The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-02-17

committee! Yes, replied Jones.
could build . bridge to tho inferna
regions II necessary. The commit
tee was Mortified; but after Jones hat
retired, Brown said thoughtfuily,
know Jones so well, and he 30 honest
a man and so good builder that II
he says he can build a bridge t.
hades, why, believe it, but I have
| my doubts about the abutments or
the internal side.
So said Lincoln, when politicians
say they can harmonic the north
ern and the southern wings Of thu
Democracy. why, believe them, but
l have my doubts about the abutments
on the southern side."
| His answer was a joke in response
to very serious questions BY his cab
met officers to be, but it signified hi:
answer in no uncertain terms. ant
demonstrated his deep understanding
Of the issues involved.
think no more intimate view Of
Lincoln's character was ever obtain
ed, than that had at the occasion OF
nag raising at Independence hail al
Philade. phia, at which time, the occa-
sion being Washingtons birthday just
before his first Inauguration, he said !:
Il am filed with deep emotion at
finding myself standing in this place
where were collected together the
wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion
to principle from which sprang the
institutions under which We live.
! You have kindly suggested. to, me
that in my hands is the task of re-
storing peace to our distracted coun-
try. l can say tin return, sir. that
all the political sentiments l entertain
have been drawn, SO far as ! have
been able to draw them, from the
sentiments which originated in and
were given to the world from this
hall. have never had a feeling,
politically. that did not spring from
the sentiments embodied in the De-
claration. Of independence.
have often pondered over the dan
gers which were incurred by the men
who assembled here and framed and
adopted that declaration.
have pondered over the tolls that
were endured by the officers and FOL
diers who achieved that indepen-
aence.. ! have often inquired of my
self, what great idea or principle lit
was that kept this confederacy 30
long together. 1t was not the mere
idea of separation of the colonies
from the mother land, but it was that
sentiment in the Declaration Of In
dependence which gave liberty not
alone to the people of this country,
but hope to all the word, for all flu
ture time. 1t was that which gave
promise that in due time the weights
should be lifted from the shoulders
of all men, and that all should have
an equal chance. This is the senti-
ment embodied in the Declaration of
independence. a.,
Now my friends, can this country
be saved on that basis? ,=f>
If it can will consider myself one
Of the happ:est men in the world3gjf
I can help to save it. II it cannotSM
saved upon that principle. it villa
truly awful. But if this country
cannot be saved. without giving up
that principle, l. was about to say
I would rather be assassinated on this
spot than surrender it,. -
Now, in my view of the present as
pect Of affairs. there Is, no need Of
bloodshed and war. There is no ne
cessity for it, I am not in favor Of
such course. and may say In EVIL
dence that here will b emo blood shed
unless it is forced upon the govern
ment. The government will not use
force unless force is used. against #.
My friends, this .is. wholly an un-
prepared speech. ! id not expect, 70
be called on. to say a word when I
came here. / supposed Twas mere
ly to do something towards raising 2
flag, may, therefore, have. said some
thing indiscreet. But / have said
nothing but vhat~I am willing to
I've by and, II 1t be the pleasure Of
Almighty God, to de by m
This speech. discloses as plain as
though the fact were writ in scroll
of fire, the great character Of the
man, the depth-:of feeling, the irwin
cible,, .deathless. courage, the search
for justice, fer civic Righteousness, the
wisdom that inevitably comes to those
whose habits of thought are Just, and
who think the truth. Lincoln's spon
taneous speeches are demonstrations
of the fact that the habits of the
mind in the end control the actions
of every human being e = +:
Some people start out with, the no.
ton, that they can effectual concea
their thoughts, and perhaps in ref
erence to particular facts and .occa
SONS they can, but just as Lincoln:
life demonstrated the greatness Q
his thoughts, so does the man Wit
| dwells on fa1sehood, meanness, AMI
injustice inevitably in time disclose
the true inward character. u
Habits of thought scar the brail