New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-12
Some Thoughts Pertinent to
Lincoln's Birthday

the Presidency Abraham Lincoln involved
this country in the greatest and costliest
war it has ever fought He did not
hesitate; he did not count the cost. lie
never considered, before calling the coun-
try to arms, whether, after all, he might
not "serve humanity" better by being "too
proud TO fight"
When Sumter was fired on and its gar
rison was obliged to capitulate Lincoln
called for volunteers TO restore the au-
thoritv of the Union in the territory IN
which jefferson Davis and his associates
had proclaimed the sovereignty of the
Confederate States. Sumter was the Con
federacy's answer TO Lincoln's declara-
ton that the Union must be preserved,
lust as the Lusitania Massacre was Ger
many's answer to the American note of
February 10, 1915, in which the United
States gave public notice that it would
maintain the rights of American citizens
travelling on the high seas.
Lincoln did not demand a disavowal of
Beauregard's attack on Sumter and rep
aration for injuries done TO its defenders.
He did not conduct precarious negotla-
tons for nearly two years thereafter,
submitting to various repetitions of the
original attack and finally obtaining some
qualified promises that such attacks would
cease. He did not remain on amicable
relations with the Confederacy until the
latter decided to cancel its qualified
pledges and TO resume the bombardment
of Federal forts And, finally, he did not
wait after receiving notice that the Con-
federacy no longer admitted that the
United States had any rights which II
was bound to respect, for some covert
act which was to prove beyond perad-
venture that the Souths leaders meant
what they said.
Lincoln knew that Sumter was the long
awaited signal that the ''irrepressible con-
fict" between the North and the South
had broken out. He knew that force
alone could reestablish the Union and vim
dictate the principle Of indivisible ma
tionality for which the North stood. He
faced the truth and accepted the in
evitable. He made war in April, 1861,
instead of trying by diplomatic parleying
to postpone break until January, 1868.
And the verdict Of history has been that
he was entirely right.
Lincoln was a man Of peace. All his
instincts were pacific. There was no vim
dictiveness in his nature. He had no
bitterness against those who fought to
destroy the Union-as individuals. He
was anxious TO treat them most consider
ately once they had laid down their arms.
The conquered South lost its best friend
when he was assassinated.
But when it came to fighting for
principle Lincoln was all for a real fight.
1t was his misfortune-and one of the
greatest trials Of his first two years in
the Presidency-that be could not find
generals for his armies who had the gen
uine fighting spirit. He had second and
third rate commanders foisted on him
generals like Mcclellan, Fremont, Pope,
Halleck, Burnside, Hooker, Buell., Rose
Grams. Butler and Banks. He longed for
some one who didn't always have excuses
for delay and failure. He recognized the
true spirit Of initiative and confidence in
Grant, and in the darkest period of
Grants career latter Donelson and be-
fore Shiloh, when urged by intriguers
and backbiters TO disgrace Grant, he said,
with prescient wisdom: 81 can't spare
that man; he fights
Lincoln never believed in "a peace
without victory He felt that the North
was fighting for a just cause and a vital
principle. He intended to see the cause
win and the principle reestablshed. He
refused TO be satisfied with anything less
than complete restoration Of the Union
under one flag and one government. And
20 secure that victory be was ready TO-
carry the war through TO the bitter end
no matter what it cost In his second
inaugural address be said:
'Fondly do we hope-fervently do
we pray-that this mighty scourge Of
war may speedily pass away. Yet i'll
God wills that it continue until all the
wealth piled by the bondsmans two
hundred and fifty years Of unrequited
toll shall be sunk, and until every drop
Of blood drawn with the lash shall be-
paid By another drawn with the sword,
as was said three thousand years ago,
20 stin IL must be said: The judgments
Of the Lord are true and righteous alto
gether.'"
In making war Lincoln used every re-
source a. his command 70 achieve victory
lie declared blockade Of the Southern
states, and made IL effective by 50 enlarg
ing its scope as 10 apply IL 70 cargo IN
tended 10 bc tranmhipped IN neutral
mort 10 an ultimate enemy destination
IL ,rna Willing al frat ~ feHtOre lhc