35 

 ADDEESSES 



Delivered at Prospect Park, on the 21st of October, 1869, 

 ox the occasion" of the dedication of the llncoln monu- 

 MENT. 



MR. l o w e ' s ADDRESS. 

 Mr. Low said : 



Fellow Citizens: — In the eventful year 1865, the " War Fund 

 Committee of Brooklyn" resolved to signalize the close of their volun- 

 tary labors by erecting a monument to the memory of the lamented 

 patriot and martyr, by handing down to posterity, in truthful outline, 

 the form and features of the great man who had successfully guided 

 the destinies of our country through its most perilous crisis — thus 

 bringing art to the aid of history in immortalizing the name of Abra- 

 ham Lincoln. 



It was at once determined to raise the necessary funds by a small 

 but general subscription. An appeal, accordingly, was addressed to 

 the people, and the people responded gladly. Circumstances favored 

 the movement. A sentiment of gratitude, tempered by a feeling 

 of the profoundest sorrow, wrought upon the hearts and will of 

 all. 



The struggle for the nation's life was over. The flag of the Union 

 everywhere waved in triumph, and the return of peace was hailed with 

 universal delight. "While transports of joy, and the cheers of the 

 loyal, were resounding throughout the North, the death of the Presi- 

 dent was unexpectedly announced, and the shout of triumph was 

 changed into a wail of mourning ! The people wept ! 



And now the lessons of the war were rehearsed anew. The provi- 

 dence of God in the events of the war was in every mind and on 

 every tongue. Memory recalled the time, less than five years before, 

 when a man, in stature like unto Saul, was summoned from an obscure 

 sphere in life, to fill the highest office in the gift of the people. 



The popular vote had been cast amid forebodings of evil, and the 

 future was to witness their worst realization. The President elect 

 would be the head of the Army and Navy, and few of all the people 

 knew their appointed leader. The foes of the Union were exultant. 

 War speedily followed the inauguration; and at the close of the war 



