The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-11-19

and a wealth of eloquent delivery, Mr.
Fish read the beautiful story. 1t tells
how Lincoln rode on the train that
day, overcome with the great respon'
sibility of framing his course, ,unpol-
ished language into q speech Tor the
American people, his countrynen. As
he sits looking out the window he
resolves to try. He sees opposite him
Edward Everett, the orator of the fol-
lowing day, the finished gentleman
the careful student, the heir Of tradi-
tions Of learning and breeding, OF
scholarly Instincts and resources; but
realizes his duty, and on a ragged, torn
piece of brown wrapping paper ne ap-
plies the broken stump OF a pencil. He
finished in disgust. 1t was q failure,
but he pocketed it and looked out the
car window again, only wishing he
could fulfill his obligation to his peo-
pie the next day.
The story goes on to tell Of the great
throng gathered there at Gettysburg
just fifty years ago today. Everett
the mighty oratory finished his adj
dress, and a seetning storm of APP
plause acknowledges a. successful
grafton.
And then the tall gaunt ~apparition
arose, Abraham Lincoln who was
president would address the people.
i w 0uoSC SAA ~ "a "a ~
caused a momentary litter, but it
melted away His high voice gathered
volume, his dignity increased. There
we're no smiles now. He had some
thing to say, the mighty thoughts on
the brown wrapping paper, vertically
chiselled from the rock Of this sin
certify.
The Grafton has gathered momentum
in this half century on its rush to the
front ranks of immortal works; every
school boy today learns 1t, but Lincoln
was disappointed. The author des-
cribes the scene. Lincoln finished
THAT this nation under God shall
| have a new birth of freedom, and that
government Of the people, by the peo-
pie, for the people shall not perish
from the cath"
There was no sound from the silent
vast assembly. The presidents large
figure stood before them, at first in
spired, glorifed with the thrill anc
swing Of his words, 1apsing slowly In
the stiffness into lax, u~ngraceful lines
He stared at them for a moment with
sad eyes full of ~gentleness, Of resigna'
ton, and in the deep quiet they stared
at him. Not a hand was lifted in ap-
plause! Slowly the big awkward mar
| slouched back across the platform anC
sank into his seat. and yet there was
no sound of approval. of recognition
from the audience; only a long sigl
ran like a ripple on an ocean through
rank after rank. In Lincoln's heart 9
throb of pain answered it. His speech
had been, as he feared it would be-
a failure! AS he gazed steadily al
these his countrymen who would MOI
give him even a little perfunctory ap.
plause for his best effort, he knew thai
the disappointment or 1t cut into his
soul. And he was aware that there
was music, the choir was singing g
dirge; his part was done, and his par
had failed"
The story tells how Lincoln avoided
any mention Of the failure, but Ev-
erett. the brilliant orator, after hear
ing. Lincoln's eulogy on the speaker OF
the day, arose and exclaimed, 'Mr
President! I should be glad If I could
| f1atter myself that I came as near the
central idea of the occasion in two
hours as you did in two minutes"
The next day Lincoln grieved over
his failure, and it was but by chance
that he realized the truth, the signifl