Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-03-12
Hamlin's Tribnte to Lincoln.

Hamlin's Tribnte to Lincoln.
The Republican Club If the City of New
York gave their fifth annual dinner at
Delmonco's Feb. ~, in commemoration of
the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Among
the distinguished guests was Names
honored son, the veteran Hannibal Hamln.
The New York Press report of the affair
says:
The second toast, The Surviving Stan
dard Bearer of 1850" was set down for
the Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. The mention
of his name again brought out thunders of
cheers. 1t was with difficulty that the
president could command order and silence,
so that the aged statesman could be heard.
He finally succeeded and said Gentle
men, one of the fathers of the Republican
party the first man in our hearts, needs no
Introduction IN gathering like this. >"
5 swly aud in Il trembling voice Mr.. Ham
lin began:
! thank you for this cordial greeting. 1t
Stirs the blood of age aud makes the pulses
leap applause but am too sensible that
1t Is demonstration belonging not to me
but to the great and important events in
which was very humble participant
Cries Of You're wrong.) Men are as
unmportant in a crisis like that through
which We have passed as the merest atom
of dust which l. blown away on the bosom
of the wind.
II is the principle leading us onward, the
undying principle which commands our
attention and our respect. (Applause. J
Mr President, | fear there has been great
misunderstanding in my case. came here
with "hat supposed an express under
-tandli that would not be called upon
to >peak-sge alone should excuse me.
("1ou're always young with US" and
applause Yes, Mr.. President young here.
where the hearts are young, but alas ], my
limbs Will tell you another story. Laugh
ter came from my home to be- with
you Tonight to do homage to the memory
of one of the greatest men the world has
ever known. APPLAUSE | left my home
al the hazard of my health, that | might
testify by my presence here my love for
him and JOIN with You In paving tribute
to the memory and worth OF Abraham
Lincoln. (Applause.) 1t was for that /
came, ana not TO talk; but had a thous hit
in my mind which ii was my purpose 10
suggest to this noble club, and viii do it,
We speak of Washington a. the father
of his country, and We know that by his
poiicy the liberties and the independence
of these colouies were secured. We know
the wisdom of George Washington aided
III laying the sable and strong foundations
upon which our government rests. We
know tial he aided in launching the old
ship of stale upon that sea on " hich it ha,
outrdden all the storm, in the past and as
IN COOS name, 1t viii outridr all storms.
Il Good good,") All honor, then, 10
George Washington.
think, Mr.. President. you have IN Your
bt-.aw> clause that says that the birth
day af Abraham Lincoln shall be cclehrat-
Cd al each recurring anniversary. Do you
remember that one which is incorporated
in the statutes OF our country which makes
the mai al day of George Washington II
national birthday: That one rests upon
our national foundations and is a part Of
our national history. | have come here
to night to ask you to Join with me in
making the birthday OF Abraham Lincoln
Il national birthday l"Good" Good >"
Applause and cheers That is the idea
Which, with the desire to join with YOU,
has brought me here.
These TWO men, a>hiugtOn and Lincoln,
are equally entitled 10 have their birlhda, ;
cummtmorated. In all ages of the world
great men have been produced. The names
OF some of them Will never die. In arts,
III literature, III mechanical arts, in every
profession they have appeared. Abraham
Lincoln vas not an educated man, but he
was u learned man. APPLAUSE TIE
world was the school in which he gradual
ed. 1t was not confined to the four walls
of your colltg yes and your higher schools.
He was educated III the great school of the
world. HIS professors, his tutors, were
the men With HON he came in coutac, in
after life and learned the lessons of hu-
manity and all that belonged 10 the world.
Such was the school in which. Abraham
Lincoln was educated
Why, that little gem Of a speech which
he made at Gettysburg (appause) which
Is taught by all mothers to lheir children,
viii sound through all the ages that
viii come. IL was little speech that
spoke from the man who was educated in
The schools Of the world. 1t came close
bone to the hearts and tiresides Of our
people. You read his life carefully as
written by Hay, that gives you a better
idea OF he early training and schooling of
that man, and you can learn then how
close he was to the hearts of all his people.
Now, shall We not, good Republicans of
this club, and am glad to meet you every
one-("So say We all.') although old in
time though not stalled in my tastes and
interest which feel in sound Republican,
-(applause)- move to peIpetuate his
natal day: GIVE will") | am also griev-
ed at the doings of some of our national
legislators. They cast shade of sadness
over my daily life when see the disgrac'
ed and degraded condition of some OF our
Senators. (Applause.I Yet something
may be regalned.
The world has said that Abraham Lin
coin was one of our greatest men, and we
have honored his birthday of our own ac-
cord. Had l remained in the Senate until
this day should have ere this introduced
IA bill making his birthday national one.
Now you can put that wheel in motion
which will roll on to success Keep on
until the birthday Of Abraham Lincoln
shall be- made a day of national rejoicing.
owe will" Applause
1 can now see before me the boys in
blue, as they slowly paced tn. ir lonely
beats during the long night watches; can
hear their voices, faint yet audible, com
manding me to regard the memory of
Lincoln as they would have done had God.
in His Inscrutable wisdom, changed our
relative positions. My wish has been ex-
pressed.
The applause which greeted the conclu-
sion of the aged statesman's speech fair
ly dwarfed all other demonstrations Of the
evening.