The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-15
THE MOTHER OF LINCOLN.
Beautiful Poem by Ben ID. House,
Written in Her Honor, Recalled.

The effort to take proper care of the
neglected grave of Lincoln's mother
through the formation of the Nancy Hanks
Memorial Association has brought to the
attention of the Governor the poem on
THE Mother of Lincoln" written some
years ago by Ben d. House. than whom no
Indianapolis writer of recent years was
more loved by his readers. A copy of the
poem was sent to Governor Mount a few
days ago by Joseph Cover, an attorney of
Ashland, Wis, accompanied by letter in
which he says:
Il notice in the press your action in call
ing together representatives Of the G. a. r.
and other orders to perfect plans for a
monument to Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
In this connection, and as an aid to this
work, l take great pleasure in submitting
to you the inclosed poem The Mother of
Lincoln. by an indiana poet, the late sen
d. House, of Indianapolis, Ind. GOV. Rich
ard j. Oglesby, of Springfield, H., whose
attention / once called to it, pronounced IT
q peerless poem, and gave it the highest
praise. My attention was first called to 1t
in printed programme of Lincoln memo
rial day al Springfield, Ill. The poem was
printed with the programme, accredited 10
Ben d. House. His words were literally
woven with ehaplet OF nov MOVERS tIa at IN IN
there as q bird finds its way home. What
invisible influence brought them thereF
think this easily answered when one reads
these beautiful VerSeS-incOmparabiy beau
I'M They need no Introduction, for they
appeal in their sweetness and strength TO
human hearts everywhere.
II trust you will see fit to circulate
copies of this poem in furtherance OF raIs-
ing of this fund to the memory OF the
II feel that this poem has its particular
place of destiny, to accOmpisn SIC@t
work at this time 1t will stir the hearts
of men and women everywhere in memory
and honor of Nancy Hanks Lincoln.
THE MOTHER OF LINCOLN.
Out on the lie of ''lowly hornH' ,,uoo
For life has never changed Its source
Since first began its earthly course
Nor from its giVer came with ScOIn.
And they who put in blood their trust,
Their pride in silk and linen role r9lled ,,oIa
Poor fools. they are but common dust.
For flesh is but robe that clings
About and clothes the prinEcii Lp a,,ou
Ard only souls are ever kings.
Al! mother of as grand a son
70 prove prov ' the brothcrhood of man.
Such lives as thine are never done.
Though common ways were ways Of thine.
And all thy walks III 9nearIPI Pet dnicb led
race unclaimed to Freedom shrlhe'
From out thy hillside howell came
AZ nfan Tai which Sat P f0 be the key
To drown the groans-a nation shame
Who gives an imbecile to reign
] he Orn-out stock of royal line ,
Backed by the lie Of right divine
Is less than handmade in thy train.
We can but wonder we who read
The past with backward searching look,
Its pages open as book,
If thou foresaW where he would leadE
If gazing in the embers' glow,
Thine eyes by dreaming fancy held,
Thou saw st the flames that should unWeld
The chains and let the bondsman. 20?
When baby fingers touched thy breast,
If ever in thy musing then
Thou dreamdst that hand would guide the pen
Whose stroke would free race opprest?
Didst hear, o mother when blew free
The winds which through the crannes sighed.
The sound of voices as they cried,
Because the light they could not see?
Heard'st thou in them wild wars alarms?
The lannon's rear, or clash Of arms
Where shot-torn battle banners flew?
Tfou vert unstoried and unsung,
moth n of our mighty dead!
Yet history harp fer thee is strung.
For. from the iron of thy blood,
Was forged the nation-needed life,
Which, when the land was torn with strife,
Stood Freedom pharos midst the flood.
We cannot know thou lost to earth,
That ever came dream TO thee
Of what the Nations fate should be-
Led by the life thou gavest birth;
But trust looks forward with belief
That thou hast fullest knowledge gained.
Through larger life thou hast attained,
And hold 1t garnefed shear.