New Britain herald., 1916-09-04

utter a eulogy on Lincoln; he stands 1 in need of none; but to endeavor to l interpret the meaning of this gift to 1 the nation of the place of his birth l and origin. Is not this an altar upon l which we may forever keep alive the 1 vestal fire of democracy as upon l shrine at which some of the deepest | and most sacred hopes of mankind may from age to age be rekindled? For these hopes must constantly be | rckindled, and only those who live can rekindle them. The only stuff that can retain the fe-giving heat is the stuff of living hearts. And the hopes of mankind cannot be kept alive by words merely, by constitutions and doctrines of right and codes of liberty, The object of democracy is to trans mute these into the life and action of society, the self denial and self sacrifice of heroic men and women willing to make their lives an embodi- ment of right and service and en- frightened purpose. The commands of democracy are as imperative as it's privileges and opportunities are wide and generous. It's cOmpuls1on is upon us. It will be great and lift a great light for the guidance of the nations only if we are great and carry that light high for the guidance of our own feet. We are not worthy to stand here unless we ourselves be in deed and in truth real democrats and servants of mankind. ready to give our very lives for the freedom and justice and spiritual eXaltation of the great nation which shelters and nur- lures uS.'
 Address by Ex-Gov. Folk.
 A plea that Americans of the pres ent day consecrate themselves to maintain the Americanism of L1n- coin inviolate was made by Former Governor Folk, of Missouri. He said
 'This country has produced many ! men whose names have emblazOned ! the pages of history but no name is l dearer that that of the simple and ublime Lincoln, who literally sprang | from this soil to become the mighti- est of the might. His birthplace was as lowly as that of the Man of 1 Galilee, whom he resembled so much in the sorrows he knew, the burdens he bore, and the love of humanity he manifested. This crude cabin preserved in this magnificent marble mausoleum is consecrated by the life of the man who here came into the world. No poets fancy, no dress of ] fiction, can equal the emerging from | this humble hut of extreme poverty
 of one whose steps were destined to 1 shake the world and whose mission
 was to rededicate united nation to l the cause of freedom.
 The spirit of Lincoln is more
 alive today than when he lived in 1 the flesh. He founded an American l ism that is not a matter of creed
 national descent, but an ideal of the soul and of the mind; an American 1 ism that is not merely union of po-
 Htical entities, but of a common as- l piratiOn and a common destiny; an
 American1sm so virile that there need | De no natlOn so strong we i should fear it, or so powerful we
 must cover at It's feet; an Amerl-
 canism so just that the Golden Rule
 may be the supreme law guiding us l in our diplomatic relations with other , nations; an Americanism ready to de-
 fend the aggression of all nations, 1 but Intentionally offending none in
 upholding the principle of the rights | of man throughout the world.
 Until recently this place, which ] should be an object lesson to coming
 generations and revered by every 1 American, was unnOticed and aban- doned. Inspired by the idea that
 due regard for the apostle of human l liberty whose life began on this spot 1 demanded the preservation of his l birthplace, a few patriotic men or | ganized the Lincoln Farm association 1 to purchase the property and to
 erect upon it suitable mem Orial to
 the life that typified above all others
 the wonderful possi Utilities in the
 American republic. The movement
 met with a ready support from every
 section of the nation. The south as
 well as the north responded gener- l ously In honoring the memory of l Lincoln there is neither north, nor
 south nor east, nor west; there is
 one heart in all and that the heart
 of loyal America.
 This majestic memorial we today