Arizona republican., 1922-05-31


-
| frailties mixed with the virtue OF
! humanity. There are neither super
men nor demi gods in the govern
ment of kingdoms, empires or re-
| publics. 1t will be better for our
| conception of government and its in
stitutions if We will understand this
fact 1t is vastly greater than find
| ing the superman If we Justify the
confidence that our institutions are
capable of bringing into authority in
time of stress, men big enough and
strong enough to meet all demands.
The Great Leaders
Washington and Lincoln offered
outstanding proof that a represen-
tative popular government, constitu-
tionally founded, can find its own way
to salvation and accomplishment. In
the very beginning our American
democracy turned to Washington, the
aristocrat, for leadership in revolu-
tion, and greater task of founding
permanent institutions. The wisdom
of Washington and Jefferson and
Hamilton and Franklin was proved
when Lincoln, the child of privation,
or hardship, OF barren environment
and meager opportunity, rose to un-
questioned leadership when disunion
threatened.
Lincoln came almost as humbly
as the Child of Bethlehem. His par
ents We're unlettered. his home was
devoid of every element of culture
and refinement. He was no infant
prodigy, no luxury facilitated or
privilege hastened his development,
but he had a God given intellect, a
love for work, willingness to labor
and a purpose to succeed.
Biographies differ about his am
bition, but Herndon. who knew him
as did no other, says he was greatly
ambitious. / can believe that. AM
bition is a commendable. attribute,
without which no man succeeds.
Only inconsiderate ambition perils.
Lincoln was modest, but he was
sure of himself, and always greatly
simple. Therein was his appeal to
the confidence of his country. When
he believed he was right a nation
believed to be right. and offered all
in his support. His work was so
colossal, in the face Of such discour-
agement, that none will dispute that
he was incomparably the greatest of
our presidents. He came to authority
when the republic was beset by foes
at home and abroad, and re- estab-
lished union and security. He made
that gesture of his surprising gener-
osity which began reunion.
Let us forget the treachery. COR
ruption and incompetence with which
he had to combat. and recall his wis
dom. his unselfishness, his sublime
patience. He resented no calumnies
upon himself: he held no man shis
enemy who had the power and will
"a yfcfn
blinded by no jealousy. He took his
advisers from among his rivals. in
voked their patriotism and ignored
their plottings. He dominated them
by the sheer greatness of his intel
iect, the singleness and honesty of
his purpose and made them responsive
to his hand for the accomplishment
of the exalted purpose. Amid it all
there was kindness, a sympathetic
sorrow, which suggests divine inter-
est to blend mercy with supreme at
tafnment.
ls Lasting Tribute
"This memorial, matchless tribute
that it Is, is less for Abraham Lincoln
than for those of US today, and for
those who follow after. His surpass-
ing compensation would have been
living to have his ten thousand sor-
rows dissapted in the rejoicing of
the succeeding half century. He loved
his boys in the army, and would
have reveled in the great part they
played in more than half century of
pursuit of peace and concord restored.
How he would have been exalted by
the chorus of the union after the
mystic chords were touched by the
better angels of our nature. How it
would comfort his great soul to know
that the states in the southland join
sincerely in honoring him. and have
twice, since his day, Joined, with all
the feryor of his own great heart. in
defending the flag! How it would
soften his anguish to know what the
south long since came to realize, that
a vain assa ssin robbed it of its most
sincere and potent friend when it was
PROSTATE and stricken, when Lin
coins sympathy and understanding
would have helped to heal the wounds
and hide the scars and speed the
restoration!
How with his love and freedom
and Justice, this apostle of humanity
would have found his sorrows ten
fold repaid to see the hundred millions
to whom he bequeathed reunion and
nationality giving of their sons and
daughters and all their resources to
halt the armed march of autocracy
and preserve civilization, even'as he
this union.
More, how his great American
heart would be aglow to note how
resolutely we are going on. always
1n, holding the constitutional methods,
to meet the requirements Of
a progressive civilization, clinging to
a nlajority's right to rule, properly
restrained. which is the only true
sovereign of free people, and work
ing to the fulfillment of the destiny
of the worlds greatest republic.
Fifty -seven years ago this people
gave from their ranks. sprang from
their own fiber. this plain man. hold
ing their common ideals. They gave
him first to service of the nation. in
the hour of peril. +hen Ito their pam
theon of fame. With them and by
them he is enshrined and exhalted
forever
To-day American gratitude. love
and appreciation, give to Abraham
Lincoln. this lone white temple. a
pantheon for him alone
-O------