LINCOLN ROOM UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY MEMORIAL the Class of 1901 founded by HARLAN HOYT HORNER and HENRIETTA CALHOUN HORNER LINCOLN'S LEGACY A Tribute to The World's Great Commoner Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/lincolnslegacytrOOarth ABRAHAM LINCOLN LINCOLN'S LEGACY A Tribute to The World 9 s Great Commoner SAMUEL J. ARTHUR ILLUSTRATED ARTIetV€RIWTl BOSTON RICHARD G. BADGER THE GORHAM PRESS Copyright 1923 by Richard G. Badger All Rights Reserved The frontispiece is reproduced through the courtesy of Messrs. Underwood & Underwood, owners of the copyright. Made in the United States of America The Gorham Press, Boston, U. 8. A. DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR TO THE FOUNDERS, PROMOTERS, AND PRESERVERS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS OF THE AMERICAN UNION PREFACE This little book was born of a profound esteem and an affectionate regard for the memory of the beloved Lincoln. He has always seemed to the writer of this tribute to be a man in whom the purposes of God were peculiarly apparent. While saying little of being governed by the standards of religion or conforming to the convictions of the Christian faith, Lincoln's whole life seems like a resplendent chapter from the archives of the Eternal. In the hope that it may contribute in some de- gree to the honor of this greatest American and that it may help to preserve the Americanism which he so nobly exemplified, the author pre- sents this "American Gift Book" to the American people. S. J. A. Erie, Pennsylvania. September, 1923. CONTENTS The Gettysburg Address 11 Abraham Lincoln 15 Lincoln— 1809-1865 19 Lincoln's Legacy 25 Letter to Mrs. Bixby 41 11 THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation con- ceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, test- ing whether that nation, or any nation so con- ceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for 15 The Gettysburg Address us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that govern- ment of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 16 ABRAHAM LINCOLN ABRAHAM LINCOLN Child of the boundless prairie, Son of the virgin soil, Heir to the bearing of burdens, Brother to them that toil; God and nature together Shaped him to lead in the van, In the stress of her wildest weather When the nation needed a man. Eyes of a smoldering fire, Heart of a lion at bay, Patience to plan for tomorrow, Valor to serve for today; Mournful and mirthful and tender, Quick as a flash with a jest, Hiding with gibe and with laughter The ache that was dull in his breast ! Met were the man and the hour — Man who was strong for the shock! Fierce were the lightnings unleashed ; In the midst he stood fast as a rock. 19 Abraham Lincoln Comrade he was, and commander, He who was meant for the time; Iron in council and action, Simple, aloof and sublime. Swift slip the years from their tether, Centuries pass like a breath ; Only some lives are immortal, Challenging darkness and death. Hewn from the stuff of the martyrs, Write in the star-dust his name, Glowing, untarnished, transcendent, High on the records of fame! Margaret E. Sangster 20 L I N C 1809 — O L N 1865 LINCOLN 1809 — 1865 Abraham Lincoln was born of Quaker ances- try in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 12th, 1809. His father, Thomas Lincoln, was a man of no education and indifferent prestige. His mother, Nancy Hanks, was a young woman of Christian character, some education and possessed of not a little instinctive refinement. She died soon after the family moved to Spencer County, Indiana, and when Abraham was only nine years of age. Thomas Lincoln subsequently married Sarah Rush Johnson who proved a wise, practi- cal and much loved foster mother to this grow- ing youth. His school privileges were limited but the young Lincoln was a reader, a student and a hard worker. His candid mind, his humorous spirit, and his physical prowess made him a pop- ular hero. He enlisted in the Black Hawk war. He made a business trip on a flat boat down the Mississippi to New Orleans where he witnessed some of the iniquity of slavery. He kept a little country store and post office at New Salem. He studied law. He was married to Miss Mary Todd 23 Lincoln— 1809-1865 in 1842. He was elected to Congress in 1846. He held a famous debate with Stephen A. Douglas on state rights and the issues of slavery. He was nominated for the presidency at the Republican convention in Chicago in May, 1860, and elected in November of same year. Soon the sentiments that had long been seething and threatening seces- sion broke out in overt acts of disloyalty. Fort Sumpter fell. Soon civil war became a frightful reality and continued so for four years. Equal bravery and resourcefulness were displayed by North and South. There were many notable en- gagements, the most notable perhaps being that of Gettysburg, Pa., in July, 1863. Lincoln was again nominated and elected in 1864. In April, 1865, came the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomatox, Va. The President, the Cabi- net, and the country were profoundly moved. Plans were immediately getting under way for the relief and rehabilitation of the stricken states, North and South, when the President fell, April 14th, shot by an assassin, John Wilkes Booth, a fanatical adherent of secession. Lincoln died next morning in a private house opposite the Ford 24 BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY HOME From a Sketch by J. Wanda Arthur Lincoln— 1809-1865 Theatre, to which he had been carried the previ- ous night. On May 4th his remains were de- posited in Oakland Cemetery, Springfield, 111., attended by all the expressions of love and esteem that the Republic could bestow. Mr. Lincoln was a devout Christian believer, cherishing the tenets and the sentiments of the evangelical faith. In his boyhood and youth he attended with his father and mother and sister Sarah, the services of the Pigeon Creek Baptist Church in Indiana where they held membership and where the senior Lincoln was honored in appointment to the mod- eratorship of the little Christian assembly, and though Lincoln never united with any church it is a well-known fact that while in Washington he was a devoted attendant of the Presbyterian Church and always showed the profoundest re- spect for the Bible and the teachings and prin- ciples of the Christian faith. 25 LINCOLN'S LEGACY LINCOLN'S LEGACY Full fifty years and more ago A tall ungainly man Came out the thinly peopled West; Rugged and plain was he With soul unspoiled, A strong, a stalwart man ; No heritage of wealth or fame Did blaze his way Nor rank nor culture lend a hand But round that lowly home The fear of God like angel sentinel Did watch both night and day Nor left that cabin door, Where God a man would make For Freedom's day. As son of toil he walked its way Nor thought it strange its yoke to wear, And thus the youth to manhood came. His vision grew and early saw That boasted freedom Yet had much to learn And leagues to go on Freedom's soil; And soon beside upstanding men 29 Lincoln's Legacy He found his place And then the fight for state And human rights began. Soon West and East beneath his banner stood In common cause, 'Twas crisis hour: "Let Lincoln lead There's none but he The ship of state can guide on such a sea." And lingering still in shadow land Are some — with visage dim — • Who saw this deathless man E'en pressed his hand and found it warm His brother's grief to share. They fervid tell just how he looked and talked And walked — or rather strode, They tell with pride of Lincoln deeds And while they muse and dream And live again those nameless days We ask if they can solace give For ills that vex to-day They start. They wake. They cannot brook delay, "Let Lincoln lead; let Lincoln lead to-day!" 30 Lincoln's Legacy So if they wake or dream 'tis one They can't forget the kindly face And towering form — They hear again with eager zest The homely wit With grace and wisdom weighed That sagest counsel gave When counsels failed And saved the day. No college halls Can boast this peerless son — He rose from out the ground — Alumnus of the soil — In youth few days at school And fewer still his books But these he mastered well; The tutorship of daily toil Did help him on He shared the toilers' tasks Their needs he made his own And with sublimest faith He pled their cause. Their yoke he daily wore 31 Lincoln's Legacy And with their load he staggered on; The black man's burden bore him down But as of old the lighted way Revealed a shadowed cross Far up the high ascent And though with visage marred And bruised his soul with grief Yet Lincoln faltered not He walked right on Like one divinely led And looked not back But onward pressed And conquering reached the goal. Kentucky little knew How high that Lincoln name would climb In days to come, nor guessed That from that cabin door God's chosen man would rise To lead a nation through Its darkest night. But now Kentucky knows The place she holds and dares be proud. Her lowly son takes lofty place 32 Lincoln's Legacy In hall of fame And high and low in one accord Admit this man of men To primal place, yea place alone 'Mid heights that Sons of men have gained. As long as diadems are placed On noble brows So long will Lincoln's head Bear fairest tribute of a nation's love. The black man bares his head And mumbles something soft and low At merest mention of the treasured name; He acts like one in worship Bowing low before some holy shrine Where earth's devoted souls Pay silent tribute to their sainted dead. 'Tis passing strange This name compels all ranks of men To halt as though the flame From out the burning bush Did burn again. What meaneth this? 33 Lincoln's Legacy Is not this Lincoln common clay? Where then the secret of this superman? The mystery in part dissolves : Tis this, that "Honest Abe" Let God take hold his hand And lead him on and on Until a nation's woes became his -own: And thus it was this awkward youth That learned to "figure to the rule of three' Did grow till highest gift His nation could bestow Was laid at Lincoln's feet. He served both God and man. And served them well; The passing years proclaim The verdict true The light that lit the stars Was Lincoln's guide. No tome but one Could satisfy his soul: Both day and night He pondered well its page And in sublimest faith 34 Lincoln's Legacy He walked its way; Yet hour of darkness came. Fort Sumpter's guns announced the gloom- The South from North Would severed be and go its way; Tis fateful hour; Shall half be slave and half be free? The house divided courts a fall But Lincoln prayed. He knew that God alone Could save the day: To Him he turned With childhood's faith and plea He pled nor pled in vain The crisis onward came, The clouds were thickening fast, He saw the storm. It soon must break, Yet Lincoln calmer grew, He faced his task Like one who saw beyond the storm To days of calm. They came, Their sun arose but he went down — Went down in blood — his own 35 Lincoln's Legacy That spoke for Freedom's cause A work well done — The Union saved ! Thank God ! This heritage remains: 'Tis Lincoln's legacy His last and best resolve His soul's bequest And though the Southern sceptre is no more, Nor more its claims, The South as well as North Doth share in freedom's dower — One flag, the "Stars and Stripes" — Shall now defended and defender be, For this he lived. For this he died. This crown he wears today, 'Twas God that put it there And there it stays. For none can it remove And what a crown ! Three million slaves made free To take their part in noblest nationhood. And now 'tis theirs to call Their souls and toil their own. 36 Lincoln's Legacy Of this they sing. Their sunny South Resounds with freedom's name. Tis matchless melody, The weirdly chanted strains Regale the ears of silent night. From nearest hut and farthest cabin door That chorus swells. 'Tis song of jubilee, A race is free ! The lonely And far-seeing man his "Via Dolorosa" walked And when that way he passed And Freedom's birth anew proclaimed, Oh God in heaven! What darkness fell When foul assassin laid him low! 'Twas then the pall of night — Egyptian gloom — O'er spread the land and men did feel their way And mutely stretched appealing hands To throne above; And God did heed For North and South in common grief Their strife forgot And bending low their silent homage paid To chieftain gone. And soon a stricken world 37 Lincoln's Legacy Did ask a place — a mourner's place Beside a martyr's bier. And though he prostrate lies In wakeless sleep His words and spirit too are here Are here in mystic might In Freedom's name to carry on: Their impact shakes the earth, Their time has come And near and distant lands Alike confess That this triumphant soul Held high the torch That lit the way For states and statesmen too To plant a Freeman's flag On every height That feet of men have gained. And now though "Massa" Lincoln sleeps And takes his rest His work goes on. The fadeless name exerts its mystic spell The world around; 38 Lincoln's Legacy Like lunar planet moving ocean tide It moves the mass ; As wand in hand unseen It wearies not; That wondrous loom of life That Lincoln wove is weaving still Tis fair design. The Lincoln brand has come to stay, Full soon 'twill find its place 'Neath every flag Nor will it fade nor fail But stand the test That time and truth in every land Impose on proudest claims of men. For honest men must rule the day Though long delayed, And foremost name When virtue's roster's called — 'Tis plain, 'tis written large That all may see and know 'Tis "Abram Lincoln" yes, 'tis "Honest Abe," The friend of common man Of common men the King. 39 Lincoln's Legacy The ages claim him now The earth's bereft, It was to be. The crude and cultured courts of men The world around Are rich in legends of a people's man — A King — who'd rule without a crown. He came ; Like One of old Though hating not was loved and hated too And when his work was done He sped to worlds unknown And so our crownless King Has come and gone And yet remains. The North and South alike Proclaim this kingly man. They feel that wondrous spell That spell that went from man to man When'er he rose to speak In Freedom's name Or plead the cherished cause. The world its homage pays 40 \*l .,..•»* mm. THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL Lincoln's Legacy And says a martyr's head Should wear a martyr's crown. And thus the martyred Lincoln Holds immortal place With none to say him nay, The foremost soul 'mid ranks Of tutored and untutored men. 41 LETTER TO MRS. BIXBY LETTER TO MRS. BIXBY This letter, written by Mr. Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby of Boston, explains itself : A copy of the letter has been placed, says the Philadelphia Ledger, in one of the Oxford Univer- sity Halls as a specimen of pure English and elegant diction. "Dear Madam : — I have been shown in the files of the war department a statement of the adjutant general of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously in the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to be- guile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelm- ing. But I cannot restrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. "Yours very sincerely and respectfully, "ABRAHAM LINCOLN." 45 * mm I 9 il