Year: 1871

when In Congress, where he was looked
upon as a man of ability and fairness but
it each member of the House had voted
to select who among them would be like
iy to become President, FIVE of the hun
dred would hardly have thought of vot
ing for Mr.. Lincoln. In the enunciation
OF the principles of the irrepressible con-
flct he was at least six months ahead of
Mr.. Seward. His position on this cues
ton was clear and definite, and not to be
gainsayed. In the light of the events of
the last decade, we could appreciate his
sentiments.


We know now that his ideas on the
question of an irrepressible conflict we're
most corret. 1t had to come as natural
result.


The Senatorial contest between Lin
coin and Douglas was one of the most
characteristic and one of the best in the
political history of our country. Here
was an honest difference of opinion, and
each party selected its most trusted lead
er, and the questions were discussed be.
fore the people. Douglas was elected,
though on the popular vote Lincoln was
ahead of him. Beside, he did not expend
any money in the canvass, while Douglas
used nearly $4,000.


Some regarded the result defeat to
MIR. Lincoln, but it really was a victory
1t served to render him more popular not
only in his own State, but in the country
at large and resulted finally in his election
as President; and then came the journey
to Washington on the eve of secession
and civil war. There was no doubt
that there was a plot to assassinate
him in Baltimore. These plots were to
be expected by men who assumed promin-
ence in political affairs during times of
great turbulence.


But, in she language of "Julius," as
rendered by Shakespear -


"Cowards die many times before their
deaths;


The valiant never taste death but
once" ---
The language of the fist inaugural ad-
dress was clear and ncise, and contain
ed language that it would have been we'll
for the South if it had needed, although,
in the goodness of his heart, he was slow
to believe that the South meant war
Many could not comprehend how it was
that the precious early hours of the con
lict were squandered The reason was
that our commander in chief did not be-
lieve it would be necessary to fire more
than blank cartridge


When at last the war did come it was
accepted as stern necessity. Much of
the strength of the Rebellion lay in the
belief of the people of the South that
nothing worse could happen than subjuga-
tion to the Union. To prevent the con-
tiuuance of this feeling our government
should have welcomed every overture for
peace on the part Of the South Had it
accepted directly what it did indirectly,
it would have paralyzed thousands of arms
raised in frenzy against it. To this end
an interview should have been granted at
the earliest possible moment with A II.
Stephens and others, as asked for.


On the question of the abolition of sla-
very the President was slow to move, and
after all argument was over most people
would admit that in the controversy he
had the best side of the question. The
allegation that he would destroy slavery
when he believed it necessary to save the
Union, at the same time expressing the
opinion that the institution was wrong,
was hailed with JOY by the less radical
press of the country. Why, the speaker
was not able to understand. The Eman-
cipation Proclamation was but the fulfill
ment of the first proposition. Mr. Lin
coin never took step backward, and,
when once putting his foot down, he made
sure that it was on solid ground.
His State papers, particularly those
communicated to Congress, were not great
ly admired by some. They lacked the
fire that electrified people, but scarcely
more beautiful gem could be found than
bis celebrated speech at the dedication OF
Gettysburg, Cemetery, which followed
the frigidoration of Edward Everett.


One of the points of his character was
shown in his letter to the committee
which called upon him in reference to the
emancipation of the slaves in Kentucky.
He was 10th to offend the loyal white
people of the South, and in his letter he
expressed himself with great terseness,
and afforded a key to his character.


He was no Prophet Elisha or John the
Baptist, but plain spoken. straight-for-
ward, honest man. No one ever approach,
ed him and found any assumption of au-
thority or manifestation of spirit of dis,
dain t-


His second inaugural and after history
was familiar to all the people of the coun-
ty and developed no new characteristics
simply developed those already mani
fest. The Lincoln of 1864 was the Lin
coin of 1861, only with a character made
grauder and larger by the troubles through
which he had passed.


In conclusion the lecturer spoke at
length of the lessons which the life of
such man taught the youth of our coun
/ try. 1t showed them what patient plod
| ding industry, aided by honor and integ