Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-14
AUDIENCE Sees
LINCOLN s Letter
PRESIDENT FULTON GAVE ChAU-
TAuoUANs BIT or UNPus-
LIsHED history.

Fairfield, Aug. 13.-Under the most
delightful weather conditions the tenth
annual session OF the Fairfield chau.
tauqua was formally opened yesterday
afternoon at 8 o'clock. A large audi
ence heard the opening program and
IL 10 estimated that fully four thousand
people attended the evening entertain
ment.
Charles J. Fulton, president OF
the association, gave to Fairfield peo-
pie bit Of thus far unpublished his
tory In his welcoming address and
introduction OF Benjamin Chaplin. the
famous impersonator Of Abraham Lin
coin. Two letters, one from the So
ciety Of Friends at Prairie Grove,
Salem. Henry county, Iowa, and the
other from the hand OF the great
president were shown to the immense
audience by Mr.. Fulton and afterward
read by him. They formed the basis
OF his introduction Of Mr.. Chaplin and
they read as follows:
TO Abraham Lincoln, President OF the
United States, Washington, D. G..
Esteemed Friend:--On behalf Of the
religious society Of the Friends of the
state OF Iowa whom we represent we
desire to briefly express to thee, the
very deep solicitude we feel that In the
present perilous condition Of the ma
tons life thou mayest be favored TO-
ask counsel OF him who holdeth the
destinies Of nations In his hands.
We desire to express our united ap-
prevail Of thy late proclamation OF
prospective emancipation, We believe
1t is intrinsically right and in the direc-
ton to bring about permanent peace
In our beloved country and we hope 1t
may be carried out uncompromisingly,
At this very late period We can do
but little moro than bear our testt-
mony in favor Of justice and liberty,
and like Aaron and Heer of old would
gladly hold up thy hands as they did
the hands Of Moses. In Christian love
We subscribe ourselves thy friends
Signed by direction Of Prairie Grove
monthly meeting, Henry county, Iowa
Caleb Russell,
Sallie A. Fenton, Clerks.
18th month, 9th day, 1862.
Executive Mansion, Washingt
ID. C., Jan. 8, 1863.
MY Good Friends: The Hon. Sena-
tor Harlan Hay has just placed In my
hands your letter of the 9th Of Decem-
Der, which have read with pleasure
and gratitude.
1t is most cheering and encouraging
tor me to know that In the effort
I have made and am making for the
restoration of righteous peace to our
country, 1 am upheld and sustained by
the good wishes and prayers Of Gods
people.
No one 10 more deeply aware. than
myself that without his favor our
highest wisdom IL but foolishneBs and
that our most strenuous efforts would
avail nothing In the shadow Of his
ldispleasure. I am conscious of no de-
sire for my country's welfare that Ia
not In consonance with His will. and of
no plan upon which we may not ask
his blessing.
It seems to me that II there is one
good subject upon which all good men
may unitedly agree, It Is the imploring
of the gracious favor of the God OF Ma
lions upon the struggles our people are
making for the preservation OF their
precious birth right Of civil and re-
Iligious liberty.
l. very Truly your IIlSuu,
A. Lincoln.
nc Caleb Russell and Sallie A. Fenton,
/ secretaries
III. Chapin's representations Of the
great war president was one Of the
best entertainments ever given on the
Fairfield chautauQua platform. From
the moment he appeared with the
quaint gray shawl wrapped over his
shoulders until he closed the program,
leaving for the fheater where he re-
ceiyed the fatal shot everybody was
interested and instructed.
While some few people we're still
disappointed at the non-appearance Of
| the great detective, William j. Burns
last evening, thousands we're highly
entertained by Patrick J. O'Brien, the
| big Irish chief of the Chicago detec-
tivb force.
The Schumann Quintet, which was
here for the opening day only was
greeted as an old friend and the mem
hers Of the company responded ac-
cordingly and the most exquisite
music was the result with every num-
Der encored
The United Commercial Travellers
and their families and friends will hold
picnic on the chautauqua grounds
Saturday afternoon Immediately after
the entertainment.
The Elks, the Yeomen and the Orios
OF Parsons college have each planned
picnics for Friday afternoon and all
Of these organizations expect many
out of town visitors.
noon, conducted by the Rev. w. G..
Hengen. The choir OF Trinity church
will furnish the music. Interment