Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-10-12


when he was selected for that impor.
tant ecclesiastical post, he responded,
ut is a cross that you give me-"
The affairs of the nation for over a
decade up to 1860 had been in The
hands Of the democratic party. The
country was on the eve OF a great
civil war. The great question OF sla-
very was about to be solved and good
men were rejoicing that America was
to be free In deed as well as In anne.
Already the south, jealous Of what II
considered 10 be It's state rights. was
anticipating the conflict. James
Buchanan, the democratic president,
weak and imbecile-llke. refused 10
stop the rebellious efforts Of the
south in making preparations for war.
Northern ~arsenals and navy yards in
control Of southern members OF his
cabinet had alrea W been depleted Of
ammunition and war vessels. which
we're sent into southern forts and
ports.
Such was the situation Of the coun-
try when the peace-ioying Lincoln as
sumed the presidency. The south
vas ready to respond to a call TO
arms. Mr.. Lincoln was pledged to pre-
serve the nation at any cost. While
hts intention was not to disturb sla-
very where 1t wa he and his party
had promised TO prevent its spreading
into free territory. Really 1T was a
cross that the democratic party had
given to the republicans and to Pres
ident Lincoln upon their assuming
control Of the government.
How well Mr.. Lincoln and his par
ty accepted the burden and the re-
s~ponsibIlitles Of the hour and carried
this awful cross during the four years
bloody conflict history clearly shows.
The nation was preserved but OF
course at an awful cost not only in
lives and loss OF limb and other in
juries to hundreds Of thousands OF SOL
diers but a national debt was incurred
amounting to three billion dollars.
The great armies OF the nation
were ~disbanded and the men returned
to the peaceful pursuits OF life with
out any disorder. which attracted the
admiration OF the world. The nation
al credit was maintained and the pay
ment of the debts incurred by the re-
bellion was provided for. The immor-
tai Lincoln gave up his life as a mar
tyr but the republican party never
falling when the nation looked to 1t
for succor confronted the duty OF
the time and set TO work upon the
great problem Of reconstruction and
carried 1t out successfully. 1t also
commenced to pay the national debt.
rehabilitated the finances of the ma
ton. built up the country's industries,
worked out wonderful problems OF in
ternal improvements and in less than
a decade wrought such wonderful pro-
gress throughout the union that the
nations of the world stood by and APP
plaQded. The great party OF Lincoln
has continued this magnificent work.
has carried out The commission which
the dying Lincoln placed In its hands
and today in less than a half century
has placed the republic on a footing
higher than the most enthusiastic cit.
izen ever dreamed of.
The policies of the republican par.
" haze not changed since the time of
Lincoln and il stands ready today to
do ven more for the nations welfare
than In the past. The inspiration of
Lincoln Is still present with the re.
publican party and is an incentive for
greater progress and advancement Tor
the republic. Ia this campaign, as the
republicans are m~arshalling their
forces for another battle Of the bal.
lots in the interests of the people.
all republicans WI remember the
record OF Abraham Lincoln In the
country's cause The republican par
~ has been made great and the ma
ton has been made great by the tri-
ais through which they have passed
and today the republican party re
membering the crosses that have
been handed over TO II by the dem
ocracy In the past will never shrink
from It's duty.-From the Schenectady