Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-13
Linco,n's Birthday Celebration in 896.

The celebration of the birthday ami
versary of Abraham Lincoln is one which
cannot be eonfined to any particular part
of this great nation or to any particular
political creed Indeed the principles
upon which and without which the
browning accomplishments of his life
were attained invite the common inherit
ance of all people, who believe in the
triumph of the right
There Is, however, every reason why the
Republican party of this country should
he especially conspicuous in the celebra
ton of the birthday Of the first Republi-
can President, whose principles and
achievements have been indissolubly con-
nected with the history of that party and
must remain so as long rs that party con-
tinues to exist. 1t has seemed that he
was especially raised up to make clear the
Issues to make plain the right and the
wrong at stake and to sacrifice his life in
their fullilment, an example of glorious
martyrdom to the world, which had not
outgrown the need of such examples
AS every student of history knows, it
was Abraham Lincoln who swept away
all subterfuges and compromises at a time
when clear understanding was impera-
| lively needed. He saw clearly that the
country could not exist half slave and
half free and on that platform he unhcsi-
| tatingly took his stand, the central figure
about which the Republican party could
| rally for its first victory and under whose
almost superhuman leadership could go
| forward to the performance of its glorious
mission
| While for such reasons it is especially
appropriate that the Republican party
| bear conspicuous share in the celebration
| of Lincoln's birthday anniversary. there
existed still other reasons why on the 18th
| of February 1896 the Republicans through
out the land should consecrate themselves
| anew to the work at hand. Since the close
| of the war the mission of that party has
time In thirty years there has not been
such pressing demand fer the clearing away
Of faliacles, for plainly defined issues, for
| unflinchirg devotion to principle, as
| exists this year.
-Four years ago many CROPPED their way
| to the ballot box in cloud of specious
ha, nj ,,,l 81 n
| They were in the mood for experiment
| ing. That experiment resulted in run.
| ming this government in debt over
| sS7. 900, 600 for every one Of the past four
years; it pulled down the flag at Hawaii
and exposed American patriots to the
mercies Of a barbarian so far as it was
possible for an administration to do it; it
paralyzed industry all over the country
it reaped harvest of failures and spread
| broadcast restitution; it lowered wages In
| this country and raised profits abroad. In
| this mass of prostration the germs of
| more false theories were Matched. Some
| fled for refuge to fifty cent dollar while
otnefS ran from one alleged panacea to
another; even the great Jewish banking
house of the Rothschilds, which dictates
the policies of foreign governments was
invited to come to our relief; financiers
and politicians abroad We're Led to look
with contempt upon our securities and
our patriotism, and one was induced to an
lnsolence that nothing save threat Of war
could meet Under the burden of be-
Wllderment today, one branch of our
government is powerless to accept relief
that lies at hand.
| Is not this all occasion for gratitude
that the Republican party has opportunity
to renew its faith and derive the strength