The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-08-07
votion to right and duty, as was given
them to understand their duty, and the

LIE NIX ODxAkV
votion to right and duty, as was given
them to understand their duty. and the
depth OF love and sincerity, embodied in
their nature. 1t is our province, how
ever, to speak more particularly OF the
character of Lincoln. In my estimation
time, the '.grandest figure Of the fierc-
est Civil War; He is the sweetest
memory of our people. Bora in log
cabin in the wilderness, in poverty and
without neighbours or friends, he lived
to occupy the grandest mansion our ma
ton boasts, and died with the civilized
world weeping at his bedside. With but
six weeks schooling in his whole life, he
lived to speak and write the English
language with greater force and purity
than any man of his time. While he had
no schooling, his education never ceased.
Nature was always an open book to him,
and he drew inspiration from the rocks
and the rivers, the forests and the seas,
the storms of the earth, and the stars in
the overhanging sky, while his fellow
men were the classics that developed
his love Of mankind and taught him his
DUTY IN his relations thereto. He lived
closer to, and penetrated deeper into,
the hearts Of the people than any or all
other men, understood better the trend
OF their wants, needs ana hopes, and the
pest thing to be done and when to do it, to
hit the humble to a clearer conception
OF right and duty. In argument, clear
and convincing, in judgments, kind and
just. His ready humour and pathos,
mingled smiles and tears had STAYED
many rough storms from the clash of
public opinion. He saw sunlight through
the darkest cloud, and the coming storm
behind the cloudless day. In the fever
heat of distracted public opinion he
quickly discerned the path of duty and
understood, although not always with
out deep sorrow, in following it. In bio
graphy | do not find his kind or his
equal. He is not type. He seems to
stand alone-an outgrowth of all the
people, the product of his race and time:
with a character builded upon human
suffering, strengthened by human want,
broadened by human hope. His sym
pathy was deep and sincere and often
almost overpowered him; SO strong and
deep We're its marks on his face that it
seemed almost tragic. Holding the office
of President, he was COMMANDMENT
Chief of the army and navy, and was
the final srbiter to whom all questions
We're submitted Not unfrequently his
generals complained of him bitterly for
the frequent exercise of the pardoning
power reposed in him. He once replied
that live man was of more use than a
dead one, and if life or death depended
upon him he believed he could rest with
a clearer conscience if the life Continued.
One day woman was admitted to his
presence. She was the wife of one of
Mosbv's men. He had been captured,
tried, and condemned to be shot. She
pleaded for the pardon of her husband
The President, with his customary
patience, heard her story and then asked
what kind of man he was "ls he intem-
perate, is he cruel to the children, and
does ne beat your" "No, indeed not"
said the wife, she is a good husband,
temperate and kind, he loves me and he
loves the children dearly, and we shall
suffer terribly without him. The trouble
is he Is fool in politics, live in TIE
North, born there, and am loyal, and if
get him home he will do more fighting
fer the South WELL" said the Pre-
sident after examining tie papers, Il
will pardon your husband and turn him
over to you for safe keeping and effect
i've usSlpllHe III loyalty. ne poor
woman was so overcome with Joy that
she sobbed as though her heart would
break. MY dear woman, said Lin
coin, If / had known how badly it was
going to make you feel l never would
have pardored him, 81" why, Mr.. Lin
coin, YOU do not understand me-" she
cried between her sobs. Yes, | do;
yes, | 10, y said the President, and if you
DO not hurry away snail be crying as
1cully as you.
At another time a man bowed with
years, and with tears running down the
wrinkles In his face, was found at the
entrance TO the White House by Sena-
tor on his way to see Lincoln. On in
curry the old man told the Senator that
he had tried several days to see the
President but the crowd was so large he
couldn THAT he wanted pardon for
his son. Come with me- said the
Senator, and | will introduce you to
Mr.. Lincoln. On being introduced, the
old man said; "Mr Lincoln. my wife
sent me to you. We had three boys.
They all joined your army. One has been
killed IN battle, one is a-fghting now,