Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-12
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Born in log cabin; dying q president Of his
country! How love to cite this fact evil
dence Of the opportunity to achieve in America. No
class lines divide into castles QUE of which
not mount. Every go far as his mental
legs will carry him. So We boast and cite Abraham
Lincoln proof
Lincoln not great because he was born in a
log cabin. He was not great because he presi-
dent OF the United States The presidency has
honored and placed their names on n
select list. We know of them only because their
= names that roll Lincoln honored the prest-
dency. His glory is that he Lincoln. His place
in history is due to the bigness Of the rather
than the bigness Of the office which he held
Washington arstocrat. Lincoln
democrat. Neither favored with extraor-
binary mind. Both were favored with that great
ness OF soul which rises above the mind and directs
its activities.
Lincoln saw our nation as a democracy. To him
1t was a great group Of human beings banded to-
gether for their mutual advantage. To him our
great experiment meant that one man had many
rights as any other. He knew nothing of special
favors for few or the special interests of little
group.
Lincoln that equality in political rights
and equality of opportunity were essential to the
permanency OF this democracy. His mind sounded
the sea-bottom of our theory Of government when
he said: "Ths nation can not exist half slave and
half free" Were he alive today he would still be
warning that this nation can not exist half
slave and half free" Then, political freedom was
the nations problem. Today. economic freedom is
our issue Democracy not survive In the face
of economic slavery any than It could under
a system OF political slavery.
The special interests OF his day the slave
owners. They talked Of property rights being above
human rights. Property was sacred. With these
Lincoln Joined issue. So persistent the special
interests that the contest eventuaed in civil
The result proclaimed the fact that property rights
are not inherent and must yield to the demands of
a sound public policy affecting human rights
His position made him target for the bitterest
vituperation and abuse. No public has suf-
fered In the midst OF it all he said from his
burdened heart: with malice toward none, with
charity for ALL" Lincoln said that he failed
to understand why devoid OF malice he
knew himself to be should be the storm-center OF
such bitterness. He must have known that it was
because those who bitterly assalled him their
special privileges slipping away account OF his
activities
Lincoln was patient In the midst of the mos:
aggravatng annoyances his soul He
was pressing toward end he had in view. The
irritations of the day incidents. He I'M
derstood men. He expected them to perform the
way they did. Understanding this he calm
amidst the tempest he created.
Lincoln sent note to Stanton, Secretary
of War, ordering a reprieve for condemned SOL
der. The tempestuous but capable Stanton thought
he in the presidents act the destruction of army
discipline. In a passion he destroyed the note and
told its bearer that "the President is d--n fool"
The act of his secretary reported to Lincoln.
With a sad but patient smile the humorous
Lincoln reorted: Did Stanton say that? If he did
it must be true for Stanton is nearly always right
Thus through the clouds of irritating incident
burst the sunshine of his great soul.
Lincoln loved the common people-they were
his folks He their problems and understood
their aspirations Their passions to him the
outbursts of childish temper Back OF 1t all he saw
the essential goodness of purpose OF the average
man.
Lincoln great in his poise because his great
soul rose above petty things When the ship Of
state rolled dangerously in tempestuous seas he
stood at the helm in magnificent and solitary
grandeur He undsturbed. It was MS duty
to guide the old boat. With hand firm tina.
sometimes 1t was stern he performed his task
Today his spirit still guides many Of our people.
II the spirit and purpose Of Lincoln could guide
all, problems would be less perplexing and our
future less uncertain.