Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-06

comrades across the stream when the
fire of the enemy was concentrated
upon him. He staggered with his liv-
ing burden to the shore and fell.
HE was shot all to pieces" said an
eyewitness. I'VE carried HIM back out
, of the line of fire and laid him on the
grass to die. But his strength was
great, and such a powerful man was
hard to KILL They carried him to
cot in nearby tent. Just at daylight
the word was passed that Scott want
ed to see all the boys. They went into
his tent and stood around his cot. His
face was bright and his voice cheer!
full.
"Boys. he said, 4 will never see an
other battle. l supposed this would be
my last. haven't much to say. You
all know what you can tell them at
home about me. have tried to do the
right thing. am almost certain you
will all say that Then, while his
strength was failing. his life ebbing
away, and we looked to see his voice
sink into a whisper. his face lighted
up and his voice came out natural and
clear as he said: If any of you ever
have the chance wish you would tell
President Lincoln that l have never
forgotten the kind words he said to
me at the Chain bridge. that l have
tried to be good soldier and true to
the flag. that l should have paid my
whole debt to him if had lived and
| that now, when l know that am dy
ing, / think of his kind face and thank
him again because he gave me the
chance to fall Hike soldier in battle
and not like a coward by the hands of
my comrades.
| Then he closed his eyes, crossed his
| hands on his breast, and that was all.
| Richard Watson Glider in his study
| of Lincoln the Leader" published in
the February Century, presents some
interesting phases of Abraham Lin
coins character. OF his speech, writ
ings and belief in God he says:
"Lincoln's style IN speech and writ
| ing is the same sort of miracle that
| gave us the consummate art Of Shake
speare, the uncolleged actor; Of Burns.
| the plowman, and of Keats, the apoth-
| ecary's apprentice, son of livery sta
BILE man. 1t is not easy to analyze Il
miracle, but in discussing the leader
ship of Lincoln it is interesting to find
| that are traits of his character and
thus elements Of his leadership.
notwithstanding that the country
| has been ransacked for every record
| of his public speech and every scrap OF
paper to which he put pen, there has
been found from him absolutely moth
ing discreditable and little that can be
| criticised in the way of expression
| Without the aid of any teacher he
early learned to be moderate and rea-
sonable in statement, so that on the
part even of the obscure young poll
tician there is complete absence of
| that kind CT public speech which Is
described in passage he loved to
quote, where 1t is said OF the orator
that he mounted the rostrum. threw
1 back his head, shined his eyes and left
the consequences to God
IAN intensely important feature of
LincoIn's leadership would be omitted
if nothing were said of the effect upon
his thought and conduct of his belief
H In and conscious communion with an
almighty. mysterious and benevolent
power. concerning itself not less with
human affairs than with the march OF
seasons and the sweep of constella-
/ lions. The Deity was to him an ever
present, ever regnant influence. There
was nothing of theology or dogmatism
in his religious opinions, but he lived
In the spirit. The strange silence of
the Almighty Sovereign perplexed
him. and he sought with passionate
eagerness to read the DEGREES of Prov
idcnce in the unfoldings Of events.
sometimes taking definite action in ac-
cordance with his Interpretation of di-
vine indications. And always the be-
| lief in God was to him challenge to
singleness of purpose. To the all pure
he lifted clean hands and pure
heart"
Mr.. Glider in closing his article says:
.I.et me close with the memory of a
night of the spring of the year 1860, in
the time of the blooming of lilacs, as
says the wonderful poem. l was wait
ing in Philadelphia for Lincoln's flu
| UcTuI tIdiil IL olttil, do IL was NY oots
to accompany it to Newark. had and
have little desire to look upon faces
from which the light of life is depart
ed, but suddenly it came upon me that
had never seen the great president
and must not let go by this last oppor.
tunity to behold at least the deserted
temple of lofty soul. 10 my grief
] found 1t was too late The police had
? drawn their line across the path in
front of Independence hall. But my
earnest desire prevailed. and l was
the last to pass in by the window and
behold In a sudden dazzle of lights
and flowers the still features Of that
face we all now know SO well.
Then l went my way into the night
and walked alone northward to- the
distant station. Soon | heard behind