Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-02-10
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

What it that made Lincoln great? He was great
statesman statesman who clearly the needs of the
country the by which those supplied
great statesman who only the needs but who
has force of will drive steadily the meeting those
needs against all opposition Mr. Lincoln possessed both of these
qualifications He clearly that the thing be done
to the Union Anything which favored the preservation of
the Union he favored Anything which endangered the Union he
opposed.
Some wanted to compromise with the South. Mr. Lin
coin that there could compromise that the Union
be preserved must be destroyed Some thought that the
chief thing to be secured destroy slavery Mr. Lincoln
said that the would the Union he
would free them at but not otherwise He believed that to
the Union the rebellion put all power
OF the and all the energies of his mind he de-
plished it ''' wy '0'|N' '''''''N ''|'''
But this is not the chief thing for which we honor Lincoln
and call him Other Presidents
OF the country and have resisted opposition in securing them
them on level with Lincoln Nor his tragic death
him such prominence Other Presidents have been assas
mated but none cassed with Lincoln Only Washington be-
longs to Lncons class and both for the
II was their absolutely unselfish patriotism
When the campaign for the reelection of
height the leading men of the party quite discouraged and
that time that he upon slip paper to this eff
feet If am defeated will do everything possible help my
the Cabinet place their the back without knowing
AT time there large and influential party who
desired to have the President proclaim freedom to the slaves
The pressure became strong committee from
the Senate came to persuade him to emancte the slaves and
should be done at He replied Gentlemen
Still they urged him. Finally he said There thing
that can do will resign position President and let Mr.
auln the VlcepreSuen place Perhaps could dol
The Senators shocked at such proposition They
would not listen to for moment but they had not the least
doubt of his sincerity This what made Lincoln great He
had no thought for himself His whole soul devoted to the
In the afternoon before his death he took ride with his
wife and during the ride he said WELL shall have four years
here then will return Springfield We shall not have
enough to live but will practice law and shall get
along very we'll He did know what hold he had the
heart of the nation.
And that hold accentuaed by his compassionate kind
the soldiers He could not bear the death warrant
of soldier except aggravated To the indgna
ton of the Officers he constantly pardonng soldiers
especially young who had deserted committed some
breach of military discipline On occasion he asked to
sign the death of boy of sixteen The boy had fallen
asleep picket duty He had been detected tried found guilty
and condemned to be shot.
Lincoln said Il suppose you know that this is very
serious offense"
Eyes SIR said the boy.
How did it happen?"
"A friend of mine from the taken sick and
went on picket for night before Then my
and sleepy after long march, said the boy that
could not keep awake
81 will pardon you, said the President
when can go back to the ranks?
"In few days
Cant go back for the battle tomorrow
yes, if you wish"
He did and killed in that battle
Mr. Lincoln known the soldiers friend The common
soldiers adOed him He wanted everything possible done Tor
their comfort.
When Washingons officers him after
final victory if remember rightly that he should accept the
the Father OF
he rebuked Indignation He received salary for his
services during the Lincoln would have done the same UNI
der the circumstances
It was the elevation Of these that made them
great Hamilton superior Washington in intellectual
gifts Seward perhaps greater thinker than Lincoln
grandeur of character in steadness of
strength all in utter self forgetfu love of
try above all others Mt Blanc towers
above its foot hills