The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-04-12
LINCOLN. THE aGREAT-

LINCOLN, THE GREAT
The Lincoln Memorial in Washing
ton, is one of the most unique things
of its kind in this country, IL not in
the world. II is a radical departure
from the usual monumental reminders
of great men of the past. More than
a half century after the death of
Lincoln, when the idea of a great me-
mortal in his honor at the Nationel
Capital was first conceived, Ii was the
desire to make ii something that would
impress the unusual greatness OF Lin
coin upon the beholder. 1t must be
confessed that the purpose has been
achieved. This great temple near the
river, with the massive statue of the
emancipation, solitary amid that vast
chamber, invariably strikes the visi-
tor with awe. Thus IL comes about
that Washington and Lincoln have.
been commemorated at the capital
of the nation with memorials which
are as distinctive as the men them
selves. There is something mysterical
about the Lincoln memorial. and 1t Is
a reminder of one phase of the clos
ing days of his life which has been
dwelt upon very sparingly by the his
torian.
Nothing In all of the remarkable life
of Abraham Lincoln was quite as awe
inspiring as that moment, on the
morning Of his assassination, when he
foreshadowed his cwn untimely death.
There was something of the mystic
in the mental workings OF this un-
usual man. There was a deep spirit
ual vein in him. and 1t came to the
surface in the most unexpected way
on the most unexpected occasions.
Those who were close to him during
the year before his death say that a
great change was gradually coming
over Abraham Lincoln. Prior to that
time he seemed to be oppressed with
the awful burden that had been placed
upon his shoulders. He looked care
worn and was anxious about the re-
suit of the war. But by degrees he
rid himself of this feeling. and Just
before his lamentabie death, he had
become perfectly tranquil.
II was in April, in 1865, that he was
at CITY Point. Mrs. Lincoln was with
him and they drove along the edge OF
the James river. Presently they pass
ed a country graveyard. Over IT there
lowered a strange calm, an unutter-
able r~eacefulness. 1t made a pro-
found impression upon the President.
He turned to his wife, and speaking
with great tenderness, he said:
"Mary. you are younger than /. You
will survive me. When / am gone
Law nv remains in some quiet place
like this"
That was all, but 1t brought the un-
hidden tears to the eyes of Mrs. Lin
coin. WHY should be speak OF death
when life looked so bright n cneer-
full, and at a time when he was In per-
feet health. and in the enjoyment OF .
contentment he had not known since
he entered the Presidency VINO car
answer these questionsi Later ths
president went to Washington by boa
On the way down the James river M
was quiet and thoughtful. Presently
and most unexpectedly, he began u
rccite the passage from Macbeth:
"Duncan's in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well
treason has done its worst; nor stes
nor poison; 80,
Malice domestic. foreign levy, nothni
Can touch him further.
He repeated this and It had an W
some effect upon those about him bu
that mood soon passed away. n IN
EttIe while he was as bright and ga
as n member of the party "
II was on April IA, 1855. during
meeting of the Cabinet, that Lincol
told his friends Of a strange dream q
had had the night before. All OF tn