Detroit evening times., 1945-04-04
THE EWORLD
-
IN REVIEW
BY Mai. Gen.
D. P. Barrows

i British government accepted
and unveiled a bronze statue Of
Lincoln that was the gift of
group OF American citizens.
1t is a replica OF the figure
of Lincoln created by the Amer
ican sculptor, Augustus st.
Gaudens.
Most Americans know this
famous statue.
Lincoln is represented as hav-
ing risen from his seat and
standing at full height of his
great frame.
The hands clutch the lapels
of his coat. The head is slightly
bowed. The features reveal the
sad composure, the benignity
and the strength of the famous
face which every one knows.
IN ACCEPTING this replica
L of perhaps the greatest
statue created in America. the
British government chose TO To-
cate it in Parliament Square
where. on the one side Westmin-
ster Abbey and on the other the
Houses of Parliament look down
upon it.
Here it stands where, in the
words of Elihu Root:
THE living tides Of London
ebb and flow about It."
In that famed company Lin
coin is the only one who was
never a subject Of the British
king.
Yet in view of scholars and
statesmen. he belongs there be-
cause he was the consummation
of the long. common struggle OF
England and America for human
freedom.
l was privileged to be pres
ent in Westminster Hall at the
ceremonies preceding the un-
yelling of this statue.
1t was a rainy London morn
ing but two lines of people stood
for a long time waiting to
enter.
They were representatives Of
the great middle class of the
English-serious, resolute and
patient, but with faces marked
by the suffering and the sadness
brought by the great war which
had just closed.
They were there because
they wanted TO hear about
Abraham Lincoln.
7 ORD JAMES BRYCE pre-
IL sided.
1t was the last time ever
saw him.
l remembered him that day
for the beauty and sweetness
OF his personality.
The address of presentation
was made by Mr.. Elihu Root.
Its frequent quotations from
Lincoln's own matchless words
moved that audience until there
seemed to be no dry faces in
the hall.
The speech Of acceptance was
made by the prime minister Of
Great Britain, Mr.. Lloy d
George.
He spoke without manuscript
or notes.
AS he proceeded tears flowed
also from his eyes. What he
said was brief. but it is appli-
cable now. as we emerge again
from another World War in
finitely more terrible in its loss
and ruin and in the resentments
which it will leave.
Also because, so far As I
know, this speech has never
been published in America, it
seems timely TO print it as it
appeared the next day in the
London Times.
THE prime minister said:
Il "In a few moments we
shall see unveiled before our
eyes a presentment In bronze Of
the best known historical face
in the Anglo-SaxOn world.
81 doubt whether any states
man who ever lived sank so
deeply into the hearts OF the
people of many lands as Abra-
ham Lincoln did.
II am not sure that you In
America realize the extent to
which he Is also our possession
and our pride.
His courage, fortitude, pa
tience, humanity. clemency. his
trust In the people, his belief In
democracy, will stand out for
ever as beacons to guide
troubled nations and their per-
picked leaders.
"ResoIute In war, he was
moderate In victory.
"Jn his life he was a great
American. He Is an American
no longer. He is one Of those
giant figures, of whom there are
very few In history, who lose
their nationality In death.
-.They are ne longer Greek or
Hebrew, or English or Ameri-
can-they belong to mankind.
81 wonder whether 1 will he
forgiven for saying that George
Washington was a great Amer
lean, but Abraham Lincoln be-
longs to the common people Of
every land.
"They love that haggard face
with It's sad and tender eyes.
There Is a worship In their
regard. There Is faith and
hope In that worship.
aTt~o ~raaf paouIe uho can