THE HEART OF LINCOLN THAT KNEW NO MALICE

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HERE are a few men who can forgive their enemies but it takes a great man to forget them. Lincoln forgot all animosity when he forgave. He found that 2,216,067 Americans had pledged their loyalty to him at polls, while 1,808,725 had registered their ballots against him under the leadership of his former friend, General McClellan. The cabinet minister, who in envy had tried to take the presidency from him, and had resigned in indignation, was honored by Lincoln with the highest tribute that the President can confer-Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He lived by the Golden Rule. "If any man ceases to attack me, I never remember the past against him,” he said. "We must not be animated by any motive for revenge, or any purpose to punish for punishment's sake."

It was now the fourth of March, in 1865-the day of inauguration. A light rain was falling in the chill and gloom. A carriage stopped at the White House door, and Lincoln came down the steps and entered it, alone. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon. A curious crowd had gathered around the national capitol; negroes, who were but yesterday slaves, and citizens jostled each other in the crowd to catch a glimpse of "Father Abraham." Four years had wrought great changes in the scene. Statesmen who had then gathered here, were now dead; while others were now battling on the firing line; and still others had renounced the Republic.

As Lincoln appeared on the steps a rousing cheer greeted him. His stooping shoulders, and sunken eyes, told the tragic story. As he looked out over the applauding throng, a stream of sick and wounded heroes were coming in endless procession from the fields of battle.

"Fellow countrymen." The words brought a hush to the gathering. The tall, solemn figure spoke in inspiration. "Let us judge not that we be not judged," he said. "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this scourge of war may speedily pass away." The great audience listened. The closing words rested upon them like a benediction: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the light, let us stand on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have won the battle and for his widow, and his orphan; and do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among races and with all nations." As he stood before the cheering throng, the sun, which had been veiled by rain throughout the day, burst through the clouds in splendor.

THE FATHERHOOD OF LINCOLN AMONG THE LOWLY

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HE fortunes of war are much like the fortunes of men.

While

Lincoln was winning his battles over the people, his silent, little general was carrying the armies to victory. With irresistible power he was driving back the Confederacy and marching on to their seat of government. A messenger hurried to the White House with a dispatch. Lincoln read it and then sat pondering over its contents.

"I must go to the front," he said. "They may need me." The next night a boat steamed up the James River. There, lying on a berth, four inches shorter than his body, stretched a long, gaunt figure. The roar of the battle rolled along the shore.

"Richmond has fallen! The Confederacy is destroyed! The capital is burning!" The tidings aroused the continent; leaped the oceans, and resounded around the world. The North was wild with joy. The South was bowed with grief. Brave hearts shouted and wept; cheered and sighed. The noble city burst into flames. With the rumble of the drums, and colors flying, the hosts of the Republic marched into the fallen capital.

It was the month of April, in 1865. The sun rose clear on the morning of the fourth. At twelve o'clock the barge reached the river bank. As it came alongside, the tall, gaunt man stepped ashore. An old negro with snow white hair was standing on the bank. He was bent and worn.

"Bless de Lord," he shouted, "dere is de great Messiah! I knowed him as soon as I seed him. He's been in my mind fo' long yeahs, an' he's cum at las' to free his chilun from deir bondage-Glory Hallelujah!"

And, falling on his knees, the old slave kissed the feet of Lincoln. The negroes crowded about him and threw themselves on the ground. Lincoln looked at the poor creatures before him. "Don't kneel to me,” he said quietly. "That is not right. You must kneel to God only, and thank Him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy."

"Father Abraham is here!" The streets were instantly alive with the colored race. They seemed to spring from the earth, tumbling, shouting, weeping, praying, singing. There stood the Emancipator among the people he had redeemed from bondage.

"My poor friends," he said, "you are free-free as air. You can cast off the name of slave and trample upon it; it will come to you no more. Liberty is your birthright. God gave it to you as he gave it to others . . . Let the world see that you merit it, and are able to maintain it by your good works . . . There, now let me pass on."

Photograph taken a few days before Lincoln went to the capital of the Confederacy to look upon the ruins of the historic city-Original negative by Mathew Brady

Deposited in the Original Brady Collection at Springfield, Massachusetts
Copyright, 1909, by Mr. Edward Bailey Eaton