The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-13
LINcoLNs BIRTHDAY.
The Simplicity of Lincoln. Lee and
Grant.

| BROOKLYN. n. Y. Feb I2.-The annual
dinner of the Union League Club was given
at the club house tonight. The club at the
same time celebrated the birthday Of Abra-
ham Lincoln. Attendance was large, and
an address was made by Hon. John S. Wise
to the toast OF Abraham Lincoln" Dwell>
ing upon what he described as President
Lincoln's strongest characteristic, his free
dom from all personal bitterness
in his attitude toward the south, that
divine, patient forbearance, so rare among
other great actors in our civil strife, /" Mr..
Wise said: Call the whole roll Of statesmen
and soldiers on both sides, and how few will be
found OF whom It may be SAID that all their
utterances and acts we're free from any
trace Of bitterness. There may be others.
L recall but three, Lincoln, Grant and Lee
AN ANECDoTE.
Mr.. Wise expressed the opinion that no
struggle OF its magnitude has ever been 50
free from ponp aud ostentation among its
great actors as the war between the states,
and he told TINS anecdote: IAN officer who
was at the headquarters of Gen. Lee at Ap-
pomattox, told me that the morning after
the surrender, when the staff assembled for
breakfast. the young officers were
discussing Gen. Grants campaign,
which had eliminated at Appomattox, and
coup AAk ~ Win Tue grew CdulpdlBus Oh
history. They were disposed to belittle its
strategy. as compared with other great
military events. Gen. Lee joined the party
and was for some time a silent listener
W hen the discussion seemed almost ex-
hausted, he spoke up In his
quiet way in substance as
follows: Gentlemen. have heard
your criticisms. do not agree with them.
It is true that Gen. Grants campaign is
LACKING N IF dramatic apiendao
and brilliant moves found In the campaigns
of other great commanders, but the sim
pliclty and thoroughness Of his work will
rank it very high in military history.
STUCK TO HIS PURPOSE.
His purpose from the outset was
OWNED by me, yet l have never been
able, by anything could do, to serve or
thwart him from his original plan. From
the hour that our armies met be has forced
the fighting and sought to envelop my
right flank. That plan and purpose he has
adhered to with tenacity unshaken until
he has carried it out TO results, which |
saw from the first were newt
able, unless could divert him.
l have tempted him in every
way and never shaken him. Hisi pertinacity
itself Is greatness. to say nothing of bis
other great qualities OF leadership, which
history will be prompt to recognize. His
simplicity is his strength. This quality. so
rare in men, was the greatest quality Of the
Grant aud Lee. Their private lives, their
utterances, their deeds. in plan and ereou-
ton, were models OF simplicity"
A DINNER AT PHILADELPHIA.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Feb 12-Ths Penn
sylvania Club, a semi-politicaI organization,
to night celebrated the birthday Of Abra-
ham Lincoln by dinner which in the
future It proposes to make an annual affair.
The principal guests ana orators Of the
evening were Attorney General Miller,
Solicitor General Taft and United States
Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire.
The Young Republicans of Philadelphia
also celebrated Lincolns birthday by ban
quet, with Secretary Noble as the chief
speaker.
CELEBRATED AT CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, Feb 12-The Marquette Club
celebrated the birthday of Abraham Lincoln
with banquet at the Auditorium hotel to-
night, at which covers were laid for over
800 persons. Prominent republicans from
all parts OF the country were hidden to the
feast and q number of men of national
reputation were present. The principal adj
dress Of the evening was delivered by Seua.
tor Cullom of Illinois, who has lately
announced himself a candidate for the presi-
dency of the United States, and who re-
sponded to the toast abraham Lincoln"
A BANQUET AT BOSTON.
Boston, MASS, Feb. 49," Abraham
Lincoln" was the topic upon which nearly
all the speeches conferred at the banquet Of
the Butler Club this evening at Youngs
hotel. Gen. Butler, in his speech, made a
declaration in opposition to free coinage of
silver. He expected, he said, that his
change Of faith would raise a storm about
his ears, but he proposed to lose no sleep
over il