Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-06-07
DELEGATES GREAT
LINCOLN TRIBUTE
President Harding Pays Honor
to Civil War Chief.
UNION FIRST HIS WATCHWORD
Declares Former President Greater in
Saving the Republic Than Freeing
Slaves-Suprsme Chapter IN
History not Emancipation.

History not Emancipation.
Washington, May Maintained
union ANA Nationality" rather than
emancipation" was declared TO be
The supreme chapter In American his
tory = President Harding IN an adj
dress accepting the Lincoln memorial
IN behalf oi the American people, Lin
coin would have compromised with
slavery, Ar. Harding declared, while
cleaying 10 his sreat purpOse-the
maintenance of the inheritance
handed down By tie founding IA
1 Tiers"
Declaring that the new memorial
was httingly placed near the tower
I Ing splre OF tie Washington mOnu-
ment, Mr.. Harding said that Wash
I ington, the founder, and Lincoln, the
/ saviour. offered outstanding proof
that a representative popular govern
ment, constitutiOnally founded, can
I find its own way 10 salvation and
accomplishment
Foremost among the men who gath
I cred at this eliminating ceremony of
/ Decoration day were the aged vet
Grams OF the Grand Army of the Re
public.
The Presidents Speech.
The President spoke In part as fol-
/ lows:
lit Is a supreme satisfaction Off
! cially To accept on behalf of the gov
eminent this superb monument TO the
saviour OF the republic. No official
duty could be more welcome, no Off
/ cial function more pleasing. This
memorial edifice is noble tribute,
gratefully bestowed, and In its offer
I ing is the reverent heart of America;
/ In its dedication is the consciousness
| OF reverence and gratitude beautifully
/ expressed.
somehow my emotions incline me
TO speak simply as a reverent and
grateful American, rather than one in
official responsibility. l am thus in
clined because the true measure of
Lincoln is In his place today in the
heart OF American citizenship,
though half century has passed
since his colossal service and his
/ nnrtyrdom. In every moment of
I.leril, in every hour of discourage
ment whenever the clouds gather,
I there is the image of Lincoln 10 rivet
/ our hopes and to renew our faith.
/ Whenever there is a glow of triumph
over national achievement, there
l comes the reminder that but for Lin
coins heroic and unalterable faith in
the Union, these triumphs could not
have been.
NO great character I'm all history
/ has been more eulogized, no rugged
figure more monumental no likeness
more portrayed. Painters and sculp-
\ tors portray as they see, and no two
I see precisely alike. So, too. is there
\ varied emphasis I'm the porraiture of
words, but all are agreed about the
rugged greatness and the surprising
tenderness and unfailing wisdom of
4 this master martyr.
History is concerned with the
things accomplished. Biography deals
with the methods and the individual
/ attributes which led 10 accomplish
ment.
4 emancipation Oulg q MNoNos
"The supreme chapter in history Is
not emancipation. though that achieve
ment would have exalted Lincoln
throughout all the ages. The simple
/ truth is that Lincoln. recognizing an
established order. would have COM
promised with the slavery that exist
ed. il he could have halted its ex-
tension. Hating human slavery as he
did. ne doubtless believed in its ulti-
mate abolition through the develop
ing conscience of the American peo-
ple. but he would have been the last
man IN the republic 10 resort TO arms
% effect its abolition. Emancipation
was a means 10 the great end-main-
tanned union and nationality.
Here was the great purpose. here
the towering hope. here the supreme
,aith. He treasured the Inheritance
handed down by the founding fathers,
he ark OF the covenant wrought
through their heroic sacrifices and
builded In their inspired genius. The
| Union must be preserved. IL was the
/ central thought. tn unalterable pur-
pose. the unyielding intent, the fOun-
dation OF faith. II was worth every
sacrifice. justified every cost steeled
the heart TO sanction every crimsOned
tide OF blood.
Here was the great experiment.
nopular government and constitution
nj union-menaced by greed expressed
IN human chattels. With the greed
restricted and unthreatening. he
could temporize. When It challenged
federal authority and threatened the
Union. It pronounced fits own doom"