The Wonderful Story of Lincoln Part 16

Amba.s.sador Bryce of England, speaking at Lincoln's tomb before a vast gathering at the centennial anniversary of Lincoln's birth, said, "To us in England, Lincoln is one of the heroes of the race from whence we sprung. Great men are the n.o.blest possession of a Nation, and are potent forces in the moulding of national character. Their influence lives after them, and, if they be good as well as great, they remain as beacons lighting the course of all who follow them. They set for succeeding generations the standards of public life. They stir the spirit and rouse the energy of the youth who seek to emulate their virtues in the service of their country."

Vice-President Fairbanks in an address at Harrisburg on that occasion said, "His life was spent in conflict. In his youth, he struggled with nature. At the bar of justice he contended for the rights of his clients. In the wider field of politics, he fought with uncommon power to overthrow the wrong and enthrone the right. He fought not for the love of conquest, but for the love of truth. By nature he was a man of peace. He instinctively loved justice, right, and liberty. His conscience impelled him to uphold the right whenever it was denied his fellowman."

S. E. Kiser ended a centennial poem with the following stanza:

"Lo, where the feet of Lincoln pa.s.sed, the earth Is sacred. Where he knelt we set a shrine!

Oh, to have pressed his hand! That had sufficed To make my children wonder at my worth---- Yet, let them glory, since their land and mine Hath reared the greatest martyr after Christ!"

Virginia Boyle, in her poem for the Philadelphia Brigade a.s.sociation, said in two of her stanzas:

"No trumpet blared the word that he was born, No lightning flashed its symbols on that day: And only Poverty and Fate pressed on, To serve as handmaids where he lowly lay.

"And up from Earth and toil, he slowly won,---- Pressed by a bitterness he proudly spurned, Till by grim courage, born from sun to sun, He turned defeat, as victory is turned."

Edwin Markham concluded a centennial poem as follows:

"He held his place---- Held the long purpose like a growing tree---- Held on through blame and faltered not at praise, And when he fell in whirlwind, he went down As when a lordly cedar, green with boughs, Goes down with a great shout upon the hills, And leaves a lonesome place against the sky."

CHAPTER XI

CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS

I. THE HARMONIZING CONTRAST OF MEN

American freedom and democratic humanity require American minds to be composed of free-made ideas, organized efficiently for the righteous promotion of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," if we are ever to be safe in the faith that "government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth."

The American order, however defective, even as it is composed of defective minds, is the only safety for a free humanity. The Western hemisphere is under the control of that democratic order, and America is large enough and powerful enough to stand alone, in clear vision and unadulterated theory, for the rights of man. America alone is clear-minded enough for the unprejudiced and unbiased championship of a free-minded world.

Washington and Lincoln reached the heights from which they saw together one vision of the Promised Land, "ordained from the foundations of the world" for the chosen order of human evolution.

They wanted no "entangling alliances" with a foreign order, or a fragmentary system of human freedom. Americans have so far kept the peace with the uncompromised moral law of the "free and equal" rights of man. America is dedicated to the proposition that a compromised order of freedom and equality, either through treaty or war, shall never invade the Western Hemisphere.

American youth, and every newcomer ent.i.tled to home or refuge on American soil, must know the truth that makes men free. That truth is marvellously embodied in the lives of Washington and Lincoln. Their careers and patriotism have been contrasted and unified by many learned students of their meaning for America. The characterization of their lives, as significant for Americans, and needing much to be well understood, has been n.o.bly done by Charles Sumner. The more important part of that impressive valuation is as follows:

"The work left undone by Washington was continued by Lincoln.

Kindred in service, kindred in patriotism, each was naturally surrounded at death by kindred homage. One sleeps in the East, the other sleeps in the West; and thus, in death, as in life, one is the complement of the other.

"Each was at the head of the republic during a period of surpa.s.sing trial; and each thought only of the public good, simply, purely, constantly, so that single-hearted devotion to country will always find a synonym in their names. Each was the national chief during a time of successful war. Each was the representative of his country at a great epoch of history.

"Unlike in origin, conversation, and character, they were unlike, also, in the ideas which they served, except so far as each was the servant of his country. The war conducted by Washington was unlike the war conducted by Lincoln,--as the peace which crowned the arms of the one was unlike the peace which began to smile upon the other. The two wars did not differ in the scale of operations, and in the tramp of mustered hosts, more than in the ideas involved. The first was for national independence; the second was to make the republic one and indivisible, on the indestructible foundations of liberty and equality. In the relation of cause and effect, the first was the natural precursor and herald of the second. By the sword of Washington independence was secured; but the unity of the republic and the principles of the Declaration were left exposed to question. From that day to this, through various chances, they have been questioned, and openly a.s.sailed,--until at last the republic was constrained to take up arms in their defence.

"Such are these two great wars in which these two chiefs bore such part. Washington fought for national independence and triumphed, making his country an example to mankind. Lincoln drew a reluctant sword to save those great ideas, essential to the life and character of the republic. * * *

"Rejoice as you point to this child of the people, who was lifted so high that republican inst.i.tutions became manifest in him! * * * Above all, see to it that his constant vows are fulfilled, and that the promises of the fathers are maintained, so that no person in the upright form of man can be shut out from their protection. Then will the unity of the republic be fixed on a foundation that cannot fail, and other nations will enjoy its security. The cornerstone of national independence is already in its place, and on it is inscribed the name of George Washington. There is another stone which must have its place at the corner also. This is the Declaration of Independence, with all its promises fulfilled. On this stone we will gratefully inscribe the name of Abraham Lincoln."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Emanc.i.p.ation Statue of Lincoln--Washington, D. C.]

Carlyle says that "sincerity, a deep, great, genuine sincerity, is the first characteristic of all men in any way heroic. All great men have this as the primary material in them." This is why the so-called "art for art's sake" never can be great. It is sincerity for merely formal success, and not for the spirit of "life more abundantly." Formal efficiency is achieved only in the complicated training of an extended education, but social efficiency of immeasurably greater value is the simplicity of knowledge. It is the source and explanation of all interests, and in that learning, Lincoln had no superior. He never achieved any good that he did not at once want to share it with others. As a boy he never learned anything good that he did not want to express it to others. In this process of receiving and giving is the fundamental means of building character and mind. In teaching others, he taught himself, and thus in losing his life he found it. In being able to tell his observations and interpretations to his comrades, he was training to be the schoolmaster of the world.

Lincoln's earnest sincerity relating to himself, his a.s.sociates, his community, his country, and for all mankind, may be ill.u.s.trated in a few quotations:

"The man who will not investigate both sides of a question is dishonest."

"After all, the one meaning of life is simply to be kind."

"I have not done much, but this I have done--wherever I have found a thistle growing, I have tried to pluck it up, and in its place to plant a flower."

"I have been too familiar with disappointment, to be very much chagrined by defeat."

"Without the a.s.sistance of that Divine Being I cannot succeed, and with that a.s.sistance I cannot fail."

"If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time, or die by suicide."

"A majority held in restraint by const.i.tutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people."

"Twenty-five years ago I was a hired laborer. The hired laborer of yesterday may labor on his own account today, and hire others to labor for him to-morrow. Advancement and improvement in conditions is the order of things in a society of equals,--in a democracy."

In a speech at Columbus, Ohio, September 16, 1859, he said, "I believe there is a genuine popular sovereignty. I think a definition of genuine popular sovereignty, in the abstract, would be about this: That each man shall do precisely as he pleases with himself, and with all those things which exclusively concern him. Applied to government this principle would be, that a general government shall do all those things which pertain to it, and all the local governments shall do precisely as they please in respect to those matters which exclusively concern them. I understand that this government of the United States, under which we live, is based upon that principle; and I am misunderstood if it is supposed that I have any war to make upon that principle."

But, there is a patriotic masterpiece of Lincoln's thought, which, with the reinforcement of occasion and place, such as the field of Gettysburg was, contains all the unmeasurable and priceless meaning of Lincoln for American patriotism and the manhood of America. It is his address of dedication on the battlefield of Gettysburg. In effect on the human mind, it probably can never be surpa.s.sed as a message of political freedom for the rights of man.

II. A MASTERPIECE OF MEANING FOR AMERICA

The battle of Gettysburg is regarded by historians as one of the decisive battles of the world. It was fought July 2, 3 and 4, 1863. On the first anniversary, a great national meeting was held there to dedicate the ground as a government burial place for the soldiers who had died there.

Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, on the eve of the dedication, in the course of an address, said, "I thank my G.o.d for the hope that this is the last fratricidal war which will fall upon this country, vouchsafed us from heaven, as the richest, the broadest, the most beautiful and capable of a great destiny, that has ever been given to any part of the human race."

At the opening of the ceremonies, before a vast concourse of people, from all the Northern states, convened on the open battlefield, Rev.

T. H. Stockton said in the course of his dedicatory prayer, "In behalf of all humanity, whose ideal is divine, whose first memory is Thine image lost, and whose last hope is Thine image restored, and especially of our own nation, whose history has been so favored, whose position is so peerless, whose mission is so sublime, and whose future so attractive, we thank Thee for the unspeakable patience of Thy compa.s.sion, and the exceeding greatness of Thy loving kindness.... By this Altar of Sacrifice, on this Field of Deliverance, on this Mount of Salvation, within the fiery and b.l.o.o.d.y line of these 'munitions of rocks,' looking back to the dark days of fear and trembling, and to the rapture of relief that came after, we multiply our thanksgivings and confess our obligations.... Our enemies ... prepared to cast the chain of Slavery around the form of Freedom, binding life and death together forever.... But, behind these hills was heard the feeble march of a smaller, but still pursuing host. Onward they hurried, day and night, for G.o.d and their country. Footsore, wayworn, hungry, thirsty, faint,--but not in heart,--they came to dare all, to bear all, and to do all that is possible to heroes.... Baffled, bruised, broken, their enemies recoiled, retired and disappeared.... But oh, the slain!... From the Coasts beneath the Eastern Star, from the sh.o.r.es of Northern lakes and rivers, from the flowers of Western prairies, and from the homes of the Midway and Border, they came here to die for us and for mankind.... As the trees are not dead, though their foliage is gone, so our heroes are not dead, though their forms have fallen.... The spirit of their example is here. And, so long as time lasts, the pilgrims of our own land, and from all lands, will thrill with its inspiration."

Edward Everett, as the orator of the day, said in the course of his scholarly address, "As my eye ranges over the fields whose sod was so recently moistened by the blood of gallant and loyal men, I feel, as never before, how truly it was said of old, 'it is sweet and becoming to die for one's country.' I feel, as never before, how justly from the dawn of history to the present time, men have paid the homage of their grat.i.tude and admiration to the memory of those who n.o.bly sacrificed their lives, that their fellowmen may live in safety and honor.... I do not believe there is in all history, the record of a Civil War of such gigantic dimensions where so little has been done in the spirit of vindictiveness as in this war.... There is no bitterness in the hearts of the ma.s.ses.... The bonds that unite us as one People,--a substantial community of origin, language, belief and law; common, national and political interests ... these bonds of union are of perennial force and energy, while the causes of alienation are imaginary, fact.i.tious and transient. The heart of the People, North and South, is for the Union.... The weary ma.s.ses of the people are yearning to see the dear old flag floating over their capitols, and they sigh for the return of peace, prosperity and happiness, which they enjoyed under a government whose power was felt only in its blessings.... You feel, though the occasion is mournful, that it is good to be here! G.o.d bless the Union! It is dearer to us for the blood of brave men which has been shed in its defense.... 'The whole earth,'

said Pericles, as he stood over the remains of his fellow citizens, who had fallen in the first year of the Peloponnesian War, 'the whole earth is the sepulchre of ill.u.s.trious men.' All time, he might have added, is the millennium of their glory."

The place and the occasion were supremely inspiring to patriotism, not only for the triumph of moral principle in one's country, but for its meaning to all humanity. The great battlefield spread out before the eyes of the vast concourse gathered there from all the states, and the spirit of the heroic scenes animated every mind.

Edward Everett, then regarded as the greatest orator in America, had delivered the dedicatory oration through a long strain of attention, during the weary and fatiguing hours. The President was then called on to close the dedication with whatever he might feel desirable to say.

He did so in a few words, but these few words are cherished as among the greatest contributions to the meaning of civilization. To one of the decisive battles for freedom in the world, it gave a starry crown from "the voice of the people" as "the voice of G.o.d."

The War Department appropriated five thousand dollars to cast this speech in bronze and set it up on the battlefield of Gettysburg. It is regarded as a masterpiece of dedication in the literature of the world.

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

"Now we are engaged in a great civil war testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.