The Poets' Lincoln Part 8

The Republicans of Chicago had erected a huge temporary building for the use of the Convention. The "Wigwam," as it was called, covered a s.p.a.ce of 600 feet by 180, and the height was between 50 and 60 feet.

The building would hold about 10,000 persons, and was divided into platform, ground-floor and gallery. The stage upon which the delegates and members of the press were seated, held about 1,800 persons; the ground-floor and galleries, about 8,000. A large gallery was reserved for ladies, which was filled every day to overflowing. The Convention met on June 16, 1860.

Edmund Clarence Stedman is the author of this poem, and it was published in the _Press and Tribune_ of Chicago, and in _Weekly Illinois State Journal_, June 13, 1860. It was sung to the air of the "Star Spangled Banner" throughout the campaign.

HONEST ABE OF THE WEST

O Hark! from the pine-crested hills of old Maine, Where the splendor first falls from the wings of the morning, And away in the West, over river and plain, Rings out the grand anthem of Liberty's warning!

From green-rolling prairie it swells to the sea, For the people have risen, victorious and free, They have chosen their leaders, and bravest and best Of them all is Old Abe, Honest Abe of the West!

The spirit that fought for the patriots of old Has swept through the land and aroused us forever; In the pure air of heaven a standard unfold Fit to marshal us on to the sacred endeavor!

Proudly the banner of freemen we bear; n.o.ble the hopes that encircle it there!

And where battle is thickest we follow the crest Of gallant Old Abe, Honest Abe of the West!

There's a triumph in urging a glorious cause, Though the hosts of the foe for a while may be stronger, Pushing on for just rules and holier laws, Till their lessening columns oppose us no longer.

But ours the loud paean of men who have pa.s.sed Through the struggles of years, and are victors at last; So forward the flag! Leave to Heaven the rest, And trust in Old Abe, Honest Abe of the West!

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

From an Ambrotype taken at Springfield, Illinois, August 13, 1860]

William Henry Burleigh, born at Woodstock, Connecticut, February 2, 1812. In early manhood became an advocate of reforms then unpopular, and an acceptable lecturer on behalf of temperance and the anti-slavery cause. He removed to Pittsburgh in 1837, where he published the _Christian Witness_, and afterwards the _Temperance Banner_. As a writer, speaker, editor, poet, reformer, friend and a.s.sociate, it was the universal testimony of those who knew him best and esteemed him most truly, that he stood in the forefront of his generation. His poetry, animated by deep love of nature and a profound desire to uphold truth and justice, gives him a place with our first minor poets.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, 1860

Up again for the conflict! Our banner fling out, And rally around it with song and with shout!

Stout of heart, firm of hand, should the gallant boys be, Who bear to the battle the Flag of the Free!

Like our fathers, when Liberty called to the strife, They should pledge to her cause fortune, honor, and life!

And follow wherever she beckons them on, Till Freedom results in a victory won!

They came from the hillside, they came from the glen-- From the streets thronged with traffic and surging with men, From loom and from ledger, from workshop and farm, The fearless of heart, and the mighty of arm.

As the mountain-born torrents exultingly leap When their ice-fetters melt, to the breast of the deep; As the winds of the prairie, the waves of the sea, They are coming--are coming--the Sons of the Free!

Our Leader is one who, with conquerless will, Has climbed from the base to the brow of the hill; Undaunted in peril, unwavering in strife, He has fought a good fight in the Battle of Life, And we trust as one who--come woe or come weal, Is as firm as the rock and as true as the steel.

Right loyal and brave, with no stain on his breast, Then, hurrah, boys, for honest "Old Abe of the West!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: "HONEST ABE"

A Campaign Cartoon of 1860]

Madison Cawein was born at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 23rd of March, 1865. Was educated in the city and country schools about Louisville and New Albany, Indiana. Graduated from the Male High School, Louisville, in 1886, and the following year published his first volume, called _Blooms of the Berry_. Since then he published some thirty-odd volumes of prose and poetry, both in the United States and England. He died in 1915.

LINCOLN, 1809--FEBRUARY 12, 1909

_Read for the first time at the Lincoln centenary celebration, Temple Adath Israel, Louisville, Ky._

Yea, this is he, whose name is synonym Of all that's n.o.ble, though but lowly born; Who took command upon a stormy morn When few had hope. Although uncouth of limb, Homely of face and gaunt, but never grim, Beautiful he was with that which none may scorn-- With love of G.o.d and man and things forlorn, And freedom mighty as the soul in him.

Large at the helm of state he leans and looms With the grave, kindly look of those who die Doing their duty. Stanch, unswervingly Onward he steers beneath portentous glooms, And overwhelming thunders of the sky, Till, safe in port, he sees a people free.

Safe from the storm; the harbor-lights of Peace Before his eyes; the burden of dark fears Cast from him like a cloak; and in his ears The heart-beat music of a great release; Captain and pilot, back upon the seas, Whose wrath he'd weathered, back he looks with tears, Seeing no shadow of the Death that nears, Stealthy and sure, with sudden agonies.

So let him stand, brother to every man, Ready for toil or battle; he who held A Nation's destinies within his hand; Type of our greatness; first American, By whom the hearts of all men are compelled, And with whose name Freedom unites our land.

He needs no praise of us, who wrought so well, Who has the Master's praise; who at his post Stood to the last. Yet, now, from coast to coast, Let memory of him peal like some great bell, Of him as woodsman, workman, let it tell!

Of him as lawyer, statesman, without boast!

And for what qualities we love him most, And recollections that no time can quell.

He needs no praise of us, yet let us praise, Albeit his simple soul we may offend, That liked not praise, being most diffident; Still let us praise him, praise him in such ways As his were, and in words that shall transcend Marble, and outlast any monument.

[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

Photograph by Hesler, Chicago, Illinois, 1860]

Isaac Ba.s.sett Choate, born at South Otis Field, Maine, July 12, 1833.

Bachelor of Arts, Bowdoin College, 1862. Author of _Wild Birds and Flowers_, 1895; _Wells of English_, 1892; _Obeyed the Camel Driver_, 1899; _Apollo's Guest_, 1907.

By special invitation from the faculty of the Alumni a.s.sociation of said College he read the following poem at their annual banquet held on the centenary of Lincoln's birth, 1909:

THE MATCHLESS LINCOLN

From out the ranks of common men he rose-- Himself of common elements, yet fine-- As in a wood of different species grows Above all other trees the lordly pine, Upon whose branches rest the winter snows, Upon whose head warm beams of summer shine; His was the heart to feel the people's woes And his the hand to hold the builder's line; Strong, patient, wise and great, Born ruler of the State.

Among a mountain group one sovereign peak Will tower aloft unto commanding height As if more distant view abroad to seek-- First one to hail, last one to speed the light; Those granite sides will snows of winter streak E'en in the summer with their purest white;-- Silent, serene, that summit yet will speak Of loftiest grandeur to the enraptured sight; So Lincoln's greatness shone Supreme, unmatched, alone.