The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-05-19
THE IDEAL AMERICAN.
Typifed I'm Abraham Lincoln, the
Loved and Honored Hero of
the whole People.

One hundred and twenty-four years
ago tonight april 19) the first martyr
to liberty In the cause of our revolution.
lay dead upon the field of battle at Lex.
ington. Thitty-four years ago tonight
the dead body of Abraham Lincoln lay in
the great east room of the white house
at Washington, the last martyr to lib
erty in the closing hours of the civil
war. Between Lexington and Linz
coin lays the most valuable our nation
al life. To the people of the great west,
and especially to the people of Illinois,
the ideal man in politics and public life
is the hero president of the union dur
ing the trying times of our civil war;,
Lincoln was the typical American. He
worshiped at the shrine of liberty. His
book was conscience. His creed was
justice. His text was truth. His
speech was honor. His prayer was for
the public good. His music was the
Battle Hymn of the Republic, and from
his benediction the sweet incense of
charity perfumes the century and the
world. God was his ministering angel
and he willing subject. In all the
years of civilization his name will be q
beacon to lovers of liberty and govern
ment by the people. He believed in law,
and license to do wrong was chief
among his hates. He believed in liberty
and gave life in proof of his belief.
He believed in justice and strict con-
structionists were ever making accu-
sation because he leaned too much to
mercy's side. He believed in, free Amer
lea, and dedicated his life to the success
of her people. He believed in the pa
triots of the revolution and modelled his
life upon the great and good of that
eventful era. If precedent stood in the
way of right he pushed it from his
thought and signed a new bill of rights
giving liberty to black as well as white.
His heart was kind to his fellow men.
Forgiveness was the motto of his
daily life. Charity was the prayer
which led the business duties of the day
and love as wide as earth gave tone to
all his deeds He played no game hurt
full to moral life. He signed no law not
sanctioned by honest thought. He
made no speech which after years did
not applaud and praise. He did no act
which brought the blush of shame to
face of friend or foe. He did what none
have yet mplished-fought civil
war of frightful magnitude and forced
the vanquished by sheer love and char
ity to gather at his bier and tomb and
there shed tears over the silent heart
they had helped to break. Like the
great Moses of Israel, from the top OF
fame's lofty mount he was permitted
by the Almighty to view the promised
land and era of peace, but not permitted
to enjoy the fruits of his great labor
and wisdom. He left us to finish the
journey alone, amid cheers for the re-
turn of peace, amid universal sorrow
for the departure of his great spirit.
His life is the marvel of this marvellous
century. Born in cabin as lowly as
the Saviour of man he saved nation.
Reared in obscurity, the light Of his
noble deeds shines in every corner Of
our world. Surrounded by bitter pow
erty, he passed on life's highway every
favored man of the century. Passing
his youth among the ignorant and low
ly, he achieved distinction, the just
pride of the Anglo Saxon race. Coming
to manhood with few of the graces Of
education, he led the most gifted of his
countrymen. AS a river boatman he
touched elbows with the meekest of the
republic. AS merchant he earned the
title of "Honest Abe" AS lawyer he
ranked with the leaders of bar noted
for its dignity and learning. AS a poll,
tician he leaves to posterity a rich
legacy of consistency and fair dealing.
AS legislator in Illinois he laid
the foundation of an endless fames
AS member of congress honor and.
character gave prophesy of future 10y.
atty and integrity. AS q. private citi.
zen he was the political leader of his
state. AS president of the republic his
name is forever linked with that of the
immortal Washington. His first inaug,.
ural address Is now part of the worlds
choice literature, and stands side by
side with the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence. His speech at Gettysburg
will live as long as the grafton OF
Demosthenes on the crown. His Sec
ond inaugural should find place in the
textbooks of our schools and colleges
and read with Washington's farewell
address to the American people. His
emancipation proclamation giving lib-
erty to 100000 slaves will live with
the sermon on the Mount. His hui
manity will ever keep his name in the
list of the worlds heroes. Ten thou
sand years may come and go, but the
fame and face of Abraham Lincoln
will stand out in history then aa
clearly defined and noble as Il
does to-day. Stand as securely
fixed In manly politics as Shake
speare stands in literature. Stand as
heroic in the midst of times full of con-
fiict as Alexander or Caesar stand In
war. Stand as steadfast and true In
lessons of patriotism as shine the
names of Kossuth and Washington.
Stand in deeds of honor and valor as
imperishable as Cromwell or Columbus.
Stand as strong in statecraft as stands