Excerpt from Abraham Lincoln: A Memorial Address; Delivered Before the American Society for the Extension of University Teaching, in Witherspoon Hall, Philadelphia, Friday Afternoon, February 12, 1909

This day marks the rounded century Since the birth Of the greatest American. It seems almost inconceivable that Abraham Lincoln passed from life a half-century ago, lacking seven years - at the early age Of fifty-six, nowadays scarcely accounted as the full maturity Of ripened man hood. As I look into the faces Of this gathering Of earnest men and women, I realize there is a small minority here who, like myself, remember seeing the great President in person, but to the large majority he is but an historic character, something already immense and increasing in stature as the years go by, but he is not, nor can he be a close personal presence as we always think Of those, our contemporaries, whom we saw and loved in life. Since Lincoln died there has come into existence, especially during the last twenty - five years, a vast literature concern ing him, surpassed in volume, perhaps, only by the cele brated Napoleonic literature relating to one prodigy Of human genius, - utterly divorced from conscience, -and including the history Of Europe during an eventful period; and this literature has been the growth Of three-quarters Of a century. I cannot hope to add a single line Of value to the Lincoln literature, but as one Of the rapidly narrowing circle who saw Abraham Lincoln in the flesh, perhaps myown most limited but intensely real recollections may find a place this centenary day.

I first heard Of him when I was a youth, in 1858, when the memorable debate took place during the canvass for the Illinois Senatorship between him and Stephen A. Douglas. The former was almost unknown outside Of his own State Of Illinois, but his Opponent was justly esteemed a giant in debate, having met and worsted in the arena Of the United States Senate the other giants Of those days, who, even though his superiors in intellectual equipment and scholarly statesmanship, dreaded his wonderful mental agility and his almost unequaled skill as a ready debater. The unknown backwoods lawyer, lacking as he came to manhood, even an ordinary common school education, seemed in advance like a baby in his hands, but with straightforward, plain honesty Of speech, devoid of rhetori cal skill or the trained debater's subtlety, to the astonish ment Of the nation he overcame his distinguished opponent, and was crowned victor by the nation and the world. From this time he was a national figure, though for some time longer little known personally outside his own State. In February, 1860, he came to New York by invitation, and all the chief men Of the metropolis crowded Cooper Institute to see this new great man, the uncouth giant Of the West.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.