The morning times., 1896-03-30

md L|BERTY'S CHAMPION
Henry WatterSOn Pictures Lin
coin in Silvery Phrases.
HIS LIFE AND HIS WORKS
Cabinet Members, Congressman and
Officials in the Large Assem-
blage at the Lafayette.
HIS LIFE AND HIS WORKS

An audience Of extensive dimensions
and distinguished personnel greeted Henry
Watterson last night at the Lafa yette
Square Opera House, on the occasion of
his lecture on Abraham Lincoln"
No audience OF the same character has
he retofore this winter assembled in
public audience chamber in Washington.
Only such speaker as is Watterson and
a subject such as he had chosen could
have attracted an audience or the char
acter that assembled, and nowhere but in
Washington is it possible TO muster them.
The Cabinet, the Senate. the House, the
Army, the Navy. politics, the North and
the South were represented by represent
ative men.
1t was shortly after $50 O'Clock when
Mr.. WatterSon came upon the stage. Gen.
Miles introduced him in a single sentence,
alIuding to his nativity and national
celebrity. BY way of eXordium the speak
,, er alluded to the finesSe and fashion OF
the colonial statesmen, the aristocracy OF
powdered wigs, snuff cases and silk hose,
which was succeeded by a race of stern,
rugged, earnest, unmincing, flaggelant, en-
during men, of whose stock was Abraham
Lincoln.
ANECDoTE AND STORY.
Mr.. Watterson's discourse was more OF
an address than an Grafton or lecture.
He quoted freely, citing Col. McClure's
description of Lincoln's grotesque appear
ance reading Lincoln's account OF his own
biography, recalling his four Douglas
speeches as his political confession.
In referring to the famous campaign
which was a victory for Lincoln, though
no defeat for Douglas Mr. Watterson re-
lated many amusing ard characteristic in
cidents by way of itltHt tratpns pausing 10
pay an eloquent tribute TO Stephen "A,
Douglas.
As pictured by Mr.. watterson. Lincoln
was an old line Whig OF the school OF
Henry Clay he wasl an inspired man in
his calling and achievements; he was a
prose poet humorist a generous but
brave man, who knew when TO draw the
line; he had the genius of common sense;
he was a common nun expanded TO giant
proportions; he was a man of provi-
dental destiny.
LINCOLN AND THE SOUTH.
Mr.. Watterson gave a new light on
Lincon's relation 10 he South. He was 4
Southerner; lie never regarded the South
as out of the Union; had he lived, the
speaker affirmed, he would have led the
South as we'll as the North out OF the
darkness of the past twenty years; he was
a friend who would have saved the South
from herself: he wasnever vindictive, though
always projecting himself gainSt the South;
his assassination was the severest possible
blow TO the South.
Lincoln's genius for mediation, but in
convertible supremacy was Illustrated by
many interesting narratives. Mr.. Waiter
son closed with a word picture OF his career,
and compared him to the greatest national
or epochral leaders of all times, countries
and causes.
The address was interesting and scholarly,
without being conspicuously eloquent or at
all flowery. The audience was delighted
and frequently appla uded the sentiment OF
the speaker or the quoted word of the apt
and honest Abraham.