persons, hui
prejudices-he was the embodiment Of the
self-denial; the courage, the hope, and the
nobility of the nation. He spoke, not te
infame, not to upbraid, but to convince.
He raised his hands, not to strike. but il
benediction. He longed to pardon. H,
loved to see the pearls of JOY on the check!
of wife whose husband he had rescued
from death.
Lincoln was the grandest figure of thu
tiercest civil war. He is the gentles
memory of our world.
ROBERT G.. INGERsoLL.