The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-02-12
FROM CABIN TO
The PRESIDENCY.
Stepping Stones, Laborer,
Merchant Lawyer.
A Firm Believer in Brotherhood
Of Men Was Abra- 4.
sa ham Lincoln, A,..

i /.
United States Senator William o,
Bradley has penned the following trib-
ute to the immortal Abe Lincoln.
The life OF Abraham Lincoln fur
nished the best evidence OF the hber-
atty of our republican Government
and what mind and ambition may ac-
complish despite the most unfavora-
BILE surroundings. He was born In the
direst poverty. had no distinguished an
cesors or powerful friends, never
the'ess he travelled the highways of
human endeayor from the cabin TO the
laborer, from the laborer 10 the mer-
chant, from the merchant to the
lawyer. from the lawyer to ehe SOL
der, from the soldier to the statesman
from the statesman to the Presiden-
cy and in each of these avocations and
positions reached the highest altitude.
Honesty, industry and integrity were
hts wach words. He was q. born
great and grew greater until the
bullet Of the assassin cut short his
Unparalleled career. With but few
educational advantages he criticised
and altered the State papers of Sec
rotary Seward, one OF the most ac-
complished scholars of his day. The
official papers Of Mr.. Lincoln are the
most powerful and in some respects
the most beautiful of any President
we have ever had. His debates with
Douglas were masterpieces; his ora
ton at Gettysburg a classic.
In the midst Of the greatest war
in history, confronted on one side
by the Abolitionists demanding some
word Of promise that slavery should
no longer ex list, and on the, other
by the loyal men of the slave States
demanding some promise that the in-
stttution should not be interfered with
unmoved by their threats but calm as
a waveless sea, his answer simple
and patriotic, yet wonderful. was, IL
IT be necessary that slavery should
continue that the Union should be
preserved. then dt should continue; If
1t be necessary that slavery should
perish that the Union should be pre-
served, then 1t should perish. That
answer was sufficient and turned
away wrath for by IL all were con-
yinced that property rights were in
significant when compared with the
life of the nation.
. He believed that every man should /
be, as he was. his own master. AL,
lover of liberty he was necessary ~ the
iespiser OF oppression. His kind
ness of heart, his leadership TO all /
were beautifully blended with sublime ,
courage. He was intensely human as I
ne was intensely American. He [
believed in the brotherhood of man I
md that all men were equal before {
he law. Riches with him was not I
badge of honor, nor was poverty I
badge of shame. He was the born
apostle of freedom; for 1t he Plead. ed I
or 1t he died. The broken letters I
If the slave are his proudest monument I
he love of united people his noblest {
.piaph. Other names viii perish y
tut his will live, growing brighter
through coming time. The world will
lever produce another Lincoln. There
nay be as there has been limitations, .
here have been and will be other h
tatesmen and Presidents but with him N
hey are as bright stars that plle On u
he midday sun. His fame is not a
'ounded by State lines nor is it The !,
ole heritage of any political party y
nut 1t is the proud heritage of all the n
cope for whom he lived and died. Z,
Kentucky gave him birth, and while o
onored by many SONS, is most e.
onored by him, the "old Lincoln a
lone, should become the mecca OF a,
he American people, and an who Wis a
1t should be inspired by higher and q
obler resolves and should have kin tc
led anew upon the affairs of their ii
carts the patriotic fire which burn fc
in his. cis