Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-02-12


ly become legal right.
Followed the Path of Rectitude.
On the approaching anniversary Of
this great Americans birth let us learn
one OF the greatest lessons Of his life.
Even amid the injustices and the weak
nesses OF the law let US bow before and
recognize the majesty OF the law. Be
cause In some municipalities the citi-
zens may be terrorized every winter
by "holdup" men who walk around mt
night shooting down innocent pedes-
TRANS in cold blood, that is no reason
why, in order to extirpate them, we
ourselves should become criminals. Be
cause Alexander of Servia was bad
I man, that does not place the stamp OF
responsibility upon those who, by regi-
eide, proved they were as lawless as
their detested king. Always obey the
law. III it be wrong, then make the
law right, but never defile the majesty
! OF the law las-r'-
4 Though Abraham Lincoln was a man
or positive characteristics, yet he was
patient in the fact that he was ready
to keep step with the march OF the
common people. lie never for one mo-
ment left the path OF rectitude and
honor. He was not foolish color bear
er, leaving the ranks Of his fellow sol
diers and plunging far ahead of the
lines. thereby counting death and ami
hilation. AS the national standard bear
er he was ready, IL necessary. to mark
time" so that the common people could
catch up with him, that all might ad-
| vance In line.
Man OF Patience.
| All things may be LAWFUL but all
things are not expedient. What cid he
| do after he had delivered his first In
| augurai address? Did he do anything
to antagonize the southern leaders and
people, as some rash statesmen would
have had him do7 No; that was not
his way He had malice toward none
and charity for ALL" He bided his
time. though in every town, village and
/ city he was called a coward II DOS
sible he wanted to win the southern
leaders back by love and kindness. He
knew that hate and billingsgate and
club never won willing subject he
was patient, very patient His pa
tience was expressed powerfully In the
words he once spoke to Alexander II.
Stephens at the memorable conference
held at Hampton Roads with the south
ern commissioners. stephens" he
said. "let me write Union at the top
OF that page, and you may write below
Ii whatever else you please"
To placats the southern leaders was
one reason for delay. But there was
still another reason why he was patient
| There were scores and hundreds and
thousands OF men Mt the north as well
as the south who believed that as the
original southern states came into the
Union OF their own accord they had
therefore the right to leave OF their
own accord AS Lincoln in his quaint
language put the popular sovereignty
idea, They believed that the big kettle
of the United States government could
be squeezed into the little kettle OF
state rights" Horace Greeley believed
this; Wendell Phillips believed this:
other mighty northern leaders believed
this. Had Abraham Lincoln. on the
night OF March 4, 1851. started the in
vasion Of the south he might have had
two wars on his hands. War would
have been In the front OF him, war In
the rear OF him. When he entered the
White House he had two purposes:
First, to do anything and everything
that was honorable to save the Union.
Secondly, IL there was to be a war
then let others take the responsibility
or striking the first blow.
Calm Under Criticism.
But II Lincoln was willing TO be pa
tent with his northern enemies and
with the south how much more was
he willing TO be patient with his 90
called friends. upon whose arm he had
n RICH, to lean and from whose infiu-
ence he had a right to expect succor
and helpi II the armies OF Lee were
attacking him IN the front. the rancor-
Gus tongues OF some who Were his
closest advisers were broadcasting
their evil murmurs everywhere.
WELL" says some nearer. "why did
he allow those men who were nearest
TO him to criticise himl why did he
not do as one OF his Springfield friends
suggested. kick them out OF officer"
That question cannot be answered In a
better way than by quoting the words
Lincoln spoke when he said, quietly,
that II was easy enough to kick q man
out, but not always so easy to get an.
other man to all his place and do as
well as he did. In those few words
we realize the results OF Lincoln's pa
thence with those so called friends who
kept publicly criticising their chief.
He once said to Leonard SWEET, at may
not have made as great a president as
some other men. but believe I have
Kept the disccrdant elements together
as well as any one could" Like Abra-
ham Lincoln, are we az Christians |
ready to let men critieise us and find
fault with Us II only we can use them
for the cause OF Christ. as Lincoln was
able TO use Stanton and Seward and
simon Cameron and Hooker and Nc
Cleiian and Thaddeus Stevens and
Greeley and Bennett to help save the |
Uniony
Leader 81 the People.
As the twilight 10 the most beautiful |
part OF the day, so we find that the
meilowing sunset OF Lincoln's life was
even more glorious In its golden refsec- |
lions than when he was accomplishing
the great purpose OF his nfe-ths pres
ervation OF the Union. Like Moses OF |
oid. he was able TO lead his people
through the dark wanderings In the
wilderness; bat 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 same |
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 APP
pomattox and thereafter we may know
what fruit the patience Of Lincoln
would have borne. His purpose wss To
bind mp the nations bleeding wounds
and make the boy In gray" and the
boy In blue" clasp hands as brothers.
Noble AmeFfean.