Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-13
ENJOYS TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN
AMBASSADORS BRYCE AND JUS
SERAND SPEAK.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,. February I3.-De-
claring that Englishmen honor the mem
DRY of Abraham Lincoln as Americans do,
and that it was fitting that one who was
privileged 10 represent the land from
which his forefathers came should bring
on behalf of England a tribute Of admra-
ton for him. James Bryce. British ambas-
sador to the United States. delivered a
notable address at the Lincoln celebration
here last night. Other speakers We're Am
bassador Jusserand of France and Will
liam Jennings Bryan.
Il was an undergraduate students in the
University of Oxford when the civil war
broke out said Mr.. Bryce. well do l
remember the surprise when the repub!i-
can national convention nominated Lin
coin as candidate for the presidency, for
IL had been expected that the choice would
fall upon William III. Seward.
II recollect how it slowly dawned upon
Europeans in 1862 and 1863 that the Presi-
dent could be no ordinary man because he
never seemed cast down by the reverses
which befell his arms. because he never
let himself be hurried into premature
action nor feared to take so bold a step
as the emancipation proclamation was
when he saw that the time had arrived.
And, above all, l remember the shock of
awe and grief which thrilled all Britain
when the news came that he had persisted
There have been not a few murders of
the heads of states in our time. but mona
smote us with such horror and such pity
as the death of this great, strong and
long and patient efforts had been crowned
with victory. and peace had just begun to
shed her rays over a land laid waste by
the march of armies.
We in England already felt then that
a great as we'll as a good man had de-
parted though il remained for later years
10 enable us all (both you here and the
other hemisphere fully to appreciate his
greatness. Both among you and with
us, his fame has continued to rise till
he has now become one of the grandest
figures whom America has given to world
history to be a glory first OF this country,
then also of mankind.
M. Jusserand's Tribute.
NJ Jusserand. the French ambassador
said in part follows:
"A century of almost unbroken pros
perity had nearly elapsed when came the
hour of the nations second trial The
edince raised by Washington was trem-
bling on it's base; a catastrophe was at
hand. Then it was that in not yet
wor!dfamous town, Chicago by name.
the republican convention met 10 choose
a candidate for the presidency. 1t chose
Il man whom my predecessor of those
days described as "a man almost I'M
known. Mr.. Abraham Lincoln
We still remember, wrote years
later, the ilustrious French writer. Pre-
Vost-PaI adol, the uneasiness with which
we awaited the first words of that Presi-
dent, then unknown. upon whom a
heavy task had fallen. AS soon as he
spoke, all our doubts and fears were
Gissipated and it seemed to us that fate
itSelf had pronounced in favor of the
good cause since il had given to the
country an honest man.
m how
wondered and felt anxious, when they
remembered how little training in great
affairs the new ruler had had and the
Incredible difficulty of the problems he
would have to solve for he had 10 fight
not enemies. but friends. We must not
De- enemies.
After having saved the nation, Lin
coin went 10 his doom and fell. as he
had long foreseen. a victim To the cause
for which he had fought. The emotion
caused by the event was immense
Among my compatriots part were foi
;he south. part for the north; they
should not.be blamed; IL was the same
in America.
When the catastrophe happened there
were no more differences and the whole
French nation was united in feeling
From the emperor and empress who teie
Sraphed TO Mrs. Lincoln, to the humblest
workman, the emotion the same: g
wave of sympathy covered the country
such one as was never seen.
A subscription was opened to- have
a medal struck and Il copy in gold pre-
scented 70 Mrs Lincoln. In order that Il
might be a truly national offering il wa:
decided that no one would be permitted
- subscribe more than cents 1ns
necessary money was collected in an in
slant. and the medal was struck bear
ing these memorable words:
dedicated by French democracy Il
Lincoln. honest man. who abolished slav
cry, re-established the Union, saved tn,
Republic, without yelling the statue o
Liberty.
The French press was unanimous II
expressions of admiration and of sorrow
"A Christian said the Gazette d,
France. has just assembled before tn,
throne of the Final Judge. accompanies
by the souls of 1000 900 slaves, created
like ours in the image of God, and VIII,
have been endowed with freedom by :
word from him.