Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-02-20
| The Birthplace Of Lincoln
No therA Mount /
Y vernon las such Wonder Y
N nul Crop OF Patriotism ~
BY HORATIO BLISS
copyrfsh by Ansrte -

tice has never been done Mrs. Lincoln.
She was not without a prophetic quail
ity IN divining her husbands future
eminence, she had spiritual insight.
she suffered many sorrows. and de-
spite her difference from Mr. Lincoln
in temperament and inherited manners
and beliefs she was loyal to him
throughout.
One other character has been mini
mixed much in the same way--William
III Seward. Lincoln's chief competitor
for the presidential nomination and
afterward his secretary Of state. One
thing that can be said for Seward IL
that he was man enough to acknowl-
edge Linooln's greatness when he saw
Ii. He refused 10 plot against his
chief. as did some Of bis fellow menu
bers Of the cabinet. He was wise
counselor and unseltish statesman. He
had enough foresight to buy Alaska
when the public scoffed at him for the
act. The truth about Seward is that
he was of a very high type, but not
wlthstanding his height was over
shadowed
Mr. Lincoln's life falls into two
great divisions that preceding the re-
peal Of the Missouri compromise and
the formation of the Republican par
ty and that following these twin
events. His one term In congress was
the last Important public service In
the first period Following this were
five or six years of law with little or
no politics In congress Lincoln had
gained reputation as story teller
and wit. had made one or two cam
paign speeches. had introduced a
measure TO abolish slavery In the Dis
trict OF Columbia and had refused to
say that the Mexican war was right
cous. Following his term he had ap.
piled fer the office Of land commission
err, to which he had not been appoint
ed. and had been offered the governor
ship Of Oregon. which he declined. In
1850 he refused another nomination
to congress and IN 1852 delivered 0
culogy on Henry Clay. II WAS IN 1854
that he really re-entered politics, be-
ing stirred thereto by the repeal OF
the Missouri compromise. That year
he was elected to the legislature, but
refused to serve, Tie was also can
didate for United States senator, com
ing within a few votes of Winning.
With rare unselfshncss he threw all
his strength to Lyman Trumbull and
elected him. For Lincoln to go to
Trumbull who had but handful OF
supporters. was like the tail waggiDg
the dog. but 1t prevented the election
of proslavery man.
In 1856 Mr.. Lincoln participated In
the formation of the Republican party,
making his great "lost speech at
Bloomington. He also received ITO
votes for vice president in the Kepub-
lican national convention and ran for
elector on the Fremont ticket. Two
| years later came his great debates
with Douglas. which were held at OF
| tawa, Freeport, Jonesboro, Charleston.
Galesburg Quincy and Alton. AS a
result he had popular majority. but
was beaten by holdover senators and
gerrymander.
Following the struggle with Doug
las Mr.. Lincoln made speeches In Ohio.
Kansas, New England and the famous
address In Cooper Union, New York.
Early In 1860 the Illinois state conven-
ton instructed for him for president,
and In the national convention that
met at Chicago, May 1919, he was
nominated on the third ballot. In the
following campaign Mr.. Lincoln re-
manned at home and declined to make
speeches. The Democratic party split
on slavery, which made his election
possible. Following the announcement
OF the result many Of the southern
states seeded, but the president elect
refused TO be drawn into any public
utterance as to his policy On Feb. IL.
1861, he started to Washington, max
ing few short addresses on the way
and secretly passing through Balti-
more because of rumors Of possible