New-York tribune., 1903-02-13
OLDEST LINCOLN CLUB.
Jcrsey Cny Organization CLAIMS That
Distinction.
GENERAL WEBS AND OTHERS SPEAK.

-rb 1i,ooIr Association of Jersey City held it's
thirty-eighth annual dinner last night Inc oredh-
zation believes it is the Oldest OF the many Lincoln
clubs in this country. IT was formed ih 1000 p'
nroniuent Republicans. In recent years the asso-
citation has lost its political character, ana on us
roll of two hundred members are many ac'Ne
Democrats The dinner last evening was In the
assembly hall of the Jersey City Club. Inc room
was richly decorated with silken flags and banners
and with pictures of Lincoln and the late James
Gopsiil under whose direction the organization was
placed on a permanent basis. Captain A. j. New
bury the president of the association, was unable
to attend. aud David r. DAILY, the vice-president
presided in his stead There was disappointment
over bility of of the speakers to attend
The typhoid fever outbreak at Ithaca coinpelieu
President Schurman of Cornell University TO cancel
his engs sgement TO speak. State Attorney Geherdi
Thomas " McCarter also unable to be pres
ent. They were to speak respectively on Abraham
Lincoln the Statesman" and 'New-Jersey
General Alexander s Webb, ex-president OF the
College OF the City of New-York, spoke on 'Abra-
ham Lincoln-A Leader OF the People" He re-
ferred at length 10 Lincolns career, and spoke or
his own share in the Civil War He spoke Of his
personal relations with General Scott. William H.
Seward and others. He declared that Webster was
a frequent visitor at his home and that lac was
accustomed To listen the conversation Of
greater than now are accustomed TO meet
He quoted General Sherman's statement regarding
Lincoln, that ''of all ever met, he seemed
TO possess more Of the clements of greatness, COM
bined with goodness, than any other and de-
clared: He is the true history of the American
people in his time: The true representative of this
continent-father of his country"
General Webb also said in part:
Abraham Lincoln great among citizens
greater Yet among military leaders, leader among
patriots: politically great morally great. ne was
eloquent. never bitter; never threatening (soreiy
tried though he was(. unaffected. almost worshpped
by those who knew him at his best. He was ire
proachable. absolutely independents; leader: so,
caIly morally. politicallya beloved leader. In II
his addresses he teacher, clear, Vinced
direct forcefuI. piercing, directing to the heart in
his exhaustive and honest epgra1nmatical, loelcal
method
What was his answer the letters OF Seward
and others advising the giving up of Sumter and
Pickens? l. was this: Give my compliments to
General Scott and tell MIN that shall be obliged
hold retake the forts. as the case may be, at
o after the inauguration.
Lincoln in 1861 1862 upheld the majority of the
nation. He Watchful keenly sensitive TO the
saved Washington the nation With rebellious
Maryland behind and rebel armies to the south;
with his Cabinet not satisfied with fretful mem
bers. not advisers. but fault hnders ne pore all
kept in the Union by Lincoln and in spite of
Chief Justice Taney.
The toast Abraham Lincoln was drunk stand
ing and in silence Captain Parker spoke on "Abra-
ham Lincoln the Man" Henry A. Powell. OF
I'm the Common People" Mr. McCarter's subject,
'.New-Jersey.'' was responded 10 by ex-Supreme
Court Justice Gilbert Collins.
The programmes exceptionally tasteful. On
the title this reference TO the assocat ton.
made February -, 1888, by William Walter Phelps:
THE on association in this broad land that has
never failed to celebrate his birthday annually
since his death"