The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-15
The TOMB or LINCOLN,
Visited By the Presidential Party
During the Stop at
Springfield.
Remarks BY Mr.. Harrison on the
Life and Character of
Lincoln.
A Hearty Greeting From His Old Neigh
bors In lndianapolis--A Feeling
address to TlIen.

FofhlNdf!ElD, III, may l4.--lue Dfc6luen-
tial train made an early stop at Hannibal,
Mo-, where the chief magistrate was re-
celved with every mark of respect. He
made short address. Lenving Hannibal
at 5:4O the party WAS greeted at every sub
sequent station by enthusiastic crowds.
The train reached Jacksonville at eight
O'Clock, where the fire department, school
children and hosts of citizens crowded
| around the station and made demonstra-
tive welcome. When the train reached here
| lts arrival was heralded by the firing of q
national salute and cheering by an i'm
mense ctowd. The stay here was only an
hour. Gov. Fifer, Mayor Lawrence, Senators
Cullom and Palmer and Representatives
| Springer and Henderson. ex-Gov. Oglesby
and Col. Swain were among the first to
greet the visitors and bid them welcome.
Nearly every resident of the city was given
an opportunity to see the chief magistrate
and members of his party. The local ma
litia and Grand Army men and civic organi
zations were drawn mp in line at the station
and escorted the party to the Lincoln
monument in Oakridge cemetery, whore a
formal ceremony took place. Governor
Fifer delivered an eloquent address of well
come which the president responded to- In
the course of his remarks he said:
Interest in this journey eliminates
to-day as we stand here for a few moments
about the tomb of Lincoln. As l passed
through the southern states and noticed
those great centers of busy industry which
have been built since the war; as l saw how
fires in furnaces have been kindled
vUoo ali ifrrIn
l could not but think and say,
'this hand that now lies beneath these
stones kindled and inspired all we now be-
hold" All these fires of industry were
lighted at the funeral pyre of slavery. The
proclamation of Abraham Lincoln can be
read on all those mountain sides, where
freemen are now bending their energies to
the development of states long under the
paralysis of human slavery. I come to-
day to this consecrated and sacred spot
with heart filled with emotions of graft
tude that God, who wisely turned towards
our eastern shores body of God-fearing
and llberty-.OvinS nen to found this re-
public, did not fail TO ind for us ia tho
hour of extremity one who WAS competent
to lead hearts and sympatbies and hold up
the courage of our people in the time of our
greatest national peril. Tie life of Abra-
ham Lincoln teaches more useful lessons
tory.
You have here in your keeping most
precious trust. Toward this spot the feet
of the reverent Of years to come will wend
their way, and as the story of Lincoln's life
is read there will continually be spread
through all our country influence and hope
and inspiration to generations of children
that are yet to come. We can say nothing
here that will deepen the Impressions of
this great life. have studied it and been
filled with wonder. His life was an Ameri-
can product. No other soil could produce
it and the greatness of it has not yet been
discovered or measured. AS the inner his
tory OF the time in which he lived is written
we find how his great mind was turned and
moved in the time of peril to the forcs of
our country i'll their home and in their for
eign relations with that marvellous tact,
with that never-failing common sense,
which characterized this man of the peo-
pie.
And what impressive lesson we have this
morning as see in the uniform of my coun-
try, standing as guards around this tomb,
sons of that race that had been condemned
to slavery and was emancipated by his i'm
mortal proclamation. What an appropri-
ate thing it is that these who We're once
despised race, whose civil rights were cur
tailed even in this state, are now affection
ate guardians of his ashes and the tomb in
which they sleep. If we will all again and
again read the story of Lincoln's life, we
will tina our minds and hearts enlarged,
our life and character deepeued and our
consecrated devotion to the constitution
and flag of the government which he pre-
served to us deepened and intensified.
shall go from this tomb impressed with
new thoughts as to the responsibilities of
those who bear responsibilities though in
less troublesome times than those of that
man to whose memory my soul bows this
morning. Applause.