River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-02-17

renown, by confirming public senti-
ment as to the broadness of his knowl-
edge of statecraft, the unerringness of
his Judgment in national questions, and
his skill and diplomacy as leader of
men.
Simple as was his life, it was
symphony from the humble beginning
TO the tragic end. His life was sublime
epic, the theme of which was an intense
earnestness. Whatever he undertook,
that he did with all the ardor of his seri-
Gus nature. The great light did not
dawn upon his soul early in his being
Rarely does it thus reveal itself to one
so modest in character as this wonder
full man. But what he essayed to DO
was undertaken with determination
of purpose that gave assurance not
only of overcoming obstacles, but also
of throwing them aside with greater
effectiveness of purpose than others OF
his class. When he split rails, his task
comprehended more than could be ef-
fected bv any Of his fellows. In all of
the manly sports he eXcelled all of his
fellows, and in his study of law he was
persistent to WEAKNESS of the flesh.
That he succeeded in his practice was
due largely to the energizing force of
his personal application to the case in
hand. No client was too poor to merit
his best effort and no suit was lost
through any failure on his part to at
tend to every detail, however trivial.
Genius has never been defined to the
~ ~ Rnt If If
accepted as a supreme power of apph-
cation, with rigorous persistence IN re-
moving obstacles that seemingly are in
surmountable, then Abraham Lincoln
was the incarnation of manful genius.
The character of the man was not re-
yealed in his form or carriage. Yet
the homeIy and sad face was kind in Elk
preston and rarely intelligent in ac-
tion. Tall above the standard of men,
he was somewhat awkward in manner
and locomotion. These were the out
ward signs of humble origin which were
not wanting in the minor qualities Of
his otherwise superb intellectual and
moral character. But here all depre-
catory innuendoes justly end. As he
lowered above his fellows in physical
stature. so he was the one really SUI
preme figure of the great contest upon
which hung the fate of the republic.
If in the hours of peril his heart
failed once II is unknown to any human
being. If he sought to compromise with
wrong in order to perpetuate the union
the fact is yet to be discovered. His
wonderful unerring judgment gath
cred about him as counselors mighty
and strong men; the war speedily de-
veloped able. and popular chieftains;
but ii was not to these the people looked
for deliverance. Lincoln was the one
grand central figure towards which all
ewes were directed. The masses be-
lieved in him. and ii was this faith that
gave them confidence in the darkest
hours of strife. His gravity Of manner
increased as disaster followed disaster
in the first two years of the struggle;
hut he went straight along his way in
determined purpose Until 1868. IN July
of that wear. when the almost simulta-
neous victories Of Gettysburg and
Vicksburg gladdened the union hope,
there had been but little TO encourage
the promise Of final victory except the
successes of Grant at Henry, Donnel-
son and Shiloh Yet six months before
gettysburg the courageous hand Of the
great man wrote lines Of emancipation
for 100000 slaves.
The necessity Of war was made the
excuse for this great deed, but the
higher law of humanity doubtless has
tened the act of justice. The calm pur-
pose, the unconquerable will, the suav-
ity, skill, diplomacy. firmness and gen
1leness, withal. of the noble leader in
spired a confidence that grew steadily
until it deveoped into perfect satisfac-
ton, and Lincoln was the idol of great
nation.
No one was less influenced than he
of idle or senseless clamor; none was
slower to WELD 10 an unjust demand
however great the public cutlery Adj
verse criticism of his lieutenants did
not move him to action against them,
unless his own perfect Judgment APP
proved, and in time the people knew
that what he did was right. Every one
of the great captains of the war was
viciouslv illuminated; yet history tells
how Lincoln was steadfast in his sup
port of those who proved themselves
worthy to fill their respective positions.
The one beat of his heart in all the
hours of his country's great peril was
for the preservation of the union. that