Evening star., 1922-05-28
Why Lincoln Towers Above
Other Great Men of the World

arch CLEANER, is ever abroad. now
ing down transient idols OF former
mcititudNs. Even they who enjoy
greatness for brief space sink
into the Iommon ground of human
forgetfulness. Fame shrinks more
rapidly than years dissolve.
There have been men who in the
economy of God have had a name.
II not a veneration. from age TO
the evening star. but for much
time their light will glow upon
the years ahead. whatever may
come. England will still think of
Shakespeare and of Hampton;
France will remember Joan of
Arc, Charles Martel. Joffre: Italy
will continue to honor Cavour.
Maxzinj and Garibaldi. Dishonored
Germany today takes heart as she
Wagner. To all Americans. George
washington stili iNea
Has the world any name that
links with itself all tests of great
ness as we measure II? Is there
common idol OF all people: Time.
the great healer. has once
at least silenced every note
Of discord. healed every wound
and made Of one man uni
versaI candidate for greatness
with qualities that appeal to all
the higher and finer sensibilities Of
man. He went into the shades be-
tween the blessings and the curs-
ings of Q people to awaken and
learn that those who blessed were
blessing still and that those who
cursed had Joined them with their
hatred sweetened into loyalty.
Onlyeto the elect of God does this
experience come.
He loved this America with love
beyond comparison, and hated
slavery, with a righteous mans
hatred, yet he SO loved the repub-
lie that he was content to hx the
boundaries OF slavery IL thereby
the republic might live. He came
from out Of what is called the
lower strata of life and blossomed
as a white. lily. He waged a war
hercer than any then known to
humankind. and. at its close. he
shesthed his sword with no other
feeling for his fallen foe than that
Of helpfulness.
Self-tutored in the light of pine
knot in southern Indiana, he wrote
a document the like of which no
human pen has ever equaled. He
blended into one life all those
sentiments which go to the max
ing of a patriot. warrior. states
man, scholar. orator and frlend OF
man. He went to his death mourn
ed by millions. and hated by a>few.
Abraham Lincoln was the typical
American. BY right of all he SAID
and all he did. he remains the
brightest star in the armament OF
American greatness.
4
Within his tall ungainly body
and behind his homely face. there
rested all the virtues of the re-
public. He marks for time America
as the land of opportunity. regard
less of mere birth. Let no man
given health say that he is SO
Handicapped he cannot reach a fair
measure of success. Let him only
recall the adverse circumstances of
the martyred President.
When Thomas Lincoln settled in
Indiana. he built himself house
with walls to the east, west and
north. but with no wall to the
south. He said the sun shone from
the south and helped to keep him
warm, and that of rarity rain
came from that direction. If out
Of such environment a boy could
by faith, hope and honest living
go to his martyrdom by way of
the White House. surely there is
no limit to the possibilities Of
young American manhood.
A grateful government next
Tuesday will dedicate in Wash
ington a Greek temple to the
memory OF this man. who. not
only knew himself but knew
America: who loved not only his
friends, but also his enemies.
Above the temple of Diana at
Ephesus was written the motto.
Know Thyself." II 1 had my way,
l should write above the portals
of the temple in Washington.
Know Lincoln" And l should
have every schoolboy and school
girl In America understand what
he suffered. endured. hoped for and
accomplished.
With God over all and with the
young of America knowing Lin
coin and believing in him, l would
be conten: that neither treachery
within nor assault from without
ever would lay low this govern
ment which he taught was of the
people. by the people and for the
people.
Copyright. 1922. by Thomas R. Marshall.