The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-02-08

Mr. Stewards Speech said that the secretary used
the words:
"This is the first time that ever any people or
community this side Of Mason and Dixons line
meaning the Southern side) was found willing to
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 ungainly form
sumped over his horse his face set in its pathetic,
homely lines. Only did he relax. That was
when man held up little girl as the president
rode by. Mr. Lincoln grasped the child in his arms,
kissed her and handed her back to the proud fa-
ther. A shadow of a smile, gentle beyond all de-
scripton, passed the drawn face of the presi-
dent, only to be replaced by that sad absorbed
look that had become typical of him.
A prayer by Rev. Thomas Ii. Stockton, chaplain
of the United States senate, opened the program.
1t eloquent, though somewhat lengthy, ef-
fort and it breathed the spirit of victory rather
than of humility. 1t was noon--the serene, sunit,
crisp noon of perfect fall day-when the ven
cradle Edward Everett arose to speak. His Grafton
modelled along classical lines, was filled with
the eoquence so popular in that day and 1t held
the multitude in rapt silence. Mr.. Everett had
long been figure in public life, an ambassador,
q member of the cabinet, governor, speaker
of great renown. Much was expected of him, and
he gave all that anticipated. The carefully
chosen eXquisitey polished phrases, delivered in
his deep, voice, fell with great effective
ness upon his hearers He reviewed the events
that led TO the war, described the barr1e ind prsse
the heroes of the North who had died there. But
vivid as was the phraseology, penetrating was
his logic, his address lacked the breadth that
would have made 1t undying There was 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 the ambitious men who have rebelled
against it?" That same minor spirit crept into his
words again and again when he referred to the
.disloyal shareholders and the aspiring poti-
clans" of the South, and near his conclusion when
he said ''the bonds of union of perennial force
and energy while the causes of alienation are
imaginary, fictitious and transient" 1t was essen
tally a speech of Northerner for the North.
long roar of applause followed the close of his
speech
After the singing of hymn the time came for
Mr.. Lincoln to speak. He arose slowly and for
almost minute he stood silent, surveying from
his great height the waves 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 illimtable future of mankind
for whose guidance he was soon to pronounce one
of the most solemn obligations of history
Then in the curousy high pitched voice that
seemed oddly fitted to his towering body, he
began to speak. The crowd that had relaxed when
Mr. Everett closed his long address, began to 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 was
silence as he bowed and turned back to his seat.
The silence continued for full minute, to be
broken only by scattering applause. There had
been handcapping here and there at pauses in his
address, but it had not been general. The import
Of lie lords had yptr those
that day at Gettysburg. There must have been
a throb of deeper pain in the already aching heart
of the big, awkward, sad-faced man who walked
with so little grace back the platferin and
sank into his seat. Doubtless he felt he had
feared, that his address had been failure.
The singing of a drge closed the program, and
the president and other notabes returned to the
village. When the ceremonies Mr.. Ev-
erett was one of the first to reach Lincolns side.
,'NIr President" he began, your speech" but
the president interrupted flim, that shadow Of a
smile again crossing his face. He laid his hand
upon Mr.. Everetts shoulder.
Wen not talk about myt speech, Mr.. Everett"
he said Tbs isn't the ftst time that I've felt
that my digity ought not ITO permit me to be
public Speaker"
After luncheon reception was held at the
hong of David Wills and many of the townspeople
ami visitors greeted the president. Among those
Who gathered mt the Wills hpme was Prof. Calvin
Hamilton, who remarked aftfrwards upon the ex
preston of sadness upon Mri Llncolns face. The
president seemed listless his thoughts far away, as
he shook the hands of the hufdreds 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 one of the high
backed benches of the church, taking no part In
the program He was not asked to speak again
while I'm Gettysburg. He had uttered the few ap
propriate remarks that had been asked Of him.