The New York herald., 1922-05-31

| Like the greaI Washington, whose
monumental shaft towers nearby as a
fit companion to the memorial we
dedicate to-day. the two testifying the
| grateful love Of all Americans to
founder and savior--like Washington,
Lincoln was very natural human
| being, with the frailties mixed with the
virtues OF humanity. There are neither
| supermen nor demigods in the govern
ment of kingdoms, empires or repub-
lies. 1t will be better for our concep-
ton of government and its institutions
| II we will understand this fact. 1t is
vastly greater than finding the super
man il we justify the confidence that
our institutions are capable of bring
ing into authority. in time Of stress.
| men big enough and strong enough to
| meet all demands
| Washington and Lincoln offered
outstanding proof that a representa-
| tive popular government, constitution
! ally founded, can find its own way to
salvation and accomplishment. In the
! very beginning our American democ-
! racy turned to Washington, the aris-
| tocrat, for leadership in revolution,
and the greater task of founding per-
| manent institutions. The wisdom Of
| Washington and jefferson and Ham
| ilton and Franklin was proven when
! Lincoln, the child Of privation, Of
| hardship, of barren environment and
meager opportunity, rose to unques-
! toned leadership when disunion threat
| ened.
| Lincoln came almost as humbly as
the Child Of Bethlehem. His parents
were unlettered, his home was devoid
of every element of culture and re-
| finement. He was no infant prodigy,
| no luxury facilitated or privilege
hastened his development, but he had
God-given intellect, a love for work,
| willingness to labor and a purpose to
succeed.
Biographies differ about his ambi-
| tion, but Herndon, who knew him as
did no other. says he was greatly am
bilious / can believe that. Ambition
is a commendable attribute. without
| which no man succeeds. Only incon-
siderate ambition imperils.
Lincoln was modest, but he was sure
| of himself. and always greatly simple.
| Therein was his appeal to the conf
dence OF his country. When he be-
lieved he was right. a nation believed
| him to be right, and offered all in his
| support.
His work was SO colossal. In the
| face of such discouragement, that none
will dispute that he was incompar-
| ably the greatest of our presidents.
He came to authority when the Re-
public was beset by foes at home and
| abroad and reestablished union and
security He made that gesture of his
surprising generosity which began
reunion. Let US forget the treachery.
corruption, and incompetence with
which he had to combat. and recall
| his wisdom. his unselfishness. and his
| sublime patience. He resented no cal
umnies upon himself: he held no man
his enemy. who had the power and
will to serve the Union. his vision was
blinded by no jealousy. He took his
| advisors from among his rivals, in
voked their patriotism and ignored
| their plottings. He dominated them
by the sheer greatness of his intellect.
the singleness and honesty of his pur-
pose. and made them responsive to his
hand for the accomplishment of the
exalted purpose. Amid 1t all there
was a gentleness, a kindness. a SYM
pathetic sorrow. which suggests
Divine intent to blend mercy with
power in supreme attainment.
This memorial. matchess tribute
that 1t is, is less for Abraham Lincoln
those who follow after. His surpass-
ing compensation would have been in
living. to have his ten thousand sor
rows dsspated in the rejoicings of the
succeeding half century. He loved
"his boys" I'm the army, and would
have reveled In the great part they
played in more than half century OF
the pursuit OF peace and concord re-
stored.
How he would have been exalted
by the chorus OF the Union after
"the mystic chords" were touched by
the better angels OF our nature" !" How
| It would comfort his great soul 10
know that the States in the South
land join sincerely in honoring him.
and have twice since his day Joined.
with all the fervor of HIS own great
heart in defending the flag. How IL
would soften his anguish to know that
the South long since came to realize
that a vain assassin robbed Il OF Its
most sincere and potent friend when
1t was PROSTATE and stricken. when
Lincolns sympathy and understanding
would have helped to heal the wound
and hide the scars and speed the
restoration How with his love of
freedom and justice. this apostle of
humanity would have found his sor-
rOWs teniOiu Tepalu 10 sec ule nuHuTcu
millions to whom he bequethed re-
union and nationality. giving of their
sons and daughters and all their for
tunes to halt the armed march OF
autocracy and preserve civilization.
even as he preserved union!
More, how his great American
heart would be aglow to note how
resolutely we are going on. always
on, holding to constitutional methods,
amending TO meet the requirements OF
progressive civilization. clinging TO
majority rule, properly restrained.
which Is "the only true sovereign OF
free people," and working to the
fulhllment OF the destiny OF the
worlds greatest republic.
Fifty-seven years ago this people
gave from their ranks. sprung from
their own fiber, this plain man. hold
ing their common ideals. They gave
him first to service of the nation IN
the hour OF peril. then to their Pan
theon Of fame. With them, and by
them. he is enshrined and exalted for
ever.
To-day American gratitude, love
and appreciation. give to Abraham
Lincoln this lone white temple, q Pan
theon for him alone,