New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-14
CH0ATE ON LINCOLN.
DESCRIBES FIRST SPEECH.
Tells Cooper Union audience Of
His appearance There IN 1860.

Joseph H. Choate former Ambassador TO the
Court Of St. Jamess. spoke on Abraham Lincoln
at Cooper Union last night, and spoke Of the hrst
appearance Of the murdered President in the East
made in 1860 from the same platform. He de-
scrbed the character OF Lincoln and traced the
effect Of environment upon his development.
Mr.. Choate spoke Of Lncon's early life and said
that school and college could never have made him
what he He thought he said. that the rugged
character built UP by the hardship Of the early
years and the difficulties that had TO be overcome.
Mr.. Choate described Lincoln's appearance as ne
first saw him. on the platform In Cooper Union
forty-seven years ago. He said he looked uncouth,
awkward embarrassed. and drew a vivid picture
His address, which delivered under the auspices
of the Board of Education follows in part:
During his brief term Of power ne was probably ABLY
Guile than any other man In the world; but when ne
fell by the hand OF an assassin az me very mo 90
Inent Of his stupendous victory all the natlohs OF
the earth We'd with another in paying huTnak q
have t since elapsed have sstabIished his place N
history as one OF the great benefactors not OF
Doubtless you familiar with the salient poin{s
Of his extraordinary career In the zentn Cd gss
fame he the wise. patient courageous. success
monarch Of his time, not For himself. but for the
good the people who had placed it in his hands;
commander IN chief Of a vast military power
war Of the century; the triumphant champion OF
popular government; the deliverer Ct four millions
kind statesman. President and hoeTator
After a long account Of Lincoln's early life and
the steps which led 10 the elimination OF MS
career. Mr.. Choate continued:
have been thus detailed IN sketching his early I5y
years because upon these strange foundations Jne
structure Of his great fame and service was punt.
In the place Of school or university Ib Ts ana
struggles as preparation for the great "o ,I
what the emergency required Ten years instead
at the public school and the university certainly
work which was to be thrown upon him. Some other
Moses would have had to lead US TO our Jordan. 10
the site of promised land OF liberty.
He was born great, as distinguished from those
and his inherent capacity, mental moral physical.
having been recognized by the educated lnlelH-
S SFe ruler 5eS 6aS s2 Of deadly s I Psr '
1t is now forty-seven years since first saw ana
left my mind IS inefaceabe After his great sue
eesseS IN me West ne came 70 NV / oIh 10 ,lS
Of the word Ike one OF The plain people among
nothing impressive imposing about him,
except that his great stature singled him out from
giant frame; his face was Of dark paIIor without
and struggle; MS decpset eyes looked sad and anN-
Of that brain power which had raised him from the
lowest 10 the highest station among his country
seemed III at ease with that sort of apprehension
which a young man might feel before presenting
himself-to new and strange audience whose Critl-
fui sneaker had preCedSd him and sSaeeeTSte5
rmor of his wit-the worst forerunner OF an orator
had reached the East
When Mr. BRYANT presented him, on the high
Platform OF this building. Cooper Institute. a
sea of eager, upturned faces greeted him fun OF
people was like He was equal 10 the occasion
When ne spoke he was transformed his eye kin
1leu nus voice rang ms lace S49ne ana seemed 70
light up the whole assembly: For an hour and a
hair he held his audience I'm the hollow Of his hand
severely simple, With no attempt at ornament or
1t was marvellous 10 see how this untutorei
nd he pui Of
his own spirit, had oUtgrowu all meretricious arts
Strength Of 9 it ne osa With AND
appeal 10 his audience. spoken with all the fire OF
outpouring OF his love Of justice and liberty 10
maintain iheiE political purpose on that lofty and
could justify H. and not 70 be iutimidHted from their
struction to the government or OF ruin to them
selves lie concluded with this telling sentence.
hearts. Let us have faith that right makes might
and In that faith let US To- the end dare 10 do
That night this great hall and the next day the
whole city. rang with delighted applause and CON
departed with the laurels OF a great triumph
Alas, In five years from that exulting night.
saw him again, for the last time In this city.
go IA I,r9It 80, t "a tli, - , " .'4
companied him from Washington. the scene of his
city Of the West. where he had worked his way 10
In ell the grandeur or the vast power that he
welded, he never ceased 10 he one OF the plain
S,re MS nrft patSv With tHs oS' or a
in perfect touch with them and open to their APP
peals and here lay the very secret of his person
aty and OF hts power, FOR the people IN turn gave
him their absolute confidence. His courage his
fortitude HIS patience his hopcfuluess, soreIy
tried but exhausted.
He lived 10 see his Proclamation 81 Characterization
embodied in an amendment 10 the Constitution.
adopted by Congress and submitted 10 the states
for ratification. The mighty sCOurge of ala
speedily pass away. for II given him 20 witness
the surrender Of the rebel army and the fall Of
their capital, and the starry flag that he loved
waving In triumph over the national soil. When
he died by THE madmanS hand in tho supreme hour
OF victory. the vanquished lost their best friend
and the human race one OF its nohlest examples
and all the friends of freedom and justice in whose
caus" he lived and died. joined hands as mourners
a his