New-York tribune., 1910-12-08
LINCOLN'S PLACE IN HISTORY
Ambassador Reid Delivers an
Address at Birmingham.
By Cable 10 The Tribune.

fESy Cable 10 The tribune
Birmingham, Dec. THE American
Ambassadors lecture on Abraham Lin
coin. read tonight in the Midland Insti-
tute was the last one of a series on
Makers Of History in the Nineteenth
Century,
This course was arranged by joint
committee of the University of Birming-
ham and the Workers Educational
Association. Previous lectures in the
course were delivered in the Medical
Theatre. but the pressure for seats at
the amba ssador's lecture was SO great
that a larger hall was necessary. The
institute was filed with serious and at
tentive listeners, representing mainly
the working people
The lecture in subject and manner Of
presentation was well suited TO the audi
ence It revealed the success of a poor
neglected. uneducated Kentucky boy in
making a great thing of his life. The
address was delivered in an easy
natural style. with frequent changes Of
was shown by the prolonged applause at
the close.
Among the prominent men present
were Chancellor Beale Vice Prin-
cipal Heath. Canon Masterman. DR..
Frankland, a dozen or more professors
of the faculties of science, arts and
medicine and as many of the local clergy
and ministers Mrs. Chamberlain sat
beside Mrs. Reid on the platform.
The ambassador was introduced by
Sir Oliver Lodge principal of the uni
versity. and was warmly welcomed by
the audience
Mr.. Reid began with a quiet Demon
stration Of the impractica ability of say
ing anything new about a subject
already comprising libraries. and with a
modest reference to his own acquaint-
ance with Lincoln
He speedily commanded attention by
the emphatic declaration that Lincoln as
a maker of history was greater than
Bismarck Gambetta. Marquis Ito or
most OF the eminent Englishmen of the
nineteenth century. and by proving it
in a few terse sentences. He exposed
with vivacity and fine irony the distor-
tons with which Lincoln's fame had
been overlaid by unwise eulogists and
thrilled his audience with a honeIy ac-
count of the early years and strenuous
struggles of the future ernancipator, who
was always in touch with the plain peo-
pie.
The ambassadors analysis Of the slave
power and his description of the momen-
tous debate between Douglas and Lin
colin were conspicuous for lucidity. and
there We're frequent outbursts Of ap-
plause as the causes Of the Civil War
were explained; and the Presidents tact
in the Trent affair and his sagacity in
deferring emancipation until the nation
was ready for it We're extolled.
The ambassadors reference to Queen
Victoria was heartily appreciated The
war period was summed up in a few
glowing periods. and the address was
closed with q, short passage from Lin
coins second inaugural address and a
simple but impressive peroration.
Appreciative speeches of thanks fol-
lowed a long round of applause, and the
ambassador was heartily congra tulated
by Sir Oliver Lodge and the other dig
nitaries on the platform.
1t was without doubt the most
scholarly and thoughtful address which
Mr.. Reid has delivered in England.
Ambassador and Mrs. Reid took tea with
Joseph Chamberlain and Mrs. Chamber
lain before dining with their host, Sir
Oliver Lodge. They will go to Dudley
tomorrow, where the ambassador has
promised TO open the girls high school.
of which their daughter, Mrs. John
Ward, laid the cornerstone some time
ago
The full text OF Mr.. Reid's address will
he found OF page 10.