The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-25
THE LINCOLN WAY.
winning grafton in the Plymouth
Contest)


through the territory over which
Lincoln travelled when he emigrated
from Indiana to his later home near
Springfield. The Highway is known
as the Lincoln way.
When Abraham Lincoln made this
journey the country was unsettled
and 'undeveloped. Travel at that
time was impeded, more or less, by
dense forests, swamps and un-
bridged streams. The Lincoln Way
called for he ingenuity of sa-
gacious frontiersman. The young
pioneer had been reared under con-
ditions that hardships and desola-
ton could not stagger. He crossed
the country with an unfaltering
zeal. 1t was a new journey but
with confidence in himself and
faith in God he risked the wilds and
began a career that has designated
him-a man of destiny.
The Lincoln Way may be thought
of as a rough pathway through
forest and swampland of our own
and sister state, but in a broader
meaning it stands for resolution
and decision as to principles Of
government.
Before Abraham Lincoln per-
sonality had been stamped upon the
hearts of the American people, men
and women of an inferior race were
bought and sold as chattels. Once
while in New Orleans he witnessed
a scene that left a lasting impress
sion-a young negro girl was plao-
ed upon the auction block in a
public square and sold to the high
est bidder. From that moment the
real "Lincoln Way" unfolded itself
to that emancipation of a race in
bondage.
Do you ask what is meant by the
"Lincoln Way?" / answer that
the ''Lincoln Way" is Gods way.
When great wrongs develop, affect
ing nations and peoples, God in His
Infinite wisdom has never failed to
crystalize the highest and noblest
thought and to direct toward the
fulfilment of righteous purpose. In
these crucial periods, when old
opinions crumble, leaders come
forth possessed of wisdom, courage
and fidelity essential to the working
out of reformatiOns that raise
humanity's ideals and make for
more perfect civilization.
1t was infinite wisdom that pre-
pared and directed the dowly
Nazarene who emphazized sympathy
and love as the righteous motives of
the human heart and it was infinite
wisdom that translated Him when
His mission was ended. Socrates
admitted "Divine Voice. when
he denied the gods recognized by
the state, and that same voice
prompted his removal when he drank
the Hemlock. Savonarola stood the
torture of fame to establish an ideal
christian republic and died at the
stake as a penalty for heralding the
reformation. Martin Luther saw
the sin in the sale of indulgences
and aroused the world at the sacri-
flee of personal liberty.
As these reformers stood fol-
righteous ideals and higher civiiiza-
ton, so did Abraham Lincoln focus
in himself a sentiment for liberty
and justice that moved the world
Was it mere chance that these
men were the central figures in the
great movements In which they
figured? Their lives, prior to then
eminence, were in accord with the
responsibilities they bore when the
time for action came. Opportunitie:
came alike to other men as wen a!
to them. What silent voice directe,
them and failed to impress the sam,
wise and righteous conduct il
others? There can be but on,
answer These were chosen men >.
God. They had more than morta
vision-more than mortal judgmen
and wisdom. The "Lincoln Way
may describe the journey of tn
martyr president in boyhood from
Indiana to Illinois but in its idea
significance it is the way of Luther
of Savonarola, of Socrates, Z
mans Savior, of God, the infinite
| Lincoln was not an accident. Hi
place in the nations affairs wa
seemingly made for him. His wa
way carved by destiny and some
thing other than human thought i'm
pressed mankind that In him was
leader that centralized the force o
a great movement that was appea
ing to the consciences of men.
1t was no ordinary man VIII
could cause a nation to make wa
for his advance IN 1aadorsb;x an