The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1894-05-03
FEBRUA AIRY TWELFTH.
Ry a Member of Class d.

A day is near at hand which will be observed
generally throughout the length and breadth of
our land, as the natal-day of one so illustrious
and noble that he was, and ever will be- pro-
claimed 1.-THE Father of His Country" 1t is a
day which recalls to the minds of the American
people, oft read and wildly pictured scenes of
Valley Forge, Trenton, or Bunker Hill.
Seven days ago. the cycle of time uShered in a
day which marked the birth of one who was as
noble and as grand, in his sphere, as was the
hero of the spirit of '76'' in his. Yet, it is
probable that thousands of American citizens
knew not of the event, or gave moments
thought to its passing.
The 22nd day of February is the birthday of
George Washington and by an act of legislature
it has been proclaimed legal. In justice and
fairness, the 18th day of the same month should
be set apart as the birthday of one who, although
not the father of his country, was surely great In
that he was the preserver of the handiwork of
him who holds first place in the hearts of his
ceuntrymen.
Washington was by birth and training an aris-
tocrat, and it was only the remarkable purity OF
his character and his exalted sense of selfdenial
which prompted him to refuse the crown and
sceptre his foolish friends and adherents would
have conferred upon him after his victory over
the English despot.
In abiding to Washington as an aristocrat, it
is not my intention desire to detract one lota
from his greatness, far from it. take cOgnl-
Zance of the fact only that the comparison be-
tween him and one of far humber origin may
be made more noticeable; and, incdently, to
prove that from the humber walks of life, great
lights often rise to dazzle all beholders.
Abraham Lincoln is essentially the IDOL OF the
ilo hoY NOT aU "a
been as great as Washington in every particular,
it is not claiming too much to say that he was
more in sympathy with the poor, the weak and
the downtrodden. He was a son of the people,
and not even when in the height of his greatness
and power, did he once forget that he Sprang
from among the common masses. Nor did 1t
cost an effort on his part to admit his humble
origin, for he says himself that his parents were
.born in Virginia." adding, my father was an
uneducated man, and he, at his fathers death,
was but six years of age. In my eighth year we
moved to what is now called Spencer county, Ind
The schools in those days were few, and when
reached manhood did not know much, but was
able to read write and cipher. l was raised to
farm work and continued to labor at 1t until
was employed as clerk in a store. When L was
o. the Black Hawk war commenced and was
elected captain of volunteers. In 1882, L ran
for the legislature and was beaten. The succeed
ing three biennial elections was sent to the
lower house, and during this period L studied
law and moved to Springfield H., to practice IT, "
What simple narrative. He does not dwell
upon his poverty in youth. or brag OF MS valiant
struggle for existence. SO simply. SO unassum-
ingy is the story told, that in reading it, we are
ready to mourn with him over what was JOY
less childhood and youth. His narrative OF NM
self closes with his retirement from the lower
house of Congress- and it, was mot until some
years after that he gained the prominent position
in which he acquitted himself so we'll.
In 1856, Lincoln, with 'fothers of his spirit,
founded the republican party in illinois. taking
affirm stand against slavery and it's attendant liant
evils. In 1853, hes carried on political. debates
with Stephen A. Douglass, in the principal towns
of Illinois, and although his opponent was sent
to the United States Senate, Lncoln'S name and
policy his straightforward manner and honest
principles made for him so many friends that
he was nominated for and elected to the highest
position within the gift of the people, 1t is I'M
necessary to review the many things he did dur
ing his first four years as chief executive.
One point in the noble character of Lincoln,
stood out prominent in allahis actions. His
grand nature was too high and noble to harbor
the prejudice of small minds, and he bore no
malice. He loved the enemies of the Union in
spite of their animosty, and never did beaten
foe have a warmer friend at the head of victor
ious army than he proved to the cOnfederacy
Thousands and thousands of well-meanng citi-
Zens clamored for vengeance THE leaders of
the confederacy must be eXecuted!'' was their
cry, but Lincoln practiced a charity and evolved
a system of magnanimity such as had never be-
fore, and likely never will be approached again
Back of the Union victory he saw reunited
country; his foresight recognized that years of
peace and goodwill would be required to heal
the breach made by an unholy war. Like the
prophets of old he saw that. as time rolled on,
both North and South would forget the strife
which had pitted father against son and brother
against brother, and reasoning thus, he refraned
from making more difficult the reconciliation
by executing the leaders of the rebellious
South.
Time has verified his reasoning, for the Union
of to-day is stronger than was the Union of ante
beum days, and North,and South are j.wOrking
in unison. The stars and stripes are now as
dear to the heart of the southerner as they are
to the New England yankee or the man from
Illinois.
Every revelation that is made regarding IthiS
great man. tends to prove that he was the mov
ing, controlling spirit during the trying times of
war. He was a hero among heroes, and the
more his life is uncovered, the more impressive
is the heroism disclosed.
Thirty or fourty years hence, the strife of the
eos will be forgotten; the civil war will be
looked upon as an instructive epoch in history;
but the name of Abraham Lincoln, one of
natures nobemen, hero and martyr, will
live in the hearts of all true Americans side by
side with that of George Washington, until time
shall be no more.
ALI that am I owe to my angel mother