Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-10
Contrast Lincoln
With MussOlini in
WaterVille Speech

Last evening the WdteTVllIe WoIH-
ans Club listened with interest to
the fourth of DR.. Wilkinson's lectures
on International and National AZ
fairs, and in this talk he contrasted
Lincoln with Mussolini. He first
spoke of the fondness of the United
States for celebrating birthdays OF
our great men.
According to DIR. Wilkinson Mus
solini represents the extreme opposite
type in public life to that which was
exhibited by Abraham Lincoln.
Speaking of Lincoln and his message
for the national and international
problems of today Prof. Wilkinson
said that magnanimity was one Of
the outstanding characteristics of the
great war president. He pointed out
that Drinkwater in his we'll known
drama had stressed this phase of
Lincoln when in the final act he is
solicitous that generous treatment
should be accorded Lee and the de-
feated South. The South lost a real
friend when Lincoln was assassinated
by Booth. Had Lincoln lived one Of
the most unfortunate chapters in
American history would never have
been written. Today we have solid
but because of the stupid and GRIMM
al reconstruction policy on the part
of those bitter and prejudiced par
tisans who opposed President john
son. Lincoln was prepared to re-
construct the South in a generous
and maenanimous spirit. When hos
tilities were concluded Lincoln was
asked what should be done with the
Southern leaders. Shall we hang
them?" said his interlocutor. mo"
replied Lincoln. hang on to them"
At this point DIR. Wilkinson referred
to the brutal domineering and bully
ing spirit which was being exempli-
fled by the Italian premier Taking
advantage of the weakness and dis
armed condition of Germany he made
a threatening speech in the Italian
parliament a few days ago which re-
fiected a political temper quite OPP
posite to that of Lincoln-a speech
which led the Boston Herald to ex-
claim in an editorial. What a
blunderer this thunderer isl" Today
more than at any period in the his
tory of the world statesmen are
needed with the sympathy and gen.
erous outlook which ever character
lied Lincoln. The policies of BRAND.
the French premier, very fortunately
partake of the spirit of Abraham
Lincoln. The spirit Of Locarno ex-
emplifies the type of reconstruction
which lincoln would have approved.
DIR. Wilkinson again contrasted
Lincoln and Mussolini with respect
to their attitude towards democracy.
He stated that the supreme signi-
fiance of Lincoln was his embodi-
ment of the principle that governs
ment should be by the people as well
as for the people. This same princi-
pie of democracy las been derided
and f1outed by Mussolini. Today
democracy is at the cross roads. AZ
though we were assured that the war
was to make the world safe for
democracy there is less democracy
in many parts of Europe :odav than
in 1914. Dictatorships and govern
ment by strong men seem to be the
latest fashion in the states Of South
Europe. Even in our own country
there are those who doubt the wis
dom of government by the people and
who are inclined to applaud the Wig
orous but undem ccratic methods OF a
Mussolini or a Primo di Rivera. IN
the light Of recent tendencies In
modern governments there was never
a greater need for setting forth the
principles of democracy which must
ever be associated with the name OF
Lincoln.
DR.. Wilkinson said Lincoln lived
in a house by the side of the road
and was a friend to man."
He said further that today espec-
tally in Europe we need men ike
Abraham Lincoln.