Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-29

versity: General Grant, because, in the
words of Dryden. he was " a daring pilot
in adversely" Simple of nature and stout
of heart, Grant rose to the proud positions
of commander-i in chief and president by
sheer merit. Luck had nothing TO do with
his rise from the humble rank of retired
lieutenant to the highest honors in the
gift of the republic. Whatever was his he
won by his deserts alone. His singular
modesty was as admirable as his capacity
for leadership, and, taking him all in all, he
remains, to my thinking, the greatest
American since Washington.
John Brisbane Walker, editor of the
Cosmopolitan: Abraham Lincoln, because
he suffered and did more for the country
than any other man since Washington. Also
because he was the author of that ad-
mirable saying: Goo must love the common
people, because He made so many of them"
Rev. Charles II. P%arkhurst, d. D., of New
York: Horace Greeley, for his pure patriot
ism and vigorous endeavors in the direction
Of social reform. He ever refused to soil
his hands with mere political intrigue and
regarded the success Of his ambitions as Of
less Importance than the success of his
efforts to, do right in the face of God and
man.
Mayor Robert A. Van Wyck of New York:
Thomas Jefferson, because he gave us the
principles of true American democracy.
William X. Vanderbilt Through Hon.
Chauncey NJ. Depew): Abraham Lincoln;
because l believe that, had he exchanged
epochs with Washington, he would today
be honored with the ~latter's title of Father
of His Country" Lincoln was the greatest
American of his generation.
Ex-Mayor Abram S. Hewitt of New York:
General Grant; because. like Napoleon, he
was the man of his day and generation,
elevated from obscurity to m Cen
eral Grant was a thorough man in the best
and finest sense of the word. do not
care what his politics were. In the admira-
ton one feels for a great patriot Of the
past. politics should have little place. Gen
eral Grant was the man who led the forces
of the union TO victory. AS such he Is my
favorite character in American history, after
George Washington.
DR.. Gcorge'F Shrady, the distinguished
physician, editor of the Medical Review:
Nathan Hale; BECAUSE he gave up his life
bravely and cheerfully for his country,
merely regretting that he did not have
another life to sacrifice in the same way.
That was pure patriotism. indeed. Hale was
a young man, with all the joys of a long
life before him; but he put them aside and
went with u%ndaunted soul to his death for
his country's sake.
Rev. Edward Everett Hale: l do OF
speak of favorites as of people l love or dis
love. But, except Washington, 1t is Gear
to me that the person who has served the
United States in the formation of the ma
ton most faithfully was Benjamin Franklin.
AS to the people whom we really love,
Nhi1a We hnnpr fhpn, ,,,II en, ,ln.
Abraham Lincoln came to the front. /
heard General Armstrong of Hampton
spoken of when he died as the first citizen
of America; and l am disposed to think
that this statement was then true.
Henry Clews, the we'll known Wall street
banker: William Henry Seward; becalse
he was, in my opinion, the best equipped
and most clear-sighted statesman America
has seen.
Hon. William G. Whitney: Thomas Jeffer-
son; because he wrote the Declaration of In
dependence, and stood by its principles.
Rev. Minot ]. Savage, d. D.: l regard
Abraham Lincoln as the greatest American,
perhaps excepting George Washington
though / am not quite sure of that. l adj
mire him for his brain. for his heart, for
his moral character. for whatever goes to
the making of a man. / believe that the
we get ava from MIN, the taller
and grander he will seem to us to be.
Rev. Lyman Abbott, ID. D., of Plymouth
church, Brooklyn: Abraham Lincoln; be-
cause, after Washington, he was the surest
and bravest pilot that the ship of state has
known, and because he conferred the price
less boon of freedom upon the slaves. Lin
coins saying, IF slavery be not wrong,
nothing is wrong deserves to be carved
forever upon the frieze of the national capt.
toll. Not n year goes by. in which the fame
OF the gaunt, great-souled backwoodsman.
does not wax greater. When the nations of
the earth wish to point to an admirable
American, they choose Lincoln, even in
preference to Washington.
Chauncey NJ. Depew: Abraham Lincoln
is my favorite character, because 1 look
upon him as the finest exemplar of genuine |
Americanfsm that this country has seen SO
For his stalwart patriotism, his perfect |
honesty. his keen humor. and his ability
in public affairs, "Old Abe" deserves, in my
mind. first place.
Richard Croker. leader of Tammany Hall: |
Jackson. because he stood for the
best sort of democracy.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Abraham Lin |
coin; because 9 sstsered the country through
a great crisis, freed the slaves and was ever
a chivalrous and, enlightened friend of
woman. D!aY !