More than the persuasive argument and gentle yet determined spirit of the address, it was the chaste beauty and tender feeling of these closing words which convinced the people that Lincoln measured up to the high mental and moral stature demanded of one who was to be their leader through the most critical period that had arisen in the life of the nation.
The second inaugural address, coming so shortly before the President"s death, formed unintentionally his farewell address. It has the spirit and tone of prophecy. The Bible, in thought and expression, was its inspiration. The first two of its three paragraphs ring like a chapter from Isaiah, chief of the poet seers of old. The concluding paragraph is an apostolic benediction such as Paul or John might have delivered.
"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right as G.o.d gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation"s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations."
THE POETS" LINCOLN
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LOG CABIN
Birthplace of Lincoln, near Hodgensville, Kentucky]
Abraham Lincoln was born on the 12th day of February, 1809, on the Big South Fork of Nolin Creek, in what was then known as Hardin, but is now known as La Rue County, Kentucky, about three miles from Hodgensville.
The above ill.u.s.tration represents the cabin in which he was born, as described by his former neighbors.
Out of that old hut came the mighty man of destiny, the matchless man of the Nineteenth Century. The world has no parallel for that transition from the cabin to the White House.
Julia Ward [Howe] was born in New York City, May 27, 1819. At an early age she wrote plays and poems. In 1843 Miss Ward married Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe. In 1861, while on a visit to the camp near Washington, with Governor John A. Andrew and other friends, Mrs. Howe wrote to the air of "John Brown"s Body" the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" which has become so popular. She also published several books of poems. She espoused the Woman-Suffrage movement in 1869, and devoted much of her time to the cause. She died in 1910.
This poem was written by Mrs. Howe in her ninetieth year and read by her in Symphony Hall, Boston, on the centenary of the martyred President"s birthday, February 12, 1909.
LINCOLN
Through the dim pageant of the years A wondrous tracery appears: A cabin of the western wild Shelters in sleep a new born child.
Nor nurse nor parent dear can know The way those infant feet must go, And yet a nation"s help and hope Are sealed within that horoscope.
Beyond is toil for daily bread, And thought to n.o.ble issues led.
And courage, arming for the morn For whose behest this man was born.
A man of homely, rustic ways, Yet he achieves the forum"s praise And soon earth"s highest meed has won, The seat and sway of Washington.
No throne of honors and delights, Distrustful days and sleepless nights, To struggle, suffer and aspire, Like Israel, led by cloud and fire.
A treacherous shot, a sob of rest, A martyr"s palm upon his breast, A welcome from the glorious seat Where blameless souls of heroes meet.
And thrilling, through unmeasured days, A song of grat.i.tude and praise, A cry that all the earth shall heed, To G.o.d, who gave him for our need.
THE GREAT OAK
Some men are born, while others seem to grow From out the soil, like towering trees that spread Their strong, broad limbs in shelter overhead When tempest storms, protecting all below.
Lincoln, Great Oak of a Nation"s life, Rose from the soil, with all its virgin power Emplanted in him for the fateful hour, When he might save a Nation in its strife.
--_Bennett Chapple._
[Ill.u.s.tration: LINCOLN BY THE CABIN FIRE
"Lying down was Lincoln"s favorite att.i.tude while reading or studying. This remained a habit with him throughout life."--_Henry C. Whitney in his "Life Of Lincoln."_]
Noah Davis, born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, September 10, 1818. He was educated at Albion, New York, and in the Seminary at Lima, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. Appointed in March, 1857, a justice of the New York Supreme Court. He served in Congress from March 4, 1869, till July 20, 1870, when he resigned, having been appointed by President Grant, U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He resigned that office on Dec. 31, 1872, being elected justice of the New York State Supreme Court. In 1874, he became presiding justice. In January, 1887, he was retired from the bench and resumed practice. He died in New York in 1902.
LINCOLN
Almost a hundred years ago, in a lonely hut, Of the dark and b.l.o.o.d.y ground of wild Kentucky, A child was born to poverty and toil, Save in the sweet prophecy of mother"s love None dreamed of future fame for him!
"Mid deep privation and in rugged toil, He grew unschooled to vigorous youth, His teaching was an ancient spelling book, The Holy Writ, "The Pilgrim"s Progress,"
Old "aesop"s Fables" and the "Life of Washington"; And out of these, stretched by the hearthstone flame For lack of other light, he garnered lore That filled his soul with faith in G.o.d.
The prophet"s fire, the psalmist"s music deep, The pilgrims" zeal throughout his steadfast march, The love of fellow man as taught by Christ, And all the patriot faith and truth Marked the Father of our Land!
And there, in all his after life, in thought And speech and act, resonant concords were in his great soul.
And, G.o.d"s elect, he calmly rose to awful power, Restored his mighty land to smiling peace, Then, with the martyr blood of his own life, Baptized the millions of the free.
Henceforth, the ages hold his name high writ And deep on their eternal rolls.