Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-02-23

to lament that you have neglected it,"
1t was Lincoln's paramount purpose to
save the union. but in doing so he was
destined to become the liberator of the
slave. When urged to follow up his eman-
cipation proclamation with a recommen-
dation of constitutional amendment be-
cause it would further his political pros
poets. he replied. Il have never yet done
an official act with reference to its bear
ing upon my denomination and 1 don't
like to begin now. i can see emancipa-
ton coming. Whoever will wait for 1t,
will see it too. Whoever gets in the way
of it will be run over by it,"
Seven years previous. in 1856. when the
republican party was being formally or
ganized. Mr.. l.incoln's advice as to the
platform was asked. and he said. Take
the Declaration of Independence and hos
tility to slavery extension. Let us build
our new party on the rock of the Declare
ton of Independence. and the gates vf
hell shall not prevail against it,"
The character of Lincoln was sublime
in its simplicity and strength. august in
its morality, kingly in its magnanimity.
He never used his high position as the
vantage ground of selfish interest.
He never sold the truth to serve the hour.
Nor paltered with eternal God for power
He was perfectly at home in the pres
ence of the greatest or the humblest, for
to him a king was but a man. and a beg
gar was no less.
His heart was stirred by the wall that
came from the cabin of the slave, for his
naturally tender heart was made doublv
sympathetic by having throughout his
early life throbbed meath the garb Of
poverty.
In his lowly origin, his meteoric career,
he represents the highest ideal of Ameri-
can democracy which permits the humblest
child in the republic to rise to the highest
pinnacle of power.
Not only was the great liberator a far
seeing statesman, but he was also a pub
lie speaker of transcendent power. Truth
from his lips prevailed with double sway.
His quaint wit made it seem more true.
Scarcely is a greater triumph of eloquence
recorded than was won by him when he
addressed a great and cultured audience
at Cooper Union Institute in New York
city in 1859. They regarded him almost
with contempt as he stood before them,
with gaunt, gnarled hands,
His unke,npt, bristling hair. his garb
uncouth.
His lack of all we prize as debonair,
OF power or will to shine. of art to please"
There were knowing glances, smiles and
nudgcs. as he began in his western drawl
to address them. You may do alright
for the west" they were saying to them
selves, "but you won't do in New York.
but i'm a few minutes they We're listening
with keen interest, then with enthusiasm.
He seemed transfigured before their eyes,
no longer homely or awkward, but a king
among men, a prophet of God. Presenting
the truth as they never before had heard
it presented, and when he had finished,
men and women of culture and dignity
We're standing on their chairs waving their
handNerchiefs and shouting like school
boys at Il ball game.
Perhaps no higher tribute has been paid
to the greatness of Lincoln's character
and achievements than is found in the
poem of Tom Taylor in the London Punch,
written Immediately after the asSasSina-
ton of the president. To appreciate the
had for four years made Mr.. Lincoln the
butt of his cruel witticisms:
Yes. he had lived to shame me from my
sheer
To lame my pencil and confute my pen
III make me OWL this hind, of princes
This ra%il-splitter. a true born king of
men,
In the dim vista of years to come no
narrative IN history will be read with
keener interest nor with deeper feeling
than the stories of sacrifice, of patriotism
and courage of the boys in blue who Of
fered on their country's altar ''their last
full measure of DEVOTION" and not less
fascinating will be the story of their be-
loved chief. whom tine whole of a united
people shall proudly honor. when at last
the time shall have come that men read
history with their eyes and not with their