Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-03-28
TO HONOR LINCOLN.
Resolutions Asking for National Hol-
iday on His Birthday.

iday on His birthday.
In the House of Representatives Tues
day, Mr.. Hamlin presented resolutions
asking Congress to make Lincoln's birth
day, Feb. II, national holiday. In pre-
senting the resolutions, Mr.. Hamlin said:
On the 18th of April, 1865, our nation
was plunged into The deepest grief it has
ever felt Abra ham Lincoln, our Presi-
dent, the man who issued the proclama-
ton declaring the freedom of the slaves;
the man who had guided this nation
through the strains OF our civil war, on
the morning of that day quietly breat he'd
his last.
After he had performed SO great duties
under terrible .anxieties, and while we
were about to enter the era of peace and
happiness where his wisdom and his in
| fiuence would have accomplished so much
| toward reconciliation without bitterness
or revenge, he was suddenly taken from
us. He met his death in a manner most
abhorent to Americans people-at the
hand of an assassin. Expressions of SYM
pathy poured in upon us from all parts of
the world, and tribute was paid to him
greater than was ever paid to any man
| and it was not too great.
lapse of thirty years has taught us
| better to appreciate this man and his
| deeds, and has shown us that the estima-
ton formed of him at the time of his
death was none too high. Indeed, too
| much has never been said in praise of this
noble man. No greater lover of liberty or
of his country ever lived. In honesty,
character, wisdom and ability combined,
America has never produced his equal
| Applause. Subjected to the severest
| 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 Wash
ington in some respects, he was second to
him only, if to anybody, in the hearts of
all t he American people.
extended remarks. We are now in the
closing and busy days of the session.
Others perhaps may desire to say some
thing upon this matter, and | think |
know full well the unanimous sentiment
of this House touching the resolutions
which / am about to introduce. The
rthday of our great Washington is OBJ
served as national holiday, and | think
it is eminently fitting that the birthday
of our great Lincoln should be similarly
observed. therefore beg leave to intro
/ duce resolutions somewhat in line with
1 those which have been passed by New
! York, Illinois and some other states.
ask hat the resolutions be read, and !
make all the necessary motions for their
adoption and to secure their early pas
sage. Applause.
The Speaker read the following reso-
/ lutions, which, after brief remarks by
other members, We're adopted unani-
mously
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 life has
rendered his name immortal by his dis
tinguished services for union and liberty;
/ therefore be it
Resolred, That the people of Maine, by
its 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
Lincoln, be made national holiday.
Resotred, That copy of these resolu-
/ tions be sent by the secretary of State to
each member of our delegation in Con-
gress.