Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-13

although nearly sixty years have
passed since his death. Probably
there has been no one justly en-
titled to be termed "the greatest
man in the world" AS there are
many different talents. SO there are
many different kinds of greatness.
This makes comparisons somewhat
barren of results. But measured by
ability. achievement and character.
America has long placed Washing
ton and Lincoln as the two men in
our history pre-emlnently entitled
to be termed truly great" In this
opinion we have the general con-
currence of mankind. While 9TH
erS approach them, they are not
outranked by any of the other fig
ures which all civilization has pro-
duced throughout Its record of
thousands of years.
In way all men are great. 1t
is on that conception that Ameri-
can institutions have been found
ed. Perhaps the differences are not
so much as many SUPPOSE. Yet
there are differences which set Oft
some men above their. fellows.
What these differences are in q par
ticular case Is a matter somewhat
of personal opinion. To, me the
greatness of Lincoln consisted very
largely Of vision by which he
saw more clearly than the men OF
his time the moral relationship OF
things. His great achievement lay
in bringing the different elements
OF his country into more truly
moral relationship. He was the
commander in chief OF the great
est armies the world had then seen.
They were victorious. Yet We do
not look upon him as a conqueror.
He directed the raising and expen-
diture' of vast sums of money.
Yet we do not think of him as
financier. The course which he
followed cost many lives and desc
lated much territory. Yet we think
OF him not as placing burden on
the nation, but removing one from
it, not as a destroyer but re-
storer. He was liberator. He
struck the letters not only from
the bodies but from the minds of
men. He was great moral force.
Made Freedom Secnrer.
When Lincoln had finished his
course ne had made the founda-
ton of freedom stronger and
firmer on which to build national
unity. Strengthening that princi-
pie was the chief accomplishment
of his life. He pointed out that
the nation could not endure half
slave and. half free. The mighty
work which he did finally lett it
to endure all free. He restored ma
tional unity. by restoring moral
The questions which he consid-
cred in his day we need have no
hesitation in concluding were
finally and definitely settled. There
is no difference of opinion. no ar
gument about them now. Ihe
conclusions which he drew have
lang Sipc. heer the settled policy
of our country.
The conflicts OF this time have
passed away. New developments
have taken place, new problems
struggle which came, lasting up
to the days af the world war. for
Increased compensation to wage
earners, for the bottering OF their
condition. while it has never been
fully settled, does not appear at
present to be acute. The rewards
Of labor engaged in commerce,
transportation and industry are
now such as to afford the most
liberal participation in all the es-
sentials of life. What this ire
mendous opportunity now held by
the wage Garner. if wisely and
justly administered, Will mean to
the well being of the nation Is
almost beyond comprehension. 1t
opens up. the prospect of a new
eTd Ill nulIldi1 tAiSttiSS' H. JUST"
fies the assertion that. while
America has problems. it is not
lacking in the ability or courage
to comprehend and solve them.
1t is a warrant for confidence In
the future.
That national unity for which
Lincoln laid the foundation re-
quires perpetual adjustment for
its maintenance: How great our
country. really is, how diversified
the comprehension of any one
man. Yet great and diversified
as II is, any pretense of sound
morals or sound economics re-
quires that each part, each sec
ton and each interest should be
looked upon by the government
with like solicitude, all sharing
the common burdens. all partaking
OF the common welfare. There is
no sound. policy which is narrow,
or sectional, or limited. Every
sound policy must be national in
its scope. 1t is always necessary.
to determine what Will be good for
the whole country.
Importance of. Farming.
The necessary observance Of.
these. principles requires, at the
present time, that a large amount,
of attention should be given to-
on which it is estimated that more
than forty millions of our people
are directly or indirectly de-.
pendent. 1t represents an invest,
ment several times as large as.
that Of all the railroads Of the.
country. 1t has an aggregate pro-
duction of over $4,000, 100000 each
year. Yet with all these vast re-
sources of production and con-,
sumption. and the vast purchasing,
power for the products of the
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prosperity Of our industry and
commerce, with here and there an,
exception. agriculture as a whole.
languishes.
Production has outrun the power
of distribution and consumption.
creasing. but the improved meth
ODDS of tillage and inventions in
farm machinery, have all con-
tributed to increase the per capita
output. 1t is in this direction that
the agricultural schools and col
leges have placed their major en-
phasis. Their education has been
substantially all on the side of
improved methods of production
and none on the side of distribu-
When there is a difficulty which
Affects SO large a. population, so,
large an area and so important
an interest as that of agriculture.
1t Is distinctly national question.
1t scarcely needs to be pointed out
that agriculture Is Of vital i'm,
portance to our country. 1t is
the primary source of sustenance,
enterprise. industry and wealth.
Every one ought to know that it.
is basic and fundamental. With
out q healthy. productive and,
prosperous agriculture. there can
be no real national prosperity. It
is perfectly obvious that there is
something radically wrong when
agriculture is found in its present
state of depression at a time when
manufacturing, transportation and
commerce are on the whole in a
remarkable state of prosperity.
No one would deny, I suppose,
that industrialiy we are very -four
ishing. Every standard by which
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