Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-02-18

nineteenth century: Ct cne OF the
greatest men In the worlds history,
This rail splitter. this boy who passed
his ungainly youth In the dire poverty
Of the poorest Of the frontier folk,
whose rise was by weary and painful
Slabor. lived to lead his people through
the burning flames Of struggle from
which the nation emerged, purified as
by fire. born anew to loftier life.
After long years Of iron effort, and Of
failure that came more often than
victory, he at last rose to the leader
ship Of the republic, at the moment
when that leadership had become the
stupendous world-task Of the time. He
grew to know greatness, but never
ease Success came to him, but never
happiness, save that which springs from
doing well painful and vital task,
Power was his, but not pleasure. The
furrows deepenad ON his brow, but his
eyes were undimmed by either hate or
fear. His gaunt shoulders were
bowed, but his steel thews never fall
tered as he bore for a burden the
destinies Of his people. His great
and tender heart shrank from giving
pain; and the task allotted him was
to pour out IKE water the llfeblood OF
the young men. and to feel In his
every flber the sorrow OF the women.
Disaster saddened but never dismayed
him. Al the red years Of war went by
they found him ever doing his duty In
he present, even facing the future
with fearless front, high Of heart,
and dauntless CT soul. Unbroken by
hatred, mistaken by scorn, he worked
Ind suffered for the people. Triumph |
was his at the last; and barely had he
.asted 1t before murder found him, and
he kindly, patient, fearless eyes were
,losed forever.
Washington and Lincoln.
"As people we are indeed beyond
Measure fortunate in the characters Of
he two greatest Of our public men.
Washington and Lincoln. Widely
hough they differed in externals, the
Virginia landed gentleman and the
kentucky backwoodsman they were
like in essentials, they were alike
a the great qualities which rendered
ach able to render service to his ma
lon and TO all mankind such az mo-
ther man Of his generation could or
IA render. Each had lofty ideals,
nut each in striving to attain these
ofty ideals was guided by the sound
ct common sense. Each possessed
lhexible courage In Rdversity, and a
Oul wholly unspoiled BY prosperity.
'ach possessed alls the syentler yiF.
1sb CONNOLLY exhibited by good men
no lack rugged strength OF character.
ach possessed also all the strong
Ialities commonly exhibited by those
wering masters Of mankind who
we too often shown themselves de- !
Id of SO much as the understanding ,
the words by which we signify the !
alities Of duty, Of mercy, Of devo- I
IN to the right, of lofty disinterested-
IS in battling for the good Of others. I
lere have been other men as great +
d other men as good; but in all 9
Q history of mankind there are no h
her two great men as good as these, r
other two good men as great Wide. a
though the problems of to-day diff d
from the rroblems set for solution h
Washington when he founded this
ton, to Lincoln when he saved II
d freed the slave, yet the qualities ~
" showed in meeting these prob :,
MS are exactly the same as those =,
should show in doing our work to- =
Y. +