The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-03-17

CHICAGO, ILL, March l3.-EditOr
Columbia HerdLd: My attention
was recently called to the following
in the Reveille,
newspaper published at
Vevay, Indiana, and l give it in full:
Editor Reveille: - For some
weeks past there has been published
in the Vevay Democrat what claimed
to be an extract from an address by
Abraham Lincoln, with the large
head lines: The Vital Issue Does
not the Democrat know that the ar
ticle is fraud aud that it came from
the fertile brain of a Populist? 1t
first appeared in print long years
after the death of Abraham Lincoln.
OCCULT"
The extract published in the Demo-
crat, of the same city, purported to
be from the writings of Abraham
Lincoln, and as the communication
throws doubt on its authenticity, L
herewith quote it in full:
"Yes, we may congratulate our
selves that this cruel war is nearing
its close. 1t has cost vast amount
of treasure and blood. The best
blood of the flower of the American
youth has been freely offered upon
our cOuntry's altar, that the nation
might live. 1t has indeed been a
trying hour for the republic, but l
see in the near future a crisis APP
preaching that unnerves me and
causes me to tremble for the safety
of my country. AS a result of the
war, corporations have been en-
throned, and an era of corruption in
high places will follow, and the
money power of the country will en-
deavor to prolong its reign by work
ing upon the preiudices of the pen
pie until all wealth is aggregated in
a few hands and the republic is de-
stroyed. feel at this moment more
anxiety for the safety of the country
than ever before, even in the midst
of war. God grant that my suspi-
cions may prove groundless."
This extract is authentic and was
written in 1854 by Abraham Line oln
to Mr.. Elkins, of Illinois. 1t was
Published many years ago in a book
entitled "Collection of Lincoln s
Sayings" by Jesse Hooper, of Dan
Vile, ILL.,, and the book, though old,
is readily obtainable.
The identity or name of the author
of this statement is of little conse-
quence compared with the gravity
of its terrible fulfillment. We are
now dealing with the realization of
the unerring Judgment of Abraham
Lincoln; and the man who is both err
ing his head about the name of him
who predicted it, is not mentally
capable of distinguishing the ma
terial from the immaterial or the
essential from the non essential.
He may be a man who is sacrificing
his honor on the altar of MammOn
and so long as he is able to rake in
the blood money of usury, from the
unfortunate debtor class, thinks that
present conditions are extremely
satisfactory.
1t may be we'll to briefly state a
few facts concerning the trend OF
present events. Every product OF
| industry, except twelve, is now con-
trolled by a trust that regulates to a
greater or less extent the amount OF
production and the price of the pro-
duct. since VIM. Mckinley was in
augurated ten times more trusts have
been formed than at any other period
of the same time in the history OF
the country. A capitalization OF
81 SOC, ,000, 900 has gone into the busi-
ness on the trust plan since the era
of prosperity of the gold standard
type made its appearance. While
| l. fhrnkfInH nd m
gregations of capital are conceded
to be menacing the life of this repub
lie, some who are temporarily reap
ing a special benefit from the golC
standard are cavilling over the name
of the prophet who first foresaW
present conditions.
The present national administra
tion is an alder and abettor of trusts
The national platform of the Repub
lican party of 1896 was silent on the
subject of trusts. The platform oil
the same party in 1892 contained {
declaration against trusts. The 1891
platform was dictated by trusts anC
declared for the gold standard, unit
interna tional bimetallism was
brought about, which the money
power knew to be impossible bu
which was simply thrown in to foo
the people. The platform of 1892
which declared against trusts, alsC
declared for bimetallism. In jus
four years the money power swal
lowed the Republican party. Nov
trusts are daily forming and th'
party is committed to the gOlC
standard. Trusts and the gold stand
ard are the hand maidens of indus
trial stagnation. The usurer and tn,
coupon clipper are now enthroneC
and point with derisiOn to a POpulis
(who demands stable money! and a
the same time delivers eulogie
upon Lincoln, the founder of thei
party. The country needs Lin
coin to stay the assassinating hanC
of the oligarchy of wealth tina
threatens the Republics life. /
may be we'll to give some gold stand
ard advocate an ppOltunity to rea,
what Lincoln said on the currenc.
question, as follows: "Fluctuation
in the value Of currency are alway