PRESENTATION OF THE SAINT-GAUDENS STATUE OF LINCOLN TO THE BRITISH PEOPLE, JULY 28, 1920 I "HE BELONGS TO THE AGES" By CASS GILBERT It was no ordinary occasion that brought together the distinguished company which assembled in Central Hall, London, on July 28, 1920, and proceeded thence to the Canning enclosure. The time, the place, the circumstances were all so different from what could have been imagined fiftyfive years ago that it is safe to say that neither the most far-sighted statesmen nor the most romantic poet of Lincoln's time could have foreseen the conditions under which, if ever, his statue should be erected in England. It would indeed have been a bold prophet who would have foretold that within the lifetime of men then living Lincoln's statue should stand as an expression of amity between the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race under the very shadow of Westminster. Yet when we examine it in the light of our common heritage, what is more natural and fitting than that this should have come to pass. Mighty events have shaken the world since Lincoln's time. New conceptions of national life and national interest have caused those nations which inherit a common tradition to draw closer together; to meet on common ground and to reaffirm, for the strengthening of hearts, those principles upon which their institutions are based, those ideals which form the very essence of their national life. There are certain elemental propositions upon which honest men agree. They are as true today as they were in Lincoln's time, as they always have been and always will be. They are common to the breed. Love of liberty. Desire for justice. Respect for law. Plain truth and forthright speech which all can understand. Recognition of the rights of others. Compassion for the oppressed. Helpfulness for the needy. Sympathy for the sorrowing, and broad charity for the frailties of men. These virtues, with wisdom to see the right, strength to do it and patience to persevere in it to the end, were characteristic of Lincoln. Lincoln's career was no matter of chance. His life moved from cause to effect with unswerving logic. There was nothing of the reckless adventurer about him; he was not the shrewd intriguer or the dashing soldier of a more complex or a more romantic age. His course was guided by a compass that did not waver. His policy was the epitome of plain common sense. But with what a vision he saw the truth, with what fervor he followed it. His goal was none less than that essential justice should prevail. That all men of every creed and color should be free. It was in this spirit that he struck the last remaining shackles from the slave and in this spirit would he have bound up the wounds of a war that had devastated his native land for over four long years. Lincoln came into the world with nothing. Humble indeed was his lot and portion at his birth. But in his life and death he ennobled humanity by his immortal example from which all may draw new hope and courage. He was of the world's greatest Humble birth did not retard his genius, nor high place corrupt his soul. "He was of the immortals." men So it comes about, as men come to know him, that he symbolizes the plain, common sense virtues upon which all can unite. No more fitting subject could have been chosen to represent America in England, no more gratifying response could have been made than that England should place his statue among those of her own greatest men. It was not surprising then, that the unveiling of this statue should bring together so varied and so great a company. There were assembled there princes and statesmen, prelates and soldiers (veterans of many wars), including the old blue-coated men of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the khaki-clad heroes of the World War, representatives of the native races of Africa, artists and authors, business men and travelers, mechanics and laborers, choir boys from the Abbey and Boy Scouts from various lands, men' and women of all stations in life; as representative a group as could have been gathered at any time or place in the world. Great and humble, rich and poor came together with the common understanding that the simple and impressive ceremonies were not only in honor of Lincoln, but in recognition of the fact that, guided by the virtues which he embodied, peace and amity have existed between the two great branches of the English speaking race for over one hundred years, and with the firm resolve that this peace shall endure. |