The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-13
TRIBUTES TO A MARTYR
PREsENT-DAY LESSONS FROM ABRA-
HAM LINCOLN's LIFE AND WORK.
Strong Words from John G.. NicoIay,
bishop vi. n. Ninde, Bishop c. II.
Fowler and IL. b. Blackwell.

CHICAGO, Feb. 1a.-The National Chris
tian Citizenship League is utilizing all ma
tional days for emphasizing the need of
higher citizenship Tho anniversary of the
birth of him whom Mr.. Lowell called 1.-The
first American" furnishes an excellent OPP
portunity for lessons to both citizens and
statesmen, for the life OF Abraham Lincoln
exemplified in the highest degree many OF
the characteristics which every citizen must
make his own if the Nation is TO be saved
from corruption and led to the fulfIlment
of its lofty destiny. The following messages
are therefore of unusual interest:
His Faith In and Love for the People.
The foundation of Lincoln's political be-
lief was the maxim of the Declaration Of
Independence that all men have right TO
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In his day the first of these rights, the right
to life, was fully recognized throughout
the Nation. But the second and third, the
rights to liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness. We're by the institution of slavery in
fifteen States denied to the millions OF
negroes most of whom were born in Amer
lea. 1t was Lincoln's words and work that
gave to them as well as to every future
American, native or naturalzed, the full
recognition of the second and third clauses
of the maxim Of the declaration.
While the legal right to the pursuit Of
happiness is now full and complete, its en-
joyment is sometimes obstrpcted by law
breakers, sometimes by the environment OF
harsh social conditions and to prevent, re-
move or mitigate such distractions of either
kind is one of the political problems Of our
day.
In his Gettysburg address Lincoln defined
our government to be government of the
people, by the people, for the people" Scan
Ming this definition critically, we find that
government of the people must not only be
for the people, but it must be by the peo-
pie Government for the people is clearly
blessing, a privilege, but government by the
people is as clearly a duty, labor We cam
not have something for nothing To enjoy
political privileges we must earnestly and
conscientiously perform political duties. Not
only ali neglect Of these duties, but also all
coils upon ourselves. We must not only
vote but we must vote intelligently and
conscientously to remove distractions TO
the pursuit of happiness.
In his struggle with the institution OF
slavery Lincoln laid down the rule that ne
who would be no slave must consent to
have no slave" This rule, translated to our
day, plainly is that he who would suffer
no wrong from society must do no wrong
rule would read, they who would enjoy
the benefit of association must not abuse
the powers of association and they who
seek the protection of law must not violate
law.
Changing social conditions require change
and Improvement in laws, and Mr.. LlEeoln
has told us how this is to be effected Our
government, he says, rests in public opln-
. ion. With public sentiment nothing can
fail; without it nothing can succeed Con-
sequently he who molds public opinion goes
deeper than he who enacts statutes or pro.
nounces decisions. He makes statutes and
decisions possible impossible to be exc
cuted." AS a consequence Mr.. i4incolns
words give emphatic warning against the
insidious influence of false doctrines. He
courts honest statement and correct logic,
he scouts subterfuge and evasion. lie coun~
sells fairness in discussion, generous tolera-
ton in difference of views, extreme moder-
alton in judgment, but infiexible adherence
to deliberately formed principles. Let us
have faith that right makes might, he
says, "and in that faith let us dare to 90
our duty as we understand it,"
JNO. G. NICOLAAY.
formerly private secretary to President
LincOln.)