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THE WONDERFUL STORY OF LINCOLN

    "I see him, as he stands,
    With gifts of mercy in his outstretched hands;
    A kindly light within his gentle eyes,
    Sad as the toil in which his heart grew wise;
    His lips half parted with the constant smile
    That kindled truth but foiled the deepest guile;
    His head bent forward, and his willing ear
    Divinely patient right and wrong to hear:
    Great in his goodness, humble in his state,
    Firm in his purpose, yet not passionate,
    He led his people with a tender hand,
    And won by love a sway beyond command."
              GEORGE H. BOKER.


    _Inspiration Series of Patriotic Americans_




    THE WONDERFUL STORY OF LINCOLN

    AND THE MEANING OF HIS LIFE FOR THE YOUTH AND PATRIOTISM OF
    AMERICA

    BY C. M. STEVENS
    _Author of "The Wonderful Story of Washington"_


    NEW YORK
    CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY


    Copyright, 1917, by
    CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY


    Printed in U. S. A.




CONTENTS


    CHAPTER

       I. INTRODUCTORY CONSIDERATIONS
        A Personal Life and Its Interest to Americans.
        The Process of Life from Within.
        A Life Built as One Would Have the Nation.

      II. THE PROBLEM OF A WORTH-WHILE LIFE
        The Lincoln Boy of the Kentucky Woods.
        Home-Seekers in the Wild West.
        A Wonderful Family in the Desolate Wilderness.
        Way-Marks of Right Life.

     III. THE LINCOLN BOY
        How the Lincoln Boy Made the Lincoln Man.
        Some Signs Along the Early Way.
        Illustrations Showing the Making of a Man.
        Lincoln's First Dollar.
        The Characteristics of a Superior Mind.

      IV. THE WILDERNESS AS THE GARDEN OF POLITICAL LIBERTY
        Small Beginnings in Public Esteem.
        Tests of Character on the Lawless Frontier.
        The Pioneer Missionary of Humanity.
        Experiences in the Indian War.
        Life-Making Decisions.

       V. BUSINESS NOT HARMONIOUS WITH THE STRUGGLE FOR LEARNING
        Making a Living and Learning the Meaning of Life.
        Out of the Wilderness Paths into the Great Highway.
        Lincoln's First Law Case.
        The Man Who Could Not Live for Self Alone.

      VI. HELPFULNESS AND KINDNESS OF A WORTH-WHILE CHARACTER
        The Love of Freedom and Truth.
        Wit-Makers and Their Wit.
        Turbulent Times and Social Storms.
        The Frontier "Fire-Eater."
        Honor to Whom Honor Is Due.

     VII. SIMPLICITY AND SYMPATHY ESSENTIAL TO GENUINE CHARACTER
        Nearing the Heights of a Public Career.
        Some Characteristics of Momentous Times.
        The Beginnings of Great Tragedy.
        The Life Struggle of a Man Translated Into the Life Struggle
          of a Nation.
        Some Human Interests Making Lighter the Burdens of
        the Troubled Way.

    VIII. THE MAN AND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE
        Typical Incidents From Among Momentous Scenes.
        Experiences Demanding Mercy and Not Sacrifice.
        Humanity and the Great School of Experience.
        Simple Interests That Never Grow Old.
        Some Incidents From the Great Years.

      IX. FALSEHOOD AIDS NO ONE'S TRUTH
        Freedom to Misrepresent Is Not Freedom.
        Homely Ways To Express Truth.

       X. THE FRIEND OF HUMANITY
        The Great Tragedy.
        The Time When "Those Who Came To Scoff Remained
          To Pray."
        Some Typical Examples Giving Views of Lincoln's Life.
        Remembrance At the End of a Hundred Years.

      XI. CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS
        A Masterpiece of Meaning for America.
        The Harmonizing Contrast of Men.
        The Mission of America.




LINCOLN AND AMERICAN FREEDOM




CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTORY CONSIDERATIONS


I. A PERSONAL LIFE AND ITS INTEREST TO AMERICANS

"America First" has probably as many varieties of meaning and use as
"Safety First." It means to every individual very much according to
what feelings it inspires in him of selfishness or patriotism. We are
inspired as we believe, and, to be an American, it is necessary to
appreciate the meaning and mission of America.

American history is composed of the struggle to get clear the meaning
of American liberty. Through many years of distress and sacrifice,
known as the Revolutionary War, the American people freed themselves
from un-American methods and masteries imposed on them from across
the sea. Out of that turmoil of minds came forth one typical leader
and American, George Washington. But we did not yet have clear the
meaning of America, and through yet more years of even worse
suffering, involving the Civil War, we freed ourselves from the
war-making methods and masteries entrenched within our own government.
Out of that political turmoil of minds appeared another American,
Abraham Lincoln, whose life represents supremely the most important
possibilities in the meaning and ideal of America. To know the
mind-making process that developed Washington and Lincoln is to know
not only the meaning but also the mission of America.

Every American child and every newcomer to our