The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-02-20
LOOKING BACKWARD.
A Retrospective Glance at Lincoln by On
who Wore the Gray.


A Retrospective Glance at Lincoln by One
who Wore the Gray.
BROOKLYN, Feb. 14.-At the annual
honor of the birthday anniversary of
Abraham Lincoln. Hon. John S. Wise,
of Virginia, responding to the toast:
abraham Lincoln" among other
things, said:
How long ago it seems since Abraham Lin
coin lived and died. Never before have men
seen a nation first rent asunder in doubtful
fratricidal strife then reunited and hurried for
ward, all factions forgetting their bitterness all
knowing that the results reached were best OF
ALL and in which the actors in its bloodiest
tragedies forgetting the passions which stirred
them OF DID, become calm philosophers upon
the causes and results Of their own struggles.
IApplause.l The nomination Of Mr.. Lin
coin 1 pictured in boyish fancy as the
elevation of bad man by an
ins1ne faction, with a cruel purpose.
The idea that he or his followers could or would
prevail against the power of the south seemed
to me utterly preposterous. | laughed in my
heart as a school boy at the thought that any
thing could uproot and destroy the whole polit-
ical fabric by which was surrounded. Within
five years from that timc stood upon the same
spot patroled prisoner Of the army of the dead
confederacy.
TIE outbreak Of the war released Mr. Lincoln
from every pledge that he had given to the south
while endeavoring to maintain peace. He had
the upquestioned right to proclaim the freedom
of the slaves IS a war measure. A giant casting
about him for means of coping with powerful
antagonist found a mighty bowlder on a noun
tain peak which. released. would go thunder.
ing down into the valley in which the camp OF
his enemy was pitched; he saw the danger to
his friends as it would leap along the noun
tain side-yet he knew that 1t would fall with
overwhelming force upon and crush his foes
None but a giant could have climbed the
height. Hence this advantage was perceived
None but giant could have strained with
shoulders to the rock until it started
from its bed Of centuries None but bold
strong, independent nature would have as
sumed all responsibilities for the danger which
the step involved to himself. his friends,
and to his cause; Looking at its con.
sequences friend and foe alike now concur that
| II was matchless stroke Of master hand
| ILong and continuous applause Lincoln will
be remembered for all time to come By friend
| and foe alike as the great, sad almost lonely
helmsrnan OF the union in the hour OF its peril,
who steered by the unfailing light of single
constellation, who. never veering % was % always
ward none and charity for all" lApplause-l
An Intended Train Robbery Frustrated.
DALLAS, Tex, Feb. 15.-Eariy Satur-
| day morning officers Jordan, Steele,
| Miller, Mape and Rollins surrounded
! Warden's gun store and captured Bill
Burns, of Honey Grove. Ed Miller, of
Kansas City, Charles Smith and Bill
Barnum, of Austin. They shot down
Bill Burns before he would surrender.
One of the quartette confessed that they
had entered the store for the purpose
of getting at least one Winchester
and pistol apiece and that their plan
was to rob a train Saturday night He
intimated that they were to hold up the
| Texas & Pacific, east-bound express.
Mrs. Blaine VIII Get Her Decree.