The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-14
a Literary View of Lincoln.

The character and services of Lincoln have
been discussed at more length and from more
points OF view than those of any other man Of
the present century and yet there Is still one
feature Of his greatness that has not been
thoroughly set forth This IS pointed out by
a London paper with an lntmatlon of wonder
that II Is not better appreciated IN our cOun-
try. 1T is not too much to say OF him" we
are told, that he is among the greatest mas
ters of prose ever produced by the English
race" The estimate isA high one considering
the remarkable comparison that II suggests;
but the facts will be found 10 justify it, Weare
in the habit Of regarding the famous speech at
force and beauty when the truth is that it is
only one of many proofs OF superior ability in
that respect. The Lincoln speeches and mes
sages are all marked by the same original
power and felicity He used words as none Of
his contemporaries used them. His STYLE was
his own, and nobody could successfully imi-
tate 1t. When he touched a subject he ex-
hausted 1t, not by laborious and repetitious
methods but by quick, concise and distinct
processes, which were at the same time COM
plete IN point of literary correctness. 1t seems
singular that this man. who never had any
education In the recognized meaning of
the term should have acquired such a wonder
tul command Of the art of expression. We
know that during the formative period of his
lie he did not have access to the books of
distinguished authors. and il is equally GER
tain that when such books came in his way at
n later date he did not study them with a view
10 learning how he could say things in the
most appropriate and effective manner.
There IS no trace Of resemblance 20 any model
IN all the abundance of his composition: but
III every instance there is the same sense of
individuality. the same assurance Of perfect
knowledge, the same skilltul adaptation of
means TO ends which leaves no room for criti-
gfg ls- .l,tslo ,.,4a
aud he never went out of his way to increase
II; but somehow he always put the right
word IN the right place, and was master of
his materials IN every contingency. Ii is i'm
possible 10 mistake piece OF his writing for
that Of any body else. The points of ident-
tcatiOn are never doubtful; the style is a
never-talllng revelation of the author, and
whatever the topic or the occasion may b.
there IS no lack OF vlgOr, no sign of stumbling.
from first TO last. There is no room unQues-
tlonably for the suggestion that such
achievements go 10 show that the writing of
prose Is an endowment OF nature. In no
other way can We satisfactory account for
them. 1t is easy in the case of other noted
writer's to see how they attain their
proficiency and what models they
looked TO as sources of instruction:
but Lincoln eludes analysis of that sort We
are charmed by his apt and striking phrases,
his clear and penetrating logic. his incompara-
Die simplicity. MS dOHery ana hls pathOS: but
when we try TO catch the secret OF il all and TO
ascertain whence came such power over
words. we are utterly baffled AS O mere mat
ter Of mechanism, there is nothing equal to it
in modern literature, No school can teach a
man 70 express himself in that admirable and
inimitable way. The chances are that if Lin
coin had been a scholar he would have writ
ten very differently. and perhaps much less
torcibiy. As 1t was. he was thrown upon his
native resources. and had no other guide than
his own genius. which proved to be
superior TO any teaching. In this, as in all
other respects, he was a prodigy. The more
we learn about him the higher he towers.
There was no point in which his career fell
short ofsuccess; even his cruel and lamentabe
death served TO emphasize his greatness, and
bis name is certain so endure forever. growing
brighter and dearer as the time passes and
his splendid qualities of head and heart are
more studied and better understood st.
Louis Globe Democrat
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