e State Centennial
Commission, appointed by the Governor, working in conjunction with
the Lincoln Centennial Association. There were a number of distinct
events, but the most important were the great memorial exercises
held in the State Armory, at which addresses were made by Ambassadors
Jusserand and Bryce, and by Senator Dolliver and Mr. Bryan, and a
banquet served to eight hundred guests. The celebration was in
every way a great success, largely due to the efforts of Judge
Humphrey.

It was quite an event in the history of Springfield, as it was the
first time, so far as I know, that the Ambassadors of two great
Nations visited Springfield.

I regretted very much that I was so engaged in matters pertaining
to my official duties in Washington that it seemed impossible for
me to be present. I was requested to write something which could
be read at the banquet, and so I addressed to Judge Humphrey the
following letter:

"Washington, D. C.,
"_February 6, 1909_.

"Hon. J. Otis Humphrey,
"President Lincoln Centennial Association,
"Springfield, Illinois.

"My dear Judge:

"It is a matter of sincere regret to me that I am unable to be
present at your great anniversary celebration of the birth of the
immortal Lincoln, and to welcome to my home city the Ambassadors
of Great Britain and France and the distinguished guests who are
to be with you.

"Abraham Lincoln, greatest of Americans, greatest of men, emancipator,
martyr, his service to his country has not been equalled by any
American citizen, not even by Washington. His name and life have
been an inspiration to me from my earliest recollection.

"On this one hundredth anniversary of his birth, the people, without
regard to creed, color, condition, or section, in all parts of this
Union which he saved, are striving to do honor to his memory. No
American has ever before received such deserved universal praise.
Not only in his own country, but throughout the civilized world,
Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the few, the very few, truly
great men in history. His memory is as fresh to-day in the minds
and hearts of the people as it was forty years ago, and the passing
years only add to his fame and serve to give us a truer conception
of his noble character. The events of his life, his words of
wisdom, have been gathered together in countless volumes to be
treasured up and handed down to generations yet to come.

"I knew him intimately in Sprin