Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-31
Harding's Tribute
Continued from PAGE One)


a means to great end-naintained
union and nationality. Here was the
great purpose, here the towering
hope. here the supreme faith. He
treasured the inheritance handed
down by the founding fathefs. the
ark Of the covenant wrought through
their heroic sacrifices, and builded in
their inspired genius. The Union
must be preserved. 1t was the CEN
trail thought, the unalterable purpose.
the unyielding intent, the foundation
of faith. 1t was worth every sacri-
flee. justified every cost. steeled the
heart to sanction every crimson tide
of blood. Here was the great expert
ment-popular government and con-
stitutional union-menaced by greed
expressed in human chattels. With
the greed restricted and unthreaten-
ing, he could temporariZe. When it
challenged federal authority and
threatened the Union, it pronounced
its own DOOM
His faith was inspiring, his reso-
luton commanding, his sympathy
reassuring. his simplicity christening,
his patience unfailing," said Mr..
dleI III HIS dUuTeSS. Tie WAS
faith, patience and courage. with his
head above the clouds, unmoved by
the storms which ragged about his
feet.
NO leader was ever more unspar-
ingly criticized or more bitterly as
sailed. lie was dashed by angry
tongues and ridiculed in press and
speech until he drank from as bitter
a cup as was ever put to human lips,
but his faith was mistaken and his
patience never exhausted ..
"Reflcctng now on the lampooning
and needless attack anu unjustiiable
abuse which bruised his heart and
tested his patience. we may accept its
expression as one of the abused priv
ileges under popular government when
passion sways and bitterness inspires.
but for which there is compensation in
the assurance that when men have
their feet firmly planted in the right,
and do the very best they can and
keep on doing it, they come out all
right in the cni and all the storm does
not amount to anything. :.
washington and Lincoln offered
! outstanding proof that representa-
tive popular government. constitution
ally founded. can find its own way to
salvation and accomplishment. In the
very beginning our American demo-
crazy turned to Washington, the aris-
tocrat. for leadership in revolution,
and the greater task of founding per-
manent institutions. The wisdom of
Washington and Jefferson and Hamil-
ton and Franklin was proven when
Lincoln. the child of privation. Of
hardship, of barren environment and
meagre opportunity, rose to unqu-s s.
toned leadership when disunion
threatened I"
Let us forget the treachery. corrup-
ton and incompetence with which he
had to combat and recall his wisdom,
his unselfshness, his sublime patience.
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 in
living. to have his want and sorrows,
dissipated in the rejoicing of the sue
cecdng half century. He loved his
boys in the army, and would have
rcveled in the great part they pla! ed
in more than half century Of the
pursuit Of peace, and concord restored
| How he would have been exalted by
| the soldiers 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
| ~, Tot,
sincerely in honoring him and have
twice. since his day. Joined, with all
the fervor OF his own great heart, In
defending the flag. How it would soft
en- his anguish to know that the south
long since came to realize that a vain
| ASA ssin robbed 1t Of its most sincere
and potent friend when It was pros
trate and stricken, when Lincoln's
sympathy and understanding would
have helped to heal the wounds and
hide the scars and speed the restora-
ton. How with his love and freedom
and justice. this apostle Of humanity
would have found his sorrows ten fold
iepad to see the hundred millions to
whom he bequeathed reunion and ma
tionality, giving of their sons and
daughters and all their fortunes to
halt the armed approach of autocracy
and preserve civilization. even as he
preserved union.
more, how his great American
heart would he aglow to note how res
olutely we are going on. always on.
holding to constitutional methods.
amending to meet the requirements of
a progressive civilization. clngng to
majority rule, property restrained
which is the only true sovereign OF a
free people, and working to the full
fillment Of the destiny of the worlds
greatest republic