The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-31


union and nationally rather than
emancipation was declared to be the
supreme chapter in American history
by President Harding in an address
yesterday accepting the Lincoln mem
orial in behalf of the American people.
Lincoln would have compromised
with slavery Mr.. Harding declared
while cleaving to his great purpose
| the maintenance of the inheritance
handed down by the founding faith
ere
/ Declaring that the new memorial
was fittingly placed near the towering
spire of the Washington monument,
! Mr. Harding said that Washington, the
founder, and Lincoln, the saviour, Of
fered outstanding proof that a repre-
sentative popular government consti-
tutiOnally founded, can find its own
way to salvation and accomplishment -
1T is a supreme satisfaction officially to
| accept on behalf Of the government this
republic" he said. NO official duty
could be more welcome, no official fune-
ton more pleasing. This memorial edifice
is a noble tribute gratefully bestowed,
and in its offering is the reverent heart
of America; in its dedication is the con-
seriousness Of reverence and gratitude beau
tifully expressed.
Somehow my emotions incline me to
speak simply as a reverent and grateful
American rather than one in official re-
spOnsibility. 1 am thus inclined because
the true measure of lincoln is in his place
today in the heart of American citizenship
tho near half a century has passed since
his colossal service and his martyrdom.
OF encouragement whenever the clouds
gather, there is the image of Lincoln to
..Whenever there is glow OF triumnb
over national achievement there comes the
reminder shat but for LfncOln's heroic and
unalterable faith in the Union these tri-
umphs could not have been.
NO great character in all history has
been more eulogized, no rugged figure
more monumental. no likeness more pOr-
trayed- Painters and sculptOrs portray ms
they see, and no two see precisely alike
So, too, is there varied emphasis in the
portraiture Of words but all are agreed
about the rugged greatness and the sur
OF this master martyr.
History is concerned with the things
methods and the Individual attributes
which led to accomplishment.
Emancipation Not Supreme Chapter.
The supreme chapter in history is not
have exalted Lincoln thruout all the ages
The simple truth is that Lincoln, recog-
promised with the slavery that existed, If
he could have halted its extension
,lo,,h. atlng human slavery as he did he
thru the developing conscience of the
American people, but he would have been
arms to effect its abolition. Emancipa-
ton was n means to the end-maintained
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
fathers, the Ark Of the Covenant wrought
thru their heroic sacrifices, and builded in
their inspired genius. The Union must be
1T was the central thought, the unaltcr-
able purpose the unyielding intent, the
Ioundatlon OF faith It was worth every
sacrifice, Justified every cost. steeled the
heart to sanction every crimsoned tide of
blood" Here President Harding quoted
from the first inaugural address Of Presi-
dent Lincoln in which Mr.. Lincoln pleaded
for pacific settlement Of the slavery con-
troversy and went on:
But he appealed in vain. Passion was
aflame and war was made the arbiter.
Americans fought Americans with equal
biguity in the constitution which only a
baptism in blood would efface one may
have done but fate seems to have sum
moned the one great hero best fitted to
lead to the Unions salvation.
''HIs Head Above Clouds"
His faith was inspiring, his resolution
commanding, his sympathy reassuring. his |
simplicity enIisting, his patience unfailing. |
his head above the clouds, unmoved by
the storms which ranged about his feet.
criticised more bitterly assailed. He |
was dashed by angry tongues and ridi- |
culed 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 .
Rejecting now on the lampooning and |
needless attack and unjustifiabIe abuse
which bruised his heart and tested his /
patience we may accept its expression rs |
one OF the abused privileges under popular |
government, when passion eways and bit |
terness 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 end, and all the storm does not l
amount to anything.
He rose to colossal stature in a day OF 4
lmperilled union. He first appealed and /
then commanded, and left the Union Sc /
cure and the nation supreme. His was |
because Of the Inherent righteousness OF 1
his cause and the sublimity of his own /
faith. Washington inspired belief in the /
in its heroic beginning; Lincoln /
proved its quality in the heroic preserva-
lion.
'Modest-But Sure of Self"
Lincoln was modest, but he was sure |
Therein was his appeal to the confidence of |
bis country.
His work was so colossal in the face of |
such encouragement that none will dis /
pute that he was incomparably the great
est OF our presidents. He came to au-
thority when the republic was beset by |
foes at home and abroad and re-estabIished /
II his surprising generosity which began
reunion this memorial match
less tribute that It is, is less for Abraham
dncoln than for those Of us today, and |
Tor those who follow after. His surpass-
ng compensation would have been in liv-
ng, to have his ten thousand sorrows dissi-
Dated in the rejoicing of the succeeding
How It would soften his anguish to