New-York tribune., 1903-02-16
LINCOLN HIS THEME.
C. e. Smith Calls MUtW-ed P,-esa-
dent an american of americans.

Charles Emory Smith. ex-Postmaster General
delivered an address Abraham Lincoln at the
mass meeting for held under the auspices OF
the West Side branch of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association at Carnegie Hall yesterday after
noon Colonel John ]. McCook presided Mr.. Smith
said IL part:
In the last week we have been observing the
birthday Of Abraham am Lincoln Year by by [ea5h [5h oe
the great martyr patriot who more 2; thsh esTfs ahs
Every year the sublime epic of Lncolns life and
death gains new significance and beauty; more
and more mankind feels its depth and rs s"as ;
Through the coming centuries our children an anu q
struggle FOR life and liberty with eyes which see
than Those who dwell on Mount
spective distance is needed to give the mountain
monarch its true proportions SO hIsIerlc ESs
Alpine race OF kingly chiefs, the great actors oA
Great as was Abraham Lincoln when he lived
year by year the sanctity of his memory p- deepeI-S
of his career become more and more natioas iona
War. Not the wisdom Of but the overrullng
G-n Iincoln In no long fansr figure in the national
arena Yet had he been prepared III tIod crucioIi
soSrHt his S 5regfh Of effreIiance making him
master CT moral forces. and 80 prepared for tne
How nobly he met the great task all the world
knows The courage fortitude wisdom and pa
tience that he showed the insight ano power ns
measures how he coaxed and v-eeded out inconl-
petence how he trusted in truth now ne dedlt
with the disafected rallied the weak. disarmed
the implacabe. how he stood unmoved aInla fe 6i1e
dissensions of the Cabinet, how ne faceo oeteat
and disaster with calm and unfaltering faltn III
God-a this the epic of the ages VIII sIng. +s9a
ham Lincoln will remain forever the supreme nsufe
for liberty and union
As Washington drew around him such men as
Hamilton. Jefferson and Adams. so Lincoln called
about him Seward with his brilliant statesman
ship: Stanton. with his ardor. Sumner. with ms
in1perous Schola Tship. But these were al! CON
strained to bow 70 Lincoln. with his overpoWeTlng
mental and moral greatness. Lincolns IS a more
distinct and unique personality than any otaer
great historical figure He Is Identified with mora
truth He loved truth for truths sake. ana was
always honest with himself He would not toll
crate dissension controversy. but follow 60
truth 10 its logical conclusion His place stsnoS
inlmutable. and he remains the best loved o. al al
Americans. II is not simply because OF ms oark
and overpoWering personality. because ne udu
irresistible fascination. that he stands our from
among for moral grandeur. Beyond ana anoEe
hirn close TO the hearts of the people Arouno no
other great historic figure clusters such deep.
ngure shows so much heroic conservation TO all
that uplifts q nation. Abraham Lincoln gave HILL
self as a vicarious sacrifice for all people
You conceive of Abraham Lincoln as any
other than q true American He had model no
example yet he blended and ubodied the recognlzeQ
American ideals. He stands out before the Worlo
of his life and work is his unfailine trust in God
his devotion to duty and his acceptance OF respoh5
sibiIitv When in the war those bout MIN talked
OF COMPROMISE. ne declared there should be no
neace without the absolute supremacy or the
Lincoln exalted the glory OF flag. and accom-
US 20 face our duties he faced his and Presl-
dent Mckinley with his moral attitude and sym
nathv with the people like Abraham Lincoln 8
no more wanted war than did Lincoln Yet Nc
and it new influence. new prestige IN
the world