Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-20
Al WARD, 1875 Water Street. gent for Augusta Vicinity

| of his country ever lived.
In honesty, character, wisdom and abil-
ity combined, America has never pro-
duced his equal. Applause. Subjected
to the severcst trials he was ever found
true and never found wanting. All in
all, he was to us the ideal type of a true
American. With all his greatness, his
simplicity in life and in manners kept
him in the closest touch with all the
people. Greater than Washington in
SOME respects he was second to him only,
if to anybody, in the hearts of all the
American people.
But, Mr. Speaker, do not rise to make
extended remarks. We are now in the
closing and busy days of the session
| Others perhaps may desire to say 81 me-
thing upon this matter and / think |
| know full well the unanimous sentiment
of this House touching the resolutions
which / am about to introduce. The
birthday of our great Washington is OBJ
served as national holiday, and | think
| it is emincntly fitting that the birthday of
our great Lincoln should be similarly OBJ
served | therefore beg leave to intro
duce resolutions somewhat in line with
| those which have been passed by New
York, Illinois and some other states.
ask that the resolutions be read, and l
| make all necessary motions for their adop-
ton and to secure their early passage.
| (Applause.)
The Speaker read the resolutions:
Whereas, A grateful and united nation
recognizes that Abraham Lincoln was the
savior of his country as Washington was
| its defender, and,
| Whereas, His exalted leadership as
President of the United States through
the darkest hours of the nations lite has
rendered his name immortal by his dis
tinguished services for union and liberty /;
therefore be it,
Resolved, That the people of Maine, by
it's Senate and House of Representatives
in Legislature assembled, earnestly ask
that by an act of Congress, the 18th day of
February, the birthday of Abraham Lin
coin, be made national holiday.
Resolved, that copy of these resolu
tions be sent by the secretary of State to
each member of our delegation in Con-
gress.
Mr.. Keegan of Van Buren,: 1 wish to
second, from the bottom of my heart, the
resolution presented by the gentleman
from Ellsworth. (Applause) l am
thankful that on this question, at least,
there can be absolute and cordial unani
nifty and sympathy between every man
and every party; that upon the question
of honoring the great and noble Lincoln,
there is only one voice and one sentiment
in this body as there is in the country.
(Applause)
Mr.. Parkhurst of Bangor said: Mere
words uttered on the floor of this House
cannot add luster to the ever Frightening
fame of Abraham Lincoln. Ali of us are
familiar with the momentous events that
surrounded his administration of national
affairs at Washington. The heart of every
member of this House must thrill with
rcverential admiration at the mention of
his name. Nevertheless the introduction
of the resolutions offered an opportunity
for paying tribute not only to the mem
DRY of Abraham Lincoln, but to that grand
and noble son of Maine upon whom he
leaned during all the trials and dangers
of the Civil War, Hannibal Hamlin zap
plause), for it should be remem-
bcrcd that the agitation which
seeks expression in these resolutions
and has already caused their adoption by
several of the State legislatures, sprang
from speech delivcrefby Hannibal Ham
lin, at a banquet given on the anniversary
of Lincoln's birthday II New York, some
four years ago At that time Hannibal
Hamlin argued that as Washington was
the father of our country, 40 Lincoln was
its savior and that B6tk should be alike
honored, expressing at the same time an
earnest desire that he should live long
enough to see Congress make Lincoln S
birthday national holiday. His death has
made this impressive
At banquet given by tho Union
League Club last February in honor of
Lincolns birthday, distinguished son of
Hannibal Hamlin, Gen. Charles Hamlin,
again took mp the subject and in an elo-
quent speech advocated action by Congress.
The press has widely circulated Gen. Ham,
Inns speech and success is now certain.
All of us living as we do in the after
glow of Lincoln's greatness, are familiar
with his life and his great works. We do
not need this holiday to recall him to our
minds; but as the succeeding generations
come and 60 they will not have such n
distinct personal knowledge of his life
and character; for that reason we should
give to our children's children SO long as
our Republic shall endure this continual
recurring reminder of our martyred Pres
spire Americans. Mr.. Speaker and gen
tlemen of the House, hereby second the
motion of the gentleman from Ellsworth
(Applause.)
Mr. Hill of Portland said: Wherever,
upon the earth, man exists, there may tie
found and there flourishes to some degree
the feast, the festival or the holiday
These are as natural to him as the air he
breathes or the food he eats, and to moth |
ing can we turn to ascertain with greater
accuracy his traits and characteristics
than to these. They are the certain
standard, that show his tendencies, his
progress and his social condition.
The primitive holidays were occasional
and prompted only by unusual event of
domestic or tribal life. A study of these |
reveal people in the lower strata of civil |
lization. Ascending the scale TO higher
types of men, of more social and political
Importance, the number and variety of its
holidays increases and the power and in
fiuence exerted by that people are CORE
spondingly greater. Going still higher,
we note the change from the occasional to