Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-17
FRIDAY, MAY II, 1907.
The Lincoln Association.

The following circular has been re-
ceived by the Register, and we publish
the same with the feeling that many if
not all of those who read the Register
will feel disposed to become members OF
this Lincoln Farm Association. The ex-
pense of which, as will be seen, need not
exceed twenty cents
Each person desiring to become a
member of this patriotic ASSOCIATION
can do so by copying the attached blank
and addressing it to the treasurer, Or if
parties desiring to become members send
their names to the Register Office, with
such contribution as they may wish to
make, from twenty-five cents to twenty
five dollars, the Register will see that
the same is sent to the treasurer of the
association and the certificates received
may be had by calling at the Register
Office.
To every loyal American in whose
heart is the love of country, an ideal of
good citizenship, and reverence for the
memory of Abraham Lincoln.
In August, 1905, the Birthplace Farm
of Abraham Lincoln, consisting of 10
acres located about so miles from Louis
vile, Kentucky, was put up at public
auction to be sold for unpaid taxes. 1t
is fact that all but one of the bidders
who appeared represented some business
concern or speculator, endeavoring to
get possession of the historic place to ex-
plot it for private gain. Their shameful
purpose was defeated by one bidder who
represented a private citizen acting
through motives of simple patriotism.
He conceived the idea of developing the
farm into Lincoln National Park which
should stand forever as fitting memo
rial to Lincon's high service-a memo
rial worthy of the man and worthy of
the American people.
The views of the President, members
of the Cabinet. Congressman, Governors
of States, and men prominent in every
walk of life, were secured, and acting on
the general suggestion an Association
was quickly formed and in June, 1905,
incorporated as the Lincoln Farm Asso-
citation, the purpose of which should be
to secure the necessary funds to develop
the Park, erect Historical Museum, a
noble monument, and other buildings,
and to provide for their future care as
priceless heritage of the American peo-
pie. To this association the citizen in
question presented the farm and, later,
the old cabin, which he also rescued
from a Spectator who had the logs
stored in cellar holding them for ran
som.
1t was determined that, as Lincoln
was raised up from the people to perform
his mighty work, it should be the priv
lege of the whole people to raise up this
enduring memorial to him. Membership
in the Lincoln Farm Association should
be open to every man, woman and chile
who wished to contribute to the fund
And the contribution should be any
amount from 25 cents to $500, withou
further dues or assessments of any sort
To every contributor should be issued {
handsomely engraved certificate of mem
bership, and the name and address
should be entered on special card il
the permanent record to be kept forever
i'll place of honor at the park.
In this spirit of true democracy, il
harmony with every Lincolnian tradi
tion and ideal, not subsidized by grea
fortunes. but the free will offering of thu
whole people, the work was begun. Jus
about a year ago, through the medium
of various weekly and monthly period
Gals and daily papers. the movement wa
put before the public ON the basis out
lined above. The response was immedi