Evening star., 1933-02-12
Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln was bound to hap
pen. There had to be some such per-
scnification Of American democracy. He
was a natural fruit of a tree whose
roots reach back into the unchronicled
antiquity Of the race and whose
branches explore the far frontiers Of
the future. In him there was the spirit
Of a people drawn from various and
diverse sources in the Old World to
conquer and govern the new. His
fame was great and is growing greater
because that folk manifestation which
made him Is recognized by his coun-
trymen. They see in him a reflection
Of themselves as they desire to be. He
is the apotheosis Of type Hence Euro
peans speak Of him Is the representa-
tive American.
The martyed President is not reced-
ing from us. He lives almost as truly
here and now as he did before an as
sassin's bullet laid him low, and his
influence is vastly mere compelling. But
myth and legend arc at work about his
name, and a screen is being raised to
obscure his figure as it actually was.
All celebrated leaders are treated alike
in this regard. The truth is often so
homely, so simple, 50 unromantic that
historians, biographers and novelists
feel justified in embellishing It. Their
purpose is only the dramatization of
their heroes. but the trick is dangerous.
The myth replaces the fact, the ro-
nance cancels the reality. Eventually
the authentic character Is smothered
in the legendary embroidery with which
1t is draped. To demonstrate the peril
it will suffice to note that the two most
widely popular books about Lincoln
are fictional productions, entirely imag-
mary in origin and content.
Were the romantic tendency unop-
posed, the real Lincoln would be quite
as conclusively destroyed by his friends
as he was by his enemies. That is
risk which cannot be contemplated with
eQuantmity.
However, it Is necessary to remember
that the Emancipator must be protected
from O second hazard even more to be
deplored than that Of irrational glori-
fication-the jeopardy which lies In
what is commonly called realistic
biography" perversion of romanticism
predicated on the notion that all great
men have feet Of clay" and that the
cataloging Of their faults and failings
provides an Illuminating summary of
their careers and accomplishments
The priggishness Of such an approach
should be sufficient condemnation for 1t,
but literary jackals always can find an
audience. There are those, apparently,
who do not realize that the traduction
of human nature s kind of moral
treason which merits vigorous resent
ment. Lincoln, thus far, has suffered
no hurt from such venial abuse, and
the affection of multitudes probably
may be relied upon to deal with any
further attempt to commercially calum-
Mate him.
The Lincoln Of the people is the real
Lincoln. Not demigod, not q prodigy
Of al the talents and all the virtues,
not a made-to-order Trojan of achieve
ment and victory, he was rather q plain
man, very much like thousands of other
Americans, who knew hardship, labor,
bitter pain and disappointment as they
know them, and yet, by the grace OF
God, was, again like them, not dis
heartened. not discouraged. The light
which burned in his mind, the passion
which warmed his heart are those
which are common among American
men and women everywhere. That Is
the Lincoln whom the humblest and
even the weakest hopefully may strive
to emulate, and that Lincoln Is good
enough and great enough for his
country.