The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-16
tronec by a nne and hign moral sense.
lineOin's Qualities Needed Now.

tronec by nne and hiyn moral -sense.
lineoin's Qualities Needed Now.
We Of this day must try to solve
many social and Industrial problems
requiring 10 an especial degree the
combination Of indomitable resolution
with cool headed sanity. We can PROF,
by the way In which Lincoln used both
these traits as he strove for reform.
We can learn much OF value from the
very attacks which following that
course brought upon his head. attacks
alike by the extremists Of revolution
and by the extremists OF reaction lie
never wavcred In devotion to his prin.
cipleS. Ia his love for the Union and IN
his ahhorrence OF slavery. Timid ard
iukewarm people were always denounc-
ing MIN because he was too extreme:
OUT. as matter OF fact. he never went
70 extremes.
Yet perhaps the most wonderful
thing OF all aud. from the standpolnt
OF the America Of today and 81 the
future. the most vitality important was
the extraordinary way I'm which Lin
coin could hght valiantly against
what he deemed wrong and yet pre-
serve undiminlshed his love and re-
Siect Tor the brother from whom he
differed In the hour OF n triumpb
that would have turned any weaker
mans head. I'm the beat " STRUGGLE
which spurred many n good man 10
dreadful ViNdictiveneSs. he said truth
fully that 50 long rs he had been in
his office he had never Willingly plant.
ell thorn in any mans bosom and
besouSht his supporters To study the
incidents Of the trial through which
they were passing rs philosophy from
which To learn wisdom and not as
wrongs to be avenged ending with
the solemn exhcrtation that. as the
strife was over. all should reunlte In
n common effort 10 save their common
country.
He lived in days that were grcar
and terrible. when brother fought
against brother for what each sincere
ly deemed to be the right. in a con
test 50 grim the strong men who alone
can carry 1t through are rarely able TO
DO justice To the deep convictions OF
those with whom they grapple in NOR
tai strife. At such times men see
through a glass darkly. To only the
rarest and Hottest spirits is vouch-
safed that clear vision which gradually
comes Go all. even To the lesser as the
struggle fades into distance and
wounds are forgotten and peace creeps
back 10 the hearts that were hurt. But
10 Lincoln was given this supreme vi
sion He did not hate the man from
whom he differed. Weakness was rs
foreign as wickedness TO his strong
gentle nature. But his courage was OF
quality so high that II needed no
bolstering OF dark passion. He saw
clearly that the same high qualities.
the same courage and Willingness for
self sacrifice and devotion TO the right
as II was given them 10 see the right.
belonged both 10 the men Of the north
and 20 the men Of the south. As tho
years roll by and rs all Of us. wher
ever we dwell. grow 70 feel an eoua!
pride In the yalor and self devotion.
alike Of the men who wore the blue
and the men who wore the gray. so
this whole nation Will grow To f,ci n
peculiar sense Of pride IN the ml-htiesf
Of the mighty men who mastered the
mighty days. the lover Of his country
and OF all mankind. the man whose
blood was shed Tor the union OF his
people and for the freedom Of a race.
Abraham Lincoln.