Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-14

Gf the Fatner OIL HIS SOuhtiS' ohN "
History of the United States, record
ing the great facts connected with the
beginnings of our national lie, anu
awakening bright visions of the coun-
try's growth and prospective place
among the nations of the earth. sure
,v these were text books that could
not fail to become inspiring teachers
to one like Lincoln always athirst for
knowledge. And when he had mas
tered these, he added Others ana In
1894. when he was twenty-five years
of age. he had forged ahead SO Tar as
to he elected q member OF the legls-
lature of Illinois.
Jirooln now entered upon the period
of his professional life extending from
1894 to 1861. AS a member of the Leg
islature for eight years, his mlhu was
broadened by attention to themes oi
state interest and even of natlonai I'M
nortance. From the very outset OIL ms
nnbIic career he showed his sympathy
with those who were opposed to siaV-
arv Admitted to the bar in 1885, py
severe auplication to the great prlncl-
n1es of his profession he early reacheo
a prominent position among the law
vers of Illinois. But his pohtical III
terests and aspirations ere long Sc
cured his election as member OF con-
eress. and later brought him into con-
tests for a place as one of Illinois SEN
a+ors in the Senate of the Onlteo
states in which, in connection with
bis debates with Senator Douglas, he
ottra eted the attention of the country
by his assaults upon the ehcroach-
ments of slavery in its efforts 10 selAe
the great northwest territory ueai-
Gated to freedom. The aplilty with
which Lincoln handled national prin-
ciples and policies in that great aeoa.e
sacnred his nomination for the presl-
! aencv of the United States and also
his election.
The period of the presidency COM
prfses the years Of the Civil war, OF
from 1851 to 1865. The speaker touched
briefly upon the salient points con-
nected with Lincoln's career in those
four battle years-the heavy burden
borne by the president, keeping
strong hand upon our foreign AFFAIRS,
aiding and encouraging the command
ers of our armies; giving freedom 10
the slaves when he saw that the time
had come for such an act of JUSTICE
and at last, after having received
second nomination and election as
President, the joy he had in being per
mitted to witness the dawn OF the ne"
era that followed the destruction OF
Lees army and the collapse or the
Confederacy, only, however, to receive
the final blow himself from the hand
of an assassin. The speaker described
the shock received by the army, re-
turning from Appomattox, on hearing
of Lincolns death, when all the JOY
of victory was changed into grief ana
mourning. 1t was so not only there,
but in all the land and throughout the
world. Even Punch, the London paper
which had DETAINED Lincoln throughout
tho war inserted a cartoon represent
ing John Bull placing wreath on
Iincoln's casket, and asked:
"Say, scurril jester, is there room
for you?' and this was Tom Taylor's s
reply:
"Yes, he had lived to shame me and my
sneer,
To lame my pencil and confute my pen:
To make me own this hind OF princes
This rail splitter true born king of
men,.
Tn speaking Of the character Of Lin
coin. Mai. Burrage referred to his pa
tience. perseverance, wisdom in
thought and action, his magnanimity,
great-heartedness, faithfulness, stead
fastness and self acrifice-illustratlng
these traits of character by story ana
personal references, and showing how
all these traits contributed to the de-
velopment of that wonderful person
ality that Lincoln exhibited in such
a marked degree and which made him
as he has rightly been called master
of men. In this connection, this sto-
ry of Lincoln was told as reported py
Frederick w. Seward, son of Lincoln
Secretary of State. At cabinet meet
ing. Lincoln brought to the attention
of his associates a matter of admins
tratiye policy for their consideration.
After he had presented it in fullness
and with great earnestness, Mr.. Lin
coin said, Il think this action should
be taken. All those who are in favor
of it will please say aye There was
no response. After brief pause the
President said, "All those who are
not in favor Of it will please say no.
All at once replied mo" Mr.. Lincoln,
without any sign of excitement or dis
appointment, quietly added. Gentle
men, the ayes have it. 1t is an unan-
imous vote The ayes did have 1t.
The action was taken, and the result
yindicated the President. Lincoln was
master Of men.
In speaking Of Lincoln's services MAJ.
Burrage referred to the destruction OF
slavery and the preservation OF the
Union. 1t was great service, heroic
ally performed, and because of 1t we
may regard Lincoln as by far the
greatest man oS the nineteenth CEN
tury, whether we consider the magni-
tude Of his task or the manner of its
achievement