The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-02-18
hat turned out to hear them

Douglas won the senatorial victory.
But the wonderful effect produced
upon the people of the nation by the
masterful strokes of Lincoln, gave
him a national reputation so marked
that it easily landed him in the presi-
Dental chair in the election of 1860.
when he defeated Douglas, his old
time adversary, and on March 4th,
1861, Lincoln was inaugurated pres
ident of these United States.
His inaugural address was deliv-
cred with full knowledge that sew
eral Southern states had passed ar
ticles of secession. that they had
elected Jefferson Davis as their
president and he fully realized that
a fratricidal war was most imminent
and. while stron. ly asserting that
under his oath of office he should do
everything in his power to maintain
the integrity of the union, he plead
ed with his southern brethren to per-
NIT all differences to be adjudiciated
peacefully and pledged his most ear
nest endeavors to assist in a solu-
tion that should be just to both alike.
But his appeal fell upon stony
ground and on April IL, 1861, Fort
Sumpter was bombarded and soon
captured by those in rebellion. Lin
coin Immediately called for $1,000
men to serve three months and soon
bayonets glistened in the sun, and
brothers we're arrayed against each
other and the gigantic struggle was
on.
1t is impossible here to even touch
upon the Kaleidoscope changes that
occurred during the ensuing foul
years, but in the end, after the sacri-
fee of human lives had run into the
hundreds Of thousands and treasure
had been fairly burned up" vic
tory crowned the union arms, and
"Old Glory 1oated on the breeze
without the loss of a single star.
But at the very moment when all
patriots We're exulted over the splend-
did results of the war, and when the
dove of peace was about to fold her
wings in evidence of that peace, the
nation was startled, distracted and
Mortified by the news that flashed
over the wires that our beloved Lin
coin had been a~ssassinated; shot
down by a treacherous foe, who in
vaded the peaceful haunts of man to
do an act that branded him forever
a second Cain. And so this match
less man was stricken in death, and
the fairest flower that ever bloomed
to honor and bless mankind was the
victim Of arch-fiends and of those
who propogated and defended human
slavery. April IA 1865, the assas-
sin accomplished his fendish design
and in the early morning hours of
the 18th, Lincoln's soul was with its
maker. While flags hung low, and
men and women, with quivering lips
and blanched faces mourned for a
nations dead.
In the life and character of Abra-
ham Lincoln there is blended in
sweetest harmony all the virtues
that go to make up a we'll rounded
and symmetrical man. His great heart
throbbed for humanity. His every
impulse was for the right. because
it was right. His thirst for knowl-
edge was inspired from a desire to
be of greater service to mankind.
His ambition did not center on self,
but took in the whole race.
His life was devoted to the uplift
of the dow%n-trodden, and the eleva-
tion of humanity. His areer from
the poor boy, up through the differ
ent grades of human endeavor to the
exalted Office of president of these
United States should be an inspira-
ton to all, and the splendid service
he rendered evidences the fact that
any boy, with strong desire and full