Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-09
TAFT ACCEPTS FOR NATION
Monument Has Cost
$4,000.
MAINTENANCE FUND RAISED
Throng Present From All Parts of
the Country-Union and Con-
federate Veterans Attend.

HODGENvILLE. KY. November o.
Enshrining the log cabin in which Abra-
ham Lincoln first saw light, an imposing
granite memorial to the war President
was dedicated here today and accepted
for the nation by President Taft.
Today's exercises were. in a measure,
continuation of those begun yesterday
at Frankfort when statue to Lincoln
was unveiled in sthe state capitol. The
ceremony this afternoon, however, mark
ed the consummation of a nationwide
movement to convert the Lincoln birth
place into national preserve. Throngs
from all parts of the United States wit.
messed the acceptance of the memorial
and farm for the nation by President Taft.
Former Gov Folk of Missouri, who is
President of the Lincoln Farm Associa-
ton. began the laudation Of LINCOLN and
to this was added tribute by President
Taft. Gov. Wilson. Senator Borah and
Mai. Gen. Rlack. former commander of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Address of Ex-Gov. Folk.
This republic has produced many men
whose deeds have emblazoned the pages
of history, but no name Is now dearer In
the hearts Of the people than that Of the
simple and sublime Lincoln, whose birth
place was as lowly as that Of the Man of
GaIilee,' said former Gov. Folk Of Mis-
souri,. This rude cabin we have preserved
is consecrated by the life of the man who
here came into the world. No poets
fancy, no dream Of fiction can equal the
emerging from this humble hut of ex-
treme poverty the man whose steps were
destined to shake the world and rededi-
70 mis- fn hc of
dom.
washington fought to give us this ma
tion. guaranteeing rights to the indi-
vidual never obtained or exercised by any
other people; Lincoln struggled to keep 1t
a government OF tine people, for the peo-
pie and by the people. Until recently this
place, which should be an object lesson
10 coming generations and hallowed by
every American, was unnoticed and aban-
doned.
Monument for Memorial.
Inspired by the idea that due regard
for the apostle Of human liberty VINO
sprang from this spot demanded the
preservation Of his birthplace, few pa
triotic men organized the Lincoln Farm
Association to purchase this property and
to erect upon 1t a suitable memorial 10
the life that exempnnes so remarkably
the wonderful possibilities in the Amerl-
can republic. Tne movement met with
q reaoy support from every section or
the nation. IN honoring L,nco.n there
is neither north nor south nor east nor
west; there Is one heart in all. and that
the heart Of loyal America. So tins beau
li1ui memorial we today deulcate is not
only In memory Of L,nco,n. but II is
testimony that the fires Of fraternal
natred kindied by the fierce conflict of
n half century ago are dead, and from
the ashes has arisen the red rose Of
patriotism for common country ana
devotion to common fiag."
President Taft's Address.
There is nothing so fascinating. on
the one hand. and nothing so difiicult,
on the other. as the tracing by heredity
of the development OF genius and real
greatness" said President Taft. begin
ming his address.
Perhaps" he continued. this is be-
cause there are so few instances in
history that prompt the search. The
explanation OF Lincoln and his wonder
ful character from his origin and en-
virOnment is almost as difficult as the
explanation of Shakespeare; but the
passion OF the world grows for more in
innate knowledge of his personality
and deeper inquiry into the circum-
stances of his wonderful life
The President noted the appropriate
ness of the memorial on the Lincoln
farm and went on, saying:
Few men have come into public
prominence who came absolutely from
the soil as did Abraham Lincoln. 1t is
difficult TO imagine the lack of COM
fort. accommodation and the necessi-
ties OF life that there were in the
cabin in which he was born. With an
illiterate and shiftless father and a
mother who: though of education and
force. died before he reached youth. his
future was dark indeed. In the step
mother that his father found for him.
however, he had woman of strength
of character and of education enough
to assistShim.''
incoln's lack OF advantages for
study and the pcrsistency with which
he kept up his reading were touched
upon. and the President continued, say
Ing in part:
In Sympathy With the People.
THE almost squalor in which he passed
his early life made him familiar with the
sufferings, thoughts aud sympathies OF
the plain people; and when he came to
great power his understanding Of their
reasoning and of their views gave him, an
advantage in interpreting their attitude
which cannot be overestimated.
His evident sympathy for the colored
race. his reused sense of justice in their
behalf, his earnest passions to secure
them freedom and equality of opportu-
nifty, had their inspirat on in the suffer.
ings and limitations OF his own early
life.
Not Slow, But Cautious.
He was not slow. but he was cautious
deliberate. attentive. as bef1tted one who
oh Itch cis;o