The National Republican

The Lincoln Statue.

It is creditable to the city of Washington that the first statue erected in this country in honor of Abraham Lincoln has been constructed and placed upon its pedestal in the National Capital. The antecedent preparations for this great work were entered upon and carried forward in so quiet a manner that but few persons knew anything in regard to what was going on until the consummation of the grand and patriotic work. It was not until the inauguration ceremonies were announced by the Mayor, without ostentation, that many of our citizens had an inkling that everything was in readiness for the imposing demonstration. The Mayor received contributions from our citizens, deposited them in Messrs. Birts & Co.'s bank, who judiciously invested them in his own way: By to complete the task assigned him; and the result is, that we now see in front of our City Hall a monument worthy to commemorate the noble deeds and patriotic services of the martyred statesman. There is another significant fact which we may note in this connection; the statue is the work of a resident Washingtonian. For this really fine work of art, we are not indebted to some foreign artist, but the man who wrought it is with us and of us, and for this life-like creation out of marble we owe a debt of gratitude to one of our own citizens.

All who visit Washington from our own and foreign lands, may now have the opportunity to look upon the accurately defined lineaments of that great man who served his country in that hour of extremest peril as no other man has served it, since the days of Washington.

Let all who love their country, who venerate a pure life, noble purposes, and heroic deeds, go to the front of our City Hall and gaze upon the beautiful monument upon apex of which stands the marble statue of Abraham Lincoln.

We have already devoted a considerable space to an account of the inaugural ceremonies the day after this statue was erected: it will not be expected, therefore, that we should make at this time any protracted remarks.

One month before his death, Mr. Lincoln delivered his ever memorable inaugural address in the following words, which are worthy to be inscribed in letters of gold. These words will live in history as long as his name shall be remembered.

On the 4th of March, 1865, just as he was about to take the oath of office and to enter upon his second term, Mr. Lincoln said:

"Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.

"Both read the same bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces: but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes.

"Woe unto the world because of offences, for it needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh. If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of these offences, which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may soon pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn by the sword; as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'

"With malice toward none, with charity to all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."