The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1956-02-25

Lincoln Republicanism. but
there two sides to the coin,
While most of us favor
enterprise, as opposed to
Feudal or Fascist philosophy,
the right to free enterprise
does not give unlimited franz
chise to improyerish and de-
Stroy Suicide is indefensible.
Reasonable Americans will
agree with what Lincoln
really said. He was against re-
stricting any mans opport-
unity, but not if the practice
restricted every mans OPP
portunity. Freedom cannot
survive Part-Slave.
On the Wage Question,
Lincoln advocated the right
of workers to a Just Share
in the fruits of their labor.
This Just Share, he main
tanned, was more important
to national welfare than any
industry's fair profit.
1t is the nature of some
politicians to re-cast a pop
ular hero in their own
image. This statement may
be challenged as political
heresy. Fortunately, the
words of Lincoln have sur
viVed; and I quote:-
at has so happened IN
all ages Of the tDorId,
that some haze labored,
and others a0ithout labor,
enjoyed a large proper
ton of the fruits. This
is torong and should not
continue.
ITO secure to such Ia
borer, the aUhole product
of his labor, as nearly as
possible, is a aDorthy OBJ
5ect OF any government.
ut seems strange that
any man should dare ask
a Just Gods assistance In
Infringing bread from the
StoeGt OF other mems ia
ceS. This country iUith its
institutions belongs to the
people tDlo inh1bit it,"
There is popular legend
that the winning of the Civil
War served to immortalize
Lincoln. Nothing could be
farther from the truth. It
almost caused him to be i'm
peached. Booths bullet may
have spared him disgrace
The Great Emancipator, at
the height of his glory, was
almost a Man Without a
Party. His abject loneliness
during the War Years carried
over into the peace. He was
about to be thrown to the
Wolves.
This is not merely my OPT
Mon; it is Lincoln's. He
clearly saw the political
handwriting on the wall,
and so reported in one Of his
last addresses to Congress.
Again ! quote the Great Man
briefly:
Il see in the near future
a crisis approaching that un-
nerves me, and causes me
to tremble for the safety Of
my country.
"As a result Of the war,
corporations have been enc
throned, and an era of COR
ruption in high places will
follow, and the money power
of the country will endeavor
to prolong its reign by work.
ing upon the prejudices of
the people, until all the
wealth Is aggregated in a
few hands and the republic
is destroyed.
u feel at this moment
more anxiety for the
safety Of our country
than eUer before, euen in
the midst of Wdr. God
grant that my torebod-
t1lgS be groundIeSsl
monarchy itself Is
sometimes hinted at as a
refuge from the po1Der of
the people. In nty posi-
ton, I could hardly be
scarcely justified Uere I
to omit a a0arning uoice
against the returning of
deSpotism."
Another Lincoln Day has
come and gone; and with it,
the shouting and tumult Of
political king-makers. The
Man and his Memory have
been returned to the loving
custody of his Creator, to
rest In peace another year.
1t Is my Prayer, though not
my Prediction, that another
twelve months may shatter
the ridiculous Myth and Moe
kerry that the Great Eman-
cipator was himself the Slave
q any Party. He belongs To
the People and the Agesl
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