The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-13
GLORIFY MR.. LINCOLN
Ninety-ninth Anniversary OF
His Birth Celebrated.
SPEAKERS PAY HIM TRIBUTE
Vice President Fairbanks and Uncle
Joe Cannon Chief Among the
of Our FatheF-Feature of Event Is
Reception Given Statesmen.

\ great tribute was paid TO the memory
of Abraham Lincoln last night on the
ninety-nnth anniversary of his birth,
at the Church of our Father. Thirteenth
and l. streets northwest
The occasion was made memorable by
the appearance of Vice President Fair
banks, Hon, Joseph G, Cannon, Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and
Representative A. 7. Dawson, of Iowa,
all OF whom made addresses.
The observance of Lincoln's birthday
was the joint effort Of the Department
of the Potomac, G. A. r., and the United
States Historical Society assisted by the
Department Of the Potomac Woman's Re
lief Corps. represented by the commander,
Isabel Worren Ball. and the color bear
ers of all the societies in the jurisdic-
ton
An orchestra, made up Of a section Of
the Marine Band and several well-knoWn
local scIoists furnished the music.
Reception to MIR. Fairbanks.
The appearance Of the Vice President IN
the church brought the audience to its
feet, and he was applauded as he march
ed down the aisle, attended by one of
the committee Of arrangements and es-
corted to the platform.
The Vice President began his address
Immediately. but he had proceeded only a
few sentences when Uncle Joe" Can
non came IN, and was likewise escorted TO
the platform. For several minutes speech
making was out Of the question, until the
audience had an opportunity TO give a
fitting reception to the Speaker of the
House Of Representatives. who is one Of
the most popular men IN Washington.
Mr. Fairbanks set the applause going
again by pointing TO Mr.. Cannon and
saying: This is the modern Abraham
Lincoln"
Vice Presidents Address.
The Vice President said in part:
For more than tuoscore years the name of Abra-
ham lincoln has filled the earth. There has been
in hat important period no other which 81 faly
commanded the respect and admiration q the
world While the name Of Lincoln is familiar
everywhere while the story Of his life and services
Is known in minutost detail, we nevertheless turn
TO It's contemplation with iuezpessble pleasure
and We never fail 20 profit.
His birth was not huslded in the courts Of the
world. bat when Ha died the world Wept az his
bier. Born ia Kentucky, reared to manhood In
the State Of Indiana. CROWDED with has cnmty S
creates. houors III IliHos. he died a martyrs death
in the Nations Capital From ofscurity and un-
promising conditions. III hfJy-sx years he reached
the zenith Of worldly renown. Abraham Lincoln
was in the very hest sense a child Of the people Re
was their best interpreter. He loved lbsHy, and
50 loved t that be wished shat an the children Of
men might stand IN The fun enjoyment q the
priceless jewel q freedom. He loved the nag. yes.
he 50 loved il that he wished that stain should
rest upon It.
Half slave and Half Free.
Lincoln declared that house divided against
itself cannot stand that this government cannot
exist half slave and half free. This utteance
aroused the country 90 a realization Of It's supreme
peril It vas indeed, the opening Of that great
debate which was closed 9nly after four years Ct
civil conflict
tie was great IN his modesty and modest in his
greatness. lie stood for the principles which ara
cndurug-th0se principles upon which arc Urcdi-
Gated our highest and best national pTcEr6sS
Though dead he seems % be clothed with all Of
his power and a living sentiment being M our
midst. His great name and his great achievements
50 6ed or land that seem yet to be guided
by his wise and noble counsel. If in the present
OF IN the future we have doubt as 10 our true way.
let us 20 and study the character and career ct
the great Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln was much maligued. lie vas tie
object Of abuse scarcely paraeled in our history.
To the voice Of detracti9n and Impeachment he
turned 2 deaf ear How infinitely cruel it all
seems He laid down the golden rule Of American
politics Malice toward ncns; charity for an II
was a good guide them il is . good guide now. and
viii be- good f0reEE.
Lincoln never spent his tine upon Hones5cnuala.
He dealt with great questions in a great way. In
the presence Of the oveumasterlng and oveTshad0w-
ing questions which affect the progress OF the Amer
lean people on their WAY To a higher and better
destiny how Insignificant seem the little non
essential differences among them. Would that We
could bury forever in the boundles5 Of oblivion
those little personal conflicts and collisions. which
tend only 20 distract and misead the people.
The Great LiberatOr.
Fifty-zx years comprehendcd the birth and death
Of the great Hberator This IS a brief period in a
sense. but when measured by things accomplished
for The honor Of the Republic and the good Of man
kind, what a wonderful and vast period if vas. In
that time the American people demonstrated to the
world the everlasting unity. the absolute iudestruc-
The old hates have been buried forever and forever
Those who stood divided years ago are bound 10
gsther in the bonds Of everlasting national fellow
ship.
How hike the irony Of fate It was that after Abra.
ham Lincoln had led his people through the red
sea Of four years Of civil war, he should not have
been himself permitted 20 enjoy the promised land.
But he lived to stand amidst universal JOY BENEATH
the outstFetched wings Of peace. the foremost man
in all the world" He had his faults, all men
have but they we're 80 small when compared with
his luminous virtues that lose all thought or
them Even his failings leaned 10 virtues side.
We have our problems Lincoln bad his. We
have pessnists as there in the DAYS when he
wrought with such matchlCss skill and superb faith.
In the darkest hour hope never abandoned him, In
faith he saw the end FROM the beginning not a Re
public disnembered not liberty crushed but a
Republic glorifed and eHnObled because Of the hap
tism Of ire through which it passed
Speaker CannOn'S Address.
Mr.. Cannon began his speech by de
claring that with reference to the remark
made by the Vice President, The great
Lincoln is dead, ana can not defend him
self"