New-York tribune., 1901-02-12
LINCOLN WASHINGTON
THE TWO GREAT NATIONAL HEROES
WHOSE BIRTHDAYS ARE CELE-
BRATED THIS MONTH.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE \

lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNEl
Washington, Feb. 11.-This week and next will
see appropriately celebrated the two great natal
days OF the American calendar. On February
u and February 22-less than fortnight apart
all good Americans viii unite in paying tribute
successfully TO Lincoln and TO washington-tbe
two in the long line OF Presidents and statesmen
whose political ideals have taken deepest root in
the life and sentiment OF the Nation. With an
instinct which recognizes the vital kinship of
Lincoln's work and influence TO washington's
American opinion has justly bracketed these
TWO as the chosen types OF that school OF thought
and craftsmanship under which the discordant
confederated colonies Of 1879 have been fused
into the compact. harmonious and triumphant
Union or 1901. The political principles which
Lincoln championed found their historical basis
in the teachings Of Washington and Marshall
and the theory OF an organic National SOW
ereignty which he invoked 10 crush secession
had It's sanction in the philosophy which Wash
ington urged, but urged in vain on a gener-
alton infatuated by the decentralizing gospel Of
Jefferson. The perils OF sectionalism and dis
union which Washington warned the Republic
against in the days OF its infancy Lincoln had
10 face in their last monstrous growth. But the
National spirit which he leaned during four
years OF wasting civil had its undoubted
birth in the broad and stimulating Americanism
exemplified and inculcated by great first
President.
Lincoln's share in the creation OF an un-
divided and indivisible Union is therefore the
true complement Of Washington's. Lees surren-
der at AppomattoX crowning the slow and pain
ful progress toward nationality begun by the
leaders of the Federal Convention. In Wash
ington's mind the chief obstacles TO the growth
Of a broadly national spirit lay in the provin-
cialism of the old colonial life. the aloofness of
one group Of States from another. and the con-
ficting interests and prejudices which this lack
Of acquaintance and sympathy necessarily bred.
His appeals and warnings were constantly di-
rected in consequence against each and every
tendency which fostered sectionalism and sep
aration. The institution OF slavery had not
then thrust itself forward a bone Of conten-
tion between the different parts Of the Union.
and far more danger TO the Union seemed threat
ened by sedition in Massachusetts, and Penn
sylvania than by the Kentucky and Virginia
agitators then engaged in launching the theory
of State rights and State paramountcy. The
subsequent spread Of the slave power, sheltering
itself behind this doctrine Of State sovereignty.
intruded sectionalism into every nook and cor
ner OF American politics, and TO Lincoln and the
men OF his time the one absorbing issue was the
maintenance Of the principle OF nationality
against the assaults of those who sought TO
OQNlQe ana OlSnlellbtf the lilON mas
gone into history the great emancipator; but
there can be no doubt that with him the aboli-
tion of slavery was a means, not an end, or that
ne struck down the system OF slave labor mainly
because its perpetuation would have thwarted
and hindered the eventual reunihcation OF North
and South. His famous dictum. The Nation
cannot exist half slave and half free" epitomizes
the struggle he led against the extension OF the
slave power and makes clear the motive OF that
long and deadly warfare new birth OF ma
tionality and a birth Of freedom were TO be
the fruits OF the North's victory over the South.
hut freedom for the slave to be but a cor
oary of the larger triumph-the re-estahlish-
ment OF a secure and sovereign Federal Union.
HOW THE TWO MEN DIFFERED.
Except in the oneness of their political ideals
no two American Presidents stand further apart
than Lincoln and Washington. Cast in the
mould OF the eighteenth century, with Old World
manners and training, Washington seems hope
lessly severed in spirit and impulse from the
indigenous Americanism typiied by Abraham
Lincoln Loftier, more Spartan. more command
ing Washington appeals more strongly TO the
not too overworked American sense Of reverence
But who viii say that Lncoln's hold on our af-
fection is not frightened by his very homelness
of character, his flavor Of the SOIL his broad
and sympathetic humanity? Less austere. less
imposing in personal character and bearing than
Washington, Lincoln's keen and sombre intel
lect touched depths and scaled heights unknown
10 the colder mind Of the first President. Bur-
dened with greater cares than had ever before
harassed Chief Executive, strainng daily 10
the fun his resources of judgment, firmness,
patience and humor. accomplishing with infinite
travail the tasks of craftsmanship successfully
confronting him, President Lincoln could still
summon force TO create some OF the noblest pas
sages in English prose which have ever fallen
from the pen Of a master OF rhetoric Read
and study the closing sentence OF his Gettys-
burg speech cut the base OF the monument
which overlooks the graves of the dead from
whose sacrifice il took its inspiration:
II is rather for us 10 be here dedicated 10 the
great task remaining before us-that from these
honored dead we take increased devotion to the
for which they here gave the last full
measure OF deVOtiOn-that We here highly resolve
that these dead shall have died IN vain
that this Nation, under God, shall have
birth Of freedom-and that government Of the
people, by the people and for the people shall
not perish from the earth.
That alone would have made the fortune OF
any orator. The Gettysburg speech, for felicity.
beauty and rounded perfection, ranks with any
thing in English literature. Yet il not a
chance deliverance, happy inspiration. That
it reflected the true power Of Mr.. Lincoln's
mind, when deeply stirred, is easily deducibe
from the equally lofty and fervent eloquence OF
the second inaugural:
that this mighty scourge OF war may speedily
pass away. Yet, IL God wills that il continue
until all the wealth piled by the bondsmans S
two hundred and fifty years Of unrequited toll
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