, 1922-05-30
REvERENT HOMAGE
PAID TO

WASHINGTON, May So Main.
tanned union and nationality" rather
than emancipation" was declared 10
be the supreme chapter in American
history by President Harding in an
address today accepting tSo lincoln
Memorial in behalf OF the American
people. Lincoln would have compro
missed with slavery. Mr.. Harding dc.
clared. while cieaving to this great
purpose-maintcnance of the -Inhcsi.
tance handed down by the founding
fathers"
Declaring that the new memorial
was fittin-s- placed near the tower.
ing spire OF b Washington monu.
ment- Mr.. Harding sai that Wash
ington. the founder. and lincoln. the
saviour offered outstanding proof
that a representative popular govern.
ments constitutionally founded, can
find its own way to salvation and nc.
compiishment.'
The president spoke as follows:
1T is a supreme satisfaction Off.
ciaily TO accept on behalf of tho gov.
eminent this supcrb monument TO
tho saviour Of the republic. No eff.
ciai duty could be more welcome, no
AtoAC BiNAaAAAk 4ut
memorial edifice is a noble tribute,
gratefully bestowed, and in its offer
ing is the reverent heart of America;
of reverence and gratitude bcauti-
fully expressed.
Somehow my emotions incline me
to speak simply as a ~reverant and
grateful American rather than one in
%ff1at,I -.r--n.FIgliA. 49, l.
ciined because the true measure of
Lincoln is in his place today in the
heart of American citizenship, though
nearly half a century has passed since
his colossal service and his martyr
dom. In every ome OF peril. in
every hour OF discouragement, when
ever. the clouds gather, there is the
image Of Lincoln to Hvet our hopes
and to enc our faith. Whenever
there is a glow of triumph over ma
tional achievement there comes the
remind>r that but for Lincoln's heroic
and unafterable faith in the union,
these triu1nphs could not have been.
mo great character in all history
has been o e~ulogized. no rugged
figure mor monumental, no likeness
more portrayed. Painters and sci,lp-
tors portray as they see. and no two
see precisely alike. So too, Is there
varied emphasis in the ~portraiture of
words. btu all are agreed about the
rugged greatness n the surprising
tenderness and unfailing wisdom of
this master martyr.
History is concerned with the
things accomplished. Biography deals
with the methods n the individual
attributes which led to accomplish
ment.
1.-THE supreme chapter In history is
not emancipation, though that
achievement would have exalted LIZ
coin throughout all the ages. The
simple truth is that Lincoln, recogniz-
ing an established order. would have
compromised with the slavery that
existed, II he could have halted its
extenEion. Hating human slavery as
he did, he doubtless believed in its
ultimate abolition through the devel-
oping conscience of the American
people. but he would have been the
last man In the republic to resort to
arms 10 effect It's abolition. Eman-
cipzdon was a means to the great
end-maintained union and national
iJ. Here was the great purpose,
hero- the towering hope, ere the Eu-
ppazns fzstfa- He treasured the inher1-
tznce handed down by the founding
1rfhers, b. ark of h covenant
wrought through heir heroic sacri-
ices and builded in their inspired
Eeztus- The union must be preserved
II was the central thought, h unal-
tered purpose. the unyiolding .ntent.
thS fUuDda*fon OF faith. It vas worth
svery sacrifice. justified every cost,
steeled the HORT to sanction every
crtmsonad tide of blood. Eere was the
great experiment popular govern
ncnt and constitutional union-men-
iced by greed expressed IN human
ehattels. With the greed restricted
md notwithstanding, he could temper
When It challenged federal III
thority and thcatened the union. it
pronounced its own Goon. In the
FIST inaugural. he quoted and retter-
a,sd hts OWE sa-=ePeated uttennco
II have no purpose, directly or m