Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who knows in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect. Here and there across centuries come reports of men alleged to have these contrasts and the incomparable Abraham Lincoln, born 150 years ago this day, is an approach if not a perfect realization of this character.
In the time of the April lilacs in the year 1865, Lincoln’s death, the casket with his body was carried northwest a thousand miles and the American people wept as never before. During the four years he was President, he at times, especially in the first three months, took to himself the powers of a dictator. He commanded the most powerful armies then assembled in modem warfare. He enforced and cruised conscription of soldiers for the first time in American history.
And under imperative necessity, he abolished the wr
A. Indefinable peace.
B. Admirable perfect.
C. Paradox of extremes.
D. Stem but approachable.
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