A Son of Maine; Herbert Milton Heath

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916. Excerpt: ... ABRAHAM LINCOLN During the formative period of my life, it was my rich privilege to enjoy the friendship of some of the great men of Maine that knew Abraham Lincoln. From them I learned much of his unwritten life. I was early honored with the friendship of Hannibal Hamlin. Governor, Congressman, Senator, VicePresident, he filled a large place in the history of his State and Nation. We young men that had his patient counsel, like best to remember him for his kindly nature, his bigness of heart, his rugged honesty, his grand American manhood. To us he was more than statesman. My debt to his memory can never be paid. He sat in the Maine House of Representatives with my grandfather and fought with him in the early battles for liberty. When the storm of war had clouded home and hearthstone, he gave the hand of friendship to my father on his way to Fredericksburg. He mourned with us when that ill-fated day was over. When the war had closed, and I had begun to stumble along, he took me by the hand and gave me a wealth of affection I never deserved. I come tonight to bring him no eulogy. History has done that. I would not be true to his memory if I were silent. He had much in common with the great Lincoln. Both were pioneers; both Nation-builders. Both were close to the people. Both were democratic in the broadest sense of the word. Both lived for the good of others. Both exemplified the underlying truth of humanity that life's best work is service, service to others, whether the talent be one or twenty. One cannot study the character of Lincoln without seeing in the shadows the outline of Hannibal Hamlin. They made a fitting combination in the fight for the rights of man in 1860. It was an honor to know Lot M. Morrill. Men loved him because of his gentle courtes...