The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-31

coin, to what has been said by our speaker today as we'll as by the count less historians who have yied in land ing his sterling ualities of patriotism and his enviable virtues of manhood yet l cannot refran in passing from calling attention to the significance of this exercise, and to the Inspiration that ths tablet should furnish to
 oung America as we find him ex-' emplified in the rugged. lusty lunged, freedom loving school boy of our cos mopolitan city.
 "Lincoln's visit to Bridgeport, more than half century ago, was regarded as an event of unusual importance, but were. it not for his subsequent achleVementS, that event would not have been chronicled as a happening to be commemorated in this manner. For Lincoln, in those days, was mere ly upon the threshold of his national career, with all the vigor and enthu- siasm of his I6domitable personality to lend force to his utterances, he swayed at will the emotions of his hearers. Those of you who were fortunate enough to have heard Lin- coin on that occasion recall to this day his characteristic address, with its straightforward and convincing logic, keen wit and effective sarcasm. Lincoln's address, just as it was de- livered in this city, was again heard in Cooper Union in New York city a short time afterward. Then it was that the metropolitan dailies, taking up the irrefutable logic of his argu- ments, spread his doctrine broadcast, and implanted him firmly in the field of national activities. Standing upon ths very spot upon which we are today gathered to pay tribute to his memory, he gave utterance to the or1r I,o+ lot chronicled throughout the land.
 Wonderful Changes.
 When we turn history's page back to this memorable event, we cannot but marvel at the wonderful changes that God hath wrought in this land of ours. We cannot but renew our admiration for the inspiring career of the great emancipator. We can not but renew our pledges of fealty to our glorious and united republic. We cannot but urge our children to an emulation of this wonderful figure of our country's history.
 "OocaSionS such as this serve to enliven the spirit of patriotism among us. They act as an inspiration to our young people, an incentive to- them to nurture and cherish such ideals as guided the patriot Lincoln through many a stormy hour, and held him unswervingly upon the path of duty. Would that these self-same lofty ideals, these guiding principles of Lincoln's life, might be indellibly inn pressed upon the hearts and minds of every American boy and girl!
 'The story of Lincoln's early life, his privations, his toll, his studies by the light of blazing pine knot,-an this is too well known to you my friends to occasion any comment on my part. But I want to call your attention in passing to what I con- sider the keynote of Lincoln's suc- cess, his honesty of purpose. And when you chance to pass this spot, this scene of Lincoln's first public ap- pearance in our city, pause for a mo- ment to dwell upon that inspiring principle of Lincoln's life. Per chance it will serve as an inspiration to you, an incentive to nobler deeds.
 ''This is the day when throughout try are honored the names and deeds of those who sacrificed all that the union might live. And while we in our humble way are sharing in this natonal eulogy, it is especially fitting that we should in this way pay tri- bute to the memory of Lincoln, the greatest patriot of them all. Let us hope that this tablet, placed here upon the walls of our city hall may be symbolic of the Lincoln that, please God, will rise up among us to contri- bute to the preservation, peace and prosperity of our naIon.
 Ladies and gentlemen, in behalf of the city of Bridgeport, whose repre- sentative I have the honor to be, I now formally accept this tablet to the memory of Abraham Lincoln.''
 This completed the exercises. After the exercises started a number of peo- ple gathered in front of the city hall while others entered the building f1ll- ing the corridor for more than half the distance through the building. When the exercises were over the public was allowed to enter the build ing and inspect the tablet all it de- sired.