The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-15
A CONSECRATED SPOT.
Speech Of President Harrison al the Tomb
Of Lincoln.

SPRINGFIELD Qll), May 14-The Presi-
Dental train made an early stop at Hanni-
bal, Mo-, where the Chief Executive was re-
ceived with every mark of respect He
made short address. Leaving Hannibal
at 5 40 the party were greeted at every sub
seQuent station by enthusiastic crowds.
The train reached Jacksonville at o'clock,
where the Fire Department the SchOol chill
dren and hosts Of citizens crowded around
the train and made demonstrations of well
come. When the train reached here its ar
rival was heTalied by the firing of ma
tOnal salute and cheering by an immense
crowd. The stay here was only for an hour.
Governor Fi:er, Mayor Lawrence, Senators
Cullom and Palmer, Representatives Spring
field and Henderson, Ex-Governor Oglesby
and Colonel Swain were among the first to
greet the visitors and bid them welcome.
Nearly every resident in the city was given
an opportunity to see the President and
members Of his party. The local militia
and Grand Army men and civic organiZa-
tons were drawn up in line at the station
and escorted the party to the Lincoln mOnu-
ment in Old Ridge Cemetery, where the for
NAL ceremonies took place. Governor titer
delivered an eloquent address OF welcome
TO which the President responded He said:
The interest in this Journey eliminates to-day,
as we stand here for few moments about the
tomb OF Lincoln. As l passed through the
Southern States and noticed those great eenters
OF busy industry which have been built since the
war; as 1 saw how the fires OF furnaces had been
kindled where there once was sUli ude, could
not but think and say This hand that now lies
beneath these stones knded aud Inspired all we
behold. All these fires OF Industry were lighted
at the funeral pyre OF slavery. Tie prOcama-
ton OF Abraham Lincoln can be read on all those
mountain Sides where freemen are now bending
theif energies 10 Tie development Of States long
under The pa ajysis OF human slavery.
come today 10 this c0nNecrdted and sacred
spot with heart filled with emotions OF gratitude
That God, VINO wisely turned toward our East
eTn shores a body Of GOd-tearng and liberty
loving men 10 found this republic. did not
fail 10 hnd for Us IN the hour OF our eX-
tremitv WHO competent to lead the
hearts and sympathies and hold uD tie courage
OF our people 10 me time OF our greatest naiOna
peih The lie OF Abraham Lincoln teaches
more useful lessons than any other characte + ID
American history. You have here 10 keeping
most precious trust. Toward this spot The feet
OF reyeTent patriots OF years TO COM VIII wend
their way, and as The story OF LineODs life Is
read there VIII continually be spread through all
our country Influences aud hope and Inspirations
10 generations VI Children that are yet TO come.
We can say nothing that will deepen the im-
presSlOuS OF this great life. L have studied Il
and been filed with wonder. His life was an
American product. No other soil could have
produced II and tile greatness Of II has not yet
been Discovered OF measured. s. The Inner his
tory OF The time in which he Nv is wrtt'n, we
mud how his great mind turned and
moved in time Of peril aud delicacy the
forces OF our country In their home and
10 their foreign relations with that mar
velOUs tact, with that everfailing common
sense which characterized This man OF the PEG
pie. And what an Impressive lesson We have
this morning, as l see in the uniform OF my cOun-
try, standing as guards around this tomb, the
sons Of that race that have ben condemned 10
slavery and was emancIpated by his Immortal
proclamation. What an appropriate thing it IS
that these who were once a deSpi>ed race,
whose civil rights were curtailed even IN this
Stale, are now afteciUnate guardians OF MS ashes
aud the tomb 10 which thy sleep. IL we VIII al
again and again lead the story Of LIncOln's life
we Will hud our minds and hearts enlarged, our
life aud character deepened anu our cOnsecrated
devotion 10 lie Constitution and the flag OF The
Governs nj which lie preserved 10 US deepened
and Intensified. tADplauSe.]
/ shall 20 from this tomb impressed with new
thoughts a. 10 the responsibility Of those who
bear reSpOHS Utilities, though IN less trOubl some
times Than That man 10 whose memory my soul
bows this morning. iApplause.l
When the President closed he was pre-
sented by Governor EIfeT, on behalf of the
citiz-us Of Petersburg. Ill, with a gold
headed cane made from the Lincoln Store
Building at New Salem.
The President subsequently visited the
State House in company with the Governor,
and made an address from his carriage, re-
turning thanks for his cordial welcome to
Illinois.