The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-02-19
HIS CHARACTER AND SERVICE,
The Martyred Leader Was Reared
Among the Unlettered.
HE LOVED THE PLAIN PEOPLE
And Won the Love of the Masses
Without ArtifiCe.

EN-President Benjamin Harrison de-
livercd tho memorial address on Lincoln
at the Auditorium in Chicago on Satur-
day night, Feb. II. The former presi-
dent was apologize in opening his
speech. He had had the grip for several
days and his physician had reluctantly
consented that he should come to Chi
cago and Ire present at the banquet OF
the Marquette club. For the second
time in his life he had found 1t neces-
sary to speak from manuscript
Touching on tho tour of Mr.. Lincoln
from Springfield to Washington and his
sojouln at Indianapolis over night, Gen,
Harrison spoke of the mnrtyred prcSi-
dents inability to surrender the truth,
IL sentiment which brought forth great
applause Agatn, when he spoke of Mr.
Lincoln as lighted only by the lamp
Of duty; outside OF its radiance ali was
darkness" the applause interrupted his
speech for minute or more
When he referred to Mr. Lincoln's
selection of William H. Seward as Sec
rctary OF state and told of the danger
which the new president encountered in
being apparently ovcl,shatlowed by the
greatness of his minister, he uttered the
strong words that those who are en-
dow1ed for tho presidency Will know how
to be president In fact us we'll as In
name without any sclf-assertion." At
this the club emphasized the statement
with long round of applause
Further along tho ex-prcsident's re-
marks met tho full appreciation of his
hearers when he spoke of Mr. Lincoln
MS man who did not fear the shadows
OF other men. nor was the appreciation
loss marked when he spoke of the pre-
sellt need of men who can be heard In
both the dircrtors meeting and the la
bor assembly" The following is II syn
opsis of his address rs he read 1t from
manuscript:
'fho observance OF the birthday of
Abraham Lincoln, which has become
now so widely established, either by
public law or by general custom. will
more and more force the orators of these
occasions to depart from the line OF
biography and incident and eulogy, and
to assume the duty of applying to Dend-
Ing public questions the principles illus
trHtcd in the life and taught in tho pub
He uticrnnrcs of tho man whose birth
We commemorate.
And, after all. We may he sure that
1lia' great Simpir-hclrtcd patriot would
nave wished it 50. I'ln,trrv did not
So"tho the livini; car of Lincoln He
was NOT tinapprccialivc of fricndship.
not without ambition to be- esteemed:
but the ovelmaHt"rinE and dominant
thought Of his lifc was to he useful TO
his country and to his courtrymca.
Il saw Mr. Lincoln but oncr. AS the
'1mc approached when he was to take
up the always sturandous work of tho
presidency, under conditions not only
trying, but appalling, he. not unwisely.
entered upon his journey 10 the capital
with such leisure as to enable him a,
fellow citizens.
II" spent II might at Indianapolis
Tho arrival of his train was greeted by
many thousands of those who had sup-
ported his candidacy They welcomed
him with huzzns. MS If they would give
him token of their purpose to stand by
the results declared at the polls. Yet
IT. seemed to mo hardly to be Il glad
crowd and he not to be a glad man,
There was no sense OF culpability, either
In their hearts or in his; no faltering:
no disposition to turn back; but the
hour was shadowed with forebodings.
There were Eortents. Men did not
shrink; but there WAS that vague sense
OF apprehension, that indicated expect
ancy of evil which ills the air and dig
tnrhs the beasts of the field when the
nnrloudca sun is slowly extinguished.
When the column Is once started in the
charge there are cheers: but there is a
motion when, standing at attention, ST.
lcncc is king.
''ei'iS no Htcou OuI CHOS"u leaueT,
the man who was to be our pilot through
seas more stormy and through channels
more perilolls than ever the old ship
went before. He had rilmed the lum-
bering natboat on our Western streams,
but he has now to take the helm Of the
great ship. His experience in public Of
fee has been brief and not conspicuous.
He had no general acquaintance with
the people OF the whole country. His
large. angular frame and face, his
broad humor his honely illustrations
and simple ways, SCENE. to very many
of his fellow-countrymen to portray a