The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-02-12

ILls IS the anniversary OF Abraham
Lincoln's birth. have just read an
other extended life of that remarkable
man, and am more deeply impress
sed than before with his greatness.
And as | review the conduct of the
other prominent men who were candi-
dates for the Republican nomination
Tor the presidency in 1860, then | am
profoundly thankful to God that He
gave us Lincol William H. Seward
was really great citizen, but how
foolish it now seems to us, his oft
repeated declaration at the opening
OF the Civil War that it would not last
over three months; and how long it
took him to learn that Abraham Lin
coin was the president in reality as
we'll as in name, and that he was who'll
ly capable of creating a policy" and
OF carrying it out Seward for some
months after he became secretary
OF state imagined he would be the
real head of the administration; but it
is to his honor that, when he dis
covered the real ability of Lincoln he
loyalty supported him.s Salmon P.
Chase of Ohio, was another great
man. but it is pretty generally con-
ceded now that he would not have
been safe" man in the presidential
chair; that such a radical policy as he
desired would have affronted many in
the border states who were held safe
ly to the National cause by the wise
methods of Lincoln. think the latter
was as strangely produced and led as
Moses was for his task as Liberator OF
the Hebrews. He was of the Puritan
stock OF the Cromwellian type, his
ancestor having come to Massachu-
sets in one OF the first settlements
his more immediate ancestors had
been Injured and trained in the hard
ships Of the Cumberland mountain
region; his father hated slavery and
moved across the Ohio river to es-
cape it; his mother and step-mother
were godly women and taught him
godly principles which shaped his life
He was a born leader, and did not
have to strive to take leadership; il
was always accorded him wherever
or however he was situated. Another
fact is standing out clearly, and seems
destined to shine more clearly as
time goes on, viz: that Lincoln never
followed policy when his inmost con
science told him it was not right; al
through his carly, as we'll as later
political course he is constatly listen
ing for what is right; that led hin
to debate with Douglas, called "tht
little Giant" of Illinois; it led him ou
Of the Wing party; it appears in al
his business transactions; his pleas a
the bar; his attacks on slavery: ant
at last to the Emancipation Proclama
ton when he saw he was justified il
issuing it.
Two weeks ago | spoke of the in
teresting manner in which the lines o
human lives cross and recros
each other. While Lincoln was
member Of Congress he had a reputa
ton for waggery and advocacy o
sound principles; and when the politi
cal waters are being stirred by tn
dent he advocated the choice of Zach
cry Taylor, and was sought for as
Congressional speaker in variou
states, among them Massachusetts,
The Lincoln of that state had bee
prominent in its history; one had bee
general in the Revolutionary army
held in high esteem and afterward
several years lieutenant governor G
Massachusetts,; one of his sons wa
afterwards governor of Maine and an
other of Massachusetts, and whe
Abraham Lincoln was invited to max
the principal address at the state cor
vention of the Wings of that state eS
Governor Levi Lincoln presided, a
| though neither of them knew of thei
: kinship; the Massachusetts, Wing
: were largely of the Conscience" varit
ty, opposed to slavery, and Congress
: man Lincoln had been invited to tn
1 state for that reason; and at the yer
: opening Of his speach on that occasio
: he defined his own position on tn;
burning issue; and that address mad
| deep impression.
. Lincolns waggishness and droller
e appealed to the popular heart; h
!, appeal to righteousness as a standar
r won the religious element Of the pee
a pie; his cautious, wise but bold actio
y when necessary, made the thinking
S substantial citizens trust him; h
a thoughtfulncSs Of and care for Il
: common soldier made the rank an
file of the army his devoted admirer
and through them the families of Il
soldiers; we'll remember how the Ia
ter were affected when they read Il
Y letters that came from the army of Il
4 Potomac and told how Lincoln visitC
Il the camps. the tents of the CONNIE
: soldiers and would shake their hant
:. and talk Familiarity with them. TIL
d was the tremendously powerful el
b mcnt which the politicians did n,
recognize or count on in 1904 wht
I. they were hunting around for son
one to be candidate against his r
!, election. Even he did not realize no
/ great il was; but after the revelatiC
d of il in the election of 1904 he felt ;
A." increase of confidence. being sure no
l. that the vast majority of the nor
II stood behind him. And while his lit
c Speach at the dedication of the Getty
S burg cemetery in November, 1868 is u
paralleled as a real Grafton, his secoI
4 a I'll