The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-14

the words:
'This is the first time that ever any people or
community on this side of Mason and DfxOn's line
(meaning the Southern side) was found willing 10
listen to my voice.
The following morning Mr. Lincoln rode at the
head of the procession to the platform at the new
~ prepared cemetery, his tall, ungainy form
slumped his horse his face set in its pathetic
hOmely lines Only once did he relax. That was
when man held up a little girl as the president
rode by: Mr.. Lincoln grasped the child in his arms
kissed her and handed her back to the proud Ia
ther shadow of a smile gentle beyond all de-
scriptiOn. passed the drawn face of the presi
dent, only to be replaced by that sad, absorbed
look that had become so typical of him.
A prayer by Rev. Thomas II. Stockton, chaplain
of the United States senate, opened the program
1t eloquent, though somewhat lengthy, eff
fort and it breathed the spirit of victory rather
than of humility. 1t was nOOn-the serene, suniit
crisp noon of a perfect fall day-when the ven
cradle Edward Everett arose to speak. His grafton
modelled along classical lines, was filed with
the eIOQuence so popular in that day and it held
the multitude in rapt silence Mr.. Everett had
long been figure in public life, ambassador,
a member of the cabinet, a governor, speaker
of great renown. Much was expected of him, and
he gave all that was anticipated. The carefully
chosen, exquisitely polished phrases, delivered in
his deep, sOnorOus voice. fell with great effective
ness upon his hearers. He reviewed the events
that to the war, described the battle and praised
the heroes of the North who had died there. But
vivid the phraseOlOgy, penetrating as was
his logic, his address lacked the breadth that
would have made it undying. There a note
of bitterness in it when he asked: (which of the
two parties to this is responsible for all the
suffering for the dreadful sacrifice of life-the
lawful and constitutional government of the United
States or the ambitious who have rebeIled
against it?' That minor spirit crept into his
words again and again when he referred to the
"dislOyaI Shareholders" and the aspiring pOti-
Clans of the South, and near his conclusion when
he said "the bonds of union Of perennial force
a1fE
imaginary, fictitious and transient" 1t essen
TALLY a speech of a Northerner for the North. A
long roar of applause followed the close of his
speech.
Mr.. Lincoln to speak. He arose slowly and for
almost minute he stood silent, surveying from
his great height the of Upturned faces, be-
yond them the broken stone walls of the bloody
angle where Picketts charge had failed and past
that the undulating brown fields where the shat
tered brigade of the South had turned back. Far
Their than these things of the moment he must have
gazed, off into the illimitable future of mankind
for whose guidance he to pronounce one
of the most solemn obligations of history.
Then in the curiously high pitched voice that
seemed so oddly fitted to his towering body, he
began to speak. The crowd that had relaxed when
Mr.. Everett closed his long address, began % set
itself for another lengthy speech. The brevity and
simplicity Of the presidents words caught the
crowd unawares. 1t had scarcely adjusted itself
for listening before he had finished. There wes
l.
The silence continued for full minute, to he
broken only by scattering applause. There had
been handclapping here and there at pauses in his
address, but it had not been general The import
of his words bad not yet reached those who stood
that day at Gettysburg. There must have been
thrOb of deeper pain in the already aching heart
of the big, awkward, sad-faced man who walked
with so little grace back across the platform and
sank into his seat. Doubtless he felt, as he had
feared, that his address had been a failure.
The singing of dirge closed the program and
the president and other nOtables returned to the
erett of the first to reach Lincoln's side.
MIR. President" he began, your speech" but
the president interrupted him, that shadow of a
smile again crossing his face. He laid his hand
upon Mr.. Everetts shoulder.
Wen not talk about my speech, Mr. Everett"
he said. This isn't the first time that I've felt
that my dignity ought to permit me to be a
public speaker"
After luncheon a reception was held at the
home OF David Wills and many of the tOwnspeOple
and visitors greeted the president. Among those
who gathered at the Wills home was Prof. Calvin
Hamilton, who remarked afterwards upon the ex-
preston of sadness upon Mr.. Lincoln's face. The
president seemed lstless his thoughts far away as
he shook the hands of the hundreds who passed
Later In the day he walked with John Burns
the village hero. to the towns little Presbyterian
church, where patriotic service was held He sat
with Burns, the cobbler patriot in of the high
backed benches OF the church. taking no part in
the program. He not asked to speak again
while in Gettysburg. He had uttered the ''few ap-
prOpriate remarks" that had been asked of him