The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-09
TO ABE LINCOLN.
Dedication of the Memorial Hall
at HOdgenVilIe, Ky.
1t Shelters the Cabin Where He
Was Born.
S COST $4,000.
Thousands Journey to the Spot
for the Ceremony.
Twenty Special Trains Carrying
Visitsrs Frsm Louisville.

Hodgenville, Ky, Nov 9.=Enshrin-
ing the log cabin in which Abraham
Lincoln was born, an imposing granite
memorial to him was dedicated here
today and accepted for the nation by
President Taft. The memorial stands
in the center of the farm on which
Lincoln's parents settled after their
long journey from Virginia Today's
/ exercises were in a measure a contin-
uation of those begun yesterday at
Frankfort, when a statue to Lincoln
was unveiled in the state capitol. The
ceremony, however, marked the con-
summation of a nationwide movement
/ to convert the Lincoln birthplace into
/ a national preserve.
ThronSs from all parts of the United
States with nessed the acceptance of the
memorial and farm for the nation by
President Taft. Former Governor Folk
OF Missouri, who is president of the
Lincoln Farm association, began lauda-
tion OF Lincoln, and to this was add
ed tribute by President Taft. Gov
ernor Wilson, Senator Borah and Ma
Jor General Black, former commander
OF the Grand Army or the Republic.
The great granite building COM
peted, provided out of contributions of
loyal Americans and endowed by the I,
occupies the site of the cabin in which
Lincoln was born near The center Of the
Lincoln farm, the shrine today of the
NiAoAt u ullI2- cut mt Que Ws.il OF
the memorial hall are these ords:
Here over the log cabin where
Abraham Lincoln was born destined to
preserve the union and free the slaves
a grateful people have dedicated this
memorial to unity, peace and brother
hood among these states"
W Wlth1n is the rude cabin of )gs,
the same that the newly welded Lin
c In and Nancy Hanks Dui't WI. they
took possession of the farm that today
becomes a national ark Rober+ j.
Collier, chairman of the executive COM
nittee of the Lincoln Farm association
has written Governor Wilson, formal
~ notifying him that the memorial
costing S112,000 has been erected nd
paid for and that fund of some $50
600 has been completed and invested IL
safe security the income to provide the /
necessary maintenance fund.
Governor Wilson, who made public /
last night his reply has accepted the T
trust in the name of the commonwealth |
providing only that formal transfer
await the action of his successor. Gov I
ernor Ni.Crearv acd the nAxt state leg
islature.
Today President Taft received the I
memorial in the name of the nation. T
Veterans of both union and confederate +
armies, notables of states and nation |
representatives of the army and other /
g avernment departments are here IN
or coming and 20 special trains
are carrying people who had assem- blsd
in Louisville
The Presidents Address.
There is nothing SO fascinating Oh
the one hand and nothing so difficult
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
full 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
intimate Knowledge of his personality
and a deeper inquiry into the circum-
stances of MS wonderful life.
Few men have come into public
prominence who came absolutely from
is difficult to imagine the lack of COM
ties of life that there were in the cabin
in which ne was born With an IL
literate and shiftless father, and a
mother who, though of education and
force. died before he reached youth,
his future was dark indeed. In the
stepmOther that his father found for ,
him. however. he had a woman of
strength of character and education
enough to assist him.
The almost squalor in which he
passed his early life made him faInil-
lar with the sufferings, thoughts and
sympathies of the plain people; and
when he came to great power his un-
7erstanding of their reasoning and of :
their views gave him an advantage in !
interpreting their attitude which can
tads !