Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-14
FAIRBANKS AT HARRISBURG
Vice President Speaks mt Lincoln
Exercises mt P~ennsYlYnnIa CanftaI.

- mhbtANun OHDItaIs
HARRISBURG. Pa, Feb. 13-Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks was the chief speaker here
last night at the Lincoln day meeting, which
concluded an elaborate observance of the
centennial. including school and religious
exercises. Governor Stuart presided at the
meeting, delivering a brief address. Mr..
Fairbanks was the recipient Of an en-
thuslastic welcome.
Declaring Lincoln to have been in the
fullest and best sense the architect of his
own career and 1.-THE very incarnation OF
justice and mercy" Vice President Fair
banks sketched the life OF the martyred
president from the day of his birth to his
death. The day, he said, was a sacred one
in American history, which 100000 OF
people had set apart for appropriate OBJ
servance. He spoke OF the conditions OF
slavery existing when Lincoln was born,
touchingly referred to his mother, Nancy
Hanks Lincoln, and in referring to Lin
coins environment when he was a boy
said that it often was wondered how, under
such unpromising conditions, he could
have emerged from 1t all and risen to place
and power unattainable by those who, in
the ordinary understanding, were moro
favorably situated. "Who among all the
men Of his day?" the vice president in
quired. has produced u%tterances so classic
and lofty and which will survive so long
as many Of the speeches of Mr.. Lincoln? '
1t was impossible to think, he said, that
schools. colleges or universities could have
increased the Intellectual or moral stature
OF Lincoln. He was the marvellous pro-
duct OF the great school of nature. He kept
close to natures heart, close to the peo-
pie. close to the SOIL"
Mr.. Fairbanks paid tribute to Mr.. Lin
coins achievements as a lawyer, and vet
he said he never failed to discharge In fun
measure his civic duty. HE was always n
power on the stump" he said, with which
his political opponents had to reckon He
referred to Lincoln's famous Springfield
speech in 1858 in which he aroused the peo-
pie to a realization OF the national peril
because of the gravity Of the slavery ques-
tion.
Around Mr.. Llncoln's stand, said Mr..
Fairbanks. the patriotic anti-slavery ele-
ments, the normal forces OF the republic
began to rally. He became the acknowl-
edged foremost champion of the cause
which weighed heavily upon their minds
and their hearts and in due course he was
elevated to the magistracy of the repub-
lie. He assumed to the responsibility OF his
high position amidst circumstances fore
boding and p~erilous. He took IN his
mighty task In the face of an unprece-
denied crisis. 1t was a time when even
the stoutest hearts were filled with dismay
and serious comprehension. MIR. Ldncoln's
sublime faith was u~nshaken. He moved
forward amidst the rapidity multiplying
difficulties which beset him upon all hands.
with u~nbounded confidence. The hour OF
the nations supermost peril had, indeed.
come, but by some providential interposi-
ton the man had come to meet it,"
The wisdom and breadth OF vision of Mr..
Lincoln as a statesman and executive, he
said. was shown at the very outset of his
administration in the selection of his cab
met OF his chief competitors for the presi-
dental nomination. He had no fear he
said, that they would ever dominate the
administration or overshadow it in the pub
lie eye" 1t was early apparent to Mr.. Lin
coins cabinet and to the country, said Mr..
Fairbanks. that he was a profound and
ambitious student OF the problems of the
time and that he was moving with knowl-
elge and caution with a wisdom and pa
thence which seemed to be inspired and he
met the emergency and steered the shin
Of state through the storm Of conflict to
the haven OF peace.