Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-02-20
Washington and Lincoln-a
Comparison and a Contrast
By Rev. Frank Neff, First Methodist Episcopal
Church, of Tulsa, Sunday Evening,
February 18th.

/ ten miles up and down the Potomac
! River, and here he entertained in al
most royal style. Everything dear to
the heart of an aristocratic Virginia
gentleman was at his command, and
for nine happy peaceful years he en.
joyed this life to the full.
What marvellous contrast hore
with Lincoln. Lincoln, at this age,
was In the legislature, having been
| elected at the age of twenty-five.
though defeated two years before.
His legislative career was not es
pecially brilliant, and he was soon re-.
| tired from it, where he took up var
lous pursuits, first as a grocer, thea
a surveyor. and other matters. bat
making no startling success any
where.
AT 2S he was admitted to the bar
and moved to the new capital, Spring
/ field. His plain, bare little office
here, and his almost painful lack o,
funds make startling contrast with
the rich surroundings of Washington
at the same age.
V. Final preparation, till the war.
washington was not particularly
active during this period, but was
alert, helpful, loved and growing. in
spite of his lavish hospitality, he was
so careful in the management of bis
estate that he was one of the richest
men in the country when the war
came lie was member of the First
General Congress, and though no ora
tor, yet took an active part in all
plans to oppose British oppression.
was made chairman of the committee
on military affairs, and was ready
Tor freedom at any cost, fortune and
all considered.
lere Lincoln grew by leaps ana
bounds. AT the age of 81 he was
CHOSEN Harrison elector and fre
quently met in debate Stephen A
Douglass, the ablest debater of his
day. a strong, brilliant, not always
scrupulous politician. But in the lank
homely young Lincoln he had met
his match, for Lincoln usually came
out with credit to himself. At tho
age of "a he tried for Congress. but
was defeated, though three years lat
er he was successful. His record in
Congress was not especially brilliant.
though he did some fair work Ar
the age of 33 he married Miss Mary
Todd, of Lexington Ky. Tn emar-
rage was not a very happy one, but
II had the effect of making a better
lawyer of him. and he was too much
OF a gentleman TO air his domestic
troubles. He paid close attention 10
MS law practice, was very careful IN
taxing cases, trying always TO be on |
the side of right usually took very |
small fees, and never making much |
money from his practice. The great
issue coming before the people at this
tlme mas the extension of slavery. |
Lincoln was not. at first, an aboli. |
tlonist, but did most vigorously on
pose the extension of slavery. There
had been temporary lull on this
question, following the celebrated
Compromise. of 1920, where
by Missouri was admitted as a slave
state, but no more slave states were
to be admitted north of $3.50. the
southern boundary OF Missouri. But
his was only temporary measure.
satisfying neither side permanently
IN the North there was a rising tide
or total abolition. In the South the
eaders were active in their efforts
o push slavery into the territories
For thirty years the struggle contIn-
led, until 1t began to look like n dis
ioluton Of the Union. Again. in 1850.
Henry Clay. who dearly loved the
Union, came on the scene as the
Great Pacificator." and succeeded In
laving Congress pass another Com.
'romise" bill, which. for time. al
ayed the terrible unrest. BY the
erms Of this bill California came jn
IS free state, the territories of New
Mexico and Utah were to come IN
lave or free. as the people should
'ote at the time; slavery was abol
shed in the District Of Columbia;
more severe fugitive slave law was
and Texas was given ten
million dollars for the part Of New .
Mexico she lost. For q time this
alse measure seemed TO be accom-.
'lishing its purpose. but 1t could not
asst long. In the North there soon !!