The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-31

restricted and unthreatening, he could temporize. When it challenged federal authority and threatened the union, it pronounced it's own doom. He recognized the conflicting view points. differing policies, and con- troverted questions. But there were constitutional methods of settlement and these must be employed.
 Majorittes and MinOrities
 Tn the first inaugural address he stressed the great general principle. That in our constitutional eontrover- sies we divide into majorities and minorities. If the minority will no- acquiesce. the majority must, or the government must cease. There is no other alternative for continuing the government is acquiescenee on one side or the other. If the minority in such case will secede rather than acquiesce, they make precedent which in turn will. divide and ruin them. Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy. A majority held in restraint by con- stitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with de- liberate change of popular opinions and sentiments. is the only true s6v- ereign of a free people. Whoever re- JtEkd IL uOGS OI necessity fly to an archy or despotism.
 Here spoke the statesman pro- claiming deliberate public opinion as the supreme power of civilization easily to be written into law when conviction should command. It ought to be tonic to the waning confidence of those of today who grow impatient that emphasized minority views are not hurried into the majority express sions of the republic. Deliberate pub lie opinion never fails.
 Sympathetic Man
 Later closing his first inaugural when anxiety gripped the nation. there spoke the generous, forgiving. sympathetic man of undaunted faith: I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it. must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart ana hearth stone. all over this broad isnd will yet swell the chorus of the union, when again touched, as they surely will be by the better angles of our nature.' But he appealed in vain Passion was aflame and war was made the arbiter. Americans fought Americans with equal courage and valor. There was an ambiguity in the constitution which only bap- tism in blood could efface. One may only speculate on what another might have done. but fate seems to have summoned the one great hero best fitted to lead to the unions salvation.
 His faith was inspiring; his reso- lEtion commanding, his sympathy re- assuring his simplicity enlisting, his patience unfailing. He was faith, patience and courage. with his head above the clouds, unmoved by the storms which ragged about his feet.
 Insparingly Criticized
 "No leader was ever more un- sparingly criticized or more bitterly assailed. He was lashed by angry tongues and ridiculed in press and speech until he drank from as bit- fer a cup as was ever put to human lips. but his faith was unshaken, and lis patience never exhausted. Some cne sent me recently an illuminined and framed quotation which fell from his lips when the storm of criticism was at it's height:
 "If were trying to read he said~ much less answer all the at tacks made on me. this shop might as we'll be closed for any other busi- ness. l do the best I know how, the very best I can; and l mean to keep on doing it to the end. If the end brings me out all right what is said against me will not amount to any thing If the end brings me out all wrong ten Angels swearing l was right. would make no difference.
 "He knew, of course. before the assassin robbed him Of fuller realiza- tion that the end would bring him out all right-he knew that in the great crucible of fire and blood the dross had been burned from the misdireeted patriotism of seeding states and the pure gold restored to shining stars in dear old Glory again. But cannot restrain the wish that he might some how know of the monuments to his memory throughout the world. and that we are dedicating today on be- half of grateful nation this match less memorial whose 4S columns, rep