Evening star., 1941-02-12
Lincoln

y
Of the savior of the American Union
1t is well to remember that, though
he first saw light of day hundred
and thirty-tWo years ago and
changes have been many in the
earth since February II, 1909, the
fundamental problems of human
society remain what they we're in
his period. The issues of harmony
between classes and among nations,
of justice embracing all men, of
peace replacing war, of prosperity
supplanting poverty, and happiness
succeeding bitter misery, still engage
the attention of every thoughtful
individual who cares to merit the
privilege of useful existence.
Living generations, of course, are
apt to suppose that the evils by
which they are challenged are new
to the experience of mankind. Like
Hamlet, each separate citizen dis
covers to his own dismay that "the
time is out of joint" and realizes,
as the unhappy Prince of Denmark
did, that it is a duty to set right
the things amisS. Small wonder is
it, then, that sensitive souls are Sor-
roWful and sad. Thousands of peo-
pie, great and humble, strong and
weak, instinctively turn back to the
help which they know they may
have from the Elder Brother upon
whom Abraham Lincoln relied in
the agony of the contest between
the North and the South. Il am
nothing" he declared, but truth is
everything. I know that am right
because I know that liberty is right,
for Christ teaches it, and Christ is
God"
Those words came not from the
brain alone. Rather, they are the
distilled essence of wisdom achieved
by suffering. They were appropri-
ate in 1864; they are alive with
meaning in 194l. So, too, the phrases
which distinguish the second inau-
gural have current application. Lord
Charnwood, in his biography of the
Emancipator, notes that they were
read at his grave when the tragedy
of his life was finished. Those who
heard them on that deeply solemn
occasion and some at least of those
who hear them now are at one in
believing that they signify the glory
of his victory. 1t was not merely
the abolition of chattel slavery, the
preservation of the Union and the
maintenance of popular government
that Lincoln achieved. He reaffirmed
freedom; he re-establiShed the right
of millions to enjoy the dignity of
personality which each child of the
Creator of the Universe receives as
an inheritance.
Let it be granted that the erst-
while Springfield lawyer whom the
professional politicians delighted to
distrust was a dictator of a sort the
while the conflict lasted. To meet
the demands of his task he needed
power Without apology he assumed
the license he required. His principal
English interpreter answers his crit
les when he says that his "astound-
ing strength" became richer and
more tender because of his natural
wealth of :. compassion" 1t is in
that mystic quality that Lincoln is
so dynamic, so compelling, so mag
niflcently great. The final doctrine
to which he attained on the eve of
his death was summarized in the
pledge With malice toward none;
with charity for all; with firmneSs
in the right, as God gives us to see
the right, let us strive on to finish
the work we are in .. to do all which
lasting peace among ourselves and
with all nations"
From his temple on the bank of
the Potomac, throughout his country
and the world beyond, the echo of
his promise moves to inspire and to
sustain the heirs of the sacrifice of
the American Martyr.
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