The remains of President Lincoln and his son Willie who died in Washington, were placed in this vault May 4, 1865. LINCOLN AND BURNS. [Both born of lowly parents, both reared amongst the common folk, both close to the great heart of humanity, both quick to see the real worth of a man despite his rank or decorations, it is little wonder that Burns should come so close to a picture of Lincoln in some of his works, and that Lincoln should discover himself in some of those writings, particularly in the poem which follows:] HONEST POVERTY. Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a' that? Our toil's obcure, and a' that, What though on hamely fare we dine, Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, For a' that, and a' that! The honest man, though e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that. Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; Though hundreds worship at his word, For a' that, and a' that: His riband, star, and a' that, A king can mak' a belted knight, Their dignities, and a' that, The pith o' sense and pride o' worth Then let us pray that come it may, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a' that; For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that. a, all; gowd, gold; sae, so; birkie, a conceited fellow; ca'd, called; coof, a dunce; aboon, above; guid, good; maunna fa', must not try; bear the gree, win the victory. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON December 11, 1906. My dear Mr. Colliers I gladly accept your invitation on behalf of the Lincoln Farm Association to make an address on the farm, and at the log cabin itself in which Lincoln was born, on February 12, 1909; the one-hundredth anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and therefore one of the most significant events in American history. As Mark Twain has well said, this little farm is "the little farm that raised a Man;" and I count myself fortunate that it has happened to me to be able as President to accept the invitation to make the address at such a place on such an occasion. Sincerely yours, Theodore Roosely Mr. Robert J Collier, Chairman Executive Committee, 74 Broadway, New York. |