The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-02-14

liberty la revered
Lincoln Is the symbol OF Constitu-
uonal America. From an obscure he
ginning In rude cabin In Kentucky
this figure rose to the heights and
remains as smile OF American OPP
portunity. his career etched in the
hearts OF mankind. and his historic
scniptured figure enshrined in n
temple or imDerishable granite. TO
ST through the generations. facing
the east where countless sunrises
brighten before him the great dome
OF the capitol Of the union he served
and saved.
1t has been said that other coun-
tries have produced great men. but
only America could produce Lin
coin. III you cannot agree that he
was a development OF the American
idea OF individual liberty and OPP
portunity. then you must admit. X
you have studied his political philo-
sophy. his governmental genius. his
craftsmanship. his fidelity to prin-
chile. his love OF truth-you must
admit that he was "A miracle.
1.lncoln's early life. his struggles
and his ambitions. his growth in
citizenship. and his political activi-
ties. are so well known that J will
not review them here. but will en-
deavor to draw from Lincoln's
philosophy OF government some les
sons that America could profitably
apply to the problems that confront
md bewilder the nation today.
LIncOln's 1860 Platform
The national Republican conven-
ton In session at Chicago in 1860
nominated Lincoln for president ana
adopted platform from one plank
Of which read us follows:
That the maintenance OF the
principles promulgated in the De-
cl0ratiOn Of independence and
embodied In the Federal Constitu-
ton THAT all men are created
equal: that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalien-
able rights: that among these are
life. liberty. and the pursuit OF
happiness: that to secure these
rights. governments are instituted
among men. deriving their Just
mowers from the consent OF the
governed"-is essential to the pre-
tons: and that the Federal Con-
stitution. the rights of the states,
and the Union of the States must
and shall b preserved"
You r4coknike. OF course. the
coin convention platform They en-
brace the essential principles OF our
great charter OF government: hey
recite the assurance Of individual
liberty and human freedom.
This Is the finest statement OF the
rights OF men that has ever been
made. All are created equal before
the law. All men are endowed with
inalienable rights-rights that do not
come by the grace OF other men but
from the Crcator-rights which gov
eminent cannot take from lis. and
these rights are life. liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness.
Individual Liberty
Man comes first, and government
is but an instrument to secure these
God-given rights. and government -
mans creature. subject to mans
Will. and NAH gives his consent to
the endowment OF government with
lust power-all the powers it can
Justly use-when 1t goes beyond that
IL is usurpaiion. The course of in
dividual liberty and the right OF self
government follow the individual
RIGHTS into communities OF local home
rule They are carried by the COM
nuniiies into the states and blend
40 states rights. and from the
.,3tes into the union. the govern
cnt Of which has no authority other
!an that delegated to its by the
ltcs. and in the union OF etates
'lman rights coming up from the
ld!yIdual unit of government are
'.r supporting pillars 0 four ma
;rn2lisn
nave SET cut. briefly. the founda-
ION principles Of Americanism. that
hi'e been advocated and observed
'" he Republican party since Lin
p.nS iiist nomination: these also,
must say IN fairness, have been
principles u the Democratic party
IN until tine new deal took It captive
ana made IL no longer q party OF
PRINCIPLES but a party OF program
.'.s- unmIndlul OF the consent OF
'Ae guNc.H"d--trying TO walk on the
t'd of economic disorders with such
'0cii,aing s'epe that they have
"hnrn'd llrn,es into waves or dCs-
tlG0tpu.
Now PrOgramist Party
in seeming insenslbiity to the
!Inddmeutal principles OF liberty
and equal Justice this Programist
larry has plunged the country into
'puiusirn b, it's theories, its blund-
'"s. its mistakes. its assaults on
'lsincss. industry and thrift.
FOrgetful u constitutional inhibi-
'.cas the programists have pursued
policies That IL there had been no
"opr3l 10 The supreme court. would
nae hamstfung business. destroyed
me INDEPENDENCE and nobility OF
la5Or and broken the morale of
american citizenship.
No mantle OF excuse or explana-
non can cover the long list OF eco
L'ml" and political blundeTs the
80" Deal has made, the whole con-
go ni1g a record that Is both vul-
i..tb'" and yandal.
LincoIn's Great Mission
Linco'n's great mission was to
save the union-and save II as he
Illd. with or without slavery. lie
did not believe he had the right IT,
'o arv measure in violation OF the
constitutional limits Of the great
bowers he held, unless II was to pre-
serve the constitution through the
D'y.ervation " the nation"
Lincoln ZOO his debates with Step
non y. Douglas mover passed beyond
a"':iuticnal limits He said IL