The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-16
SEATTLE. FRIDAY. APRIL 10.
Ir,oor,x.s rxpnoarsrSe soYHoop.

rOwfnl day known TO this nation was liked
in mans memory for ali time. Events had
shaped themselves very rapidly prior "a
that sad ending OF a valuable life. On
March the president had entered upon
his second term. The great civil war was
nearing It's close. Grant. at the head OF
fhe Army OF the Potomac, had followed up
Lee. and nov held his forces ~ Richmond
ana Petersburg. sherman vas on that
fnmoas march To the sea which had be-
come = succession OF trfumphs. II was
not TIL near the end Of April that sher-
man compelled Johnston 70 surrender, but
Lee oyacuted Richmond Oh April 2. and
on April the memorable interview be-
tween the two great leaders took place a.
Appomattox. and the war was practically
NJ an end. Abraham Lincoln entered
Richmond the day after. end. returning
70 Washington. made his last public adj
dress on the evening OF April II. On the
night OF April u. he visited Ford's thea
ter. and there. without ere moments warn
ing~without one word OF consciousness.
tho grand. brave SOULS life work was
ended. and there WAS horror stricken
mourning throughout civilization.
Washington's fame does not interfere
with Lincoln's. although each has put
with equal indelibiiity the Impress OF his
individuality upon the history OF the
United States. Each performed gfgan-
tic task, and each battled with powerful
forces But there If a great distinction
made by the American people. due per-
hAps. TO the fact that while Washington
was an sristocrat. Lincoln was a demo-
crat. man OF the people himself. Ills
beginning could not have been more hum
Bile. his career more glorious or the height
90 which he attained more exalted. He
was one o, the people as president no less
than when ho was poor rail splitter.
The story OF his NE Is that no disad-
vantage Of birth or possessions stands In
the way OF success TO boys who have the
essentials OF success. The only limitation
TO De placed upon this general rule In the
measure Of capacity. but to admit this
limitation is TO put upon ones own self
responsibility for the outcome OF life $
efcris-the place whore 1t rightfuily be-
longs. Llneoln's early boyhood was spent
In the los cabin OF pioneer amid sur
roundlngs Of tho homeliest character. BE
had no education. Schools were rare In
those baekwoods settlements and the OPP
portunity for poor boys. whose services
had 20 be enlisted for the maintenance
81
ham lincoln lived a hard life. lie is
retiespt on the subject. and deiioacy has
RETAINED from exposing the harsh pet
tlness with which he was encompassed.
but II Is evident that prosperity did no,
sit at the fireside. tor the father. after
years OF trial In several places. moved to
others. Only year after the mothers
death the father married again, giving a
now aspect 20 the little home. and a step
mother 60 the growing boy.
At the age Of q. young Lincoln seems TO
have determined 10 give up The shlftless
anJ unprogressive NE he had been forced
e. lead. and ne hired cut 20 the owner OF
a fiStboat 70 take cargo down to New
Orleans. Ills employer was So well salts
ned with him that he put the eoatman
IN as clerk Of n country store. where he
borrowed a grammar and began 20 do
what most boys have done many years
before the sSe % e. But his fortunes
were not fast IA coming. and 50 late as
lisa when he was 3 years o, age. he
hastily qualified himself 10 act "a = dep
uty surveyor which he says. procured
hgcad and kept hody and soul together. e
This was poor PROMISE FOR such a career
IS he rounded oct. hut this persod OF his
lie is the most fascinating. because his
experience WAS that or millions OF his
young fellew countrymen who have shared
his poverty ard struggles. and who have
~ their hearts the longing Tor success.
IL comes e many. but net q all II can
not be said that there Is no opportunity
row. II f. not possible that all shan
reach the heights be ais: bat very much
less success would crafty most men.
There was no opportunity ia ths hare
cabin. the solitary homestead. ths Sat
boat. the country store. or IN the lire
mans duty.
The opportunity was being created ~
the impress ths mans character waa
making uncoaEciously upon TIE people IA
was brought tn contact with. Whea hs
had established RS reputation among
taem che opportunity came Il never
doos corae 70 those who are ret equipped
L. meet t.
The conntry has tust zone through a
Period q discussion II which 4 would
sesta that the DAYS q opportunity have
sone Is. That se1Jrla@ wss preached br
man whose beginning "a HE vas as
humble as t.incoln's CT GarGei3'S yet who
vas selected ~ great sody % BIS EEL
low-cl,iErus as shetr choice Tor president.
rie teli sheTt ~ hts ewn expectations ~
cause he ssaEhs she Wroag deeJrtne TIE
opportunities - ets a~e entirely useless
u the Fasa VITO &nes nof guide them
ariget lincoln Wss rgght-he knew nata.
gag bst tie right Rryaa fhausat ae vas
riEht, eat Ne Wss mistaken. Cppoxtunsry
cannot rsgs5r ths errors K mans making
Thls year when TIE gnagxaratfon 80 a
president eliminates ere arshfsiea ~ asa
other Po0T beg. rnsrs tAza sixty years