The Poets' Lincoln Part 6

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN THE LAWYER

From an Ambrotype, taken in 1856]

"The charm which invested the life on the Eighth Circuit in the mind and fancy of Mr. Lincoln yet lingered there, even in the most responsible and glorious days of his administration; over and over again has the great President stolen an hour ... from his life of anxious care to live over again those bygone exhilarating and halcyon days ... with Sweet or me."--Henry C. Whitney in his _Life of Lincoln_.

Wilbur Hazelton Smith was born in the town of Mansfield, New York, March 28, 1860. His early education was obtained from the district school and he began teaching at the age of sixteen. After completing an academic course he went to Cornell University from which he was graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1885.

He at once became a teacher and after a few years started the first Current Topic paper in the state, _The Educator_. Later he edited a teachers' paper, _The World's Review_. Perhaps he is best known as publisher of the _Regents' Review Books_ used in nearly every school in the United States. His death occurred October 19, 1913.

LINCOLN

Unlearned in the cant and quip of schools, Uncouth, if only city ways refine; UnG.o.dly, if 'tis creeds that make divine; In station poor, as judged by human rules, And yet a giant towering o'er them all; Clean, strong in mind, just, merciful, sublime; The n.o.blest product of the age and time, Invoked of G.o.d in answer to men's call.

O simple world, and will you ever learn, Schools can but guide, they cannot mind create?

'Neath roughest rock the choicest treasures wait; In meanest forms we priceless gems discern; Nor time, nor age, condition, rank nor birth, Can hide the truly n.o.ble of the earth.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN'S OFFICE CHAIR]

This chair was used by Mr. Lincoln in his law office at Springfield, Illinois, where, before leaving for the City of Washington after his election as President, he wrote his Inaugural Address and formed his Cabinet, frequently conferring with his twenty-year law partner, William H. Herndon, on such matters, and adopting changes as suggested if he considered them advisable. It was presented to O. H. Oldroyd while living in the Lincoln Homestead, Springfield, by Mr. Herndon, March 18, 1886.

James Riley was born in the hamlet of Tang, one mile from the town of Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland, and two miles from Lissoy, County Westmeath, the home of Oliver Goldsmith--on the road between the two--August 15, 1848. Published _Poems_, 1888; _Songs of Two Peoples_, 1898, and _Christy of Rathglin_, a novel, in 1907. His poem _The American Flag_, has been rated often as the best poem written to our banner. Four lines on the loss of the t.i.tanic brought from Captain Rostron words in which he said: "With such praise one feels on a higher plane, and must keep so, to be worthy of continuance."

LINCOLN IN HIS OFFICE CHAIR

High-browed, rugged, and swarthy; A picture of pain and care; A lawyer sat with his greatest brief, High in his office chair.

His Country was to him client!

Futurity his ward!

And he must plead 'fore Fate's high court, With prayer, and pen, and sword.

Elected, by his people!

His heart and theirs, one beat!

He sees the storm-clouds gather; The waves dash at his feet!

Gloom upon land and water!

The Flag no more in the sun!

Lights from the South-line flickering, And--dying--one--by one!

November's winds wild shrieking!

Night--closed, on a Union rent!

And still the lawyer sat dreaming Of its once bright firmament.

Then, '61! Dark! Silent!

Only the calling word Of Anderson at Sumter The lawyer, writing, heard.

Writing the Message that ever Shall live in the hearts of men; With cannon to cannon fronting, The lawyer held the pen.

Only thinking of Country And the work that must be done; Nature made in roughest mold Her favored, fated son.

He wrote while the world was waiting Great Freedom's final test.

Should, or should not Democracy Be planted in the West?

Should Liberty at last survive And man look straight on man?

Law, in its round, its strength and might Be timed unto sense and plan?

He, in his chair there sitting, Had all these things for thought.

Now, the Vote unrecognized, Must battles wild be fought?

Alone the Chair is standing, To remind the Land of the time When the Slaver's heart, all pa.s.sion, He planned, and pursued his crime!

As he rushed Disunion's order, On, on from State to State!

And the Pen talked loud down the Message, And bided the Land to wait.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR

Photograph from an Ambrotype, by Gilmer, Illinois, 1858]

Elizabeth Porter Gould, born June 8, 1848, died July 28, 1906.

Essayist, lecturer and author; an early inspirer of woman's clubs and the pioneer of the _Current Events_ and _Topics_ cla.s.ses in Boston and vicinity; an officer in several educational societies and honorary member of the Webster Historical Society, Castilian Club and other clubs where she had read many historical papers of great research and given many practical suggestions. Among her published works are _Gems From Walt Whitman_, _Anne Gilchrist and Walt Whitman_, _Ezekial Cheever, Schoolmaster_, _John Adams and Daniel Webster as Schoolmasters_, _A Pioneer Doctor_, _One's Self I Sing_ and _The Brownings and America_. She had great energy and force of character, and a capacity for friendship which was a source of great happiness to her and endeared her to all.

THE VOICE OF LINCOLN

In life's great symphony, Above the seeming discord and the pain, A master-voice is ever singing, singing, The plan of G.o.d to men.

In young America's song, As threatening tumult pierced the tensioned air, The voice of Lincoln over all was singing The love of brother-man.

And still his voice is heard; 'Twill pierce the din of strife and mystery, Till master-voices cease their singing, singing, In life's great symphony.