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n name so lately unknown had become illustrious in the annals of our 

 country. The fame thereof had spread throughout all the nations of 

 the world; and when tidings of Abraham Lincoln's death went forth, 

 words of confidence and eulogy came hack from courts and kingdoms 

 in such measure as to fill a capacious volume. The compilation forms 

 a priceless treasure in the Department of State at the Capitol of the 

 Nation. 



And thus it came to pass that as, in the earlier days of the Republic, 

 God raised up Washington to be, as he was justly styled, "the Father 

 of his Country," so, in these later days, God raised up Lincoln to be 

 our country's deliverer. Washington gave to the States of the Union 

 independence and a standing among the nations. Lincoln put down a 

 formidable rebellion, turned away the curse of slavery, and left the 

 States united and free. 



Lincoln was the Providential man of our own time, and to perpetu- 

 ate his memory is our grateful duty ; to raise a statue to the honor of 

 his name is a just tribute of affection to the worth and wisdom of the 

 lamented patriot, who died, as he had lived, for his country ! We 

 thus manifest our gratitude to God for His gift of a life so 

 precious. 



The delay which has occurred is not to be misunderstood as mani- 

 festing a want of zeal on the part of the Committee who have had the 

 work in charge. It was early committed to one of your gifted towns- 

 men, was long since perfected, and has been waiting the convenience 

 of the Park Commissioners, under whose direction the pedestal has 

 been prepared on which the statue is henceforth to stand. It seemed 

 to be most fitting and proper that on this spot, destined ere long to be 

 the centre of a vast city, this monument should be erected; that all 

 our citizens who gather from time to time in this Plaza, and look upon 

 the form and features of this central figure, may be led to ponder the 

 example of the great original ; to recall, with gratitude, the good he 

 did, and the impress he made on his age and generation ; that here 

 beneath this statue, before entering upon paths of pleasure now open- 

 ing to our view, the vow may be renewed by all faithfully to maintain 

 and loyally to uphold the Union and the Government established by 

 our Fathers. 



Lotus hope that, as the waters which supply the fountain by our 

 side, whose source is far distant, are made to flow out and penetrate 



