The Matchless Lincoln
From out the ranks of common men he rose—
Himself of common elements, yet fine—
As in a wood of different species grows
Above all other trees the lordly pine,
Upon whose branches rest the winter snows,
Upon whose head warm beams of summer shine;
His was the heart to feel the people's woes
And his the hand to hold the builder's line;
Strong, patient, wise and great,
Born ruler of the State.
Among a mountain group one sovereign peak
Will tower aloft unto commanding height
As if more distant view abroad to seek—
First one to hail, last one to speed the light;
Those granite sides will snows of winter streak
E'en in the summer with their purest white;—
Silent, serene, that summit yet will speak
Of loftiest grandeur to the enraptured sight;
So Lincoln's greatness shone
Supreme, unmatched, alone.
LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
Photograph, Springfield, Ill., 1860
Charlotte Becker was born and has always lived in Buffalo, New York. She was educated in private schools and in Europe, and has written poems for Harper's Magazine, The Metropolitan, The American, Life, etc., besides a number of songs which have been set to music by Amy Woodfords-Finden, C. B. Hawley, Whitney Coombs and others.