The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-13

White House" In every public school in
the state.
on the big stage OF the opera house
were seated Commander Ham, War Gov.
William Sprsgue, details OF the veteran
memb bers OF the various Grand Army
posts. In uniform. and many prominent
dignitaries Of the state, including former
Gov. Charles Warren Lippitt. Judge VIII
liam r. Sweetlsnd. Hon. David J. White
Of Pawtucket and Deputy Chief OF Police
Egan. a Civil war veteran.
Patriotic decora tions were lavishly used
about the stage and footlights of red.
white and blue added delicate beauty to
the setting.
GOV. sPRAGUE.
Commander Ham opened the rally by
introducing Hon William Sprague the
"only war governor In the United States" "
Gov. Spragu presided at the meeting
As the first speaker he introduced Gen
George r Loud Of New York who said
in part:
This month marks the birthdays Of
two Of the greatest men that ever lived
in this country George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln
lived and died. barring his untimelv TAX
ing of. at precisely the right time in our
national history. The mission OF Lincoln
was scarcely less important than that Of
any other Of the 18th century. Although
nearly 40 years have passed since the
assassin's bullet terminated his earthly
career. he r. and ever viii 10 the guiding
star 81 pa triotic thought. as the life OF
the Nazarene is Christian thought"
The speaker rehearsed the incidents
and described the struggles Of Lincoln s
boyhood and early life. He followed the
career Of the 'uncouth rail splitter" un-
III he became a lawyer and politician and
finally the wonderful president who was
acknowledged 10 he the greatest living
American.
The tenderness of Lincoln" said Gen.
LOUD. "was the central and most lumin-
Gus star IN the constellation Of all hts
virtues. II ever man was tried by fire
that man was Abraham Lincoln. But
when disasters came thick and fast mel
aucholy took possession Of his soul Every
burden rested on his shoulders He brush
I'd aside the politician and took the com
mon people by the hand. talked with
thcm and won their confidence. God gifted
him with peculiar faculties ftting him for
the work he had to do. His fame is as
cured. We want Abraham Lincoln Just
as he was I'm every particular
Lincoln can now look upon the death.
less brotherhood Of the American people
irdivisible. indestructible, the regal iewe
IN the dladern or EoWeTe n mOdei for the
governments OF the worS as the result
OF his work
II he birthday ot Lincoln should never
be passed in silence by the members al
his armies. The image Of the lofty ex-
sn pie OF Abraham lincoln will be en-
shrined in the American heart until the
cad Of time"
Mis-. Mabel r. Smith sang The star
Spangled Banner standing on the stage
In front OF beautiful nag upheld by ono
Of the veterans of the Civil War.
Gov sprague introduced Gen. James
II. OBeirne as the next speaker
GEN O'BEIRNE
lie said that the eloquence OF Gen
Loud had left little I'm the life OF the great
Lincoln TO be depicted His public nfe
however. would be especially dealt with
by the speaker. Lincoln's public career
was begun by an election TO the legisla.
turc by a majority Of Is votes. Here he
caused to be recorded on the journal OF
the house as early as 1897 some strone
statements condemning the institution OF
slavery
The speaker read from Llncolns state
papers and quoted the opinions Of writer,
on the public career OF the martsred
PRESIDENT lie spoke Of him as one who
was yesterday a power and today a pres
uge His greatness was embodied I'm his
manly and good common sense lie spoke
~ his magnanimity I'm the hour Of victory
lincoln. ne said. was the divine instru.
intnt Of God In explation Of the grea'
crime Of the i6th century. Abraham Lin.
coin was the most acceptable sacrifice oi
the 18th. Gen. o Beirne closed ais eio