The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-02-18
The Daily Gate City

the American nation; as from the fee
bleness and misery OF early settle
ments in the bleak solitude, il ad
vanced 10 the subtugatson OF the hos
tile forces Of nature. plunged into AT
ardHous struggle with dangers and off
fculties known only to itself; gather
ing strength from every conflict and
experience from every trial: widening
the range OF Ks creative action. Until
at last II stands as one OF the greatest
powers OF the earth.
The people are fond. OF seeing their
image rejected in the lives of their
foremost representative men.
Such vas Abraham Lincoln at the
age OF unknown,
povercy-stricken and Without calling.
With his growing thoughts his aspira-
lions grsE- So. like Others, he took
the stump and offered himself a candi-
date for the state legislature. His
maiden speech II an obscure village
Is thus reported. Fellow citizens. 7
an humble Abraham Lincoln Ny
politics are short and sweet. like the
cd wouan's dance an IN favor Of
3 national hank. Of Internal improve
usnts and high protective tariff
These are ny sentiments. II elected.
I shall be thankful: Il not. It VIII be all
the same
Lincoln vas not elected although
supported by the citizens of New Sa-
Ism. where ne lived and TO whom he
had promised the Improvement OF the
SzaUmo1 river.
Disappointed he went into the gruc-
err business. and failed. because he
had 10 capital. and no business talent
n thar line.
Then Ne began the study Of the Law.
as step 10 political success. read
books and occasional newspapers. told
stories and kept his soul IN patience.
which was easier 10 him than to keep
his body II decent clothes Il was
necessary for him 70 DO something for
E living While be studied la-; he be
cane assistant 70 the county surveyor.
TEo Eears later another election for
he legislature occurred and he was
elected He went 10 vandalia. the
STATE capital. as q Wing and great ad-
nirer Of Henry Clay and his political
career began
Lincoln vas one OF the most re-
nsrkabIe men OF any age OF country
& man in whom the qualities OF genius
and common sense were strangely
mingled He was prudent, far-zighted
and resolule. thoughtful. calm and
just; patient, tender hearted and great,
IN 2 limited sense. The manner OF his
death consecratsd MS memory.
The meaning OF Lincoln's election
was that the great and powerful north
declared slavery IN evil, and insisted
that it shall not be extended: that
while the institution would be re-
spected where IT existed. the conduct
OF the national government must re-
vert TO the policy OF their fathers and
confr~ slavery within bounds The
persistent and emphatic statement By
the opposition that the Republicans
were the radical party had fixed that
idea N the public mind: but in truth
they fthe Republicans represented
the nohlest conservatism. They sim
ply advocated 4 return to the policy OF
Washington. Jefferson and Madison.
1t is impossible 70 consider the work
OF Lincoln and not deeply regret that
re was not born under the enlfsht-
ened sentiment Of free thought and
developed By the broadening infu-
ences of popular liberty As a reas-
oner, ne was not inferior TO any man
OF his time; and the compass of his
mind. the force Of MS logic. and the
power OF his argument stamp him
as one OF tie most extraordinary men
in the history Of American public life
The Constitution provided for re-
sponsibility of the government to the
people. TO be effectuated By periodical !
election Lincoln insisted upon the
obsequious compliance to this prin- /
cipal and was content TO follow the +
bent OF the people. instead Of leading
them TO higher, nobler accomplish
ment Herein was the weakness of 4
his character and his administration
Tie dignity Of Washington's mourning
over. the evil days seems rapture be
side the servile policy of Mr. Lincoln.
The problem Of the twentieth CEN
fury is the problem Of the color line,
ne relation OF the darker 10 the light
ar races OF men II was a phase Of
his problem that casued the Civil
war; no sooner had northern armies
.ouched southern soil than this old
question newly guised sprang from
he earth-Whta shall be done with
legroes,
Peremptory military commands
,ouid not answer the question. The
smanc. patton Proclamation seemed
1nt TO broaden and intensity the diff
1culties and the war amendments
made the negro problems of today.
The war has nauglt to do with
slaves. said congress. the President
md the nation; and yet no sooner had
he Union army penetrated Virginia
nd Tennessee than fugitive slaves APP
,eared within their lines. They came