Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-12
Centenary of Martyred Presi-
dent Generally Celebrated
by Pupils
M'eeEE's ADDRESS AT NJ. Il. S
Pastor of First Baptist Church Gives
His Address on "The Great Debate
Before Large Audience in tho High
School Auditorium - Exercises in
Other Buildings and St. Mary's.

The Tooth anniversary Of the birth
| of Abraham Lincoln, one OF the trio of
martyred presidents OF the United
/ States. and the guiding star of the ma
ton during the perls of the greatest
! civil strife this country ever exper-
fenced. was generally observed today in
THE public schools.
| A large audience. comprising 400
| pupils, besides teachers, members OF
| Frank NJ Thomas Post, No. "a, G. A..
r. and other visitors, was present to
hear the exercises. The principal feat
ure of the program was the address by
| Rev. James MCGEE, pastor of the First
baptist church, on THE Great De-
bate"
| Mr.. MCGEE showed by his address a
careful study of the political problems
Iof ante bellum days. in his careful re-
(sume OF the affairs that led up to the
civil war.
| He told of the temper of the people
at the time the seven great debates be-
tween Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug
las were held, of Lincoln's introduction
to the slavery problem. and his first
contest with the institution of slavery.
Mr.. MCGEE also told of the abolition
party in Illinois. and the organization
of the republican party: the part Lin
coin played In the organization OF the
party, and his connection with Lyman
| Trumbull
The work OF Douglas In congress
was also touched upon, and after
his return home in 1858, the great
reception given in his honor in Chi
cago At this time Douglas attacked the
! speech of Lincoln made upon his nom-
| ination to the senate shortly before
The speeches thruout the state fol-
flowed. and Lincoln finally issued the
challenge to the joint debate.
| The scenes surrounding the debates,
and the interest that they aroused,
were also touched upon at length. The
speaker considered Lincoln's stroke In
forcing the debates master one as
they resulted in educating the people
in the question of slavery.
The lives of the two great men of the
day were also referred to. Douglas. at
torney general of the state at y, sec
rotary of state at 81. supreme judge
at %, In congress at 80, and the sem
ate at So Lincoln had then served four
terms In the legislature. one term in
congress and had Just received the
nomination for the senate.
Mr.. MCGEE agreed with other stu
dents Of history and politics, in sum-
ming up the results Of the debates.
and declared that Lincoln's work in the
great debates was responsible for plac-
ing him in the presidents chair.
Included in the high school program
| in addition to the principal address,
were songs by the second grade pupils.
"The Soldiers Chorus" and 1.-THE Red
Scarf by the boys and girls giee
clubs, the singing of America" and
"Star Spangled Banner" by the entire
school, and the reading of Lincoln's
Gettysburg address by ODDS Patton.
In the Other Buildings.
In the other schools a general OBJ
seryance of the day was held. Visitors
were present at all of the buildings.
In the First ward school the first
and second grades united in a pro-
and sixth.
At the Rogers the third and fourth
grades combined their program, and
the other rooms held separate pro-
grams.
A general program was given at the
Click school, as was also the. case at
the Arnold and Abbott. At the Abb
bott the kindergarten and first and
second grades united, as did the
fourth and fifth grades. Mr.. Geo M.
Lyon talked to the fourth. fifth and
seventh grades.
The Woodbury. and Arson held their
programs in the halls of the lower
f1oors. where all the children OF the
buildings were assembled,
Program at st. Mary's.
At st. Marys Institute a general
program was held in commemoration
of I,incoln's centenary. Music and
recitations by the children made up
the program, and several visitors were
in attendance.