The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-23

prudent take counsel of those who are
 provident. and assure to ourselves the
 preservation of our national resources
 NILS PAUL LARSEN
 ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN
 Abraham Lincoln," was the sub
 ject of the address of Nils Paul Lar
 sen and that it was one which appeal
 ed to the gathering was evidenced by
 the applause greeting the speaker. MT.
 Larsen said: -.se-..s
 Twice hath this mighty nation been on the verge of ruin and dissolution, twice has it seemed as though re- public could not endure, but. twice, at the very edge of destruction, it hath been saved by a strong hand from such a direful calamity.
 The first time the hand of Washing ton saved the shatters, as it were from for seventy years the country grew with amazing rapidity. But then, again the dark clouds Of war and ruin spread over the land, with sword and shell the South endeavored to tear her States from the Union. But, at the beginning of the turmoil a cool, steady, hand came to the helm and that noble hand brought the grand ship of state That saving hand was Abraham Lin coin.
 Fifty-one years before, he had air rived upon this grooming earth in log cabin, buried in the wilderness of Ken lucky. We are all familiar with his boyhood. The terrible fight against poverty, the rough journeys, the hard fare, the struggle with ignorance. how, with but twelve months of schooling; his mothers loving help. and his own indefatigable desire for knowledge, that struggle was crowned with suc- cess, An example to all those didn't get a chance" people. Such. was the life that prepared him for the harder struggle which was to come. He ear ly learned to swallow bitter pills with a smiling face.
 What with blowing his fathers fields, splitting trees into fence rails, wit, Abe arrived at the age of nine teen- He then obtained leave to shift for himself. At New Salem he re-. ceived a commission to take a flat boat to New Orleans. Besides himself, a companion and a lot of produce, some obstinate pigs were booked to go along, the later, however, refused to go aboard. When all hope to move the been relmquished, Lincoln bodily pick ed them up and carried the sQuealing pork, one by one. into the boat That does not show that he had a great love an unconquerable will and determina- ton to carry through what he had set himself up to Go.
 At the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, Lincoln was chosen captain of a band of volunteers He led his men with great ability through a terrible campaign without the loss of a life, either of his own or the enemies men. Upon his return, he worked successive ly at storekeeping, as postmaster and as a surveyor, during all of which time he studied diligently at law. Fin ally in 1887 he was admitted to the bar. He became a lawyer at Spring field, where he practiced continually and with great success until 1860. Still he found time to serve in the Legisla- ture from 1884 until 1s42, )one term in Congress in 1S46, and became the lead ing spirit of the party of Illinois.
 The year 1858 saw the memorable debates between Lincoln and Douglas. Although Lincoln defeated his opponent, one of the best speakers in the country. in wit and argument. Douglas received a small majority of votes and the seat in the Senate. The eyes Of the whole nation had been fixed upon these debates It was through them that Lincoln gained a national reputation
 Two years later, he was elected to the Presidency. Elected to take charge Of the ruins of once proud govern ment! Seven States had passed or his inauguration, and more. were on the point of following. While in of flee the shareholders had done all in their power to destroy our noble insti- tuition. The soldiers they had scat tered to distant parts, the navy no longer could be called a navy, the treasury they had emptied, and war supplies had been sent South. Never theless. in his inaugural address Lin coln made strong plea for peace and union. A plea, answered month later by the guns of Charlestown.
 Thus began the dreadful Civil war. A man with a less strong character than Abe could never have pulled the country through those four years of strife. But his trust in God and his of being in the right buoy ed him up so that he, with a patience and patriotism that has never equal | ed, bravely faced and surmounted all obstacles.
 We are all familiar with the pro- yress of the national arms, the defeats | and victories in the East, the triumphs | in the West. What a terrible time lid not the man at the helm have | JournalS and statesmen from all parts | 1f the country pouring in their criti- | :ism, each one thinking he best knew now to proceed. The following story | lptly illustrates how varied the feel ngs of the North were Toward the Rebels
 Lincoln's son, Tad. was haranguing ome fellows from his gate-post, when le launched the question, Fellows, what shall we do with the Rebels" Hang 'em," cried several. ''No," houted Tad, '-we'll hang on to hem.'
 Lincoln was not dismayed by what 'thers thought or said. He followed he golden middle path and only did what was best for the country. He aw his opportunity, after the battle if Antietam, for the longed for free ng of the slaves, and so on January st, 1863, he issued the Emancipa- ion Proclamation, thus declaring the United States forever truly free. When irant came East some victories made -ood that declaration.
 In the meantime, the Presidential lection took place. Although op- osed by most of the senators, news apers and best orators of the coun- ry, Lincoln was elected by an un- leard of majority The people had to trust the rough prairieman; he soldiers worshipped him. He 1ways had a word of cheer for the epressed and a helpful hand for the eedy. Was there ever a truer type f an American than that tall. kind, -itfv earnest |,