Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-15

who vainly thought that by destroy
ing the president he was destroying
the government | believe that the
thrill of horror and regret that swept
over the South was widespread and
sincere, when the word flashed far
and wide that the great Lincoln had
fallen. A gentlemen said to me, a
Southerner by birth and instinct, an
owner OF slaves, a sympathizer with
the Confederacy, he said: Il was in
expressibly saddened when the news
came to me that Lincoln had been
assassinated, for felt that the best
friend of the South had been removed,
that the Wisest mind for the grave
task of relieving the burdened South
had been silenced. That was the feel
ing not only at the North but the
South, for while they had hated his
policy, they believed him to be honest,
true-hearted and wise, and they knew,
from his own utterances, that he pro-
posed to exercise toward them and
their interests, the widest generosity
and the most impartial justice,
Most Of all, the assassin injured the
people, whom presumably, he meant to
serve. He did not injure the govern
ment. The nation was neither daunt-
Cd or disordared Men hated slavery
and loved liberty, with stronger hate
and love than before, The govern
ment was not weakened, but made
stronger. It stands to-day, four,
square, more solid than any pyramid
in Egypt. What the assassin did, was
to create for the South a graver cris
is. If Mr.. Lincoln had lived, have
no doubt, but an adequate compensa-
ton for the loss of their slaves would
have been a part of his policy, for
the soul of Lincoln was honest
enough and just enough for that And
those inexcusable follies and bitter
denominations which marred the peri
Cd of reconstruction, and which irri-
tated the South almost more than their
defeat, would have been avoided. To
the problem of bringing the dismem-
bered nation again into union, Lincoln
would have brought, not only his, ex-
perience but an utter lack of vindic-
tiveness, an incompatible tact and a
tried strength, which would have pre-
vented vacillation, and a generosity
that would have disarmed hatred. This
is the man, the Incompatible presi-
dent, the prince of rulers, whom the
South lost, as well as the North. Men
have received a new impulse to pa
triotism for his sake, and will guard
with zeal the country he loved so
well. AS distinguished writer of his
life has said: "a character like his is
among the precious heirlooms of the
Republic. And by a special good for
tune, every part of the country has
an equal claim and pride in it. Lin
coins blood came from the veins OF
New England emigrants, of Middle
State Quakers, of Virginia planters,
of Kentucky pioneers. and he him
self was one of the men who grew
up with the great West Every jew
Ell of his mind or of his character
sheds a radiance on each portion OF
the nation. The marvellous symme
try and balance of his intellect and
character, may have owed something
to this varied environment and they
may fifty typify the variety and soil
dity of the Republic A life like his
is precious possession in the his
tory and memory of the nation, mol
can the Republic afford to forget the
name and deeds of such, and to cal
upon the rising generations to remem
Der, with love and gratitude, one
whose life and service are so imbed
ded in the peace and glory of this great
country. His greatness consisted moi
SO much in his eloquence as an orator
nor in his tact as a diplomatist nor his
genius in planning and directing mil
itary affairs, nor in his executive abil
ity, but in the strength of his con
yictions, his absolute integrity, his I'M
Wavering adherence to the principles
of truth, justice, and honor, his hui
mainly, his love of country; qualities
all, which may be emulated by every
young man who lives in Lincoln
country, and chooses to make Lincoln's
ideal his own. Forty and one years
have passed since that solemn pro
cession, which some of you remem
Der, wendell it's slow way from the
capital, to return the precious dust te
the distant city that had given him te
the nation, and during all these years
the fame of Lincoln has been grow
ing, his name has been gathering to
itself fresh haryests of glory, and his
life has been telling the youth of the
land how the lowliest may success
fully strive for the highest elevation;
how the ignorant may gain know
ledge under the greatest difficulties (;
how the concentrated life may gain
the prize for which it aims. how the
honest, sincere, kindly and conscient-
ious soul may serve God and native
land, and win for itself the love and
praise Of men and the commentator
of the Almighty.