Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-11

SiinOn Cameron and Hooker and Nc
Clcllan and Thaddeus Stevens and
md Bennett to help save the
Unione
Leader Of the People.
As the twilight Is the most beautiful
part Of the day, 70 we find that the
sunset Of Lincolns life was
even more glorious in Its golden refiec
tons than when he was accomplishing
the great purpose Of his ife--the pres.
ervation Of the Union. Like Moses OF
old. he was able to lead his people
through the dark wanderings In the
wilderness; but, also, like Moses he
was not to be allowed to plant his foot
in the promised land. The Jordan
which separated him from his southern
people in the reconstructive period was
to be great river whose waters came
from the falling tears that millions Of
eyes shed over his bier and by his coffin
lid. In those few days that led up to Ap.
pomnttoX and thereafter we may know
what fruit the patience of Lincoln
would have borne. His purpose was &c
bind UP the nations bleeding wounds
and make the boy in gray" and tho
"boy in blue" clasp hands as brothers.
a noble American.
How, then. did lie want to reach out
the hand of reconciliation? On Feb. >
1860, after the outcome of the war was
practically decided. he drafted a bill
by which, If congress consented, $500,
400 600 10. 1,n Maid nm ~
the liberation OF the slaves. He pre-
scented this proposed bill to his cabinet
and when they unanimously rejected
ii the president. as Norman Hapgood
tells us, sadly folded it up and laid
1t away AS soon as Richmond had
been evacuated he got on the cars and
started south. He went not as con.
Queror, but as messenger of peace.
In his plain, simple way he practice lily
said to the old NirSinians: II am your
brother l am your friend. Come. be
MY brother and my friend" When
that other messenger Of peace, Ulysses
s. Grant, practically said to the OH.
GERS and men of the disbandIng south.
ern armies alike: GO home. Take your
horses and plow your fields. Go home
and be our friends and comrades In.
stead of our foes" what was Lincoln's
comment? Good. Good. All right,
Exactly the thingw Admiral Porter
gives these as Lincolns words. which
he heard him repeat dozen times. In
the glorious hopes Lincoln held of flu
ture reconciliation, do you wonder that
Henry Grady, the eloquent Georgian,
was impelled to say that the first
who conprchendcd within himself all
the strength and gentlencss, all the
majesty and grace Of this republic was
Abraham Lincoln" He was as true
and pure and noble and patient and
God inspired an American as ever
lived.
A Lesson of Love.
Today. if | had it in my power.
would start a pilgrimage to the Spring
field tomb. l would have the southern
err rs we'll as the noltherner, easternel
and the westerner go there and lea RI
the lesson of gentle and glorious love
what some cynic cries, would yol
have the southcrncr 40 there as to {
shrinc:" Yes. my brother wout
have the southerner go to Lincoln
tomb and kneel, the same ms | wouC
have the northcrncr go TO the sacreC
tomb OF Lexington. Va, and bow rev
erently before the dust of honorcd. gen
file Robert L. Lee. Both of these mer
were conquerors. Both have subdueC
and by their example will yet subdus
great hosts. whose numbers. in the din
future. will he counted by the millions
Both have won and will win theil
greatest Victories not by the sword
but by love. When the civil war wa.
closing these two great leaders were
able to say to each other, Thou art my
brother" Both are enshrined in thei
nations love and admiration,
Trust In God.
Therefore, fellow countrymen. witt
the universal affections Of the America
peoplc, cannot the north come with he
sacred dust Of Springfield. H.. and tn
south come with her sacred dust o
Lexington. Va; then after the nortl
and south with their precious burden
have both met al the national capitol a
Washington cannot the two differen
sections which once stood face to fac
in battle now stand side by side an,
bury their two sacred dead in on
grave? Then over this one grave, ell
tombing the comminglng dust of tn
two sacred dead, cannot and will no
the rcconcilcd north and south Chsc
one single God given epitaph, such n
old Kentucky placed upon her memorial
shaft; erected upon the once blood SOa l
cd field of Chickamauga to her hoy
in gray" and TO her boys in blue" "A
we are united in life and they unit
cd in death. let one monument per
pctuate their dcHts and one people, fot
cctf,ll Of all asperities, forever hold i
grateful remembrance all the glories o
that terrible conflict which made al
men free ard reclaimed every star upor
the nations Tag
Abraham Lin, rinS parting words t.
his fellow tOwnsmcn when for the las
time he left The Springfield depot fo'
The national capital were these; To-day
| leave you. | 90 to assume 4 taSl
more difficult than that which devolvec
upon Washington. Unless the Grei'
God who assisted him shall be Will
and aid me must fail, hut II the SAINT
onniScient mind and Almighty arn
that directed and protected him shat
guide and support me shall not fail
! shall succeed. Let us all pray tia
the God of our fathers may not forsah'