Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-12
Abraham Lincoln.

II is certain that Abraham Lincoln
Is the brightest ornament OF our ma
tion--fhe greatest man America has
produced. The names of many states
men must be hidden, because OF some
stain on their moral character, but
Abraham Lincoln's may be exposed to
the brightest light and not "a single
blot viii be visible.
Born in poverty with obstacles to
progression on every side, he strug-
gled on. His whole schooling, taken
together, would not make q, year, and
It was received in the country scnooIs
of the backwoods. He worked haro 10
obtain books from neighbors. THESE
he studied diligently. and he was
wonder to all who beheld him.
Despite his rough surroundings, he
developed into youth OF great
strength OF character. His first intell +,
Vence of his greatness was occasioneo
by an incident at Cooper institution.
After he had delivered what he Thought
a very commonplace speech he was &C
costed by an orator who asked MIN
where he received his education. He
was bound to answer In the school
Of experience"
This was indeed where he obtained
his knowledge, from nature and with
nature. Great wonder Is expressed at
this man, q typical bacSwoodsman,
with a lean, yellow face. masked with
wrinkles, and upkempt hair. what a
tower Of light and strength he mas
proved himself!
Nothing Is more noteworthy IN ms
character than his simplicity and kind
ness. Even when he was head OF our
government, no walked with the peo-
ME. talked with them, and never raised
himself either. in imagination or in
reality O peg higher than the lowest
man IN the country.
And his speeches-they were so
simple that many a farmer whose IN :
teilect was du1led by toll heard and
understood and marvelled.
His strength of body, added to that
of his character, worked wonders
Nothing could daunt him. Many
time he did not know where his next
dollar was to come from, but he trust
Cd firmly in God and was always re-
warded for his faith.
Lincoln may be called the savior Of
our country. It was he who guided
the nation so prayerfully and success
fully through the great Civil war. He
belIion taking its sword so determined
" from the scaibbard he was then
ready and willing to stand up for his
nation, to preserve II, unbroken. at any
cost His constant thought was Of his
country and how to serve II faithfully
It seems as n this great man were
born for this especial time. the time
when our country needed g. wise and
careful head. He proved himself
genius Of common sense, He took, as
n were, the screws out of the engine
which guided the nation. He held
them IN his hands, without mixing
them, and showed the false construe-
tiCn Of its secret parts.
The honor and fame Of Jackson ana
the other statesmen OF our country
was only temporary. These names
have faded with passing years from
modern history. but LAncoln's name is
ever fresh and bright, and II is hon
ored not only with respect but with
what is far better, with love. His
fame has ieaped the boundaries Of our
country and now belongs to mankind
and the ages.
Just after the people had joyfully
reelected him he fell by an assassin's
hand and Columbia mourned over this.
the uutimeiy end. Of her noblest son.
with truth may William Cullen Bry-
ant proclaim the words Of his poem
that his proud monument is the brok-
en- letters of the slave and that his is
an honored grave. II. c. 5.
Norwich.