Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-17
LINCOLN anniversary
Service in Celebration Held at
College Street Church.
Martyred Presidents Message to the
New Gcncratior subject Of Patrf-
otto Address by Colonel r.
II. BufFum.

There was good attendance al the
College Street Church Sunday night, when
a service in celebration of the anniver-
sary of Lincoln's birthday was held. The
service was presided over by the pastor
of the church. the Rev. I. G. Smart, there
being special music BY the org"nlst. Miss
Dorothy Parker and by the choir. VINO
sang for one number "Tenting Tonight"
Seats we're reserved for George r. Mar
tin, commander of the Department OF
Vermont, G. A. r., and staff Vermont
Commandery. Military Order OF the Loyal
Legion. Stannard Post, q. A. r., Spanish
War Veterans. Major Ashley and staff
Of the First National Guard. Company
NJ OF Burlington. Company G Of the uni
vcrsity. Company G. of Winooski. Stan
nard woman's Relief Corps. Ladies OF the
G.. A. r., Ladies' OF the Spanish War Vet
Grams Auxiliary, Vermont Society OF
Colonial Wars, Colonial Danes. Vermont
Society Sons Of the American Revolu-
ton, Green Mountain Chapter D. A. r.,
Daughters Of 1872 officers and ladies from
Fort Ethan Allen. the family and friends
Of Colonel Buffum. The gallery at the
rear Of the church was we'll filled with
pupils OF the local schools.
The platform was very artistically deco
rated with garlands and wreaths or hay
leaves. which made background for the
flags of the various patriotic societies and
the colors of old glory.
Following the organ prelude. assem-
! bly, was sounded on the cornet by George
| y. Sherman. who also sounded taps" at
the close of the service. DR.. Smart in his
prayer asked for the preservation Of the
Mon into which We have come and for
| the preservation Of President Wilson and
| other officials in authority. The scripture
| lesson was from the NTH chapter of st.
Matthew. Lncoln's Gettysburg address
was read by Frederick S. Pease, Jr, after
which the speaker OF the evening. Col. F.
H. Buffum. was introduced
| Colonel Buffum. who is minister of the
| gospel, was engaged in the war OF the
J Union and also In service was on duty at
the White House. where lie came in per-
sonal contact with President Lincoln. His
subject was "t.incolns Message to the
New Genera ton" Colonel Buffum said
in part:
We center our thought in a personality
| and consider one of its most Illus
trious examples What an enrichment OF
any life to feel the power of a greater
personality. The ideal college has beer
described as MARK Hopkins on one enc
OF log and freshman on the othe,
end" 1t is a pitiable failure Of the aver
age man-his neglect OF the inspiration
of superior minds We may not believe
in monarchy. vet any stable republic mus
find safety in its great personalities. We
glory in the possession of one un
surpassed in the history Of nations.
What Is personality" Not physica
statue: not mental calibre; not magnet
ISM; not emotion, set on fire of passion
Subtle, potent. it is the man dyna mic
on all levels impressive. on the uppe
ievels-masterful control. The Fundamental
element is conviction. The towerin,
characteristic OF Lincoln was his con
victions. Herein was his striking con
trast to his great agcnist-Douglas.
In the early wartime any claim 70
Lincoln AS superior personality woul
have been considered absurd. The con
clusion of notable delegation from Bos
, ton. after visiting the president. wa
voiced by James Freeman Clarke
Hopeless honesty, that's all" JUL
Ward Howe wrote Few people prais
or trust him" Throughout his caree
, Mcclellan made no secret Of his con
tempt for the president.
= The superficial Lincoln and the rea
Lincoln were an unmatched parade
in statesmanship. Yet there were me
I OF dtscernment. After the Coope
q Union speech. in February, 1860, Noa
Brooks exclaimed: The greatest ma
since St Paul" A masterful person
atty has a trinity of powers: Cd tn
= power to repel: 90 the power to sub
/ due: 90 the power to win. In thes
p particulars no eminent historic char
acter was ever so compelled to vindi
= cate his personality. The speake
n dwelt upon the prodiEious assaults tina
: Lincoln suffered, showing that not on
r hint Of any smirch upon his probity O
sincerity ever found credence II
shrcwdly baffled the cunning and per
hdy that beset him. lie was regal /
rcpcling all assaults upon his righteou
purposes.
The power to subdue. The appaIlin
encounters to which Lincoln was sub
r jected We're illustrated aud the slur
n and opposition of such men MS Ere
9 mont. Chase, Stanton and Greeley. wcr
a cited. Frcmont's ill-timcd and dcfiar
y proclamation was hailed with acclaim
, at the North, and the presidents revo
u STORM OF GENUINE IA
= ton. with the cry, "impeach him
. This turbulence and the insubordina
] ton OF Mcclellan 40 well az the abus
e i've contempt of Stanton--werc adduce
: to exhibit Lincolns marvellous skill
z subduinG opposition. The masterf+
:. diplomacy of Lincoln was notable
= his buttressing of Grant. sustaining tn
l coming hero OF AppomattoX in the fac
y of enormous pressure to GUST him.
s The power to win, The case Of Stanto
was sufficient. His later praise and encc
NUNS were quoted to show that III
ercncc for his chief. who, among tn
d mighty ones, has so won the very heart {
humanity and the approving Judgment {
"A thoughtful world? The remarkable r.
= traction, apology and culogy OF the Lor
; don Punch evidenced the unprecedente
. rcvulsion from scorn to eXultation.
Why was Lincoln so underrated? ri
personality did not conform to any recot
nized type Of craftsmanship on earth. u
was an unspeakab bile contradiction in III
. executive realm. He never posed II
. assumed not the manner of authorit'
though at the head of million In ann
y lie protested: II am nothing. but trut
is everything" II will hold Mcclellan
. horse. If he will only fight" His homel
u phrasing nonplussed the patriots OF cl'
:. giant diction. Seward presumed on LII
b coins mediocrity, but Seward was brougf
to see his master.