Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-02-12

HodgenVille, KY, Feb. 12.-Rever-
ent and curious Americans to the
number of several thousand today
dedicated the mean little cabin in
which Liberty wrought her last great
miracle. The present head of the
nation, the governor of Lincoln's ma
tive state. two eminent lawyers in
the struggle through which Lincoln
brought forth the nation. reunited
and free-these and host of others
in the forefront of American life,
Joined in the conservation.
Something of the uncouthness so
inseparable from Lincoln was dis
tlnct in the ceremony of today, which
celebrated Lincoln's Tooth birthday
The enshrining of the fiower-mantled
but withal dingy structure of logs
within a noble structure of marble,
one block OF which would buy set
tlement such as that in which Lin
coin lived, cannot but retain some ell
ements of the rural and homespun.
Tall farmer boys and grizzled old men
sprung from the same sell and nurs-
ed at the, breast of the same rough
lands, gaZed at the cabin from day
light on. These native people had
known the cabin since childhood but
they started at it now with its car
nival trappings as though it might
at any time glow from its window
holes with the genuine that was in
the place before the Lincolns crossed
into Indiana and young Abe began
that pilgrimage from which his feet
were not to rest until he reached
Ford's theateT.'
In addition to five special trains
every sort of vehicle was pressed into
service to transport the people from
the city to the Lincoln farm, three
miles from the depot. No conveyance
was allowed to enter the farm and the
tent, which served as an auditorium.
was roped off from the crowd which
gathered around the hallowed spot.
BY the suggestion of some kindly Ken
tuckian the Lincoln cabin was set in
a casket of flowers. the gift of the
school children of Kentucky.
1t was fifteen minutes of noon when
the long drawn out toot of the whistle
announced the arrival Of the presl-
dents train at the station. When the
distinguished visitor alighted, the air
cracked with cheers for President
Roosevelt The president, his wife,
daughter and Secretary Loeb, entered
two carriages reserved for them. and
the procession, headed by a military
band. started for the cabin. No traffic
was permitted on the road during the
parade, but the sides We're lined by
legi0ns Of the curious. Mounted po-
lice patrolled the road
Arriving at the tent, the president
and party entered and took seats on
the improvised platform. Close by lay
the cornerstone of the new memorial
temple, ready to be placed as soon as
the president had spread cement with
a silver trowel. Following the deliv-
cry of an impressive invocation, for
mer Governor Joseph w Folk. of Mis-
souri, who is president of the Lincoln
Memorial association, made introduc-
tory remarks, telling the purpose Of
the association. He was followed by
the president and Governor Wilson.
President Roosevelt spoke as fol-
lows;
We have met here to celebrate the
hundredth anniversary of the birth of
one of the two greatest Americans,
one of the two or three greatest men
of the nineteenth century; Of one of
the greatest men in the worlds his
tory. 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 labor, lived to lead his people
through the burning flames of strug-
gle from which the nation emerged,
purified as by fire. born anew to a
l0ftier life. After long years Of iron
effort and Of failure that came more
often than victory, he at last rose to
the leadership of the republic at the
moment when that leadership had be-
come the stupendous world-task OF
the time. He grew to know great
ness, but never ease. Success came 10
him. but never happiness. save that
which springs from doing well pain
full and vital task. Power was his