Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-21
FRom LINCOLN TO HANNA.

FROM LINCOLN TO HANNA.
In his paper, the Commoner, Mr..
Bryan effectually unmasks those con-
sumnate hypocrites of the Republican
party who, while they glorify Lin
coins memory and claim him as the
patron Saint of latter day Republi-
canism, antagonize every vital prln-
ciple taught by the martyred Presi-
dent.
Lincoln applied rules which, If they
were correct in his time, are as cor
rect applied to similar problems to-
day. He voiced an eternal truth when
on one occasion, in reply to Stephen A.
Douglas, he said:
We cannot say people have a right to
do wrong That is the real issue. That
is the issue that will continue in this
country when the poor tongues OF Judge
Douglas and myself shall be silent. 1t is
the eternal struggle between these two
principles-right- and wrong-throughout
the world. They are the two principles
that have stood the test since the begin
ming of time, and they will ever continue
to struggle The one is the common right
of humanity, and the other the divine
right of kings 1t is the same principle in
whatever shape it develops itself
Lincoln believed" says Mr.. Bryan,
that the Declaration of Independence
was written for all men, and for all
time, and provided the only safe rule
for human government To-day the
Republican politician has nothing but
sneers when the Declaration of indie
pendence is invoked as a safe guide
for the solution of present day prob
lems.'
The entire truth of this is daily ex-
emplified in the columns of the Han
ma organs, and on the Republican side
in Congress, where it is held that the
Declaration of independence and the
Constitution are out OF date and not
applicable to modern problems of gov
eminent. Mr. Bryan adds: Lincoln
believed that a people should never
the preservation and perpetuity OF
their own liberties, and institutions.
The Republican notion of to-day is
that one set Of men has the right
to give another set of men only that
degree of government, which in the
estimation of the former, the latter
is capable of enjoying. Lincoln had
faith that right makes might. The Re-
publican notion of to-day is that
might makes right What a vast diff
ference between the preaching of Lin
coin and the practice of the party that
claims Lincoln as its patron Saint!
At this time, when the Republican par
ty is engaged in policies involving the
doctrine that this nation may trample
with impunity upon the rights of men,
and that our reliance is in becoming
world power it is interesting to recall
Lincolns reference to the sure logic
of history. 1t was in 1858 that Mr.. Lin
coin said:
Our reliance is in the love of liberty
which God has planted in our bosoms.
Our defense is in the preservation of the
spirit which prizes liberty as the herit-
age of all men, in all lands everywhere
Destroy this spirit and you have planted
the seeds of despotism around your doors.
Familiarize yourselves with the chains of
bondage and you are preparing your own
limbs to wear them. Accustomed to
trample on the rights of those around
you you have lost the genius of your own
independence and become the fit sub
jects of the first cunning tyrant who
rises among you. And, let me tell you,
all these things are prepared for you with
the SIRE logic of history
There is not a lesson taught by Lin
coin, there is not a principle defended
by Lincoln, there is not rule of gov
eminent proclaimed by Lincoln to be
the truth that the Republican party is
not now arrayed against"