Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-08

quence characterized many, silence
a few, while devotion to
country or political principle estab-
lished them in the appreciation of our
people. But there was, and ever will
be, one who was created in a differ
ent form, one whose memory stands
>Oday, even as he walked in life, sep
~-rate, distinct, and alone. One, who
may have lacked the impressive dig
nifty and SOnorous elOquence assOcia-
ted with the great, but who possessed
the simplicity. the tenderness, the en-
durance which mark the perfect man.
One who was tall and awkward, bow
ed and hOmely, deficient in the polish
and superticialities associated with eX-
sympathized, one who pardoned rather
than punish, he of firm and righteous
purpose, of fervent hope, of lasting pa
thence, of unfailing charity, and finally
of glorious achievement. the first
Observation-Disclosures Lincoln.
Splitter of Illinois," the lowest stage
of his career is supposedly described;
but. not so, for so mean and poor were
his earliest surroundings that he lived
for a year with his parents in a mere
shed, with patched roof and but
three walls. the fourth side being open
to the world. He was born in poverty
nakedness. At one time he claimed
to have had personal knowledge of
every form of human privation and
yet there was that within him which
/ led him ever On, though oft times with
/ uncertain feet, i'll search of something
better. though he knew not what.
Hesitated OI,eE.
His early life was series of expert
ments. Almost every form of profess
sional Or commercial pursuit engaged
! his temporary attention. only to be
abandoned. Repeatedly he confronted
situations where a decision affecting
his future was involved and almost
Invariably his decision: was seemingly
illogical and contrary to his apparent
hest interests. At every stage his life
shows the influence of some unknown
Iguidance which was apparently reserv-
ing and preparing him for his ultimate
glorious destiny. In our state legisla
ture he supposedly ruined his pros
tpects by opposing the extension OF
slavery In the United States con
gress he did the same thing by con
demning the Mexican war He sacri
feed a probable seat in the United
States senate because of what his
friends termed a fanatical principle
and finally destroyed what little future
remained to him by his views of the
slave question as enunciated in the
debates with Douglas. Yet his sta
ever assembled. Repeatedly he com
mitted what he expected would be pc
litical suicide because the occasion de
manded the sacrifice. but only t
emerge from disappointment stronger
drawer and better than before Hay
ing decided what was right be follow
ed 10 the end. regardless of conse
quences to himself. With him prir
= ciple was everything, position nothing
Our history bears no record of sci
= forgetfullneSs like his.
X Reading of his life one is impresse
" with the undoubted presence of thi
M unknown guiding power. Lincol
NJ never surmOunted a political obstacl
N and never won an important politics
Vi battle through his own efforts. Co
NJ liding with obstacles, to be sinvariabl
VI hurled back wounded and defeated, h
81 arose to find the obstacle mysterious
RI removed and his way, for space {
M least, clear before him.
y, y His nomination for the presidenC
" followed no effort on his part, his att
X tude being one of Indifference if not
M real opposition. He made no politics
W trades and forbade his representative
M to make certain alliances which wei
W politically strong, but morally wea