Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-05-30

DIR. Samuel c. Plummer. DR.. p. Gregg
Lieutenant E. |. Beardsley, Captain
John PeetZ, Captain Charles Engle.
William b. Bruner. William Rinck,
Colonel Ezra NJ Beardsley, Joseph w.
Bracket, David b. Sears, Malcolm T.
Wiser, MAJOR Quincy Mcneil and Ma
jor James NJ Beardsley, are typical of
those who gladly and willingly came
TO their country's aid in the hour of
it's distress, and should be treasured
household words in this community so
long as the Father of Waters flows
from its source in the northland TO
the southern sea, through a country
that is one in thought, in purpose. i'll
national pride and in unity.
I'VE are confronted at the outset of
these services today with the memory
that during the year just closed. 10000
of the boys i'll blue have laid down
their arms forever. and have passed
silently in review before the great
Commander in Chief, 10 enter into
their reward. Twenty brigades. 60
regiments. COO companies. 1900 pla-
ICONS, nearly one-fifth of all the men
who marched so proudly down Penn
sylyan;a avenue at the close of the
war.
Memory and Honor Preserved.
What a fearful gap in the citizen
ship of this country is left by the loss
of these men, But, gentlemen of the
Grand Army, let me say, that so long
as a single American survives; so
long as time endures; so long as our
H,,t ,Ii
tary stripe; so long will your memory,
your fame and your honor be safely
preserved.
THE issues that divided the north
and the south, were not alone the queS-
ton of slavery, abhored as it was.
do not know how it can be better stat
ed, than is done in the account of the
interview of Newton Bateman, for a
long time superintendent of public in
struction of Illinois, with Abraham
Lincoln. From what source this inter
view comes, or TO whom credit should
be given. | cannot say, but ii is sadly
expressive of the trials and tribula-
tions of a national character, that
yeXed the once humble rail splitter OF
the state of Illinois. who now had been
named as the candidate for the chief
executive Of this nation, and who later
was called to Washington to assume
the executive duties. and finally to
meet his death as a martyr in the
cause of human liberty. The account
proceeds:
AT the time Of Lincoln's nomina
ton at Chicago: Mr.. Newton Bateman.
superintendent of public instruction
tod n
room adjoining and opening into the |
executive chamber at Springfield. FIRE |
quently this door was open during MIR |
Lincoln'S receptions, and throughout |
the seven months or more of his occu-
patton, he saw him nearly every day.
Often when Mr. Lincoln was tired, he
closed the door against all fntruders,
and called Mr. Rateman into his room
for a quiet talk. On one of these oc-
casiCns. Mr. Lincoln took up a book
containing a careful canvass OF the
city of Springfield, in which he lived,
showing the candidate for whom each
citizen had declared it his intention
to vote in the approaching election.
Mr.. Lincoln's friends had. doubtless at
his own request, placed the result OF
the canvass in his hands. This was
towards the close of October. and only
a few days before the election Call
ing Mr.. Bateman TO seat by his side.
having previously locked all the doors.
he said: LET us look over this book;
wish particularly to see how the min
listers of Springfield are going TO vote.
Overlook Moral Side.
THE leaves were turned one by one,
ha 1
Lincoln frequently asked if this one
and that one were not minister, or
IN elder. or a member of such or such
church. and sadly expressed his sur
prise on receiving an affirmative an
sUer. In that manner they went
through the book. and then he closed
1t and sat silently for some minutes
regarding a memorandum in pencil
which lay before him. At length, he
turned to Mr. Bateman with face full
of sadness, and said: Here are %
ministers of different denominations,
and all of them are against me but
three, and mere are a great many
prominent members of churches, d
very large majority are against me.
Mr. Bateman, | am not christian,
God knows l would be one, but | have
carefully read the Bible. and | do not
SO understand this book and he drew
forth a pocket New Testament. These
men will know he continued. that | {
am for freedom in the territories, free {
dom everywhere, as free as the con-
stitution and the laws will permit, and /;
that my opponents are for slavery.
They know this and yet, with this book
in their hands. in the light of which
human bondage cannot live moment, :
they are going TO vote against me; /
do not understand it at ALL
Saw Coming Storm.
Here Mr.. Lincoln paused-paused {
for long minutes, his features sur {
charged NTH emotion. Then he arose
IL .,-nll1od I'M and down the recentinn [