Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1915-01-21
&. The True Lincoln.
ley EDWARD D. STONE :

NGlblll llDiliN ~ wiz 'OONS Va - ~
lucky amid the hardships and
poverty of pioneers; one in
England, surrounded by wealth
and culture, who in his career
broke the chains of superstition
and filled the world with intel
lectual light.
The other associated his name
with the enfranchisement of lab
or, with the emancipation of mil
lions, with the salvation of the
Republic.
The works and patriotism of
Lincoln and Darwin has placed
an epoch in the history of the
world, to be pondered over by
historians yet unknown.
Every generation has its he
roes, its pioneers, its ideals, to
one belongs the Lincoln, whose
achievements have heightened
human aspirations and broaden
ed the field of opportunity to the
cares of men, What were the
traits of character which made
him leader and master, without
a rival, in theTgreatest crisis in
our history? What gave him
such mighty power? Lincoln had
sublime in the people. He walk
ed with and among them. He
recognized the importance and
power of enlightened public sent
iment, and was guided by it.
Even amid the vicissitudes of
war he concealed little from the
public review and inspection.
In all he did, he insisted, rather,
than evade examination and crit
icism. He submitted his plans
and purposes. as far practicable,
to public consideration with per-
feet frankness and sincerity.
There was such homely simplici-
ty in his character that it could
not be hedged in by the pomp of
place nor the ceremonials of high
official station. He was so ac-
cessible to the public that he
seemed to take the whole people
into his confidence.
Here, perhaps, was one secret
of his power, the people never
lost their confidence in him, how
ever much they unconsciously
added to his personal discomfort
and trials. his patience was almost
superhuman. And who will say
that he was mistaken in his
treatment of the thousands who
thronged continually about him.
The sympathies of Lincoln. his
ties of kindred, were with the
south. His sense of justice and
his ideals were with the north.
He knew the horrors of slavery;
and he felt the unspeakable &C.
stacies and glory of freedom.
He had the kindness, the gentle
ness Of true greatness, and he
could not have been a master; he
had the manhood and independ-
ence of true greatness, and he
could not have been a slave.
He was just, and he was incapa-
BILE of puttinga burden upon 9TH
ers that he himself would not
willingly bear. Greedy once said
| doubt whether man, woman or
child, white or black, bond OF
free, virtuous or vicious, ever as.
sisted or reached forth a hand To
Abraham Lincoln and detected
in his countenance or man mel
any repugnance or shrinking
from the proffered contact, any
assumption of superiority or be-
trayal Of disdain. Bancroft al.
luding to this characteristic which
was never so conspicuouslv man :
Tested as during the darken
hours of the war, beautifully it,
lustrated it, in these memorable
words; "As a child, in a dark
night on a rugged way, catches
hold of the hand of its father for
guidance and support, Lincoln
chung fast to the hand Of the
people and moved calmly through
tha ,lnnp, -