The Delta independent., 1915-02-19

DeCduc physical StalWarL on the
banks of the Mississippi, learned law
by the light of pine knots and drank
deep at the fountain of human liberty
the people of the United States little
dreamed that a leader was being pre-
pared to preside over the destinies
Of great nation, during great war,
and to break the shackles from five
million slaves. But when Gods time
was struck His chosen leader was
ready; not to be crushed by burdens
but given to realize. "As thy days so
shall thy strength be-" Lincoln
trusted his commander and was often
found on his knees, before his open
bible inquiring of God for orders.
What wonder that he remained un-
dismayed and could say, with malice
toward none; with charity for all;
with firmness in the right as God
gives us to see the right let us strive
on. to finish the work we are in, to
bind up the nations wounds; to care
for him who has borne the battle and
for his widow and his orphan-to do
all which may achieve and cherish
just and lasting peace, among our
selves and with all nations
And how wonderfully is that senti-
ment "Firmness in the right" exem-
plified in his Emancipation proclaim
alton. Calling his Cabinet together
to hear it-a measure that was uncon-
stitutional except as a swar measure,
he said to them: when the rebel
army was at Frederick determined
when it should be driven out of Mary
land to issue proclamation, such as
thought most likely to be useful:
said nothing to anyone. but made the
promise to myself and-to my Maker.
The rebel army is now driven out and
am going to fulfil that promise.
do not wish to hear your advice about
the matter, for that have determined
for myself"
Lincoln was not only serious. he was
profoundly religious witness the pre-
ceding paragraph also his famed
Gettysburg address, an Epic of 25O
words now translated into 40 Ian
guages and placed on enduring bronze.
into schools. colleges and on board
our ships of war.
-Four score and seven years ago
our fathers brought forth upon this
continent a new nation. conceived in
liberty and dedicated to the PROPOSE
ton that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great Civil
War testing whether this nation, so
conceived and so dedicated can long
endure. We are met on a great bat
tie field of that war; We have come
to dedicate portion OF that field as
la final resting place for those who
here gave their lives that the nation
might live. It is altogether fitting
and proper that we should do this:
But in larger sense we cannot con-
secrate. we cannot hallow this
ground: The brave men, living and
dead. who struggled here, have con-
secrated it far above our power to
add or detract. The world will little
note nor long remember what we say
here but 1t can never forget what
they did here. It is for us. the living.
rather to be dedicated to the unfin-
ished work which they who, fought
here have so nobly advanced. 1t is
rath thar f<v- 70 I.a .l.ys
great task remaining before us; that
from these honored dead we take in
creased devotion to that cause for
which they gave the last full measure
of devotion: that we here highly re-
solve that these dead shall not have
died in vain: That this nation, under
God shall have new birth of free
dom; and that government of the
people, by the people and for the
people shall not perish from the
earth"
And think of the remarkable origin
OF this address Lincoln would be
simply a distinguished guest at the
dedication. nothing more; only the
courtesy OF few thoughts was ex-
pected from him; the famed and silver
tongued Edward Everett would make
the address," With borrowed pen
Gil and paper he retired to corner
of the car, on its sixty mile journey
from Washington to Gettysburg. wrote
thoughtfully few moments. folded
the paper and returned the pencil:
that was all-but that five minute ad-
dress placed Lincoln on a pedestal
with the worlds greatest thinkers:
and its sentiments sounded his undy-
ing fame.