The Washington herald., 1914-09-23

the highest Office in the gift Of the
American people. We propOse-in no
spirit OF vituperation. but on state-
ments taken from recorded evidence ac-
cessible to everyone-to commence A
thorough analysis OF Mr.. Lincoln's char
aCter and acts
Heretofore. a feeling that the Ma
tlon must be disgraced in the eyes Of
the world which could elect such a rrlier
has kept US silent: and IL was our hone
that Mr.. Lincoln would have retired into
That ohscurity from which he was called,
10 the misfortune OF the country, with
out imposing upon any citizen Jealous of
our National honor the sad necessity OF
making reference TO the meaner and
more sordid features Of his extraordi-
nary character
And first one single instance apropos
To the reputation Of HONESTY with
which the parasites who fatten on the
public plunder Mr.. Lincoln allows them
to carry OF appear most anxious to sur
round his name. The title honest. all
experience tells us. is most generally
given to persons who need the name as
an equivalent for the absence OF the
original"
"a Specimen Brick.
The writer then stated that George
Washington. Andrew jackson. Webster,
Clay, and others with great names had
never been called honest" And that it
was in itself a suspicious thing TO find
the prefix honest attached to the name
OF anyone
1t was not affirmed that Mr.. Lincoln
was dishonest prior to his elevation to
power. but that he has succumbed to
the greater opportunities and tempta-
uons OF his present place"
As specimen brick from a BabvIon
to be 'orn down and anaIyzed." a story
was pr scented of LinColn's supposed con-
hecuon with the scandals in the quar-
termaster's department under Gen. John
I. Fremont in Missouri early in the war
II being claimed that a woman relative
OF MS eNcellency, our honest Presi-
dent. had participated in the profits of
contract on the strength OF a note OF
Introduction signed by Mr. Lincoln. No
documents were presented in support of
this allegation
On September q the attack was con-
tinued under the heading. rs Mr.. Lincoln
Honest?"
The greatest claim OF Mr.. Lincoln
TO the confidence and support Of the peo-
pie the editorial began. has been his
reputation for honesty. Strip him OF this
and there Is nothing left but vacillation.
imoeciIity and obscene jesting Will this
cIalm oil honesty bear examination
Charges by Tnnuendo.
Lincoln's appointment Of Simon Cam
eron. who was the first Secretary of
war in his administration. to the post
or Minister to Russia was cited as evil
dence of the Presidents support of a
cabinet officer who had been accused OF
permitting grave irregularities in his
department
1t was next asked: IF Mr.. Lincoln is
honest why has he taken such pains
TO give his personal friends letters to
generals commanding departments or
dering them by his signature to permit
these friends to go whittier they choose
to get out what cotton they can?
II Mr.. Lincoln Is honest. whv has he
for friends Of worse than doubtful repu-
tation, requested contracts and special
trading privileges?''
Other questions Of similar character
weresasked.
The attack was continued the next
day in milder form under the heading:
Honest Abe"
Homespun honesty as a valuable trait
Tor resisting the wear and tear of COM
mon life was discussed, and the state
ment was made that Its absence from
the coarse composition of Mr.. Lincoln !
mas been proved of late by practices |
which show the danger OF continuing !
such man in power The hope of a |
new lease of once has overcome his |
everyday virtue"
Charges of fraud in political practice |
constituted the remainder of this attack. !
Copyright. lelIJ