The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-04-15

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LINCOLN THE LIBER- tling, not only
Afoh. between t / m s.,
but between men who were the chief
figures Of those times.
Lincoln was SO peculiarly a child of
our American democracy, however,
that it is difficult to find his antetype.
The most obvious parallel to Lincoln
is Moses. 1t is to be hoped that no.
body will be shocked by such a COM
parison, and it is confidently believed
that nobody but a lip server will be.
There is no character in all time that
will suffer any real hurt by being as
sociated with the name of Abraham
Lincoln.
The chief element in the fame Of
both Moses and Lincoln is that Of lib
orator. Each led an enslaved race
from bondage. The most notable
thing in the character Of each was his
meekness. Both reached the place
from which he could view the prom
ised land. but neither was fated to
enter.
There are some points Of resem-
blance between the character of Lin
coin and that of Constantine. the first
Christian emperor. Both were gen.
erous, mild and pure in private life
Constantine himself was a sort Of
liberator, since he freed the early
Christians from the bloody persecu-
tions that had pursued them for 300
years. Not only SO, but his constant
cry was for union-union Of the en-
pire and union of all Christian bodies
into one. Constantine, like Moses. was
a great lawgiver. He was an intrepid
warrior, a strong executive and for
the larger part Of his life exercised
clemency and mercy. Unfortunately
two crimes stain his last years. His
marriage was unhappy, and his wife
poisoned his mind against his son by
another wife. AS a consequence this
son was put to death. Then, in a fit of
profound remorse, Constantine ordered
the death Of his wife as a retribution.
In many aspects, however, he was the
greatest and best emperor Of Rome.
His memory was not fairly treated by
the pagan writer's.
This line Of comparison could be
carried forward indefinitely, but will
not be pursued further for the reason
that it may not be as interesting to the
reader as it is to the writer. Measur-
ing one great soul by another helps us
to gain a juster estimate Of both. 1t
also increases our love for their COM
mon humanity. 1t shows US thatno age
and no character are remote, but may
be interpreted in the terms and types
Of today. 1t illustrates one character
by another, re-enforces by resemblance
and brings into clearer relief by con-
trasts. 1t shows us that all humanity
is one humanity, that all the past Is
included in the present and that the
things we love about great men are
immortal, for they are the same in
those Of 1000 or 5000 years ago and
in those Of our own time.
The man who first sees lofty noun
tain does not realize it's majesty nor
proportions. 1t is ouly after he studies
it from every angle, climbs over it,
lives with 1t and compares it to other
mountains that he gains just esti-
mate. 1t is even so with studying
great souls, who are the mountain
peaks of history. We must see them
without and within, view them from
every angle, live with them. dream Of
them and compare them with others
who have blessed or advanced the race
before we'can come to appreciate their
true SIZE
1t is only genuine greatness that can
stand this process of intimate study
and comparison with the highest stand
ards of the ages. Abraham Lincoln
does not suffer by this method of in
vestigation. Indeed. it but enhances
his fine, strong, simple and high quail
ties. 1t is this which makes 1t certain
beyond question that he is man for
all time. His fame will wear. He
spoke often of the slavery contest be-
ing a durable struggle" Likewise
was he made of durable stuff. He is
universal enough to measure to all
men. He is as lowly as the most lowly
and tall enough Of soul to stand up
with the tallest. He has nothing to
fear from comparison with Caesars or
saints, with prophets or sages. There
was nothing false about him, and all
real manhood can hold up it's head un-
abashed in the presence Of all other
real manhood. Lincoln himself was a
prophet Of democracy, saint Of mercy
and Caesar who used his great pow
or only to extend the freedom Of man.