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 The Heart of Hope 
 
 •-Sii^; 
 
The Heart of Hope 
 
 
 A. 
 
 V 
 
 ^jt/aA>"^ 
 
I LIBRARY ot CONGRESS 
 Tww Copies Received 
 
 MAR 15 ia09 
 
 CLASS O^ J^J^c. No, 
 COPY &. 
 
 .8 
 
 ""^^^^^^Bi^SE^siiftA 
 
 Copyrighted 
 
 by 
 
 JASPER T. DARLING 
 
 1909. ^U'^" 
 
CCL JASPER T. DARLING 
 
To The Public 
 
 The Centenary nt Hit l)irlli •.!' 
 ABRAHAM I.INOOI.N marks a mile- 
 stone in the history of civilization, an«l 
 its universal celebration was like a 
 Jubilee of Liberty. Probably never 
 before was the character and career 
 of any man so profoundly studied by 
 so many people at one time, and this 
 is not strans:*^; because the record of 
 his life from lowly cabin to the pii>- 
 nacle of power and the martyr's hah' 
 reads more like romance than reality 
 and foc^ a sublime opic in tin- powi-rs 
 .'ind possibilities of 1 )cinocrac\-. 
 
 Among the many masterly lectui-es 
 and elotfuent tributes which this great 
 occasion inspired was one by Col Jaspi-i- 
 T. DarlinpT. delivered at the Armour 
 Institute, the First United Presbyterian 
 Church of Chicago, The Chicago .Soiiil. 
 Side Club, and before various Grand 
 Army Posts and other Commemorati v.- 
 gatherings. Its wealth of liiographical 
 data, keen anil sympathetic analy.sis, 
 and royal rlu'toric make it a valuabh' 
 contribution lo ihe I..incolniana of tli..- 
 period and to patriotic literature. The 
 i-equests for its delivery were so num- 
 i-rous and the demands that it be pub- 
 lished were so urgent that we havi- 
 caused it to be printed, with the hope 
 that it may in some measure cnliance 
 (he love of thi> gi-eat Kmancipator and 
 .sw<ll thi- tiil.s of i>atriiitisin. 
 
 gi'iN ()'iiiui-;x. 
 
 JOSEPH nOSKNU.M.M 
 THOM.VS II. (lAll/r. 
 KOIUOKT M.\NN WOl >!•,<;. 
 J NO. h\ SCANI.AN. 
 
 Commitlfi-. 
 
 Chicago. Feb. ISlh, 1900. 
 
 I 
 
The Heart of Hope 
 
 standing- within tliis vast Temple oC 
 Liberty, and surveying- the great char- 
 acters that have made it enduring and 
 sublime, -vve see one Avho rises high 
 above all the rest — one -who, in meek- 
 ness and humility, came upon the field 
 of strenuous toil, fulfilled a mission 
 almost beyond the measure of human 
 pow.-r, and then departed, leaving- a 
 name loved and revered as none other 
 since Freedom's History beg-an. 
 
 To-day every believer in the law of 
 truth, and every lover of right and of 
 righteousness throughout this broad 
 land, bows in prayerful meditation, giv- 
 ing thanks unto God that he raised 
 up Abraham Lincoln, and clothed him 
 in raiments of power, that he might 
 stand at the helm of our SHIP OF ' 
 STATE while the tempests were beat- 
 ing- and threatening to engulf, and 
 that he was spared until the storms 
 were stilled— until the righting- ship 
 rode the resting waves, no longer men- 
 aced by the destrojdng hand of hostile 
 hosts. 
 
 And patriotism does well to lift its 
 voice in commemorating the humble 
 life, the unselfish deeds, and the stead- 
 fast devotion of the one man of his 
 generation, the grandeur of whose 
 might and the majesty of whose wis- 
 dom enabled him to rise above tlie 
 tides of discord, of passions and par- 
 tisan strife, to bring order out of 
 chaos, and to exercise that far-seei))g 
 judgment which came as from a super- 
 human mind. 
 
Tliat Abraham Lincoln \\a.s born to 
 a Destiny none will doubt or contra- 
 dict, and none will disclaim tliat he 
 fulfilled his mission with such rare 
 genius and such remarkable state- 
 craft — such tenderness and love for 
 even the lowliest of his people, that 
 he became the most conspicuous figure 
 of the mighty age in which he lived; 
 and the recollection of his deeds will 
 remain fragrant and eternal, ever shin- 
 ing like o lifted constellation amid the 
 lieaven of men's memory as long as 
 the sunlight of Liberty emblazons the 
 banner of human progress. 
 
 A hundred years have passed since 
 the birth of this lowly Son of the 
 AA'cstern World, and to-day the mul- 
 tiplied millions of the greatest and 
 I lie grandest Government on earth are 
 meditating upon the grandeur of his 
 life, and rejoicing that God's Provi- 
 dence prepared him to lead the Nation 
 through tlio dark j-ears of its deadly 
 peril, and that he was spared to heai* 
 the first glad acclaim of tlu' coming 
 jubilee. 
 
 Every hamlet joins in the iliank.^giv- 
 ing, and every pulpit is giving forth 
 its praise. The doors of colleges and 
 schools are thrown open, that student- 
 minds may lie enriched witii lessons 
 upon his marvelous careei'. 
 
 Inspiring clioi-usos and memorial 
 music mingle their choral antiiems 
 :imid the teaching of the »lay wliirh 
 marks the Centenar>- of Abraham 
 I.ihi'oln's birth. 
 
 Tiie broad field wliich should bo 
 covered in a discourse like this is t|Uite 
 in coMlllct with tlie brevity which the 
 oc<'aslun demands; lliorefoi-e, in onler 
 
 tn lr.:it the i|Ui'sticin of lime with the 
 
 r, 
 
greatest frugality, we will divide the-- 
 story of his life into three parts. 
 
 We will first briefly refer to his 
 ancestry, and then we will indulge in 
 a more comprehensive retrospect Of 
 tliat period, when, all unconsciousb". 
 lu' was preparing for the most stupen- 
 dous struggle and the most trying- 
 task that fell to the lot of any man 
 during- the Nineteenth Century. 
 
 Some historians claim that his an- 
 cestry can be traced back to a his- 
 toric family in England, from which- 
 Samuel Lincoln came to America im 
 1637, and settled in Salem, and theu' 
 n-iovcd to Hingham. Mass. 
 
 From this family. Massachusetts was= 
 honored by two of her early Governors- 
 — both nai-ned Levi Lincoln. 
 
 A grandson of Samuel migrated to- 
 Pennsylvania, and from thence other- 
 descendants moved to Virginia, and 
 still others to Harden County, Ken- 
 tucky where Abraham was born Febru- 
 ary 12. 1S09. 
 
 Mr. I.,incoln. himself, traced his line- 
 age back to Pennsylvania, and there 
 stopped by saying: "they were- 
 Qiiaker." 
 
 Of himself he said: "My early life- 
 is characterized in a single line of 
 Gray's Kleg-y — "the short and simple 
 annals of the poor." 
 
 Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's fatlier. 
 was decidedly poor and illiterate, but 
 his mother. Avhose maiden name was- 
 Nancy Hanks, jjossessed a fair educa-- 
 tion and much refinement. 
 
 She loved books and preferred study 
 by herself, rather than to indulge in 
 the ordinary pastimes and pleasures ot 
 her mates. She was deeply religious. 
 and possessed a sweet and amiable- 
 disposition — traits so richly exempli- 
 
li.'d in the life and character of lier 
 illustrious Son. 
 
 When Abraham was in his eighth 
 year they migrated to Spencer County, 
 Indiana, where he grew up, his time 
 being almost constantly occupied in 
 hard work. Of this period in his life 
 he said: "Of course when I came of 
 age I did not know much; still, some- 
 how, I could read, write, and cipher 
 to the "Rule of Three," but that was 
 all." 
 
 Two years after their arrival in 
 Indiana Abraham's mother died. His 
 grief was intense, and he ever held her 
 momory in sweet and sacred embrace. 
 She had already impressed his young 
 mind with the value of learning, and 
 ho was quick to respond to her wislies. 
 Throughout his life ho always spoke 
 of her as liis "saintly mother." 
 
 By diligent application, alone and 
 vmaidod by teachers, he was laying the 
 foundation for the great life, yet lui- 
 soon, and undreamed of. ahead. 
 
 His entire attendance at schools did 
 not embrace the lengtli of time o<iual 
 to a single year. 
 
 History says: "He would gather 
 5pico-wood brushes, hack them up on 
 a log, and burn them two or throe 
 together for tlie purpose of giving light 
 by which ho might pursue his studios." 
 
 Paper was an impu.s.sibility, anil so 
 his figuring ho often did ui)on the back 
 '"•f a woodon shovi'l. then scraped or 
 shaved off the surface ready to cover 
 it again with his examples; and so 
 he progressed, and conquered arithnu-- 
 tio to "The Kulo of Throo." 
 
 What condition can we Imagiiio (h.nl 
 would offer greater disoouragi-ments 
 rhan those? 
 
 I.oi tlie bi-iglitost bo>- of to-day - 
 
one who has the doors of the grade 
 schools, the high school, and, perhaps.. 
 the college, thrown open to him — let 
 him consider what his chances woul^2 
 be to reach name and fame, were he 
 subjected to such difficulties in secur- 
 ing an education. 
 
 Is there one lad in a million, yes! in 
 ten millions! who would struggle on 
 with the firmness and resolution of 
 this youth of the frontier? 
 
 And yet, for a mind like that pos- 
 sessed by this pioneer boy, is it not rea- 
 sonable to believe that the hardships, 
 the sorrows and struggles, which he 
 endured, and over which he serenely 
 triumphed, were the essential and in- 
 dispensable experiences for the expan- 
 sion of his mind and body, that he 
 might be the better prepared for the 
 great duties which Destiny had laid 
 out for him to perform? 
 
 Sometimes, as I contemplate, always- 
 with renewed interest and deeper emo- 
 tion, his remarkable career, I liken 
 him unto a gnarled oak upon the boU 
 hill-side. 
 
 I have watched the tempests grap- 
 pling the trees of the great forest. I 
 have seen the winds twisting and 
 struggling with the clustering trunks, 
 their branches reaching out like 
 friendly arms, helping to hold and sus- 
 tain one another. 
 
 And then I have stood in awe and ad- 
 miration, as I belield the lone tree — - 
 the gnarled oak, assailed by all the 
 mi.ghty furies of the gathering storm. 
 I have seen the tempest subside, onl\" 
 to renew its attack with greater power, 
 wrestling with the lone giant, and 
 threatening to tear it up. root and 
 branch, from the mother earth. 
 
 I have seen the trees of the forest 
 
lioiul and break before the storm, but 
 the lone sentinel stood in serene de- 
 fiance of all the elements hurled 
 
 ;ag:ainst it. 
 
 And so it was with the heroic and 
 
 .sturdy life of him whom we memorialize 
 to-day. 
 
 His face was furrowed with lines 
 
 -of sorrow. As a lad of ten years he 
 
 -stood beside the dead form of his 
 devoted mother, whom he loved far 
 better than his own life. 
 
 Kig:ht years later the wounds of his 
 >oarning heart were opened anew as 
 he mourned over the grave of his affec- 
 tionate sister. 
 
 Tlipse early sorrows tempered his 
 luart that he might hear the pleadings 
 
 -of srief, outpoured by others, in the 
 gnat years to be. 
 
 He had listened to the story of how 
 lii.s grandfather had been massacred 
 li\- a savage from ambush. He lived 
 amid the great forests. He learned to 
 be alert for the lurking foe. These 
 tilings gave him that courage which 
 stood in good stead when Die trying 
 
 • ordeals arose — when beset by enemies 
 
 on every side. 
 
 The Bible was the nnlx liook his 
 home possessed. He read it over and 
 
 •<^>ver again. He committed much of i(s 
 
 ^MiMtents to memory. That helped Ik 
 enrich his mind, and gave him a knuwl- 
 
 •«'.lgo Invaluable in after years. 
 
 He secured a copy of The Pilgrims 
 Progress, .Vesop's fables, a liistor.\- of 
 I he riiile.l .Siale.s. ;,iid AVeem's Life 
 111' Wasliiiigtdii. 
 
 Ili^ niMile a \><un Jiiurne.v on foot to 
 biHiiiw a e<ip\- of Kirkham's l-'nglisb 
 H:raiMniar, which lie i)atienlly studied 
 and mastered, until he was aide to 
 Mi'iiU HIM 111:1 1 le:i II V eoireel. 
 
It must be borne in mincT, tliat. iii 
 those days, laborers worked "from sun 
 to sun," and so, after the close of a 
 long, hard day, while others slept, this 
 country lad studied on long- into the 
 night, filling the wondrous store-house- 
 of his hungry brain with that material: 
 whicli was enriching his mind, strength- 
 tuning it, and rendering it capable of 
 absorbing greater knowledge. and. 
 finally, to grapple with the mightiest 
 problems in the crisis of all time. 
 
 You will read romance in vain to 
 find a life like this. No such vicissi- 
 tudes of fortune have ever found place 
 in legend or history, as the plain, unpre- 
 tentious story, told in tlie life of Abra- 
 ham Lincoln. 
 
 It would be unfair to depart from 
 this period without referring to his 
 noble and devoted step-mother. She 
 was a most estimable woman — a widow 
 —whom his father had returned to 
 Kentucky to marry, and he immedi- 
 ately brought her, with her three chil- 
 dren, to his wilderness home. Her 
 coming was like the joy of sunlight 
 in the drear and desolate abode of 
 Abraham and his sister, who had 
 anxiously awaited their father's return. 
 The advent of the widow Johnston, 
 as Mrs. Lincoln, in a great measure 
 dispelled the gloom, and brought hap- 
 piness to the entire household. A deep 
 and lasting attachment sprang up be- 
 tween her and young Abraham. Like 
 his own mother, she encouraged him 
 to pursue his studies, and often she 
 was known to i)redict that, ••some day 
 he would become a great and famous 
 man" — a prediction which she lived to 
 see abundantly fulfilled. 
 
 In the early spring, just following 
 young Abraham's 21st birthday, his 
 
 11 
 
I'ailicr gatliered together his all and 
 tiiigrated to Illinois, settling on the 
 Vianks of the Sangamon. 
 
 There young Lincoln, although he 
 had reached his majority, remained for 
 a year, helping the family witli his 
 strong hands and ready heart. There 
 lie split the '"historic rails" from the 
 tall trees of the primeval forest. 
 
 This was the rounding out of the 
 fust period in a life that was destined 
 "to become the most illustrious in the 
 Western World. 
 
 At twoiUy-two — the age when future 
 leaders are about to step from college 
 ■doors to waiting position, furnished by 
 wealth and influence, this uncouth and 
 uncomely "child of the forest" must 
 \-enlure alone into the great march of 
 • civilization. 
 
 Could some angel-hand liavc thrown 
 aside the curtain. an<l there pictured 
 him standing at tlie helm of this ma- 
 jestic "SHIP OF STATE," holding her 
 steady in her course, guiding her amid 
 tlie breakers, bravely battling, and con- 
 ■ iiucring every foe, and, at last, sailing 
 hei" in triumph through the troubled 
 seas, what credulity could have be- 
 lieved it? — and yet! he lived to see it. 
 
 AVhile a boy iii liuliana young Lin- 
 coln had madi^ a trip to New Orleans 
 on a flat-boat freighted with produce. 
 This ventui-i- was rep<'ati'd when he 
 was twenty-two, and upon this occa- 
 sion he had an experience which made 
 n deep .nid lasting impression uiion 
 Ills mind. 
 
 The\- remained one month in the 
 "Orosei-nt City," which gave Mr. Lin- 
 <'ii1ii his lli-st npportnnit>' of seeing and 
 
 11' 
 
stud^■ing• the inhumane sitle of slavery. 
 
 He saw negroes in cliains. He saw 
 them whipped and scourged. He saw 
 them subjected to all the horrors and 
 inliumanities which cruelty could in- 
 vent. He beheld the real chains. He 
 saw the black side of bondage. 
 
 His heart rebelled, and his conscience 
 was aroused to a full realization of 
 what the institution meant. 
 
 Upon one occasion they saw a 
 comely and fine featured "octoroon" 
 placed upon the auction block for sale 
 to the highest bidder. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln watched the nu'n as they 
 gathered about and contended for the 
 human prize. His heart revolted at 
 the spectacle, and, as he later expressed 
 himself, he "was filled with uncon- 
 querable hate." 
 
 He called his companions away and, 
 with deep emotion said: "Boys! if I 
 ever get a chance to hit the institution 
 of slavery, I'll hit it hard!" 
 
 One of his companions later re- 
 marked: "Slavery ran the Iron into 
 Aluaham Lincoln tlien and there." 
 
 With this light before us, disclosing 
 the hardships which had beset this 
 young man at every step, the impress 
 indelibly stamped upon his mind, show- 
 ing the horrors of human slavery; and 
 then as we contemplate, with a clear 
 comprehension, the goal he reached, the 
 glory and the granduer of his career, 
 may we not reasonably ask ourselves 
 these questions: 
 
 "Was the hand of God leading him? 
 
 AVas a Divine power guiding him? 
 
 What influences can we conjecture 
 that would have better served to mould 
 and make strong the mind of this gen- 
 tle, loving, country lad for the great 
 and trying tasks which Destiny had 
 
 13 
 
<li'criM-(l iliat lie must bear? 
 
 AVliat agencies could have been de- 
 vised by mortal mind that would havi- 
 been more potent in nerving the heart 
 and bi-acing the liaiid of Freedom's 
 foremost advocate, whiii the supreme- 
 hour should come, that lie might den i 
 that thunder-bolt of justice whio!! 
 was to send slavery and rebellion reel- 
 ing to a common grave before tlx- 
 bayonets of "THE BOYS IN BLUE." 
 
 But let us look along the vast and 
 victorious highway, over which Fate 
 was to lead him. with the light of 
 Truth his ever briKiit and guiding star. 
 
 And then we will gaze towards tlu 
 mountain steeps, up which he was to 
 climb, his course beset by dangers on 
 every side, jjitfalls everywhere, tho 
 voice of rel>ellion. secession and trea- 
 son ever ringing in his ears, and then 
 the mo.st momentous struggle — the 
 most sanguina !•>■ .struggle in all the 
 mighty tide of time. 
 
 At twenty-three he enlisted in the 
 g<jvernment service to go and fight the 
 Black Hawk Cliief. 
 
 He was elected Captai)i of his Com- 
 jiany, and that gave him the confidence 
 of command. 
 
 The war being soon over, he retui-ned 
 to private life; but not into obscurity. 
 His l)rief military e.xperienoe had 
 lilaccil liiiii li.fiiri' tin- ii.d|ili> in a new 
 light. 
 
 His developed manhood was fast dis- 
 closing the power of a superior mind, 
 and also of remarkable inspirations. 
 
 He had learned to speak, and iil.'^ 
 words, always well ciiosen, especially 
 when in the heat of dt'bate, were 
 hui-led, like the arrow from its quiver, 
 to hit the mark. 
 
 At twenty-flve he was elected to the 
 
 14 
 
Leg-islalure of Illinois. and there 
 served, by successive re-elections, for 
 •Eight years. 
 
 This placed him upon the platform 
 of debate where his persuasive logic 
 was well applied, and with great effect. 
 
 He was yet unable to buy law books, 
 the study of Avhich he had alreadj-^ be- 
 gun, but he borrowed from his friends, 
 and rapidly developed his receptive 
 mind with legal lore. 
 
 He then served a single term in 
 Congress, which introduced him into 
 tine arena of National life. 
 
 His gentleness of manner and his 
 genius of mind were rapidly winning 
 him a place in the field of fame; and 
 yet, at the age of forty years, he be- 
 trayed no premonition of the great 
 destiny which awaited him. 
 
 By many it was believed that he 
 sought the legal profession only as a 
 .stepping-stone to the forum, from 
 whence he might strike the mighty 
 blows which he kne^v, and which he 
 had well understood for years, must 
 be administered "with firmness for the 
 right, as God Avas giving the Nation 
 to see the right," or that this great 
 Republic must "perish from the earth," 
 and above its remains be reared only 
 tlie semblance of a Government, such 
 as cursed disintegrating Rome, and 
 sent her down into final, and complete 
 .l.-cay. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln had faithfully studied 
 the Constitution of the United States, 
 anil he had fathomed the meaning of 
 the Fathers. 
 
 He thoroughly mastered the doctrine 
 .if STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND STATE 
 SUPREMACY as taught by John C. 
 <l'alhoun. and he clearly comprehended 
 thf menace of such teachings against 
 :hf Nation's life. 
 
With equal interest he penetrated 
 the treasonable lessons of "NULLIFI- 
 CATION" as announced by Robert Y. 
 Hayne.and launched by him with all 
 the strengtli of his fiery eloquence. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln well understood that 
 those teachings were like unto sowing 
 the seed which was sure to grow a 
 harvest of dragons teeth. 
 
 He saw but small hope In the "COM- 
 PROMISK MEASURES" of Henry Clay; 
 but he did clearly understand that the 
 South was resolved to expand slave 
 territory, no matter at what cost, or 
 by what measures reached. 
 
 With consternation he beheld their 
 institution advancing, even as a vene- 
 mous serpent, winding its coils around 
 all barriers, and cru.shing all restraint. 
 
 Tlie "MISSOURI COMPROMISE" wa.= 
 made, only to be broken, and, unless 
 some unseen power — some superhuman 
 power — was soon to come to the rescue, 
 Mr. Lincoln could see no permanent 
 hope. 
 
 With unerring vision he scanned the 
 vast horizon, and he foresaw a con- 
 flict ahead. 
 
 Just four years previous to his in- 
 auguration, as President, the Supreme 
 Court adjudicated a case which became 
 world-famous. It was known as the 
 "DRED SCOTT DECISION." 
 
 Slave owners luul inlluenced the 
 withholding of this decree until their 
 cliosen, and obedient representative — 
 •lames Buchanan — could be seated In the 
 Wliite House. 
 
 By tills decision the North plainly 
 saw that it stood face to face with a 
 cold, unyielding truth — that the all- 
 consuming power of slavery had at last 
 reached and iiolluted the fountain of 
 Fiileral .lu.stlc. I'.y this verdict. 
 
 16 
 
startling in the extreme, slavery was 
 at once legalized in every state of the 
 Union — ^North as well as South. 
 
 This act aroused Mr. Lincoln to his 
 mightiest efforts, and it awakened his 
 loftiest energies. 
 
 He had passed his forty-ninth birth- 
 day. He stood at the forefront of his 
 profession in Illinois. 
 
 He had developed the power of an 
 intellectual giant. 
 
 Like Galileo, he studied a subject 
 from its every side; he carefully 
 weighed "cause and effect," and, when 
 he gave his decision, his reasoning 
 and his logic were unanswerable. 
 
 He once said: "The real issue in 
 this country is the eternal struggle be- 
 tween these two principles — right and 
 wrong. They are the two principles 
 that have stood face to face from the 
 beginning of time, and will ever con- 
 tinue to struggle." And then he ex- 
 claimed : "Unless slavery is wrong:, 
 nothing is wrong." 
 
 The principle of Right was his doc- 
 trine, and in that faith he went with 
 firmness forward, resolved to do his 
 duty. 
 
 Against him appeared the chief ad- 
 vocate of "SQUATTER SOVEREIGN- 
 TY," and other measures, intended to 
 calm and conciliate the South, and 
 cause them to recede from their oft 
 repeated threats to withdraw from the 
 Union. 
 
 This adversary was Stephen A. 
 Douglas, known as "THE LITTLE 
 GIANT" — a man of craft and cunning, 
 and yet a man of wonderful mind and 
 of resourceful argument. 
 
 The histories of the JOINT DE- 
 BATES between Lincoln and Douglas 
 are immortal. They will be prized a,s 
 
 17 
 
iiiHSlei'ijifces of lof^ic iind o( oratory 
 as long as the names of great men livo. 
 
 A few of the chief utterances of Mr. 
 Lincoln's are imperative that we may 
 tlie more clearly comprehend the 
 grandeur of his debate and the genius 
 of rugged brain. 
 
 Looking far back across the 
 political horizon, and tlien peering, 
 with his penetrating gaze, into the 
 dark and uncertain future, lie ex- 
 claimed: 
 
 "Under the operations of the policy 
 of compromise, the slavery agitation 
 not only has not ceased, but it has 
 constantly augmented. In my opinion 
 it will not cease until a CRISIS 
 SHALL HAVE BEEN REACHED AND 
 PASSED." "A house divided against 
 it.self cannot stand. I believe this 
 Government cannot endure pcrmancnt- 
 \y half slave and half free." 
 
 How i)Owerful his logic! How com- 
 plete his ijroplie.syl 
 
 "A CRISIS SHALL HAVK REEN 
 REACHED AND PASSED." 
 
 Could he see a vision througli the 
 mists of hastening years? 
 
 And was he there enabled to discern 
 the deaths — the desolations — the trials, 
 the travail of a fratricidal war? 
 
 Could he see tlie gathering hosts 
 marching along tlie winding ways, 
 from the hill tops, tlie vall<>ys an>l the 
 plains? 
 
 And could he hear their brave Inir- 
 raiis — the voices of those ready to do 
 anil to die?— "WE ARE COMING. 
 FATHER ARRAHAM. THREE HUND- 
 RED THOUSANI> MURE!" 
 
 • )ften he had remarkable dreams and 
 vivid presontinionts. I'pon one occasion 
 he saw himself i)ale and silent, aiicl tlu^ 
 shades of niglil ^a I lii-riii^; ahoiil. This 
 
 LS 
 
vision troubled him, and he became 
 deeply depressed. Conflding in Mrs. 
 Lincoln, he related to her his exper- 
 ience, and how he felt. He could not 
 cast this premonition aside. 
 
 Was it the presentiment of that fate 
 wliicli awaited liim? 
 
 Could he see, amid tlie Crisis which 
 he had pictured, himself the central 
 figure, and around him the faithful, the 
 vigilant and the bi'ave? 
 
 And were his melancholy eyes able 
 to beliold another "Calvary" — anotlier 
 "Cross," liis own form bent with bur- 
 den and toil, bearing it onward through 
 a Gethsemane of baptismal blood to 
 that liavcn beyond the tides where he 
 was to meet the myriads of his own — - 
 they whose choruses of victory, of 
 liberty, and of uplifted liumanity are 
 still heard by some of us away in the 
 far distance, " as memory wafts the 
 sound? 
 
 "In the beauty of the lillies, 
 
 Christ was born across the sea.. 
 
 AVith a glory in His bosom 
 That transfigures you me: 
 
 As he died to make men holy. 
 Let us die to make men free. 
 
 While God is marching on." 
 
 Fifty years liave gone since Abra- 
 ham Lincoln was struggling with the 
 question of human slavery, which he 
 knew, and which the whole world 
 knew, must be restrained. or tlii.^ 
 Republic would go down into the all- 
 containing sepulchre with the great 
 Republics of the Eastern World. 
 
 Witli all the earnestness and with all 
 the eloquence of a master-mind — with 
 all the power of his heroic soul, he 
 met, and silenced, every argument 
 hurled against him by Mr. Douglas. 
 
 19 
 
and by all others whose weapons were 
 "worthy of his steel." 
 
 He regarded Northern soil as too 
 sarred for the polluting tread of 
 slavery. 
 
 I'lxin <iiie occasion, in a flight of 
 oiatoix. he oxclaimod: •'nroken by it 
 I. toi>, may bo, bow to it I never will." 
 
 ■The probability thai we may fail 
 in the struggle ought not to deter us 
 from the support of a cause which we 
 deem is just. It shall not deter me. 
 
 "If I ever feel the soul witliin me 
 elevate and expand to those dimensions 
 not ■wholly unworthy its Mighty 
 Architect, it is when I contemplate the 
 cause of my country deserted by all the 
 world besides, and I. standing up 
 boldly and alone, and hurling defiance 
 at her victorious oppressors. 
 
 "Here, without contemplating conse- 
 quences, before High Heaven, in the 
 face of the world, I swear eternal fidel- 
 ity to the just cause, as I deem it, of 
 the land of my life, my liberty, and my 
 lov.." 
 
 ^\■l)at nobler or more heroic word.s 
 ever fell from human lips! 
 
 As the rocket-signal soars heaven- 
 ward on fiery wings, piercing the mid- 
 night air, guiding the legions in bat- 
 tle-array, so the utterances of Abra- 
 ham IJncoln rose to heights sublime, 
 and pointed the goal for Freedom's 
 hosts to march througli storms and 
 strife to victory. 
 
 Rut what pathos do we see llicre 
 woven witliin his mighty words wlien 
 we scan tlic licM. .iiul iilloi't liow. 
 undiT Ills Icadi'i-sliip. cnir Ki'public was 
 saved to become the Uay-Slnr amid all 
 the Nation's of the earth, while he 
 fell in the lidur i>f bis iii;i lehless 
 triumidi :ind iniiiiortal ri'imwii! 
 
 SO 
 
The Debates drew to a close, but not 
 rintil Mr. Lincoln had pilloried his 
 political adversary, and removed him 
 fls a possibility for election to the high- 
 ■cst office at the gift of a Sovereign 
 People. 
 
 Two years went by; it was 1860, 
 and the greatest battle in the political 
 history of the Nation was at hand. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln had reached a lofty 
 place in the powerful West. The pa- 
 triotic East called for him, and antici- 
 pated his coming. 
 
 It was February the 27th, at Cooper 
 Union New York. 
 
 Of him and the occasion an observer 
 •said: 
 
 "His great stature singled him out 
 from the crowd; his rugged features 
 bore the furrows of hardships and 
 struggle; his deep-set eyes looked sad 
 and anxious. 
 
 In repose, his countenance gave lit- 
 tle evidence of that brain power which 
 had raised him from the lowest to the 
 highest station among his country- 
 men. 
 
 It was a great audience, including all 
 the noted men, all the learned and cul- 
 tured of his party in New York and 
 ■environs — Editors, Clergymen. States- 
 men, Lawyers, Merchants, Critics. 
 
 They were all curious to hear him. 
 
 His fame as a powerful speaker had 
 preceded liim, and exaggerated rumors 
 of his Avit had reached the East. 
 
 When Mr. Bryant presented him on 
 the high platform at Cooper Institute 
 &■ vast sea of eager, upturned face.? 
 greeted him, full of intense curiosity 
 to see what this rude child of the 
 people was like. 
 
 He was equal to the occasion. 
 
 When he spoke he was transformed; 
 
 21 
 
his eyes kindled; liis voice rang; his 
 face shone and seemed to light up thd 
 whole assembly. His theme was the 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 He spoke for one liour and thir'.y 
 minutes. 
 
 He held liis audience as in the hol- 
 low of his hand. 
 
 Tliey greeted his utterances with 
 mighty cheers. 
 
 He closed with these immortal 
 words: 
 
 "Let us not be slandered or intimi- 
 dated to turn from our duty. Eternal 
 right makes might. As we understan^l 
 our duty, let us do it." 
 
 The vast hall rang from pit to dome 
 with tumultuous applause. The ever 
 loyal East echoed, and the press re- 
 sounded with congratulations. 
 
 He met them a stranger; he left 
 them crowned with the wreathings of 
 fame. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln was the logical candi- 
 date to lead the new political party to 
 its awaiting triumph. 
 
 On the ISth day of May following he 
 was nominated, and on the 6th day of 
 November he was elected President of 
 the United States. 
 
 He had passed the last milestone In 
 the second period of his career. 
 
 He stood upon the threshhold of the 
 future — a future laden with dangers 
 and fraught with difficulties, such as 
 never before had confronted a chosen 
 magistrate. 
 
 As the time ilriw near wlun he must 
 depart to take up the reins of Govern- 
 ment ho went to his old home to bid 
 adieu to his devoted st ipiniit her. Of 
 
this parting- liistory says: ""Wlien he 
 bent his tall frame down to her old and 
 slirunken figure to kiss her good bye, 
 slie put her arms on his shoulders, and, 
 looking earnestly and tenderly In his 
 eyes, she said "Abraham, you will 
 never come back." 
 
 She never saw him again. 
 
 On the morning of February 11th, 
 1861, Mr. Lincoln, witli his family, left 
 for the East. 
 
 His old-time friends and neighbors 
 gathered to say good bye, and a "God- 
 Speed." 
 
 With an anxious heart Mr. Lincoln 
 addressed them, and he closed with 
 these words: 
 
 "I go to assume a task more difficult 
 than that which has devolved upon any 
 other man since the days of Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 I hope you, my friends, will all pray 
 that I may receive Divine assistance, 
 without which I cannot succeed, but 
 witli whicli success is certain. 
 
 I Liid you an affectionate farewell." 
 
 To them it was his last farewell. 
 
 AVith dark and gloomy forebodings 
 the>' journeyed towards the seat of 
 Government that was to become the 
 central stage of four years of trage- 
 dies which were to awake and appall 
 the whole civilized world. 
 
 It was soon discovered that the most 
 desperate and lawless characters of the 
 South were assembling in Baltimore, 
 and that they had marked Mr. Lincoln 
 for assassination. 
 
 With eyes alert he beheld the black 
 clouds above; he understod the power 
 and the passion of the storm gather- 
 ing below. 
 
 A gigantic sin controlled press and 
 
 2.3 
 
pulpit; and the church of slavery 
 looked Northward with scorn. 
 
 A curse, all-consuming, had intoxi- 
 cated their brain, and, in their frenzy, 
 the Chivalry of the South demanded 
 that the sword's point be dipped in the 
 blood of those daring to defend "THE 
 GODDE.S.S OF LIBERTY." and that the 
 crimsoned steel must write the last 
 decree. 
 
 Mr. Lined] II was hurried through 
 Baltimore by stealth. and safely 
 guarded at the Capitol ten days in 
 advance of the inauguration. 
 
 Seven States ha<l already adopted 
 ordinances of secession, and were push- 
 ing their preparations for war. 
 
 He was beset b.v tr;iitors on every 
 hand; but. with a purpose bent to 
 save the I'nion, In- did not waver, or 
 turn aside from tlie line of his fixed 
 resolve. 
 
 March 4th, arrived, and to the pre- 
 destined martyr was administered the 
 oath of office amid the muttering 
 thunders of a conflict almost at hand. 
 
 His inaugural address was so com- 
 pnhensive, so fair, and so assuring to 
 the South, pledging tliem that their 
 every right should V)e respected: while 
 the Union must bo maintained; that 
 it is hard to understand wiiy they per- 
 sisted in their rebellious course. 
 
 He appealed to them in the name of 
 peace and justice and humanity to de- 
 sist, and he closed witli iliese immorial 
 words: 
 
 "In your hands, my dissatisfied fel- 
 Iciw-countrymen, and not in mine. Is 
 the momentous issue of civil war. 
 
 The Oovernment will nut assail you. 
 You can have no conflict without being, 
 yourselves, the aggressors. You have 
 no oath registered In Heaven to de- 
 
 24 
 
stroy the Government; while I shall 
 have the most solemn one to preserve, 
 protect and defend it. 
 
 I am loath to close. We are not 
 enemies, but friends. We must not be 
 enemies. Though passion may have 
 strained, it must not break our bonds 
 of affection. 
 
 The mystic cords of memory, stretch- 
 ing from every battle field and patri- 
 ot's grave to every living- heart and 
 hearthstone all over this broad land, 
 will yet swell the choruses of Union 
 when again touched, as surely they 
 will be, by the better angels of our 
 Mature." 
 
 This appeal, lofty though it was in 
 Christian sentiment, sublime in manly 
 faith, fell upon ears deaf to all reason, 
 and hearts dead to the highest emo- 
 tions of humanity. 
 
 The story of Air. Lincoln during th« 
 next four years is a history of the war 
 itself; and with that you are familiar. 
 We cannot follow its dark and dismal 
 record in the enforced brevity of an 
 address like this. 
 
 The world knows its gigantic pro- 
 portions, its unparalleled sacrifices, and 
 its immeasurable woes. 
 
 More than two millions of the flower 
 of American manhood marched to the 
 music of "Union Forever." 
 
 Four hundred thousand were laid 
 down in their last sleep, wrapped in 
 the uniform of blue; while as many 
 more -were wrecked in health and crip- 
 pled with wounds; and over them all 
 'FATHER ABRAHAM" watched and 
 wept; even as loving parent watches 
 weeps over his devoted child. 
 
 In the midst of the death-struggle 
 the great North wavered and hope 
 grew dim; when, lo! through camp and 
 
 25 
 
field, and aliuiK Iwo thousand niilt-s- 
 Of battle-linos, there rolled and poured 
 that mighty Anthem, which sounded 
 the doom of human slavery on Free- 
 dom's soil, and notified the interfering 
 Nation's that victory was to be ours, 
 with Union the certain goal. 
 "Mine eye hath seen the glory of 
 
 the coming of the Lord: 
 lie is traniijling out the vintage whore 
 
 the grapes of wrath are stored; 
 He hath loosed the fateful lightnl'ii? 
 
 of His terrible swift-sword: 
 His truth is marching on. 
 "I have read a fiery gospel, writ in 
 
 l)urnished I'ows of steel: 
 As ye deal with My contemners, 
 
 so with >ou My grace shall deal; 
 Let the Hero, hoi-n of woman, erusii 
 
 the serpent with His heel, 
 Since God is marching on." 
 
 From the moment the feet of l-^reo- 
 dom's sons were marching to the music 
 of that song, their hearts throbbing to- 
 Its sentiments, the world knew tliai 
 God's hand was guiding the conflict: 
 and that, as was said three thousand 
 years ago. so again it was said: "The 
 judgments of the Lord are true and 
 righteous altogetlier." 
 
 The greatest rebellion nf the ages 
 had spent its force. ;>i>d again this 
 great and good man. with a heart like 
 the heart of the lowly Nazarcne, lookeil 
 out amid the tumuU. and over the- 
 graves of almost a niill'on slain. 
 
 He saw the sliiiggle drawing to a 
 close. He hoanl the Hallelujahs of a 
 race redi-.ined — Hieir child-liki" voices 
 rising fi'um among the smouldering 
 ruins of a crusluMl and vanquished peo- 
 ple, and he gave utleiances to these 
 sublime words— -wonls which will en- 
 iliu->' to the •nd of tiini': 
 
"With malice toward none, with 
 charity for all, with firmness for the 
 right as God gives us to see the right, 
 let us strive on to finish the work we 
 are in; to bind up the Nation's wounds; 
 lo care for him who shall have borne 
 the battle; and for his widow and 
 orphan — to do all that may achieve and 
 cherish a just and lasting peace among 
 ourselves and with all Nations." 
 
 '"With malice towards none!" 
 
 How like the immortal vrords of him 
 who said, "Oh, Lord! forgive them, for 
 they know not what they do." 
 
 Can human lips pronounce a eulogy 
 so complete as to do him perfect rev- 
 erence? The ages yet to be shall make 
 reply. 
 
 To the South he repeatedly offered 
 the "olive branch." Just so often they 
 rejected it with scorn. 
 
 He presented the guarantee of the 
 Constitution. They closed their eyes 
 and cried "war." 
 
 He warned them, offering them their 
 last opportunity to retain their slaves. 
 They .defied him, and pursued the 
 struggle with renewed vengeance and 
 greater fury. 
 
 He struck the shackles from their 
 bondsmen, and . he freed the souls of 
 the owners, themselves. 
 
 The hand of Divine Providence pro- 
 tected him to the end that he might 
 raise the Nation up to a complete ful- 
 lillment of its highest and holiest 
 duty before it was to receive the bap- 
 tism of his own life's blood. 
 
 Moses led his people out of the per- 
 ils of the wilderness, and he went up 
 
 27 
 
"fruiu tliL- ijlaiiis 111' Moiib iiiilo llio 
 mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisga, 
 tliat is over against Jericho." 
 
 He beheld the "Promised Land;" but 
 ho was not permitted to enter therein. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln led the hosts of 
 Uljorty tliroiigh the .storms and perils 
 of war. He stood upon the .summit. 
 He looked forward with joyous con- 
 templation. 
 
 As the great mountain unfolds its 
 form before the breaking day; so, be- 
 yond the rifting clouds, the sad eyes 
 of this fur-seeing man beheld a temple 
 of hope, lighted by the beacon-flames 
 of Liberty, and guarded by the strong 
 arm of universal law, its broad foun- 
 dations laid secure and deep upon the 
 graves of the Nation's dead, its proud 
 structure towering upward into sub- 
 limer heights where human achieve- 
 ments are made glorious by the greet- 
 ing of radiant skies: 
 
 All this he saw, and more; but h« 
 was not permitted to enter in. 
 
 "And .so they buried Lincoln? Strantr* 
 
 and A'ain! 
 Has any creature thought of I..incoln 
 
 hid 
 In any vault 'neath any coffin lid. 
 In all the years since that wild Spring 
 
 of pain? 
 'Tis false! He never in the grave hath 
 
 lain: 
 You could not l)ury him, altliough 
 
 you slid 
 Upon his cl:i\- tin- Cluop's pyramid. 
 Or heapfd ii witli tlir Uoeky Moun- 
 tain Chain. 
 They slew (h.-ms.lv.-.s; tluy but sot 
 
 Lincoln fiH'f: 
 In all, the life of his great heart beat* 
 strong - 
 
 I'S 
 
Shall bval while pulses throb to 
 
 chivalr\'. 
 And burn with hate of tjranny and 
 
 wrong-. 
 Whoever will, may find him, any- 
 where — 
 Save in tlie tomb, not there — he is not 
 
 there. * 
 "Such was he, our Martyr-Chief, 
 
 "Whom late the Nation he had led, 
 With ashes on her head, 
 Wept with the passion of an angry 
 grief: 
 He knew to bide his time. 
 And can his fame abide, 
 Still patient in his simple faith sub- 
 lime, 
 Till the wise years decide? 
 Great Captains, with their guns and 
 
 drums, 
 Disturb our judgment for the hour. 
 
 But at last silence comes: 
 These all are gone, and, standing like 
 
 a tower. 
 Our children shall behold his fame. 
 
 Tlie kindly-earnest, brave, far .-ee- 
 ing man. 
 Sagacious, patient, dreading praise, not 
 
 blame. 
 New birth of our new soil, the first 
 American." ** 
 Reluctantly we fold the leaves of 
 time, and, for a season, we lay them 
 tenderly away. 
 
 Amid the transparency of the parch- 
 ment itself we have looked upon the 
 loving face, the kindly features, the 
 firm resolution, of him who rose from 
 obscurity to the heights of fame — him 
 
 *(The author of this poem unknown 
 to the speaker.) 
 
 **(The closing lines of .Tames Russell 
 I>oweirs tribute to the F'irst American.) 
 
 -'9 
 
•\vlio slec-ps in tliu arms of elernilj' — 
 a Xa lion's martyred son. 
 
 We have knelt at the shrine of pa- 
 ti'iutisni, and we have hold comniutiion 
 Willi its loftiest spirit. 
 
 "We have inhaled the alniosplieru of 
 a glorious epoch, and we feel refreshed 
 and revivified thereby. 
 
 His immortal words — "with malice 
 toward none" — uttered at the grave- 
 side of war's desolation, where "Hearts 
 howed Down" were mourning' for tlu-ir 
 loved and lost — those word.s of for- 
 giveness should abide with us all to 
 the end. 
 
 This man, of lowly .spirit, taug'ht us 
 tiiat the passions of war sliould pcrisli 
 in the presence of peace. 
 
 The purity of his purpose, the power 
 of his brain, and the gift of his elo- 
 quent tongue inspired a moral awaken- 
 ing in the great heart of the liberty- 
 loving- of every land and every clime. 
 
 And wlien the eyes of the vanquished 
 no longer refused to see tlie light — 
 when "the mystic cords of memory 
 were touched by the better angels of 
 their nature" — then they looked 
 towaids the tomb of him whom they 
 had reviled — him whom they had vili- 
 fied, fully realizing that their best 
 friend was buried in the grave of Abra- 
 ham Lincoln. 
 
 And so, rcjoieing, not mourning, we 
 realize tliat from llie battle-flames of 
 The holiest war Christianity ever knew, 
 tlierc was lighted the beaeon-flanus 
 wiiich gather and glow in the gieai 
 waleh towers of time to illumine this 
 lanil of a new life, a m \v lilnity and a 
 new National renown. 
 
 And so, in the bright liglil of to-day. 
 we see this Hag of AVashington. and of 
 Lincoln, llfl.-d ahigh by llie hand n{ 
 
 311 
 
Grant, his Compatriots, and "THE 
 BOYS IN BLUE," and thrown to the 
 breezes, in victory, at Appomattox, 
 This flaR, now radiant with six and 
 forty stars, waving in triumph above 
 tlie bravest ships that ever furrowed 
 the tractless deep, carrying the glad 
 message of "PEACE ON EARTH AND 
 GOOD WILL" to every land along the 
 pathway of the sun. 
 
 Already the tidings of their return 
 are heralded to our shores, as the 
 bugle-notes, borne on by the lifted 
 billows, mingling their music with the 
 murmur of the seas, bring to our ears 
 the joyous chimes of "Home Sweet 
 Home" — Home to this free - land, 
 made secure by the faith of him whose 
 name lingers on our lips — Home to 
 these Altars and these Fanes, made 
 sacred by the blood and fortitude of 
 those who rallied around him when 
 duty called. 
 
 My Veteran Comrades, in closing, let 
 us reflect for a moment upon the beau- 
 tiful and inspiring scenes which grace 
 and glorify our land from ocean to 
 ocean, from frozen lakes to Southern, 
 sun-kissed seas. 
 
 Instead of the bugle-call to arms, the 
 rolling drums ,the ranked lines, the 
 gleaming bayonets, and the battling 
 foe, we behold these symbols of purity 
 and peace, these emblems of courage, of 
 consecration, and of duties fully done. 
 
 Our hearts melt, and our eyes over- 
 flow, as old visions rise up — as memory 
 clasps hands with hope and contem- 
 plation. 
 
 And there are none more competent 
 than you, my beloved Comrades — you 
 A\ho "fought the fight and kept the 
 faith," to say, all the glory and all 
 the grandeur of this Republic could 
 
 ai 
 
not have been, had not a Divine Power 
 prepared, and a Divine Ha ml led to 
 the tlirone of final triumpli. and lo 
 the Fanes of immoralty, an Alualiani 
 .^incoln. 
 
 As love's tribute, let us entwine 
 around his memory tliis ballad wreath 
 of our devotion. 
 
 The Pantheon of heroes holds thy 
 treasured name; 
 Engraven fair upon the scroll i>f 
 fame ; 
 Thou HEART OF HOPE, thy words — 
 they won our loftj' cheers; 
 Thy nn'in'ry 'bides, and will 
 throug:hout the years; 
 The wisdom of thy wondrous brain, 
 thy soul sublime — 
 These — all have brightened with 
 the years of time; 
 And, while the centuries shall speed 
 their onward way, 
 Tlic light of thy great lovi' shall 
 greet each glorious day. 
 
 W60 
 

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