The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-18
!: WATTERsON ON LINCOLN
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written for The Dispatch J

arc great IN more than one thing. As
controversial writer OF political articles, "
maintaining with adroit case now this end
now that side Of the same question, he
bears himself gallantly and unblushingly
the full equal Of any knight OF the pen
now alive. As the genius OF Scott has
immortalised the merccnary European scl-
dier Of two or three centuries ago In Cap.
tain Dalgetty. 30 some future writer in
our own times. with the Courier Journal
as his guide. may picture to his generation
Henry Watterson as the prototype Of
class of editorial FREQ iances that flour
ishcd in the last half Of this Nineteenth
centurv--a class that are spending their
old age In tearing down the political land
marks which they themselves aidel. IN rear.
Ing. II such future writer shall have the
penetration in affairs political that Scott
had In affairs military, his characterization
OF Watterson and the state OF society that
developed the man will be the most in
teresting reading. That writer must show
how political power In this country was
gradually transferred under forms of law
from the people, whore It properly belonged
to organized wcalth--and how men like
Wattcrson. therefore. transferred their al
lcgiancc from the people to the new ruler,
because the people. sovereign only by a flc-
tion OF law. could no longer pay the wages
demanded BY their former champions Thus
much has been snid, not with any desire to
do Mr Watterson an injustice. but as in
part an explanation OF tho reason why his
lecture upon Abraham Lincoln. as delivered
In Lexington on the Sd OF July, 1897 was a
dismal failure. blessed are the pure in
heart said Christ. for they shall see
Cod and the great Teachers meaning Is
rs clear as though He had added. and
none others can see Him. SO 1t may be
AN NNlth fritth ghut t,,t
pure and patriotic man may comprehend
the true character Of Lincoln and the los
sons taught by HIS life. The lecturer, In
graphic words. passed in review the earlier
American statesman, told the story of our
constitution. of its fatal defects that led
to the war. and described In language that
left nothing To be desired, the gradual es-
arrangement OF North and South upon Is
sues that inevitably and iEexorably
pressed docision-to be had only upon tent
sd fields.
So far the speaker held the attention
Of such OF the audience az could discrim-
mate between the genuine merit OF his
effort and the miserable style of his de-
Iivory-slow, drawing and generally I'M
attracuve--for an an orator Mr.. Waiter
son certainly has his suporlorB In every
county seat in Kentucky. 1t was when he
came to dwell upon Lincoln himself that
the lecturers inability to handle his great
theme as it deserved first appeared. LIN
coin. according To him, was deficient in
all respects for the great work TO which
he had been called. lie was inexperienced,
unlearnsd. uncouth. unacquaintod with AZ
fairs when elected to the presidency. At
that moment Mr.. Watterson believes that
Lincoln received direct inspiration from
Cod that honceforth this poorly qualified
baclSwoods lawyer was more than man, for
else. the lecturer asked. how could he have
dominated men like Seward, Chase and
Stanton. or held. as 1t were. In his pa'ur-
ally feeble hand the destdnics OF n mighty
nation? MIR. Watterson seems to find 1t
impossible to account for LincOlDs wis
DOM Justice and moderation on any other
grounds. He does not understand how any
mere man. entrusted with Lincoln's almost
absolute power should not have abused IT.
His treatment of Lincolns early life. of
his struggles for education. of his laborl-
Gus years as Il practicug attorney. OF his
Intercourse with the humble orders az So
ciety. of his character as thus formed, was
omphaticaly disappoiDting and here his
audience began To leave ono by one, until
by the close more than ne-third bad
walked from tho building. He. indeed.
called Lincoln prose poet citing his lm-
mortal address at Gettysburg In evidence,
but that after the flame OF inspiration
had miraculously descended upon MIN.
The pitiful tragedy OF Linco'Ds end at
cra2ed assaBsin's hand, It's effect upon the
South. the death OF his murderer, the sum
life NIL were touched upon 20 as to re-
deem In some measure the speakers failure
To seize upon the really salient features In
his horo's characteristic features which
satisfactorily account for what was att'ip-
ulcd to inspiration.
Tho common people OF America love 70
think, and will always think, OF Abraham
Lincoln as one of themselves' as ihan
trained In the hard school OF adversely 10
an enlightened knowledge of humanity ana
a u Ia Nsatt f.
terson would one in touch with the MASSES
OF his fellow creatures describe this nome
Is but great man. Such a one would say
that MIR. Lincoln had from nature SPLEEN
did intellect and warm heart; that cir
c,lmstauces sharpened the one ana deyel-
oped the other: that he was rigidly honest
with others and himself. but that the great
secret of his power for good was an earnest
practical sympathy with the people. coupled
with a wise confidence In them; that ,hs
advice OF politicians, however eminent, was
as nothing In his eyes unless II squared
with The dictates OF tho conscience with
honest Abe justly regarded as his only
safe guide.
Lincoln knew the people. appreciated
their wants and Justly estimating their
faults and virtues. was faithful to their
hest interests in all that was committee
10 his care. He was adamant to all appeals
against them, tender and wise In all MIS-
dealings with them. plain. unaffected
man. of giant intellect and sublime cour-
age, and heart large enough TO mold tho
world. he trod his appointed path WIN
simple faith and absolute sincerity. un,
disturbed by ciamOr from great or small.
II ever hereafter there shall be erected
an International temple TO those VINO loveu
their fellowmon. the statute Of Lincoln VIII
tower pro- eminent. and upon It's base
should be inscribed: His was the warns
est heart: he loved tho common people,
and was great"
was the mysterious inspiration talked OF.
but not understood. by Watterson. Bril-
liant men uf erratic genius. whose tas.es
and habits and necessities have weanea
them away from sympathy with VIVA.
and speak things worth reading ana near