The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-15
AT LINCOLN's TOMB.
President Harrison's Reception in
the Flower City.
TRIBUTE TO THE MARTYRED DEAD.

CnarhCter oI SpriuBucius FOrt-
most Citizen over the Grave Guard
ed by the Sons of an Emaucipated
Race-At His Boyhood's Home.
SPRINGFIELD, Ills, May 15.- Thou
sands of visitors from neighboring towns
helped the people of Springfield to well
come President Harrison to the Flower
City. Perfect weather and plenty of
enthusiasm made the short stay of the
distinguished guest pleasant one, and
excellent arrangements caused the recep-
ton to take place without hitch. The
president was escorted through the prin-
cipal streets to the Lincoln monument.
A temporary stand at the monument ac-
commodated the presidential party and
the hosts during the exercises. Mayor
Lawrence presided. Governor Fifer de-
livered the address of welcome, to which
the president responded. In the course
Of his remarks he said:
The Speech ut LincoIn's Tomb.
The interest of this journey eliminates to-
day as we stand here for a few moments about
the tomb of Lincoln. AS passed through the
southern states and noticed those great CEN
ters of busy industry which have been built
since the war, as saw how the fires Of tho
furnaces had been kindled where there was
once solitude, could not then but think and
say that 1t was the hand that now lies in
ashes beneath those stones that kindled and
inspired all that we behold. All these fires Of
industry were lighted at the funeral pyre of
slavery The proclamation of Abraham Lin-
coin can be read on all those mountain sides
where free men are now bending their energies
to tho development of states that had long
been under the paralysis of human slavery.
kar. t,.1n 60 Ia at.,l M
sacred ground with heart filed with cmo-
tions of gratitude that the great god who
wisely sent towards our eastern shores body
of God fearing and liberty loving men to
found this republic, did not fail to find for US
in the hour of our extremity one who was COM
petent to lead hearts and sympathies and hold
up the courage of our people In the time of
our greatest national peril.
The Lessons of Lincoln's Life.
The life of Abraham Lincoln teaches more
useful lessons than any other character in
American history. Washington stands remote
from u.s. We think of him as dignifed and
reserved: but we think Of Lincoln as one
whose tender touch the children, the poor, all
classes of our people felt at their flresides and
loved. The love Of our people is drawn TO him
because he bad such great heart, such n hui
name heart. The aspirations and hardships of
his early life did not dull, but broadened and
enlivened his sensibilities and his sympathies.
You have here In keeping most precious
trust. Toward this spot the feet Of tho rever-
ent patriots of the years TO come will bend
their way.
The Man of the People.
His life was an American product. No
other soil could have produced II. The great
ness of 1t has not yet been fully discovered or
measured. AS the inner history Of tho times
in which he lived is written we flnd how his
great mind turned and moved, in time Of
peril and delicacy the affairs of our country
In ha n nd foraipn rniotinpa tvtfh hot
marvellous tact, with that never falling COM
mon sense which characterized this man OF
the people.
And what an impressive lesson we have here
this morning. see in the military garb of our
country, standing sturdily about this tomb, the
sons of that race that had been condemned to
slavery, and was emaucipated by his immortal
proclamation, and what an appropriate thing
1t is that those whose civil rights were cur
tailed, oven in this state, are now the trusted,
/ afiectiOnate guards of the tomb In which he
sleeps. | shall 20 from this tomb impressed
with new thoughts as TO the high duties of
those who guard AMI bear the responsibilities
but through less troublous times than those of
that great man to Whose memory my soul
bows this morning.
At the conclusion of the presidents
speech the party was driven under
escort to platform in front of the state
capitol A few moments were spent
here, the president making brief re-
marks to the assemblage, and carriages
were again taken. Quick driving brought
the party back to the station at the
specified time, and the train left for
Indianapolis,
Tho Welcome Home.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 15.-The presiden-
tial train arrived at the Union station in
indianapolis at 4:45 o'clock. The boom
ing Of cannon announced the approach
OF their distinguished townsman 10 the
indianapolis people, several thousand Of
whom were assembled in and about the
station. These broke into prolonged
cheering as the president stepped from
the platform with Governor Hoyey.
Escorted by the committee that had
met him at Montezulna, the president
walked through the station to Jackson
place, directly opposite, and took his
place on the stand erected there. In his
response to addresses of welcome 10y
Governor Hovey and Mayor Sullivan,
the president said:
Old Friends the Best.
Our pathway has been attended by the
the plaGdits of multitudes; our way has been
strewn with flowers; we've journeyed through