THE POETS' LINCOLNtopTHE LOG CABINBirthplace of Lincoln, near Hodgensville, KentuckyAbraham Lincolnwas 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 illustration 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.topJulia 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.LINCOLNThroughthe dim pageant of the yearsA wondrous tracery appears:A cabin of the western wildShelters in sleep a new born child.Nor nurse nor parent dear can knowThe way those infant feet must go,And yet a nation's help and hopeAre sealed within that horoscope.Beyond is toil for daily bread,And thought to noble issues led.And courage, arming for the mornFor whose behest this man was born.A man of homely, rustic ways,Yet he achieves the forum's praiseAnd soon earth's highest meed has won,The seat and sway of Washington.topNo 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 seatWhere blameless souls of heroes meet.And thrilling, through unmeasured days,A song of gratitude and praise,A cry that all the earth shall heed,To God, who gave him for our need.THE GREAT OAKSomemen are born, while others seem to growFrom out the soil, like towering trees that spreadTheir strong, broad limbs in shelter overheadWhen tempest storms, protecting all below.Lincoln, Great Oak of a Nation's life,Rose from the soil, with all its virgin powerEmplanted in him for the fateful hour,When he might save a Nation in its strife.—Bennett Chapple.topLINCOLN BY THE CABIN FIRE"Lying down was Lincoln's favorite attitude while reading or studying. This remained a habit with him throughout life."—Henry C. Whitney in his "Life of Lincoln."topNoah 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.LINCOLNAlmosta hundred years ago, in a lonely hut,Of the dark and bloody ground of wild Kentucky,A child was born to poverty and toil,Save in the sweet prophecy of mother's loveNone 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 "Æsop's Fables" and the "Life of Washington";And out of these, stretched by the hearthstone flameFor lack of other light, he garnered loreThat filled his soul with faith in God.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 truthtopMarked the Father of our Land!And there, in all his after life, in thoughtAnd speech and act, resonant concords were in his great soul.And, God'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 writAnd deep on their eternal rolls.topRev. George W. Croftswas born at Leroy, Illinois, April 9, 1842. He was educated at the Illinois State University at Springfield, graduating in the class of 1864. He was ordained to the ministry in 1865. He preached at Sandwich, Illinois; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Beatrice, Nebraska, and West Point. He died at West Point, May 16, 1909.THE BIRTH OF LINCOLNNochoir celestial sang at Lincoln's birth,No transient star illumined the midnight skyIn honor of some ancient prophecy,No augury was given from heaven or earth.He blossomed like a flower of wondrous worth,A rare, sweet flower of heaven that ne'er should die,Altho' the vase in which it grew should lieMost rudely rent amid the darkling dearth.There, in that humble cabin, separateFrom everything the world regarded great,Where wealth had never pressed its greedy feet,Where honor, pomp or fame found no retreat;E'en there was born beneath the eye of GodThe noblest man His footstool ever trod.topMendelssohnMendelssohnDarwinDarwinLincolnLincolnMENDELSSOHNDARWINLINCOLNFebruary 12, 1809Clarence E. Carr, born in Enfield, New Hampshire, January 31, 1853. Received his early education from the common schools and academies of the State, later from Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1875.Practiced law, was also a manufacturer and farmer. Was president of the New Hampshire Unitarian Conference, director and vice-president of the American Unitarian Association, bank trustee, president of the United Life and Accident Insurance Company of Concord, New Hampshire, and occasionally a wanderer in the Elysian Fields of the Muses.The Three Birthday Anniversariesis the subject of a highly appreciative article on the subject of Mendelssohn, Darwin and Lincoln, by President Samuel A. Eliot of the American Unitarian Association, in theChristian Registerof February 4, 1909. The central thought therein is thus expressed very beautifully by Mr. Carr.topThreelives this day unto the world were givenInto whose souls God breathed the air ofheaven,—The first He taught the music of the spheres,The next, of worlds, the story of the years;And, loving, wise, and just beyond our dream,The third a pilot made upon the New World's stream.Their work is done, but ere they crossed "the portal,"One, Song; One, Truth; One, Freedom; Made Immortal!topJames Phinney Baxter, born at Gorham Maine, March 23, 1831. Academic education; President of Savings Bank; Mayor of Portland, six terms, 1893-97—1904-5. Organized Associated Charities and was its first President; built and donated to the City of Portland its public library in 1888, and to Gorham in 1907; also conveyed to Gorham his family mansion for use as a Museum. President Portland Public Library, Baxter Library (Gorham), Portland Benevolent Society, Overseer of Bowdoin College, President Maine Historical Society since 1890, Northeast Historical Society since 1899. Author:The Trelawney Papers,1884;The British Invasion From the North,1887;Sir Ferdinando Gorges and His Province of Maine,1890;The Pioneers of New France in New England,1894; edited ten volumes ofDocumentary History of Maine,etc.THE NATAL DAY OF LINCOLNSonof the Western World! whose heritageWas the vast prairie and the boundless sky;Whose callow thoughts with wings untrammeled soughtFree scope for growth denied to Ease and Power,Naught couldst thou know of place or precedent,For Freedom's ichor with thy mother's milkCoursing thy veins, would render thee immuneTo Fashion's dictate, or prescriptive creed,Leaving thy soul unhindered to expandLike Samuel's in Jehovah's tutelage.Hail to thy Natal day!Like all great souls with vision unobscuredThou wert by Pride unswayed, and so didst treadThe gray and sombre way by Duty marked;Seeking the springs of Wisdom, unalluredtopBy shallower sources which the witless tempt.Afar o'er arid plains didst thou beholdAn empty sky, and mountains desolateBarring thy way to fairer scenes beyond;But faith was thine, and patience measureless,Making thee equal to thy destiny.Hail to thy Natal day!It summons to our vision all thy life,Of strenuous toil; the cabin low and rude;The meagre fare; the blazing logs whose glowIllumed the pages of inspired bards,Shakespeare and Bunyan; prophets, priests and seers;The darkling forest where thy ringing axeChimed with the music of the waterfall;The eager flood bearing thy rugged raftSwift footed through an ever changing worldUnknown to thee save in remembered dreams.Hail to thy Natal day!We see thee in the mart where SelfishnessFor Fame ephemeral strives, and sordid gain;Thy ill-requited toil till thou hadst earnedThe right to raise thy potent voice withinA nation's forum, facing all the world;And then, achievement such as few have known,A mighty people placing in thy handA sceptre swaying half a continent,Making thee peer of kings and potentates;Aye, greater than them all, whate'er their power.Hail to thy Natal day!But, lo! the martial camp; the bivouac;The rude entrenchment;—the grim fortalice;The tented field;—the flaming battle line,And thy great soul amidst it all unmovedtopBy petty aims, leading with flawless faithThy people to a promised land of peace;And, then, when thou hadst reached the goal of hope,And the world stood amazed, the heavy crownOf martyrdom was pressed upon thy browAnd thy immortal course was consummate.Hail to thy Natal day!In all great souls God sows with generous handThe seed of martyrdom, for 'twas decreedIn Eden, that alone by sacrificeShould sons of men the crown immortal win;And thou, who didst the shining heights attainOf unsurpassed achievement, didst but payThe impartial toll of souls like thine required.And we, who on the narrow marge of TimeStanding wondering, shed no tears, but raise to theeThe pæans to a martyred hero due,Hail to thy Natal day.topMONUMENT TO THE MOTHER OF LINCOLNNancy Hanks Lincolndied October 5, 1818, aged thirty-five years. The design of this monument is by Thompson Stickle, and it was constructed by J. S. Culver of Springfield, Illinois, and dedicated October 2, 1902.In the construction of the monument in Spencer County, Indiana, Mr. Culver used as much of the granite as possible from the National Lincoln Monument before it was reconstructed.The face of this block is handsomely hand-carved. As the Scroll of Time unrolls, it reveals the name of "Nancy Hanks Lincoln." The ivy represents affection and the branch of oak nobility.The public celebration of the centenary of Lincoln's birth was held in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts, February 12, 1909.Ex-Senator Thomas F. Cassidy, in his address, said: "One hundred years ago today, in Hardin County, Kentucky, there was ushered into being the child, Abraham Lincoln."As God selected Mary, the humble girl of Judea, to be the mother of the Saviour of mankind and she gave birth to Him in the stable at Bethlehem, so ittopwas ordained that in the lowly log cabin of the Kentucky wilderness, Nancy Hanks should receive into the protection of her sheltering arms the child who was destined to be the Saviour of the Republic."Harriet Monroe, born at Chicago, Illinois, December, 23, 1860. Graduated Visitation Academy, Georgetown, District Columbia, 1879. In December, 1889, was appointed to write text for cantata for opening of Chicago Auditorium in March, 1891. Was requested by Committee on Ceremonies of Chicago Exposition to write a poem for the dedication; herColumbia Odewas read and sung at the dedicatory ceremonies on the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, October 21, 1892. Author ofValerie,and other poems, 1892;The Columbia Ode,1893;John Wellborn, Poet, A Memoir,1896;The Passing Show—Modern Plays in Verse,1903, etc.NANCY HANKSPrairieChild,Brief as dew,What winds of wonderNourished you?Rolling plainOf billowy green,Fair horizons,Blue, serene.Lofty skiesThe slow clouds climb,Where burning starsBeat out the time.topThese, and the dreamsOf fathers bold,Baffled longingsHopes untold.Gave to youA heart of fire,Love like waters,Brave desire.Ah, when youth's raptureWent out in pain,And all seemed over,Was all in vain?O soul obscure,Whose wings life bound,And soft death foldedUnder the ground.Wilding lady,Still and true,Who gave us LincolnAnd never knew:To you at lastOur praise, our tears,Love and a songThrough the nation's years.Mother of Lincoln,Our tears, our praise;A battle-flagAnd the victor's bays!topTHE RAIL SPLITTERFrom the "Footprints of Abraham Lincoln"topLINCOLN THE LABORERFrom an Horatian Ode by Richard Henry StoddardA laboringman with horny hands,Who swung the axe, who tilled the lands,Who shrank from nothing new,But did as poor men do.One of the people. Born to beTheir curious epitome,To share, yet rise above,Their shifting hate and love.Common his mind, it seemed so then,His thoughts the thoughts of other men,Plain were his words, andpoor—But now they will endure.No hasty fool of stubborn will,But prudent, cautious,still—Who, since his work was good,Would do it as he could.No hero, this, of Romanmold—Nor like our stately sires of old.Perhaps he was notgreat—But he preserved the state.O, honest face, which all men knew,O, tender heart, but known tofew—O, wonder of the age,Cut off by tragic rage.top"THE BOY LINCOLN"By Eastman JohnsontopJames Whitcomb Rileywas born in Greenfield, Indiana, about 1852. He was engaged in various pursuits until 1875, when he began to contribute verses of poetry to local papers in the Western district which gained wide popularity for him. His published works in dialect and his serious poems have also proved very popular.A PEACEFUL LIFE(LINCOLN)A peacefullife;—just toil andrest—All hisdesire;—To read the books he liked the bestBeside the cabin fire.God's word and man's;—to peer sometimesAbove the page, in smoldering gleams,And catch, like far heroic rhymes,The onmarch of his dreams.A peaceful life;—to hear the lowOf pastured herds,Or woodman's axe that, blow on blow,Fell sweet as rhythmic words.And yet there stirred within his breastA faithful pulse, that, like a rollOf drums, made high above his restA tumult in his soul.A peaceful life!—They hailed him evenAs One was hailedWhose open palms were nailed toward HeavenWhen prayers nor aught availed.And lo, he paid the selfsame priceTo lull a nation's awful strifeAnd will us, through the sacrificeOf self, his peaceful life.topWilliam Wilberforce Newton, born in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, March, 1836. Was graduated at Franklin and Marshall College in 1853. Studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He served as Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of U. S. Volunteers in 1861-5; was Editor of thePhiladelphia Pressand President of the "Press" Publishing Co., from 1867 till 1878. He is the author ofVignettes of Traveland has been largely engaged in railway building in Mexico.LEADER OF HIS PEOPLESawyou in his boyhood daysO'er Kentucky's prairies;Bending to the settler's waysYon poor youth whom now wepraise—Romance like the fairies?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.Saw you in the days of youthBy the candle's flaring:Lincoln searching for the truth,Splitting rails to gain, forsooth,Knowledge for the daring?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.Saw you in his manhood's primeLike a star resplendent,Him we praise with measured rhymeWaiting for the coming timeWith a faith transcendent?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.topSaw you in the hour of strifeWhen fierce war was raging,Him who gave the slaves a lifeFull and rich with freedom rife,All his powers engaging?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.Saw you when the war was done(Such is Lincoln's story)Him whose strength the strife had wonSinking like the setting sunCrowned with human glory?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.Saw you in our country's rollMidst her saints and sages,Lincoln's name upon thescroll—Standing at the topmost goalOn the nation's pages?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.Hero! Yes! We know thy fame;It will live forever!Thou to us art still the same;Great the glory of thy name,Great thy strong endeavor!Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.topLINCOLN THE LAWYERFrom an Ambrotype, taken in 1856“Thecharm which invested the life on the Eighth Circuit in the mind and fancy of Mr. Lincoln yet lingered there, even in the most responsible and glorious days of his administration; over and over again has the great President stolen an hour … from his life of anxious care to live over again those bygone exhilarating and halcyon days … with Sweet orme."—Henry C. Whitney in hisLife of Lincoln.topWilbur Hazelton Smithwas born in the town of Mansfield, New York, March 28, 1860. His early education was obtained from the district school and he began teaching at the age of sixteen. After completing an academic course he went to Cornell University from which he was graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1885.He at once became a teacher and after a few years started the first Current Topic paper in the state,The Educator.Later he edited a teachers' paper,The World's Review.Perhaps he is best known as publisher of theRegents' Review Booksused in nearly every school in the United States. His death occurred October 19, 1913.LINCOLNUnlearnedin the cant and quip of schools,Uncouth, if only city ways refine;Ungodly, if 'tis creeds that make divine;In station poor, as judged by human rules,And yet a giant towering o'er them all;Clean, strong in mind, just, merciful, sublime;The noblest product of the age and time,Invoked of God in answer to men's call.O simple world, and will you ever learn,Schools can but guide, they cannot mind create?'Neath roughest rock the choicest treasures wait;In meanest forms we priceless gems discern;Nor time, nor age, condition, rank nor birth,Can hide the truly noble of the earth.topLINCOLN'S OFFICE CHAIRThis chairwas used by Mr. Lincoln in his law office at Springfield, Illinois, where, before leaving for the City of Washington after his election as President, he wrote his Inaugural Address and formed his Cabinet, frequently conferring with his twenty-year law partner, William H. Herndon, on such matters, and adopting changes as suggested if he considered them advisable. It was presented to O. H. Oldroyd while living in the Lincoln Homestead, Springfield, by Mr. Herndon, March 18, 1886.topJames Rileywas born in the hamlet of Tang, one mile from the town of Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland, and two miles from Lissoy, County Westmeath, the home of Oliver Goldsmith—on the road between the two—August 15, 1848. PublishedPoems,1888;Songs of Two Peoples,1898, andChristy of Rathglin,a novel, in 1907. His poemThe American Flag,has been rated often as the best poem written to our banner. Four lines on the loss of the Titanic brought from Captain Rostron words in which he said: "With such praise one feels on a higher plane, and must keep so, to be worthy of continuance."LINCOLN IN HIS OFFICE CHAIRHigh-browed, rugged, and swarthy;A picture of pain and care;A lawyer sat with his greatest brief,High in his office chair.His Country was to him client!Futurity his ward!And he must plead 'fore Fate's high court,With prayer, and pen, and sword.Elected, by his people!His heart and theirs, one beat!He sees the storm-clouds gather;The waves dash at his feet!Gloom upon land and water!The Flag no more in the sun!Lights from the South-line flickering,And—dying—one—by one!topNovember's winds wild shrieking!Night—closed, on a Union rent!And still the lawyer sat dreamingOf its once bright firmament.Then, '61! Dark! Silent!Only the calling wordOf Anderson at SumterThe lawyer, writing, heard.Writing the Message that everShall live in the hearts of men;With cannon to cannon fronting,The lawyer held the pen.Only thinking of CountryAnd the work that must be done;Nature made in roughest moldHer favored, fated son.He wrote while the world was waitingGreat Freedom's final test.Should, or should not DemocracyBe planted in the West?Should Liberty at last surviveAnd man look straight on man?Law, in its round, its strength and mightBe timed unto sense and plan?He, in his chair there sitting,Had all these things for thought.Now, the Vote unrecognized,Must battles wild be fought?topAlone the Chair is standing,To remind the Land of the timeWhen the Slaver's heart, all passion,He planned, and pursued his crime!As he rushed Disunion's order,On, on from State to State!And the Pen talked loud down the Message,And bided the Land to wait.topLINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATORPhotograph from an Ambrotype, by Gilmer, Illinois, 1858topElizabeth Porter Gould, born June 8, 1848, died July 28, 1906. Essayist, lecturer and author; an early inspirer of woman's clubs and the pioneer of theCurrent EventsandTopicsclasses in Boston and vicinity; an officer in several educational societies and honorary member of the Webster Historical Society, Castilian Club and other clubs where she had read many historical papers of great research and given many practical suggestions. Among her published works areGems From Walt Whitman,Anne Gilchrist and Walt Whitman,Ezekial Cheever, Schoolmaster,John Adams and Daniel Webster as Schoolmasters,A Pioneer Doctor,One's Self I SingandThe Brownings and America.She had great energy and force of character, and a capacity for friendship which was a source of great happiness to her and endeared her to all.THE VOICE OF LINCOLNInlife's great symphony,Above the seeming discord and the pain,A master-voice is ever singing, singing,The plan of God to men.In young America's song,As threatening tumult pierced the tensioned air,The voice of Lincoln over all was singingThe love of brother-man.And still his voice is heard;'Twill pierce the din of strife and mystery,Till master-voices cease their singing, singing,In life's great symphony.top
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THE LOG CABINBirthplace of Lincoln, near Hodgensville, Kentucky
Abraham Lincolnwas 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 illustration 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.
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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.
Throughthe dim pageant of the yearsA wondrous tracery appears:A cabin of the western wildShelters in sleep a new born child.
Throughthe 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 knowThe way those infant feet must go,And yet a nation's help and hopeAre sealed within that horoscope.
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 noble issues led.And courage, arming for the mornFor whose behest this man was born.
Beyond is toil for daily bread,
And thought to noble 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 praiseAnd soon earth's highest meed has won,The seat and sway of Washington.top
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.
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 seatWhere blameless souls of heroes meet.
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 gratitude and praise,A cry that all the earth shall heed,To God, who gave him for our need.
And thrilling, through unmeasured days,
A song of gratitude and praise,
A cry that all the earth shall heed,
To God, who gave him for our need.
Somemen are born, while others seem to growFrom out the soil, like towering trees that spreadTheir strong, broad limbs in shelter overheadWhen tempest storms, protecting all below.
Somemen 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 powerEmplanted in him for the fateful hour,When he might save a Nation in its strife.—Bennett Chapple.
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.
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LINCOLN BY THE CABIN FIRE"Lying down was Lincoln's favorite attitude while reading or studying. This remained a habit with him throughout life."—Henry C. Whitney in his "Life of Lincoln."
top
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.
Almosta hundred years ago, in a lonely hut,Of the dark and bloody ground of wild Kentucky,A child was born to poverty and toil,Save in the sweet prophecy of mother's loveNone dreamed of future fame for him!
Almosta hundred years ago, in a lonely hut,
Of the dark and bloody 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 "Æsop's Fables" and the "Life of Washington";And out of these, stretched by the hearthstone flameFor lack of other light, he garnered loreThat filled his soul with faith in God.
'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 "Æsop'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 God.
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 truthtopMarked the Father of our Land!And there, in all his after life, in thoughtAnd speech and act, resonant concords were in his great soul.
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, God'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.
And, God'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 writAnd deep on their eternal rolls.
Henceforth, the ages hold his name high writ
And deep on their eternal rolls.
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Rev. George W. Croftswas born at Leroy, Illinois, April 9, 1842. He was educated at the Illinois State University at Springfield, graduating in the class of 1864. He was ordained to the ministry in 1865. He preached at Sandwich, Illinois; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Beatrice, Nebraska, and West Point. He died at West Point, May 16, 1909.
Nochoir celestial sang at Lincoln's birth,No transient star illumined the midnight skyIn honor of some ancient prophecy,No augury was given from heaven or earth.
Nochoir celestial sang at Lincoln's birth,
No transient star illumined the midnight sky
In honor of some ancient prophecy,
No augury was given from heaven or earth.
He blossomed like a flower of wondrous worth,A rare, sweet flower of heaven that ne'er should die,Altho' the vase in which it grew should lieMost rudely rent amid the darkling dearth.
He blossomed like a flower of wondrous worth,
A rare, sweet flower of heaven that ne'er should die,
Altho' the vase in which it grew should lie
Most rudely rent amid the darkling dearth.
There, in that humble cabin, separateFrom everything the world regarded great,Where wealth had never pressed its greedy feet,Where honor, pomp or fame found no retreat;E'en there was born beneath the eye of GodThe noblest man His footstool ever trod.
There, in that humble cabin, separate
From everything the world regarded great,
Where wealth had never pressed its greedy feet,
Where honor, pomp or fame found no retreat;
E'en there was born beneath the eye of God
The noblest man His footstool ever trod.
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Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn
Darwin
Darwin
Lincoln
Lincoln
February 12, 1809
Clarence E. Carr, born in Enfield, New Hampshire, January 31, 1853. Received his early education from the common schools and academies of the State, later from Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1875.
Practiced law, was also a manufacturer and farmer. Was president of the New Hampshire Unitarian Conference, director and vice-president of the American Unitarian Association, bank trustee, president of the United Life and Accident Insurance Company of Concord, New Hampshire, and occasionally a wanderer in the Elysian Fields of the Muses.
The Three Birthday Anniversariesis the subject of a highly appreciative article on the subject of Mendelssohn, Darwin and Lincoln, by President Samuel A. Eliot of the American Unitarian Association, in theChristian Registerof February 4, 1909. The central thought therein is thus expressed very beautifully by Mr. Carr.
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Threelives this day unto the world were givenInto whose souls God breathed the air ofheaven,—The first He taught the music of the spheres,The next, of worlds, the story of the years;And, loving, wise, and just beyond our dream,The third a pilot made upon the New World's stream.
Threelives this day unto the world were given
Into whose souls God breathed the air ofheaven,—
The first He taught the music of the spheres,
The next, of worlds, the story of the years;
And, loving, wise, and just beyond our dream,
The third a pilot made upon the New World's stream.
Their work is done, but ere they crossed "the portal,"One, Song; One, Truth; One, Freedom; Made Immortal!
Their work is done, but ere they crossed "the portal,"
One, Song; One, Truth; One, Freedom; Made Immortal!
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James Phinney Baxter, born at Gorham Maine, March 23, 1831. Academic education; President of Savings Bank; Mayor of Portland, six terms, 1893-97—1904-5. Organized Associated Charities and was its first President; built and donated to the City of Portland its public library in 1888, and to Gorham in 1907; also conveyed to Gorham his family mansion for use as a Museum. President Portland Public Library, Baxter Library (Gorham), Portland Benevolent Society, Overseer of Bowdoin College, President Maine Historical Society since 1890, Northeast Historical Society since 1899. Author:The Trelawney Papers,1884;The British Invasion From the North,1887;Sir Ferdinando Gorges and His Province of Maine,1890;The Pioneers of New France in New England,1894; edited ten volumes ofDocumentary History of Maine,etc.
Sonof the Western World! whose heritageWas the vast prairie and the boundless sky;Whose callow thoughts with wings untrammeled soughtFree scope for growth denied to Ease and Power,Naught couldst thou know of place or precedent,For Freedom's ichor with thy mother's milkCoursing thy veins, would render thee immuneTo Fashion's dictate, or prescriptive creed,Leaving thy soul unhindered to expandLike Samuel's in Jehovah's tutelage.Hail to thy Natal day!
Sonof the Western World! whose heritage
Was the vast prairie and the boundless sky;
Whose callow thoughts with wings untrammeled sought
Free scope for growth denied to Ease and Power,
Naught couldst thou know of place or precedent,
For Freedom's ichor with thy mother's milk
Coursing thy veins, would render thee immune
To Fashion's dictate, or prescriptive creed,
Leaving thy soul unhindered to expand
Like Samuel's in Jehovah's tutelage.
Hail to thy Natal day!
Like all great souls with vision unobscuredThou wert by Pride unswayed, and so didst treadThe gray and sombre way by Duty marked;Seeking the springs of Wisdom, unalluredtopBy shallower sources which the witless tempt.Afar o'er arid plains didst thou beholdAn empty sky, and mountains desolateBarring thy way to fairer scenes beyond;But faith was thine, and patience measureless,Making thee equal to thy destiny.Hail to thy Natal day!
Like all great souls with vision unobscured
Thou wert by Pride unswayed, and so didst tread
The gray and sombre way by Duty marked;
Seeking the springs of Wisdom, unallured
By shallower sources which the witless tempt.
Afar o'er arid plains didst thou behold
An empty sky, and mountains desolate
Barring thy way to fairer scenes beyond;
But faith was thine, and patience measureless,
Making thee equal to thy destiny.
Hail to thy Natal day!
It summons to our vision all thy life,Of strenuous toil; the cabin low and rude;The meagre fare; the blazing logs whose glowIllumed the pages of inspired bards,Shakespeare and Bunyan; prophets, priests and seers;The darkling forest where thy ringing axeChimed with the music of the waterfall;The eager flood bearing thy rugged raftSwift footed through an ever changing worldUnknown to thee save in remembered dreams.Hail to thy Natal day!
It summons to our vision all thy life,
Of strenuous toil; the cabin low and rude;
The meagre fare; the blazing logs whose glow
Illumed the pages of inspired bards,
Shakespeare and Bunyan; prophets, priests and seers;
The darkling forest where thy ringing axe
Chimed with the music of the waterfall;
The eager flood bearing thy rugged raft
Swift footed through an ever changing world
Unknown to thee save in remembered dreams.
Hail to thy Natal day!
We see thee in the mart where SelfishnessFor Fame ephemeral strives, and sordid gain;Thy ill-requited toil till thou hadst earnedThe right to raise thy potent voice withinA nation's forum, facing all the world;And then, achievement such as few have known,A mighty people placing in thy handA sceptre swaying half a continent,Making thee peer of kings and potentates;Aye, greater than them all, whate'er their power.Hail to thy Natal day!
We see thee in the mart where Selfishness
For Fame ephemeral strives, and sordid gain;
Thy ill-requited toil till thou hadst earned
The right to raise thy potent voice within
A nation's forum, facing all the world;
And then, achievement such as few have known,
A mighty people placing in thy hand
A sceptre swaying half a continent,
Making thee peer of kings and potentates;
Aye, greater than them all, whate'er their power.
Hail to thy Natal day!
But, lo! the martial camp; the bivouac;The rude entrenchment;—the grim fortalice;The tented field;—the flaming battle line,And thy great soul amidst it all unmovedtopBy petty aims, leading with flawless faithThy people to a promised land of peace;And, then, when thou hadst reached the goal of hope,And the world stood amazed, the heavy crownOf martyrdom was pressed upon thy browAnd thy immortal course was consummate.Hail to thy Natal day!
But, lo! the martial camp; the bivouac;
The rude entrenchment;—the grim fortalice;
The tented field;—the flaming battle line,
And thy great soul amidst it all unmoved
By petty aims, leading with flawless faith
Thy people to a promised land of peace;
And, then, when thou hadst reached the goal of hope,
And the world stood amazed, the heavy crown
Of martyrdom was pressed upon thy brow
And thy immortal course was consummate.
Hail to thy Natal day!
In all great souls God sows with generous handThe seed of martyrdom, for 'twas decreedIn Eden, that alone by sacrificeShould sons of men the crown immortal win;And thou, who didst the shining heights attainOf unsurpassed achievement, didst but payThe impartial toll of souls like thine required.And we, who on the narrow marge of TimeStanding wondering, shed no tears, but raise to theeThe pæans to a martyred hero due,Hail to thy Natal day.
In all great souls God sows with generous hand
The seed of martyrdom, for 'twas decreed
In Eden, that alone by sacrifice
Should sons of men the crown immortal win;
And thou, who didst the shining heights attain
Of unsurpassed achievement, didst but pay
The impartial toll of souls like thine required.
And we, who on the narrow marge of Time
Standing wondering, shed no tears, but raise to thee
The pæans to a martyred hero due,
Hail to thy Natal day.
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MONUMENT TO THE MOTHER OF LINCOLN
Nancy Hanks Lincolndied October 5, 1818, aged thirty-five years. The design of this monument is by Thompson Stickle, and it was constructed by J. S. Culver of Springfield, Illinois, and dedicated October 2, 1902.
In the construction of the monument in Spencer County, Indiana, Mr. Culver used as much of the granite as possible from the National Lincoln Monument before it was reconstructed.
The face of this block is handsomely hand-carved. As the Scroll of Time unrolls, it reveals the name of "Nancy Hanks Lincoln." The ivy represents affection and the branch of oak nobility.
The public celebration of the centenary of Lincoln's birth was held in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts, February 12, 1909.
Ex-Senator Thomas F. Cassidy, in his address, said: "One hundred years ago today, in Hardin County, Kentucky, there was ushered into being the child, Abraham Lincoln.
"As God selected Mary, the humble girl of Judea, to be the mother of the Saviour of mankind and she gave birth to Him in the stable at Bethlehem, so ittopwas ordained that in the lowly log cabin of the Kentucky wilderness, Nancy Hanks should receive into the protection of her sheltering arms the child who was destined to be the Saviour of the Republic."
Harriet Monroe, born at Chicago, Illinois, December, 23, 1860. Graduated Visitation Academy, Georgetown, District Columbia, 1879. In December, 1889, was appointed to write text for cantata for opening of Chicago Auditorium in March, 1891. Was requested by Committee on Ceremonies of Chicago Exposition to write a poem for the dedication; herColumbia Odewas read and sung at the dedicatory ceremonies on the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, October 21, 1892. Author ofValerie,and other poems, 1892;The Columbia Ode,1893;John Wellborn, Poet, A Memoir,1896;The Passing Show—Modern Plays in Verse,1903, etc.
PrairieChild,Brief as dew,What winds of wonderNourished you?
PrairieChild,
Brief as dew,
What winds of wonder
Nourished you?
Rolling plainOf billowy green,Fair horizons,Blue, serene.
Rolling plain
Of billowy green,
Fair horizons,
Blue, serene.
Lofty skiesThe slow clouds climb,Where burning starsBeat out the time.top
Lofty skies
The slow clouds climb,
Where burning stars
Beat out the time.
These, and the dreamsOf fathers bold,Baffled longingsHopes untold.
These, and the dreams
Of fathers bold,
Baffled longings
Hopes untold.
Gave to youA heart of fire,Love like waters,Brave desire.
Gave to you
A heart of fire,
Love like waters,
Brave desire.
Ah, when youth's raptureWent out in pain,And all seemed over,Was all in vain?
Ah, when youth's rapture
Went out in pain,
And all seemed over,
Was all in vain?
O soul obscure,Whose wings life bound,And soft death foldedUnder the ground.
O soul obscure,
Whose wings life bound,
And soft death folded
Under the ground.
Wilding lady,Still and true,Who gave us LincolnAnd never knew:
Wilding lady,
Still and true,
Who gave us Lincoln
And never knew:
To you at lastOur praise, our tears,Love and a songThrough the nation's years.
To you at last
Our praise, our tears,
Love and a song
Through the nation's years.
Mother of Lincoln,Our tears, our praise;A battle-flagAnd the victor's bays!
Mother of Lincoln,
Our tears, our praise;
A battle-flag
And the victor's bays!
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THE RAIL SPLITTERFrom the "Footprints of Abraham Lincoln"
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From an Horatian Ode by Richard Henry Stoddard
A laboringman with horny hands,Who swung the axe, who tilled the lands,Who shrank from nothing new,But did as poor men do.
A laboringman with horny hands,
Who swung the axe, who tilled the lands,
Who shrank from nothing new,
But did as poor men do.
One of the people. Born to beTheir curious epitome,To share, yet rise above,Their shifting hate and love.
One of the people. Born to be
Their curious epitome,
To share, yet rise above,
Their shifting hate and love.
Common his mind, it seemed so then,His thoughts the thoughts of other men,Plain were his words, andpoor—But now they will endure.
Common his mind, it seemed so then,
His thoughts the thoughts of other men,
Plain were his words, andpoor—
But now they will endure.
No hasty fool of stubborn will,But prudent, cautious,still—Who, since his work was good,Would do it as he could.
No hasty fool of stubborn will,
But prudent, cautious,still—
Who, since his work was good,
Would do it as he could.
No hero, this, of Romanmold—Nor like our stately sires of old.Perhaps he was notgreat—But he preserved the state.
No hero, this, of Romanmold—
Nor like our stately sires of old.
Perhaps he was notgreat—
But he preserved the state.
O, honest face, which all men knew,O, tender heart, but known tofew—O, wonder of the age,Cut off by tragic rage.
O, honest face, which all men knew,
O, tender heart, but known tofew—
O, wonder of the age,
Cut off by tragic rage.
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"THE BOY LINCOLN"By Eastman Johnson
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James Whitcomb Rileywas born in Greenfield, Indiana, about 1852. He was engaged in various pursuits until 1875, when he began to contribute verses of poetry to local papers in the Western district which gained wide popularity for him. His published works in dialect and his serious poems have also proved very popular.
(LINCOLN)
A peacefullife;—just toil andrest—All hisdesire;—To read the books he liked the bestBeside the cabin fire.God's word and man's;—to peer sometimesAbove the page, in smoldering gleams,And catch, like far heroic rhymes,The onmarch of his dreams.
A peacefullife;—just toil andrest—
All hisdesire;—
To read the books he liked the best
Beside the cabin fire.
God's word and man's;—to peer sometimes
Above the page, in smoldering gleams,
And catch, like far heroic rhymes,
The onmarch of his dreams.
A peaceful life;—to hear the lowOf pastured herds,Or woodman's axe that, blow on blow,Fell sweet as rhythmic words.And yet there stirred within his breastA faithful pulse, that, like a rollOf drums, made high above his restA tumult in his soul.
A peaceful life;—to hear the low
Of pastured herds,
Or woodman's axe that, blow on blow,
Fell sweet as rhythmic words.
And yet there stirred within his breast
A faithful pulse, that, like a roll
Of drums, made high above his rest
A tumult in his soul.
A peaceful life!—They hailed him evenAs One was hailedWhose open palms were nailed toward HeavenWhen prayers nor aught availed.And lo, he paid the selfsame priceTo lull a nation's awful strifeAnd will us, through the sacrificeOf self, his peaceful life.
A peaceful life!—They hailed him even
As One was hailed
Whose open palms were nailed toward Heaven
When prayers nor aught availed.
And lo, he paid the selfsame price
To lull a nation's awful strife
And will us, through the sacrifice
Of self, his peaceful life.
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William Wilberforce Newton, born in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, March, 1836. Was graduated at Franklin and Marshall College in 1853. Studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He served as Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of U. S. Volunteers in 1861-5; was Editor of thePhiladelphia Pressand President of the "Press" Publishing Co., from 1867 till 1878. He is the author ofVignettes of Traveland has been largely engaged in railway building in Mexico.
Sawyou in his boyhood daysO'er Kentucky's prairies;Bending to the settler's waysYon poor youth whom now wepraise—Romance like the fairies?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Sawyou in his boyhood days
O'er Kentucky's prairies;
Bending to the settler's ways
Yon poor youth whom now wepraise—
Romance like the fairies?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
Saw you in the days of youthBy the candle's flaring:Lincoln searching for the truth,Splitting rails to gain, forsooth,Knowledge for the daring?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Saw you in the days of youth
By the candle's flaring:
Lincoln searching for the truth,
Splitting rails to gain, forsooth,
Knowledge for the daring?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
Saw you in his manhood's primeLike a star resplendent,Him we praise with measured rhymeWaiting for the coming timeWith a faith transcendent?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.top
Saw you in his manhood's prime
Like a star resplendent,
Him we praise with measured rhyme
Waiting for the coming time
With a faith transcendent?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
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Saw you in the hour of strifeWhen fierce war was raging,Him who gave the slaves a lifeFull and rich with freedom rife,All his powers engaging?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Saw you in the hour of strife
When fierce war was raging,
Him who gave the slaves a life
Full and rich with freedom rife,
All his powers engaging?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
Saw you when the war was done(Such is Lincoln's story)Him whose strength the strife had wonSinking like the setting sunCrowned with human glory?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Saw you when the war was done
(Such is Lincoln's story)
Him whose strength the strife had won
Sinking like the setting sun
Crowned with human glory?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
Saw you in our country's rollMidst her saints and sages,Lincoln's name upon thescroll—Standing at the topmost goalOn the nation's pages?Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Saw you in our country's roll
Midst her saints and sages,
Lincoln's name upon thescroll—
Standing at the topmost goal
On the nation's pages?
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
Hero! Yes! We know thy fame;It will live forever!Thou to us art still the same;Great the glory of thy name,Great thy strong endeavor!Hero! Hero! Sent from God!Leader of his people.
Hero! Yes! We know thy fame;
It will live forever!
Thou to us art still the same;
Great the glory of thy name,
Great thy strong endeavor!
Hero! Hero! Sent from God!
Leader of his people.
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LINCOLN THE LAWYERFrom an Ambrotype, taken in 1856
“Thecharm which invested the life on the Eighth Circuit in the mind and fancy of Mr. Lincoln yet lingered there, even in the most responsible and glorious days of his administration; over and over again has the great President stolen an hour … from his life of anxious care to live over again those bygone exhilarating and halcyon days … with Sweet orme."—Henry C. Whitney in hisLife of Lincoln.
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Wilbur Hazelton Smithwas born in the town of Mansfield, New York, March 28, 1860. His early education was obtained from the district school and he began teaching at the age of sixteen. After completing an academic course he went to Cornell University from which he was graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1885.
He at once became a teacher and after a few years started the first Current Topic paper in the state,The Educator.Later he edited a teachers' paper,The World's Review.Perhaps he is best known as publisher of theRegents' Review Booksused in nearly every school in the United States. His death occurred October 19, 1913.
Unlearnedin the cant and quip of schools,Uncouth, if only city ways refine;Ungodly, if 'tis creeds that make divine;In station poor, as judged by human rules,And yet a giant towering o'er them all;Clean, strong in mind, just, merciful, sublime;The noblest product of the age and time,Invoked of God in answer to men's call.
Unlearnedin the cant and quip of schools,
Uncouth, if only city ways refine;
Ungodly, if 'tis creeds that make divine;
In station poor, as judged by human rules,
And yet a giant towering o'er them all;
Clean, strong in mind, just, merciful, sublime;
The noblest product of the age and time,
Invoked of God in answer to men's call.
O simple world, and will you ever learn,Schools can but guide, they cannot mind create?'Neath roughest rock the choicest treasures wait;In meanest forms we priceless gems discern;Nor time, nor age, condition, rank nor birth,Can hide the truly noble of the earth.
O simple world, and will you ever learn,
Schools can but guide, they cannot mind create?
'Neath roughest rock the choicest treasures wait;
In meanest forms we priceless gems discern;
Nor time, nor age, condition, rank nor birth,
Can hide the truly noble of the earth.
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LINCOLN'S OFFICE CHAIR
This chairwas used by Mr. Lincoln in his law office at Springfield, Illinois, where, before leaving for the City of Washington after his election as President, he wrote his Inaugural Address and formed his Cabinet, frequently conferring with his twenty-year law partner, William H. Herndon, on such matters, and adopting changes as suggested if he considered them advisable. It was presented to O. H. Oldroyd while living in the Lincoln Homestead, Springfield, by Mr. Herndon, March 18, 1886.
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James Rileywas born in the hamlet of Tang, one mile from the town of Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland, and two miles from Lissoy, County Westmeath, the home of Oliver Goldsmith—on the road between the two—August 15, 1848. PublishedPoems,1888;Songs of Two Peoples,1898, andChristy of Rathglin,a novel, in 1907. His poemThe American Flag,has been rated often as the best poem written to our banner. Four lines on the loss of the Titanic brought from Captain Rostron words in which he said: "With such praise one feels on a higher plane, and must keep so, to be worthy of continuance."
High-browed, rugged, and swarthy;A picture of pain and care;A lawyer sat with his greatest brief,High in his office chair.
High-browed, rugged, and swarthy;
A picture of pain and care;
A lawyer sat with his greatest brief,
High in his office chair.
His Country was to him client!Futurity his ward!And he must plead 'fore Fate's high court,With prayer, and pen, and sword.
His Country was to him client!
Futurity his ward!
And he must plead 'fore Fate's high court,
With prayer, and pen, and sword.
Elected, by his people!His heart and theirs, one beat!He sees the storm-clouds gather;The waves dash at his feet!
Elected, by his people!
His heart and theirs, one beat!
He sees the storm-clouds gather;
The waves dash at his feet!
Gloom upon land and water!The Flag no more in the sun!Lights from the South-line flickering,And—dying—one—by one!top
Gloom upon land and water!
The Flag no more in the sun!
Lights from the South-line flickering,
And—dying—one—by one!
November's winds wild shrieking!Night—closed, on a Union rent!And still the lawyer sat dreamingOf its once bright firmament.
November's winds wild shrieking!
Night—closed, on a Union rent!
And still the lawyer sat dreaming
Of its once bright firmament.
Then, '61! Dark! Silent!Only the calling wordOf Anderson at SumterThe lawyer, writing, heard.
Then, '61! Dark! Silent!
Only the calling word
Of Anderson at Sumter
The lawyer, writing, heard.
Writing the Message that everShall live in the hearts of men;With cannon to cannon fronting,The lawyer held the pen.
Writing the Message that ever
Shall live in the hearts of men;
With cannon to cannon fronting,
The lawyer held the pen.
Only thinking of CountryAnd the work that must be done;Nature made in roughest moldHer favored, fated son.
Only thinking of Country
And the work that must be done;
Nature made in roughest mold
Her favored, fated son.
He wrote while the world was waitingGreat Freedom's final test.Should, or should not DemocracyBe planted in the West?
He wrote while the world was waiting
Great Freedom's final test.
Should, or should not Democracy
Be planted in the West?
Should Liberty at last surviveAnd man look straight on man?Law, in its round, its strength and mightBe timed unto sense and plan?
Should Liberty at last survive
And man look straight on man?
Law, in its round, its strength and might
Be timed unto sense and plan?
He, in his chair there sitting,Had all these things for thought.Now, the Vote unrecognized,Must battles wild be fought?top
He, in his chair there sitting,
Had all these things for thought.
Now, the Vote unrecognized,
Must battles wild be fought?
Alone the Chair is standing,To remind the Land of the timeWhen the Slaver's heart, all passion,He planned, and pursued his crime!
Alone the Chair is standing,
To remind the Land of the time
When the Slaver's heart, all passion,
He planned, and pursued his crime!
As he rushed Disunion's order,On, on from State to State!And the Pen talked loud down the Message,And bided the Land to wait.
As he rushed Disunion's order,
On, on from State to State!
And the Pen talked loud down the Message,
And bided the Land to wait.
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LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATORPhotograph from an Ambrotype, by Gilmer, Illinois, 1858
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Elizabeth Porter Gould, born June 8, 1848, died July 28, 1906. Essayist, lecturer and author; an early inspirer of woman's clubs and the pioneer of theCurrent EventsandTopicsclasses in Boston and vicinity; an officer in several educational societies and honorary member of the Webster Historical Society, Castilian Club and other clubs where she had read many historical papers of great research and given many practical suggestions. Among her published works areGems From Walt Whitman,Anne Gilchrist and Walt Whitman,Ezekial Cheever, Schoolmaster,John Adams and Daniel Webster as Schoolmasters,A Pioneer Doctor,One's Self I SingandThe Brownings and America.She had great energy and force of character, and a capacity for friendship which was a source of great happiness to her and endeared her to all.
Inlife's great symphony,Above the seeming discord and the pain,A master-voice is ever singing, singing,The plan of God to men.
Inlife's great symphony,
Above the seeming discord and the pain,
A master-voice is ever singing, singing,
The plan of God to men.
In young America's song,As threatening tumult pierced the tensioned air,The voice of Lincoln over all was singingThe love of brother-man.
In young America's song,
As threatening tumult pierced the tensioned air,
The voice of Lincoln over all was singing
The love of brother-man.
And still his voice is heard;'Twill pierce the din of strife and mystery,Till master-voices cease their singing, singing,In life's great symphony.
And still his voice is heard;
'Twill pierce the din of strife and mystery,
Till master-voices cease their singing, singing,
In life's great symphony.
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