The Lincoln-Thornton Debate 1856 Shelbyville, Illinois THE OLD COURT HOUSE 'WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE AND CHARITY FOR ALL" LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY presented by A-€.\Cfc X»Wf\SOT\ TO COMMEMORATE THE DEBATE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND ANTHONY THORNTON ON FREEDOM OF TERRITORIES JUNE 15, 1856 IN OLD COURT HOUSE SHELBYVILLE, ILLINOIS SHELBYVILLE, ILLINOIS SHELBY COUNTY LEADEK PRINT 1923 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/tocommemoratedebOOshoa ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN 1851. (Copyrighted by S. S. McClure, 1895) <\m.7Ll IjuczLH fcx*^ f\ c*f>K. CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE PROPOSED ACTION OF DEDICATING BOULDER AND A PRINTED PAMPHLET PERPETUATING SAME. Shelbyville, 111., November 22, 1922. Thomas B. Shoaff, Shelbyville, Illinois. Dear Sir: As I have heard, your mother was named for Nancy Hanks, Lincoln's mother; that your mother was a daughter of Dennis Hanks, cousin of Nancy, and Lincoln's step-mother, Sarah Bush Johnson, moulder of his sterling character, who was the mother of Mrs. Dennis Hanks, so you are a relative of the family, and as the publisher of The Shelby County Leader here, I am writ- ing you to suggest the preparation of a pamphlet of the pro- ceedings contemplated to commemorate the debate of Lincoln and Judge Thornton on "Liberty in the United States Territories" in our Old Court House, June 15, 1856. It occurs to me that a pamphlet giving a synopsis of the proceedings at the Methodist Episcopal church, Feb. 12, 1922, a list of the members of the committees, a list of the Board of Supervisors, a picture of the Old Court House, and a full page picture of Artist Root's great painting that now hangs in the school house, cuts of the Soldiers and Memorial Monuments, and any other cuts desirable, also including the dedicatory speech made on the occasion of dedicating this boulder, would be very fitting. Such a pamphlet would be a desirable souvenir to send to friends and to the men and women who formerly lived in this county. I believe that most of them would be delighted to get such a souvenir of their old home county. I recall a few in Mas- sachusetts, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, California, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Dakota, Hiawii and nearly every city in Illinois. XI do not know how many pages it would take, or how much 500 or 1,000 copies might cost, but it occurs to me that you might get it up in a creditable shape, and that the expense of so doing could be arranged for in connection with the ceremonies of install- ing this memorial. Let me know what you think about it, and about what it would cost. Respectfully yours, GEO. D. CHAFEE, Chmn. of the Committee. 4> Leader Office, Shelbyville, 111., Nov. 24, 1922. Dear Mr. Chaf ee : I have your note about a souvenir of the Shelby County Lin- coln boulder, in memory of Lincoln's great speech in June, 1856, in the Old Court House in Shelbyville. I think it a ^ood idea, and I would take pleasure in getting it up in such shape as to reflect credit on the occurrences and embalm the memory of the stirring events of that time, and of the men who so well acted their part. A good picture of Robert M. Root's great painting of Judge Thornton, one of Lincoln, one of the Lincoln monument at Spring- field, one of Thornton's monument in our cemetery, one of the Old Court House, one of the Memorial Boulder and the Soldiers' monument, and, perhaps others, with appropriate introduction, and a copy of the dedicatory speech, all on good paper, would cer- tainly be something of which all would be justly proud, and any person who ever lived in Shelby county would want one or more. Teachers, preachers, officers and ex-officers, libraries, and even the quiet citizen would be glad of an opportunity to get such a valuable brochure. I can't tell off hand how much the cuts would cost, or how many pages there would be, to do it right, but I don't think it would exceed 40 pages with suitable cover, and I assure you we would do it at as reasonable a figure as possible. I was gratified that the Board of Supervisors was pleased with the idea of marking this historical event and putting the story into permanent history, and that it felt justified in making an appropriation for the memorial and to cover all expenses. I believe that every citizen of the county will favor such action. Many of the counties in the State have spent much more for a less suitable memorial. Many Shelby county citizens are now living in distant cities, and I believe there is not one but that would be glad to get a copy of the souvenir. I hope it may materialize, and I certainly will do all that I can to make it a success. Call on me any time for anything our office can do. Yours very truly, THOS. B. SHOAFF. JUDGE ANTHONY THORNTON PRELIMINARY MEETING FEBRUARY 12TH, 1922, AT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SHELBY- VILLE, AS REPORTED IN THE DEMOCRAT, FEBY. 16TH, 1922— "IN COMMEMORATION OF TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS AND IN HONOR OF TWO GREAT MEN." PROGRAM Presbyterian Choir — Geo. Fisher, Leader; Mrs. E. V. Young, Organist. Music— "The Star Spangled Banner." Invocation — Rev. Edward V. Young. "Lincoln," 10 Minutes — Judge Franklin R. Dove. "Gettysburg" — Edward Herron. "Why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud?"— Senator F. B. Wendling. Music — Presbyterian Choir. "Samuel W. Moulton, Common School Laws of Illinois"— Hon. W. H. Chew Appointment of Committees. "Our Flag"— Hon. John W. Yantis. Music — The Choir. Benediction — Rev. J. Stanley Mitchell. Senator Geo. D. Chafee, Chairman of Meeting. The foregoing program, originated and arranged by Senator George D. Chafee, was carried out at the First Methodist Episcopal church in Shelby- ville at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, February 12, 1922, with two objects in view: One to commemorate the memory of Abraham Lincoln on the 113th anniversary of his birth, and the other to pay tribute to the memory of Hon. Samuel W. Moulton, one of the great men of Illinois- of his day, the "Father of the Free School System" of this State, whose life for most part was spent in Shelbyville; and to appoint committees for the purpose of further arrang- ing for a suitable memorial tablet to be placed in the High School building in Shelbyville, suggesting final action on this to be taken during summer term of Shelby County Teachers' Institute. SPLENDID AUDIENCE PRESENT. It was a fine and representative audience which met there Sunday after- noon, the church assembly room being comfortably filled with men and women, most all of whom knew Mr. Moulton during his life-time, and some who remembered the great Emancipator as he was- when he traveled from county to county circuit riding the courts of central Illinois, and was present 4 when the Lincoln and Thornton debate was held in the old court house,, which stood in the middle of the Public Square in Shelbyville, in 1856. Following music by the choir, and the invocation by Rev. Mr. Young, Mr. Chafee, chairman of the meeting, told in a few words the objects of the meeting, and the things hoped for with reference to placing a suitable tablet in the High School building in memory of Mr. Moulton, and then presented Judge Franklin R. Dove, who delivered the following address on Lincoln: JUDGE F. R. DOVE PAYS TRIBUTE TO LINCOLN. "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, The kindly-earnest, brave, far-seeing man, Sagacious, patient, dreading praise, not blame, New birth of our new soil, the First American." In these words the poet, James Russell Lowell, spoke of him whose 113th birthday anniversary we have gathered to celebrate. It is indeed appropriate that upon this day we shall turn our thoughts to the deeds and achievements of America's foremost and noblest man, and may we from the lessons of his life and character rededicate our own lives to patriotic, honest and unselfish service. Competent critics have told us that more has been written and spoken of Lincoln than has ever been written or said of any man that ever lived and no words of mine can add anything to the respectful veneration, honor and esteem in which this wonderful character is held. And it seems presump- tuous for me to speak of his life, or the great qualities of his heart and mind, for his name has been a household word, not only in America but through- out the civilized world for more than half a century. * - * We all know of his election to the presidency, of his great humanity and broad sympathy; of his merciful, humane and forgiving qualities and of that friendship for those who were in sorrow and distress which he carried to such an extent that during the war both General Grant and General Sher- man had communication severed between their respective headquarters and the White House in order that the iron rule of military discipline might not be interfered with by his pardons and paroles. We all know of the awful tragedy whch closed his life, but perhaps we don't realize the prejudice and bitterness with which he was assailed while he lived. This happily has been forgotten and perhaps in thinking of the great prominence which he attained we, too, have forgotten the bitter dis- appointments and defeats of which he tasted. * * * It is related that Lincoln going to Washington, traveled by stage be- 5 tween Terre Haute and Indianapolis, an incident occurred of which he after- wards frequently spoke and enjoyed relating. A Kentuckian, returning to his home in Louisville from Missouri, and Lincoln were the only occupants in the coach. Trying to relieve the monotony the stranger offered Lincoln a chew. Lincoln declined, saying, "No,! never chew!" After a period of silence the stranger offered him a cigar, which he also declined on the ground that he never smoked. Finally, just before they separated, the Ken- tuckian poured out a cup of brandy from a flask which he carried and of- fered it to Lincoln with the remark that inasmuch as he never chewed or smoked, perhaps he would take a little brandy as an appetizer. Lincoln de- clined this last and best evidence of Kentucky hospitality on the same ground as he had the tobacco, whereupon the Kentuckian said, "Well stran- ger, I don't want to offend you, but my experience has taught me that a man who has no vices has * * * few virtues." * * * "I am not bound," Lincoln wrote, "to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he is wrong." His name is one to conjure with. His words today are used as the final and supreme argument for or against any proposed plan or movement. He stood for honest government and for law enforcement. Those who knew him and walked with him are rapidly passing away. Few are still living who ever heard his voice or grasped his hand. And it was a rare privilege for me two years ago today to sit in the Constitutional Convention hall in Springfield and there listen to the man who first conveyed to Lincoln, on Friday, May 18, 1860, the message of his nomination. * * * In the capitol grounds at Springfield stands a wonderful monument erected at the east entrance in loving remembrance of this great man. Fol- lowing Mr. Clinton Conkling's narration of how he notified Lincoln of his nomination, I walked down the steps of the capitol with him and as we approached this statue he drew me off the walk to the west and there placed me in a position from which he said one could get the view of the Great Emancipator as he remembered him. That anniversary of Lincoln's birth meant much to me. May this one mean much to all of us. His birthday will be celebrated as long as civilization endures. The world has accorded him first place as a statesman. Help us to be worthy of his memory and bring to us a realization of the pricelessness of our liberties and help us to make America what it should be — a land of honesty, freedom, opportunity and justice. GETTYSBURG SPEECH Without doubt the greatest speech ever delivered in 160 words, is Lin- coln's Gettysburg address. This was read by E. N. Herron. 6 "0, WHY SHOULD THE SPIRIT OF MORTAL BE PROUD?" This favorite poem of Lincoln was read by Senator F. B. Wendling. "SAMUEL W. MOULTON, THE FATHER OF THE COMMON SCHOOL 'LAWS OF ILLINOIS." Hon. William H. Chew, member of the State Constitutional Convention, and Mayor of Shelbyville, was presented by Chairman Chafee and Mr. Chew delivered an exceptionally fine address on "Samuel W. Moulton, the Father of the Common School Laws of Illinois." JUDGE T. E. AMES PRESENTS RESOLUTION. Judge Truman E. Ames arose from his seat in the audience and pro- ceeded to the platform and presented the following resolution: "Be It Resolved, That it is in line with current thought and action in this State and elsewhere to erect proper tablets, showing important acts and events and particularly in Illinois to have markers showing where our martyr President's activities called him; and as he made one of his great speeches for freedom and the welfare of the human race, as well as practised law, in our old court house, and stayed in the Tallman or Tackett tavern at the top of Brewster hill, we deem it both wise, timely and commendable to have a public meeting this summer, of the citizens of Shelby county at, or near where these events occurred. And to plant a tablet in the street near where he made his famous speech in 1856. Also a monument or boulder at the corner of the old hotel as a marker for his itinerary, and to that end the following committees are hereby appointed for general management and fixing the time for holding this meeting: "Hon. Wm. H. Chew, Hon. Wm. C. Kelley, Clark Dove, Robt. I. Pugh, Dr. F. P. Bivins, D. A. Milligan, Geo. B. Rhoads, Dr. F. P. Auld, Dr. C. H. Hulick, A. L. Yantis, Geo. H. Waters, John D. Miller, Senator F. B. Wendling, Judge A. J. Steidley, Ed R. Knecht, and such others as the chairman may call to his aid. "For the committee on marker and tablet and finances — Judge F. R. Dove, Wm. S. Middlesworth, O. W. Walker, B. P. Dearing, Wm. J. Eddy, Geo. Bolin- ger, Mrs. Ella Hamlin, Miss Georgia Hopkins, Miss Mary Seaman, B. S. Yost, Mrs. Charles Igo, and any other persons that said committee may solicit for their assistance. "For committee on music — Dr. J. H. Hite, George Fisher, Mrs. Josephine Grider, Gus Pundt, Mrs. Donald Richardson, I. M. Douthit, Prof. R. G. Newell, Wiliam Aichle. "For committee on publicity and invitations program — I. S. Storm, James Shoaff, W. H. Taylor, Robert Parrish, A. J. Andes, The Commercial Club of Shelbyville and Roy Vanderpool Post. "Committee on decoration, stand and seats — Geo. B. Roberts, Louis 7 Conn, L. C. Westervelt, B. J. Sturgis, Beecher Funk, M. 0. Finks, The City Marshal, Wra. T. Biggs, Sheriff of Shelby county. "Committee on decoration — Judge T. E. Ames, Charles Coplin, Robert Root, L. F. Akenhead, Beecher Funk, Charles H. Beetle, E. E. Cook. It is respectfully suggested that this is a public affair, for the benefit of the whole people; that all of our people are, or ought to be interested in both of these events, for reasons apparent to anyone, and that each citizen should gladly aid to make these events a success. * * * "It goes without saying that the assistance of the Supervisors of the county, and all the public officers of the county are respectfully solicited to give these events adequate notoriety, that the people who read our papers and are interested in the matters proposed should gladly attend these meet- ings and help to make them a success and an honor to our city." On motion of Judge T. E. Ames the foregoing resolutions were unanim- ously adopted. "THE FLAG." Chairman Chafee then presented Hon. John W. Yantis, who delivered a beautiful tribute to "The Flag," the composition of which is one of the finest literary gems ever written on Old Glory, and nobody can deliver the tribute, oratorically, quite as well as Mr. Yantis. Following this and another song by the choir, Rev. J. Stanley Mitchell delivered the benediction, and the meeting was adjourned. s INTRODUCTION OF HON. B. M. CHIPPERFIELD BY GEO. D. CHAFEE Ladies and Gentlemen: I am greatly pleased to have you all here on this occasion. The primary cause of this meeting occurred in the year 1619, when a Dutch ship landed in Virginia, loaded with African men and women — the first sold in slavery. The next step was the Ordinance of 1787, Art. VI — "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said terri- tory * * *" The next step was when the United States, under Thomas Jefferson, purchased Louisiana from France, in 1803. The next step, known as the Missouri Compromise, was in 1821, permitting Missouri to come into the Union as a slave state, by declaring that no other part of the Louisiana purchase North of 30 degrees by 30 degrees, should ever become slave territory. The next step, in 1854, was the repeal by Congress of the Missouri Compromise. (One of the outstanding facts of the period that projected its influence into history, was that a very religious man, named John Brown, then lived in Osawattime. His home was burned, his property stolen and destroyed, his family murdered. On the grave of his wife and children and the ashes of his home, he be- came the avenging nemesis of slavery ; three years after he raised an army of fifteen as crazy as himself and captured Harper's Ferry, on the Potomac; was himself captured and hung in Vir- ginia. The rallying song of the Civil War was then born: "John Brown's body is moulding in the ground, But his soul is marching along.") Kansas and Nebraska were then seeking to be admitted into the Union. 9 HON. B. M. CHIPPERFIELD, CANTON, ILLINOIS The slave-holding states wanted these territories to be open to slavery — the free states opposed it. Crime, arson, murder, carnage, fraud, massacre, gave that virgin territory the name of bleeding Kansas. June 15th, 1856, here in our old Court House (where the boulder lays), Abraham Lincoln made the first speech for Free- dom in our little city. It is this event we are here today to commemorate and honor ourselves, our city and county by dedicating a granite boulder to this great man. Until his foul assassination, the mass of man- kind little knew his marvelous merit. As the last breath left his stricken body, the great Secretary of War, Edwin M. Staunton, said : "Now he belongs to the ages." The whole civilized world was shocked as never before, at his untimely taking off. Kings, Princes, Powers, The Pope, Cardin- als and Bishops, Mayors, Municipalities, Parliaments, Civic Orders, Generals and Admirals, Statesmen and Merchants, Me- chanics, great Captains of Industry, Ministers and Laborers immediately and simultaneously sent hundred of thousands of telegrams of condolence to the United States Government and the family at Washington. The Congress of the United States caused these messages to be printed in book form. No other such book was ever made. No other person was ever so honored. Lincoln was peculiar, born in poverty, without the aid of schools he early rose to every occasion and became the world's first figure. He was utterly unselfish and single-minded to make his country free and sane and perpetuate the nation Washington founded. He was no mystic, the Olympian gods did not shield or guide him ; he was not a visionary, gazing at rainbows ; no idealist, with his head in the clouds. He was no dollar chaser, the lure of wealth never hardened his heart or arteries. He was commonplace and intensely practical, ever mindful of the work to be done — four-square, with both feet on the earth. Clemenceau, the wonderful old Frenchman, when placing a wreath on Lincoln's tomb at Springfield, recently said: "He was the greatest man of all time." Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my great pleasure to intro- duce to you the Hon. B. M. Chipperfield, who will address you upon the life and service of our martyr President. 10 MEMORIAL ADDRESS OF HON. BURNETT M. CHIPPERFIELD OF CANTON. ILLINOIS AT THE DEDICATLNG OF LINCOLN BOULDER AT SHELBYVILLE, ILL., FEBRUARY 12, 1923 Many years have come and gone since the earth last saw the beloved form of the Great Emancipator. Although now they almost equal in number the allotted span of the life of a man, not a single laurel that was placed upon his brow by the loving hands of a grateful people has withered or faded under the destroying hand of time. The passage of the years has but added to their freshness and luster, and his memory has become the more fixed and established, until today we again gather in reverence, to do homage to the deeds and achievements of the Nation's greatest — Abraham Lincoln. In this State, as well as in the other Commonwealths of the Nation, his greatness is not forgotten, nor are the deeds which he performed lost to remembrance, nor is their glory lessened, and though he has long since passed to the glorious company of the immortals, yet in truth he now liveth and speaks wherever the thought of liberty finds lodgment in the mind of man. As the gray twilight brings the day to a close on the broad prairies of Illinois, mothers draw their little ones to their knees and tell in tones of affection o'er and o'er again the entrancing story of the life of this great man. And as the tale holds the youthful listeners spellbound, she does not dwell on the battles of years gone by, but speaks she of his humble origin; of the devoted mother who guided his childish steps; of the struggling youth; the sturdy and determined manhood; and the just and loving heart that found vast expression in the beneficent life that gave to us a most precious legacy — the memory of the greatest and most loved man since the days of the Savior of the world — the memory of the humble rail splitter of our prairies. Others may speak of Lincoln the leader, the statesman, the President, but I speak this day of Lincoln the humane, of Lincoln the man, and the life that has endeared him to all liberty-loving citizens of the world. As this day we can not understand the severity of the struggles by which he rose or the bleak barrenness of his life, which he describes as "the short and simple annals of the poor." In after years he could not bear to speak 11 of those days, and so far as his words are concerned they are a sealed book. In all the length and breadth of the land today there is not poverty such as he knew. It is not accurate for men to say that his life was the common lot of the sturdy pioneer of those days, for this is not correct. Why, I can not tell, but so it is, that when a great work in the affairs of nations is to be accomplished and a great man required, the early scenes of his life are almost invariably laid amidst the humblest surroundings and in homes where love must supply the greater part of the needs of childhood days. It was so with Gideon, David, Luther, Farfield, Webster, Grant, Edi- son, and many others, and so it was, although to a much greater degree, with Lincoln. Reared in a cabin that was inferior to the shelter of the animals on the farm, housed in a structure that was for a long time without windows, doors, or a floor, and that was not even enclosed on all four of its sides, here his early years were spent. The furnishings, meager and cruelly crude, were hardly worthy of the name; his resting place was a bed of leaves laid upon a rude support of poles. Here dwelt and developed the indomi- table spirit of the lad, who, while his heart was oftimes saddened, though not embittered by the privations he experienced and the hardships he en- dured, suffered not his courage to fail. Here it was that he learned the vast sympathy and the broad affection for his fellow man that a mansion or a palace does not seem to favor or create. The church wisely reverences the humble cradle, the abode of the Savior, and the American people find inspiration in the life of the youth who, like the chrysalis, outgrows his humble surroundings and emerges triumphant with a character glorious and beautiful. And so with the lad of poverty,- he triumphed, until at his death the world stood silent and the monarchs of the earth bowed their heads in grief and laid their tributes upon his bier as he made his last journey, silent and still, by night and by day, through the unbroken ranks of sorrowing citizens, to the old home, in the heart of Illinois, where now his sacred dust reposes, a precious trust of the people of our State. Between the humble home and the last imposing spectacle lay a life of love, devotion, and service. In it all is not found one day of selfish ease or idle self-indulgence. No anchorite ever lived more humbly or toiled more vigorously to attain the goal, that was to be his. To me it is a delight and a privilege to trace in imagination his triumphant, though weary steps. Love and service, attended with the highest devotion to duty, marked his course. His guide and counsellor in those days of privation was a won- 12 derful mother, whom he loved with all the devotion of his boyish heart and of whom he said: "All that I am or ever hope to be I owe to my angel mother." When the summons came to the rude hut and called her from earth away, it left the lad bereft and alone, and none could bring him com- fort. It was the first staggering blow to a life that already well knew sorrow. Father and son with their own hands hewed out the rude casket, and winding her in her humble shroud, they laid her away forever from the sight of man, to await that glorious day of awakening when, instead of one of the humblest of the earth, she would be welcomed to the life beyond as the heroic mother of the world's noblest. Denoting the steadfastness of his devotion and purpose and the strength of his affection, the lad grieved day by day because no words of consolation and benediction had been spoken over the last resting place of his loved one, until learning that a man of God was at a distant point months afterwards, he trudged his weary way over hill and dale and through the lonely forest that the mother might have Christian burial, and gladly brought to her grave a holy man to perform the last rites and there speak the words of comfort and peace. As the virgin mother of God is remembered by the faithful, so is lov- ingly adored by the people of the land the mother of Abraham Lincoln, and to all mothers who toil and struggle in sacrifice through poverty and hard- ship that their children may start the world aright, she stands in their vision as a patron saint, a guiding light, and a glorious inspiration. The struggles of his boyhood days and their biting poverty left a melan- choly impress on his mind and soul. It gave to him for his entire lifetime the sensitive heart of a child. He could see no wrong done or hurt come to any living thing without himself being hurt. He sorrowed with the sorrowful and his tears fell with those who had been wounded and broken on the march of life. His soul responded to the sufferings of the world. Through his bitter experiences no man could better understand than he the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and this sympathetic comprehension animated and guided his every act. In all the record of his life no mean deed is written and in the story of his career, as orally preserved by tradition in our great State, there does not remain even the suggestion that he was capable of a selfish or unworthy act. As only a starved soul could yearn, he desired affection and when this was given to him by Anne Rutledge it was returned with an ardor that was 13 LINCOLN MONUMENT AT SPRINGFIELD great. Many say that Anne Rutledge is a myth. I have visited her grave near the town of Old Salem, where it is said that after her death Lincoln came often in sadness and would not be consoled. It is repeated that at one of these times he said that the true inscription for her resting place should be "Here lies the body of Anne Rutledge and the heart of Abraham Lincoln." Ofttimes he was oppressed with grief and for days he would seem to be crushed by it. At such a time he once said, "I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were distributed among the whole human family, there would not be a cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better, I can not tell. I awfully forbode I shall not. To remain as I am is impos- sible; I must die or be better, it seems to me." With his sensitive nature he sought the love of those with whom he was brought in contact. Their esteem and good opinion sustained, encouraged, and supported him. Without it he was cast down and disheartened. His reward — and the only one he sought — was the approval of his countrymen. And in later years the knowledge that he was at variance with a great section of the land, caused him the most poignant grief. It is worthy of much comment that although Lincoln, as he states, had the advantage of only six months of school, and no opportunity for what is sometimes called higher education, that he was a man of great and profound knowledge. Perhaps not widely versed in the details of the arts or sciences, yet he knew men. He knew their thoughts snd minds and souls and the motives which animated them. He knew their strength and their weakness. He was brother and father to all mankind, and knew their sorrows and their trials. To them he could speak in simple words that touched their deepest sensibili- ties, and could play upon the chords of their emotion in language plain, it is true, but with words that lived and breathed, in language that stands to this day as an unparalleled example of literary style. If you ask where he attained this power, the answer, it seems to me, is easy to give. He and his forebears were born amid surroundings where life was stern, and where each day was an actual struggle for existence. Under these conditions speech was as plain as the method of life. There they employed the good old Anglo-Saxon of the century past. They stripped from their meager vocabulary all effete and soft words and left remaining only those that were strong and vigorous, and of these they did not employ many. The Bible was almost the only book and its influence upon their speech was marked. Lincoln used words that were dynamic in their vigor. The addition of a syllable to a sentence was to him a matter of profligacy. 14 Each phrase was cut to the last degree and thought was given expres- sion in sentences that were strong, direct, and filled with meaning. Lincoln used the monosyllable whenever possible, and his sentences ofttimes were almost entirely made up of these elementary words. When he spoke to the people in these simple terms they listened to him gladly as they did in days of yore to the Man of Galilee, whose words were also plain and touched the hearts of all. In this simple style, Lincoln, said: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he is wrong." And so again they were employed by him in making this prediction: "The mystic chord of memory stretching from every battle field and every patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone, will yet swell the chorus of the Union when again touched as they will surely be by the better angels of our nature." And it was in these same words of common speech that he astonished and charmed the world when in their marvellous beauty he paid his tribute on the field of Gettysburg to the men of the land who had given their lives that the Nation might live forever. This famous speech consisted of about 300 words. Of these, 204 were words of one syllable. In all of his preparation for his life work, he was thorough and pains- taking to the last degree. One day he was confronted with the word "demonstrate." Asking himself what it was to demonstrate, he went to his dictionary and saw that its meaning was "to make clear." He asked him- self the question, if he could demonstrate and "make clear," and his answer was that he could not. Thereupon he laid aside the study of law, upon which he had commenced some months before, and took up the study of Euclid and did not again return to the law until he had mastered the first five books of Euclid's great work. So it was in all his acts. Thoroughness was his rule, and upon this solid basis did he build his life. The way that Lincoln traversed in public life was not an easy one. Probably no man who ever attained great prominence has tasted as bitterly of defeat as did he. In 1832 he was defeated for a seat in the Legislature of Illinois. In 1848 he was defeated for renomination to Congress, to his great disappointment. 15 It then seemed to him, and so he said, that he believed that his public career was forever ended and that there was no further public service for him. In 1849 he was a candidate for Commissioner of the General Land Office, but was defeated because Daniel Webster cast his influence in favor of another candidate. In 1854 he was a candidate for United States Senator, but after a time withdrew in favor of Judge Trumbull. In 1856 he was a candidate for Vice President, but was not named by the convention. In 1858 he was a candidate for the Senate of the United States, but was defeated by Judge Douglas, although he carried the popular vote of the State by 4,000. He was a brave and indomitable heart. He was not dismayed or crushed by these successive defeats, although his campaigns were made at a great sacrifice. Lincoln was a comparatively poor man, and just what the sacrifices were can best be told in his own words to the Republican State committee of Illinois when he was told by them that there was no money to pay outstand- ing bills. He wrote to the committee, as follows: "Yours of the 15th is just received. I wrote you the same day. As to the pecuniary matter, I am willing to pay according to my ability, but I am the poorest hand living to get others to pay. I have been on expense so long without earning anything that I am absolutely without money now for even household purposes. Still if you can put up $250 for me toward discharging the debt of the committee, I will allow it when you and I settle the private matter between us. This, with what I have already paid, and with an outstanding note of mine, will exceed my subscription of $500. This, too, is exclusive of my ordinary expenses during the campaign, all of which, being added to my loss of time and business, bears pretty heavily on one no better off in world's goods than I, but, as I had the post of honor, it is not for me to be overnice. You are feeling badly, 'And this, too, shall pass away, never fear.' " And after the long struggle came the great victory, and he sat in the seat of the mighty. But this did not change a single fiber of his kindly nature. The moun- tain crest meant no more to him than the lowly valley. When power came and greatness was his, he wore his honors modestly, without arrogance or ostentation, and humility and kindness marked his course. He was to the Nation Father Abraham, and with meekness and might, 16 affection and care, he led his children through the valley of the shadow, safely into the fold of peace and tranquility. No greater tribute can be paid to the wisdom and worth of the opinion of Lincoln than is paid today by those who use him and his words as the final and supreme argument in favor of some proposed plan or movement. It is demonstration to the minds of many when it can be said, "Lincoln favored these things." But while the tribute is great the name of Lincoln is not always worthily employed. Those who seek to destroy and break down the vital principles of our Government do not hesitate to invoke his name as an aid in the accomplish- ment of that purpose. By the frenzied orator of the curb who inveighs against all government his auditors are told that Lincoln stood for absolute freedom of thought and action and that he had no regard for the limitations of law. They are not told, however, that Lincoln stood for freedom of speech and action only under the Constitution and the law. They are not told in speaking of this freedom of speech he said: "Yes; we will speak for freedom and against slavery as long as the Con- stitution of our country guarantees free speech, until everywhere in this wide land the sun shall shine and the rain shall fall and the winds shall blow upon no man who goes forth to unrequited toil." The things for which he stood and which he attempted to do were in the name of the Constitution, and to this instrument — as he construed it — he was wholly devoted. The reckless and hairbrained experiment in government possessed no attraction for him, nor was he inclined to adopt a plan merely because it was new and untried, but going hand in hand with this conservatism was the ever-present desire to so adopt the Constitution that it would respond to the changing needs and requirements of the people. While regarding with reverence the precedents of the best, he also sought to be acutely conscious of, and responsive to, the economic demands and needs of the present. As he was intensely human in all his aspects of life, so did he make a systematic and human interpretation of the Constitution, where the rights of men were involved. With such a construction of the Constitution of the United States by those in power, the people of the Nation will not quarrel. It is radical changes in our forms of government, not authorized by the Constitution, that will be met with condemnation. 17 Those who find comfort in the denial of a God or of a Supreme Being frequently claim Lincoln as one who shared their views and approved their lack of belief. No greater or more foul slander could be uttered against this man. Lincoln walked hand in hand with God for many years before his death, and there is no act of his life that warrants the claims so advanced. It may be that he could not define a particular creed that entirely and closely fitted his views, but his steadfast belief in a God and His divine power to guide and shape the affairs of men was touching. There is hardly an utterance of Lincoln that has been preserved that does not speak of this belief and faith. On one occasion, early in life, when his father was about to pass away, Lincoln wrote this letter: "I sincerely hope father may recover his health, but, in all events tell him to remember to call upon and confide in our great and good and merciful Maker, who will not turn away from him in any extremity. He notes the fall of a sparrow and numbers the hairs of our heads, and He will not forget the dying man who puts his trust in Him. Say to him that if we could meet now it is doubtful whether it would be more painful than pleasant, but that if it be his lot to go now, he will soon have a joyous meeting with many loved ones gone before, and where the dest of us, through the help of God, hope ere long to join them." His state papers are filled with appeals to God and the statement of his belief in a Supreme Being and his reliance upon His aid and assistance. His trusting faith was like that of a little child who confidingly puts his hand in that of a loving father and walks the path with a sublime trust and without fear. One can not fail but be impressed with the startling fact that the entire achievements of the life of Abraham Lincoln that has caused the generations to remember him were accomplished and performed in barely fifteen hundred days. If from his life were taken the actions and deeds embraced in those days his name would barely be known outside of the counties of Illinois where his activities had been. When defeated for the Senate by Douglas it seemed to the doubting many that his career was done; but the defeats of the past were, to him, only the foundations on which he builded his future triumph. His trials and struggles and sorrows had refined his soul until the dross was gone, and out of his bitter experience came forth a man — apparently called of God-to guide the people of the land, both North and South, out of the horrors of war to the place where, rededicated by the blood of a hundred fields, they stood a united and an invincible people. 18 One lesson taught by Lincoln that may be helpful at the present day was his determination to stand steadfast before the nations of the world for the rights of America. Although opposed by the bravest of the brave at home, he did not fail to courageously speak for the dignity of the country when it was assailed from abroad. The poet has told in inspiring lines of the response that the people of the land will make to such an appeal, and it was no more true when penned than it is today. This whole Nation will respond in arms and bear any hardship that may be imposed, no matter how severe, whenever a wrong that involves a national principle is inflicted by a foreign foe. How marvelously like the ministry of the Savior of the world were the beneficent years of this great leader of men. How like the passion of the Son of God was the martyrdom which he suffered that all men might be free and, better yet, be free with the Nation united. For him the zenith of his career had been reached, and, like Moses, he stood upon the height and viewed the land regenerated, but which he might not enter; and then, on Good Friday, the day that the Christian world was sorrowfully observing the crucifixion of the Christ, God took him, even though the evening of his life had not yet come, for his task was done. Yea, he was taken, if it can be said of the death of the clay that formed his body; but there was left the undying spirit of this great man to lead and protect the people of this Nation by the wisdom he displayed for many gen- erations to come. Great men have come and gone since Lincoln fell, and many have at- tained high places in the Nation, but it is rarely that one, when his power was at the greatest, attained the wonderful influence over the people of the land that has been manifested, and still continues to be manifested until this day, by the memory of Abraham Lincoln. That influence has guided the Nation when the hand of living man has faltered, for being dead, yet he speaketh to the souls of men with power and conviction. And so today, I pay a humble tribute to the life and work of her great son. Into his hands they gave all that was best and dearest. To him they intrusted the sacred honor of the Nation, and never did he fail that trust. In his death they honor him and preserve his memory. In the Hall of Representatives at Springfield only two portraits are found. On the one hand is that of Douglas, who in the hour of stress clasped 19 hands with his old-time political opponent, and who held up the arms of Lincoln as Aaron did of old. The place of Douglas is secure in the affections of the people of the Prairie State. From the other side of the hall looks down the towering form of Abraham Lincoln, and there the people of the State come and stand with tearful eyes, gazing into the kindly face of this great man, and as they depart they take away an inspiration to better and more fully discharge the duties of citizen- ship. Our State has taken his ashes and his fame and his memory to its heart. One it will guard and the others it will proclaim until the Father of Waters no longer runs to the sea and until time is no more. Not without thy wondrous story, Illinois, Illinois, Can be writ the Nation's glory, Illinois, Illinois; On the record of thy years Abram Lincoln's name appears, Grant and Logan, and our tears, Illinois. In one of the most beautiful parks in the city of Chicago stands a won- derful monument, erected to commemorate the life of this, one of the world's greatest men. It is builded beside the great inland sea, whose ceaseless surf sounds a requiem by night and by day. The first rays of the rising sun rest upon it in rosy salutation, and here again they pause in benediction ere the night closes down. To this spot the people come as they might to a shrine of freedom. Here they pause and linger. Here gather the poor, of whom Lincoln said, "God must have loved them or else He would not have made so many of them." At the base of the statue the little children play. Here kings and princes and rulers have sent their wreaths and floral tributes to be laid at the feet of the imposing figure that, motionless and silent, ever looks toward the great city. In loving remembrance this memorial has been builded by the people of Illinois to honor its first citizen, Abraham Lincoln, the martyred President. On its base, chiseled deep into the lasting granite, is one of the greatest sentences in the English language, and from its perusal we can gain the secret of the power and see the faith that animated Lincoln and gave him the courage to perform his task. There may be found a motto that any man can live by, and that can be adopted by a nation in its hour of need. These are his words — noble and courageous: "Let us have faith to believe that right makes might, and firm in that 20 conviction let us to the end dare to do our duty as God gives us to see it." Words of mine can add nothing to the veneration in which this wonder- ful character is held by the people of the land, both North and South. He is loved and revered and his fame grows more secure as the genera- tions pass. I can not refrain, however, from adding as a far greater tribute than any I can pay that which was penned of Lincoln by a sweet singer. It seems to me that it is a sublime epitomization of the character and the life of this man: "And so he came From the prairie cabin to the Capitol, One fair ideal led our chieftain on. Forevermore he burned to do his deed With the fine stroke and gesture of a king He built the rail pile as he built the State, Pouring his splendid strength through every blow, The conscience of him testing every stroke, To make his deed the measure of a man. "So came the Captain, with his mighty heart; And when the step of earthquake shook the house, W T renching the rafters from their ancient hold, He held the ridge pole up and spiked again The rafters of the Home. 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 kingly cedar, green with boughs, Goes down with a great shout upon the hills, And leaves a lonesome place against the sky." Citizens of Shelby county, you do a wise and patriotic work in laying a granite boulder where he stood and spoke for freedom, June 15, 1856. 21 SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT and LINCOLN-THORNTON MEMORIAL BOULDER Approval of the Board oi Supervisors List of names of the Board of Supervisors of Shelby Coun- ty who have acted in this matter: H. C. MAY, Chairman THEO. ROESSLER CALVIN HOWE H. M. RAWLINGS DAVID D. HILL W. C. KIELMAN H. H. RUNKEL JESSIE PEARSON J. W. WOLF A. E. DOUTHIT A. P. COVENTRY S. D. PARR OTIS L. PRICE WM. KRUMERICH W. A. BLACKERBY M. R. STORM L. O. GLICK L. D. HENNIGH EDW. C. EBERSPACHER HERMAN HOETTE C. A. HAMMIL J. J. PATTERSON P. R. ANDERSON H. D. BANNING J. H. EDDY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, Shelby County, Illinois, November, 1922, Inasmuch as a Committee of citizens of Shelbyville have procured a boulder and bronze tablet to commemorate the event of a joint debate in the Old Court House in June, 1856, between Abraham Lincoln and Anthony Thornton on the subject of Free- dom in United States Territories; Now, Therefore, We, the Board of Supervisors, by H. C. May, Chairman, and Calvin Howe, D. D. Hill, H. H. Runkel and J. W. Wolf, Committee on Public Property, hereby consent to the placing said boulder on the Lincoln Park, north of the Mon- ument so as not to effect the view of the same. H. C. MAY, Chairman CALVIN HOWE, DAVID D. HILL, Committee on H. H. RUNKEL Public Property. J. W. WOLF A. P. COVENTRY Said Board unanimously directed the Committee on Public Property as above, and subsequently directed the said Com- mittee to honor all bills therefor. 22 BIRTHPLACE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN HARDIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY CABIN OF THOMAS, FATHER OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, NEAR CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS CABIN BUILT BY LINCOLN and JOHN HANKS, NEAR DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ABOUT 1831 / w