Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1902-02-07

foo HERE are few Americans who will deny to Abraham Lincoln the highest
tribute that the citizen o a democracy may testow upon a fellow citizen.
his greatness manifest in his mastery of circumstance III grasp " tremendous
event. but he wasg rea in the nobility OF character that lifts nmn to greatness
great.
A sentimental patriotism has erected Washington upon the pedestal of a
tymen votedh him the greatest of Americans. But Washington was not greater
than Lincoln. He has been called the Father of his Country and he deserved
title; but Lincoln has been called the Savior Of his country and his memory
Is revered by the posterty for whom he preserved this national heritage.
The perspective in which the character of Washington is viewed by this
glamour upo the actualp presence and our estimate of the man is Influenced by
a patriotic prejudice acquired in the schools Of or youth. We do lot see Wash
deception in our view of Lincoln. He stands close to us. His rugged. serious
face is familiar to living men a on that looked upon them but yesterday. Lin.
as we ire by human SORROWS. beset by human vicssitudes and disturbed by hui
man doubts Washington as me sort ofg gentleman: Lincoln vas a gentleman
and so true was this that to-day the memory of Lincoln is paramount in the
hearts Of the American people. Washington was a nan of the tme-Iincon
have been accomplished by any great man: that which Lincoln accomplished
could only have hren accomplished by Lincoln. If the circumstance had not been
tit there would have been no Washington. there would have been a Lincoln in
spite Of circumstance.
History is already beginning to parallel and compare these two mcn-tc
to decide between them upon the distinctive merit attaching to a greatness thai
created a nation and a greatness that has saved a nation.
conquered the s7Mderness in the second generation succeeding the landing Of
the Pilgrim Fathers; he vas the strain that fought at Lexington and Bunker
was a ineal product of che sturdy Americana ackwoodsmen who followed Boone
and Crockett into the painless Vest to found a mighty empire. The country is
thatw rested with nature IN the forest m OF the abroad. pMresi is Goncen-
trahng in a struggle with kindred energy for supremacy in the market places of
great cite ant within the forums of States more densely populated than was
New England when Abraham Lincoln was born.
And the Americana of the distant future will think of Lincoln the nan more
inenty than he will think of lincont the statesman and President of the American
republic. Our history. will recorit the careers of men more brilliant mentally than
was Honest Old Abe. but the histnianw will concern himself only with the public
actso of these men whereas h VIII dwell pon the virtues. the splendid
kindly disposition mi the homey utterance of this IMMORTAL commoner because
writes would thoroughly understand the motives and purposes of the man who
saved the nation from the greatest peril by which it has zen or ever will be
menaced.
sAnd the final verdict of history will he IN the record that shall pronounce
Abraham Lincoln the greatest Of Americans. t-..