The Washington herald., 1911-02-13

Old and young of church and state
united in exercises concentrating the
102d anniversary of the birth Of Abra-
ham Lincoln yesterday. AS patriot and
statesman, prophet and leader, the life
of the Man of Sorrows was viewed by
thousands through the eyes of eloquent
speakers of Washington. In this city,
the scene of his greatest labors, triumphs,
and tribulations, the Great Emanclpator
was reverently recalled in the spirit.
Some remembered him; few there
were who had risked their lives in his
armies that his policies might be carried
to elimination, and others had heard of
his great works from the lips of those
who went through the horrors of civil
war with him. An approached the shrine
of his memory in reverent admiration.
Recounting the calumny and vitupera-
tive abuse that was heaped on his head
from all quarters during the first two
years of Lincoln's first administration,
and from many quarters up to the time
of his tragic death, speakers applied the
Scriptural phrase, "A prophet is not with
out honor except in his own country"
to his case and begged the people of
this country to learn from that the un-
wisdom of hasty, unfavorable criticism
of public men and their works. Repre-
sentative William Sulzer, of New York,
epitomized the lessons drawn by many
from Iincoln's place in history when he
urged his hearers to do justice to the
living as we'll as the dead" Former Rep
resentative Adam Bede, of Minnesota,
from the same platform, urged reversal
of custom to bring about flowers for
the living and honor for the dead"
Draws Lessons from His Life.
]. Adam Bede, forrier Representative
from Minnesota fnd noted as the House
wit was one of the speakers at a meeting
under the auspices of Presidents Own
Garrison. No. 104, Army and Navy Union,
at the National Theater last night Mr..
Bede, who admitted he had given much
advice while in Congress, even to advis-
ing that body to swap the Philippines
for ireland and rails, our own policemen"
drew lessons from Lincoln's life for
present-day application.
Mr. Bede had much to say on the scope
of a Congressman's labcrs in Washing
ton. "If every one of the 391 members
in Congress is sent there to lobby for
his own particular district, spending all
his time in looking after small matters
of interest to his particular district
instead of lobbying for the whole
United States. We will never solve the
great problems of the day." said the
former House wit. II don't care how
great or promising a man he may be at
home, if he is so directed by his con-
stituents that he is able to do nothing
but lobby fo- his district he can never he
of any aid in settling the problems con-
fronting Congress.
IF, on the other hand, he is instructed
to look after his Congressional districts
interests as a matter OF course, paying
attention to them when they really need
it, but making it his greatest duty to
study the great national questions OF the
United States and to vote as he believes
the interests of the great American peo-
pie demand, then every Congressman, no
matter how humble a man he may be at
home, will be real statesman when he
arrives on the banks of the Potomac"
SuIzer Favors Pensions.
William Sulzer, OF New York, ranking
minority member of the House Commit
tee on Military Affairs, thought it better
to spend money for pensions of soldiers
than for battle ships.
II want to say right here" he said, in
the course of his remarks, that in the
sixteen years 1 have been in Congress
1 have never voted against a just pen
sion bill We owe everything We have
to the soldiers who fought under the |
direction of Abraham Lincoln.
I'VE think nothing of voting an appro-
priation of $1,000, 900 for a couple of new !
battle ships, but when the question of |
pensioning the old soldiers, who made |
all such appropriations possible, is |
raised, the cry OF economy goes from |
all quarters. That is false economy. |
I'm against it,
Former Senator John NJ Thurston, of |
Nebraska, was the permanent chairman |
Of the meeting. In an eloquent euIogy |
Of the martyred President, Mr.. Thurston |
attributed his leadership of men to his |
and. prophetic vision. based |
on his knowledge OF the hearts and char
acters of men.
Rev. George Fiske Dudley. M. A, spoke
the invocation, after which Otto Sontag,
of the garrison, introduced /
Department Commander w. H. Roach,
Of the Army and Navy Union. Mr.. Roach
spoke briefly before presenting ex-senator
as the permanent chairman
Music was furnished by section of the
Marine Band. Mrs. Arthur Dunn sang
The Star Spangled Banner" and Mrs.
Ethel H. Gawler sang Dixie" The ex-
ercises closed with the benediction, which
was pronounced by Rev. DR.. ]. Henning
Nelms.