Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-12

ALL AMERICAN history was concentrated
"A in that event-the dedication of the Ma
tional Cemetery at Gettysburg, one day in
mid November, 1863. Gathered there were
the fourscore and seven years that had gone
before, the hearts and hopes of the future
years of republic, the military signih-
canoe of one of the most stubborn and bloody
battles of the century, the sadder meaning OF
it to the women and children of North and
South, the sacrifice of the soldiers who
fought there, the memory of the Revolution
and the founders of the nation, patriotism
and democracy and the immense personality
of Abraham Lincoln-the "grandest figure on
all the crowded canvas of the nineteenth GEN.
tury," he who "bound the nation and un-
bound the slave"
On that occasion the world gained the beau
tiful and immortal address in which democ-
racy finds the truest expression that litera-
ture affords. The circumstances relating to
the composition of that famous speech are
yelled in some uncertainty. writer in the
Continent gives the following version:
How the Speech Was Written
Soon after retiring to his room Mr.. Lin
coin called for his host" Judge David R.
Wills, at whose house at Gettysburg the
President stayed the night of his arrivaD.
Judge Wills says: 4 found him with paper,
prepared to write. and he said he had just
seated himself to put upon paper few
thoughts for tomorrow's exercises and he
wished to know what would be expected of
him. About IL o'clock he called for Mr.. Wills
again, and said he wanted to talk with Mr..
Seward. On this visit the President carried
with him the same paper on which he had
been writing returned with 1t still in his
hand, and before delivering his address next
day took this paper from his coat pocket and
referred to it while speaking.
~. A. Robert, who was detailed as orderly
to the President, confirms this statement OF
Judge Wills. He was sent to Mr.. Lincoln's
room about o'clock on the morning of the
10th, and found him engaged in writing.
Several sheets were finished, but the Presi-
dent asked Mr. Robert to wait a moment He
concluded his writing, folded the paper and
placed it in his inside coat pocket. Mr.,
Robert says: After arriving at the National
Cemetery, and Edward Everett having
finished his grafton, President Lincoln stepped
to the front OF the platform, adjusted his
glasses, took from his inner coat pocket ap-
parently the same notes, held them in his
hand a moment, then elevated both hands
stretching them over the vast assemblage in
the manner OF minister administering a
blessing and commenced delivering his great
est speech"
The impression made on his auditors by
that beautiful and remarkable utterance has
been variously reported. Some interesting
letters from persons who heard Lincoln at
Gettysburg are published In the Continent
Mary l. Creigh. of Omaha. Neb.. writes as
follows;
Why There Was Little Applause
'T remember well the day in November
when Lincoln spoke. The crowds, the solemn
hush. the numbers OF men on crutches or
without arms-the sombreness OF the dress
with so many women in mourning-but most
of all with the man himself-his great
height, his lean. rugged face. his sympathetic
voice. his sorrow over the great number OF
unknown graves-all impressed me But
what seems most pitiful 10 me was that there
was no applause when he finished, ana he
thought he had made a failure-and thus
additional weight was added to the burden
so heavy already. He was the least vain
man ever saw.
'aThe people were all 50 moved by his words
and all the memories called up BY them. ana
the spot on which they stood, no one could
start applauding-so there was almost a
silent crowd until the bands began a martial
air. Even the papers failed 70 praise the
speech for several days-but then the whole
nation awakened 20 the fact thar a wonder
ful speech had been made. one tlat would /
Hye alwasa
Eee ~ eieFatlon end nohlaty 81 Thought