The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-10-02

- lifted as model for all the gener-
atoms to come. While the tongue
OF Shakespeare and Addison and Mil
ton shall endure, that pearl of English
speech will shed its ray of purest light
serene. of patriotism and high states
manship. The judgment is not of par
tisan rancor, but of calm reason that
the brief utterance at Gettysburg Is
worth more to American ideals than
all the words put forth by the verbose
Nebraskan, from his entrance into ma
tional politics in 1896 up to the pres
ent, aye, even II we continue that pres
ent until the close of the impending
campaign.
Champion Of Unity.
"Mr. lincoln was the champion Of
unity. He declared the union could
not live half free and half slave.
His great achievement was to fuse the
warning states into nation, one in
freedom. His great heart took in all
men. all creeds. all races, rich and
poor. high and low, in every part of
the land. His generous soul had char
tty for all, malice for none. Mr.. Bry-
an on the contrary breaches the cru
sade OF dfssension: he aims to cre-
ate divisions where there are none,
his appeals are to prejudice and to
hate, to envy and malice. Discomfort
and suspicion are his constant COM
pany. Despair seems in his train. The
appeal for BRYAN in the glamor of
Lincoln is as wicked as 1t Is absurd,
Lincoln stood on solid ground and was
the type of popular common sense.
He walked in straight paths and
dreamed no dreams. His vision was
far-sighted, his discernment reached
the center Of great subjects. He
grappled with his gigantic task with
the firm hand of q master, who saw
his duty in all its lights and shadows.
His faith was as sublime as his cour-
age and his self-poise equal to his self
restrain. He was doer Of magnificent
deeds. What does the Republic not
owe him for the union restored, slav-
cry abolished, the states preserved in
their integrity, the constitution made
sure and perpetual? Mankind cannot
measure its debt to him for his demon
stration that free people can defend
their institutions against attacks be-
fore which any other government in
the world must go down. Only the
'pafty. ef which Lincoln was the chief
builder, only the men trained in his
school, guided by his example,
breathing his aspirations, can in the
best way carry forward the practical
business which preserves his princi-
pies and perfects his policies.
What Would Lincoln Do.
Were Lincoln today charged with
the grave affairs in which he rendered
such glorious service, where would
he look for help? Surely not to the
crowd gathered at Denver, not to the
sachems OF Tammany Hall with whom
Mr.. Bryan has patched up peace. Can
any imagination be 80 wild as to pic
ture Lincoln trusting the judgment Of
Bryan; Judgment so frequently and
80 emphatically proved erroneous?
MT. Lincoln would accept President
Roosevelts assurance that when in
doubt over serious problems he always
asked what Lincoln would do under
the circumstances. To that rule the
present administration owes much of
Its success. That has been the spirit,
too, In which Mr.. Taft has trained
himself to be most efficient and most
successful administrator; trained him
self until today he approaches the
presidency better fitted to meet and
discharge its varied and weighty dut-
les and responsibilities than ever did
q candidate before first approach that
lofty position. Had Judge Taft lived
In Nncoln's time, that great man
would have found in him, as his great
successor has found, man worthy
OF MS confidence, one mentally fitted
70 be an ideal successor to embody in
the clearer light of his new genera
ton the aims and purposes, the con-
victions and aspirations which Lin
coin and Roosevelt would have the
Republic possess and enjoy.
III there be doubt upon this point.
let us turn to the proof. No one now
living who had the privilege Of casting
his vote for Abraham Lincoln can be
Induced to betray his record by a bal
lot for Bryan. Such veterans there
be, and they will go to the polls with
the enthusiasm Of youth to insure
the election OF Taft to occupy the seat
Of Lincoln and wear the mantle Of
his wisdom and patriotism. And IL
there remain anywhere throughout
our broad domain, north or south, or
east or west, those who were hostile
to Lincoln in his days Of stress and
trial, you will find them seeking q
congental retreat under the Bryan
banner.
Garry the test further. II you please.
In TIE list Of states which Mr. Bryan
claims as certain for him will be found
every one, which arrayed itself against
Lincoln. and all these which were
heretofore denominated by Mr.. Bryan
the enemy's country" and which ARE
conceded to the Republican party, ev-
ery last one voted for Lincoln both in
1850 and 1864.
The supporters Of Mr.. Bryan by at
to dfscredit the fame and
merits OF the first martyred president,
Continued on page 81
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