deepening its influence and augmenting the value and happiness of life to all people, of all colors, everywhere."

That was the message of Abraham Lincoln to the nations of the world and to the ages of the world's history; and for fear somebody in the future might say that that was a mere flourish of a joint debate with Mr. Douglas, when he went to the capital for his inauguration, he asked them to stop the train at Philadelphia, and so it is said that he went alone, a few friends only following him up the narrow street, until he came to the old Hall of Independence, where our fathers put their names down to the sublime documents which underlie our institutions, and standing there, by the very desk where their names were signed, he lifted his big hand up, and added his pledge to theirs that he would defend these propositions with his life.

Here is the summit from which your old neighbor looked down on the whole world! Here is the spiritual height from which he was able to forecast the doom, not only of African slavery in the United States, but of all slaveries, all despotisms, all conspiracies with avarice and greed to oppress and wrong the children of God, living in God's world!

Here is the mountain top from which he sent down his great message to mankind:

"This is essentially a people's contest; on the side of the Union, a struggle to maintain in the world that form and substance of government the leading object of which is to elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial weights from shoulders; to clear the path of laudable pursuit for all and to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life."

Thanks be unto God the war for the Union ended as it did that we are not enemies but friends, with one nation, one flag, one destiny in the midst of the ages. Thanks be unto God also that at the foundation there is no division of parties about our institutions. We share in the heritage of a common faith in those institutions as founded by our fathers. As Democrats we repeat the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Equal rights to all, special privileges to none." As Republicans, we echo in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "An unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life." The doctrine is the same. Nor is the time as far off as some may think who breathe the atmosphere of the great centers of American business and speculation, when the people of the United States, without regard to party affiliations will cherish in grateful hearts the bold and fearless platform which made the last seven years at our capitol famous in the language of the American people, "A square deal for every man." No more, no less. The doctrine is the same, and if it be not true, then there is no foundation either for the religion or for the institutions which we have inherited from our fathers and our mothers.

But the doctrine is forever true, and standing this day by the grave of Abraham Lincoln, our hearts filled with the heroic memories of other generations, we swear for us and for our children, by his blood, to make the doctrine true for all nations and for all generations and for all the ages that are to come.

GOVERNOR DENEEN

Introducing Mr. Bryan

I cannot "introduce" you to the next speaker, because he is known to all of you; but it is indeed a great pleasure to extend the greetings of this vast audience to a native son of Illinois, and to an adopted son, only, of Nebraska, who has returned to his native state to pay his tribute to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, the Honorable William Jennings Bryan, of Illinois and Nebraska.

-SLC

HON. WILLIAM J. BRYAN

Lincoln as an Orator

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-I esteem myself fortunate to have received an invitation to take even a minor part in this great celebration. I thank the committee for the honor that it has done me and for the pleasure it has given me. The occasion, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of one whom the world owns, has justified the coming of these distinguished guests, representing two of the greatest of the nations of the world, one which we remember because of the help received at a critical time, and the other which we remember because the relations between the two nations illustrate how, among intelligent people, differentes may be forgotten and ties of friendship strengthened, in spite of war.

I have been delighted with the splendid oration which has been delivered by the Senator from Iowa. I knew him too well to expect less; and knowing that to him was assigned the important