Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-09
Chase & SaDhOIn's Coffees.
HISTORIC GROUND.
Continued from page ~

spoke Of the present and future. with
out any reference to the past
He no longer considered party. His
sole concern was for his country. He
had 10 sympathy with our enemies in
the North who openly or secretly coun-
selled the dissolution of the Union. He
was for the flag ana for its cause, and
the brave men who carried it had his
blessing ana prayers. His patriotic
course was Il mighty factor in mould
ins Union sentiment ana in uniting the
patriotism Of the country, and should
serve rs an example of good citizenship
ana an inspiration to duty.
Though Douglas esp0usCd a cause
doomed t. defeat, yet his name was
cherished by patriots everywhere, be
cause when the test came he was found
supporting the government ana advs-
| ing his followers to uphold the consti-
tuted authorities. 1t is the cause which
| loves. and it is the cause which makes
the men identified with it immortal in
| history. Lincoln was the leader of the
| triumphant cause. Douglas, though
! opposed 10 him FOR a life time, sup
ported ana strengthened his arm. Both
will be remembered longest. not for
! the debate. but for their part in the
mighty events which ensued. They will
! live because the Union which was
saved and the liberty which was es-
tahlshod will endure 10 perpetuatc
their names.
ITO Lincoln, who in 1858 was strug-
Cling here against the encroachment
Of slavery, not for its destruction We're
-, /,
sion, was finally given by the people,
under the providence of God, the op-
uortunity ana the power to enthronc
liberty in every part Of the republic"
Then followed the Grafton Of the day,
which was delivered by Postmaster
General Charles Emory Smith, who in
part said.
Lincoln was thc most typical IF Amcr-
Jeans. lie blended to acccntuatcd thn
recognized American traits, and stands
out before The world az pre- -omincntly thc
American of Americans.
"Ife was equally skilled in leading the
leaders ana in getting into the hearts of
the plain people. No other American ever
50 thoroughly understood or came so
close to the great throbbing masses Tie
sprang from their ranks and he continued
to be their soul. Concentrate the genius
of the common people in one grand incar
nation. refining ana sublimating their es
sence. to be then idealized in their adort
tion, and you call it Abraham Lincoln
He had Al once the flavor Of the soil and
the flight Of the stars
"When he rose to large endcavOr he ha1
; what seemed to be almost divine inspira
ion. Some Of his papers in their sim
plfcity. directness and strength are more
like the epstlcs Of St. PAU than any
thing else in literature. His speech was
as lucent as crystal, because his thought
was az clear as the subeam. He wa:
filled with sublime thoughts which trans
muted themselves into sublime words am
: sublime acts.
. The great lesson of Lincon's match
+ less career ana service is that he bravery
accepted the duty which came to him an.
followed where its mandate led. He him
+ self said ne did not control events, bu
events controlled him. He was grea
. enough TO see their import and move for
ward with their requirements. He Tough
the extension Of slavery. but had no pur
pose to interfere with it where it existed
-Whan the war came his sole objec
+ was to save the Union. but as events IN
( folded and expanded, he proclaimet
. emancipation He did not seek to force
, the decree Of destiny. but when it was re
. vealed by the uplifted curtain he had thu
! moral strength TO execute.
: "If he were President, today, he woul,
E maintain the honor Of the flag, uphold tn
: dignity of the nation and advance IT
| high mission Of liberty, humanity anF
civilization, as his faithful successor i
VI doing"