The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-04-03
PART II

Uut tulb was uOL COuCOIACu Will
personal advancement, but with his
desire to see the rights he stood fol
triumph. His advice to fellow.
worker was on questions of great
moment and of wide significance
for mankind to give in only when
you find your opponent is more than
your equal in presentation; but in
matters of small moment, don't ag-
gravate in order to carry your point
Present failures and consequences
had little effect on his actions; il
was upon the larger goal he set the
rays of his torch of liberation.
In the senatorial election in Ill
inois in 1854, this man had vision
of 6 years in the U. s. Senate and
needed only votes from the demo
Gratis to be elected, yet he very
humbly asked that his supporters,
40 in all, throw their votes to a
friendly opponent to break the dead
lock. In the senatorial election OF
1854, Lincoln asked his opponent,
Douglass: Does the Congress have
the right to prohibit slavery in the
territories? This question was asked
in spite of warning by friends that
he would lose tn eelection. Yes, he
did lose out in the senatorial cleo
ton but 10 years later he was elect
ed President of the United States.
Lincoln enjoyed forgiveness and
never allowed antagonisms to OBJ
scure the true abilities of men. Lin
coin once said, in substance, that
when my opponents stop hating me,
all differences are completely for
gotten. Secretary of War Chase be-
came embittered during Presidential
Primary of 1854 and resigned from
the cabinet when he found that Lin
coin was going to be nominated.
When Chief Justice fancy died Lin
coin realized the greatness of Chase
and appointed him Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court.
The greatness of Lincoln was well
exemplified in his perseverance in
dealing with his commanding Gen
eral Mcclellan. On one occasion
President Lincoln called on General
Mcclellan to talk war matters con-
corning the fighting of the war. The
General was not at home and the
President decided to await his ar
rival. When Mcclellan came home,
he glanced into the room where the
Chief Executive was seated and
without saying word retired to his
bed. Lincoln waited few minutes
and then went home. In spite of the
many rebuffs, Lincoln kept McClel-
Ian at the head of the army of the
Potomac because he was confident
that he was a great general.
The man Lincoln was deeply re-
ligious. 1t was true that he was
non-communicative about his reli-
gious beliefs, but few men have had
command of the scriptures as Abra.
ham Lincoln. He was not wont to
drink, swear nor gamble. On one
4 occasion, while visiting in New
York, he happened to enter a Sun.
day school and took over the teach.
| ing duties, and when asked to whom
were they indebted for such an un-
| derstanding of the scriptures, the
answer was, Abraham Lincoln"
| In the last half of his second inau.
gural in over span of $50 words
Lincoln mentioned God or The
Almighty eight times. Surely life
such as Lincolns was guided by
communion with the Divine.
In facing ordeals where decision
was necessary, Abraham Lincoln had
the most necessary characteristic
of putting himself in the other per.
sons position. Often times when his
friends were anxious reception OF
SO many callers, he countered with
they want SO much and get SO little
On one occasion while visiting
the Army of the Potomac, Lincoln
heard that young soldier was to be
executed for neglect of duty. Lin.
coin then set out to visit this young
man. His name was William Scott
William told the pathetic story of q
long march In which he carried the
pack of tired fellow soldier fol
many miles in spite of the fact thai
he had to take guard duty. Thai
night sleep overcame William and
was in this state found by the Cor
poral of the guard and consequently
was sentenced to be shot. The kind
ly Lincoln assured the boy, telling
him that he need not fear that he
would be shot. When asked why he
continued to deal so leniently with
soldiers who had trespassed, Lin
colin answered by saying that how
could he do otherwise when he put
himself in the soldiers position.
The man Lincoln never allowed
defeats to be nurturing grounds fol
despair and hopelessness. He always
believed that there was destiny fol
him. His defeats were slow successes
and he knew it; victory that was
his was balanced or even overhaul
anced by an accompanying defeat.
What man could have stood sc
| fast for destiny when:
/. The only woman he ever loved
died.