He needs no praise of us, yet let us praise,
Albeit his simple soul we may offend,
That liked not praise, being most diffident;
Still let us praise him, praise him in such ways
As his were, and in words that shall transcend
Marble, and outlast any monument.

[Illustration: LINCOLN AS CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT

Photograph by Hesler, Chicago, Illinois, 1860]

Isaac Bassett Choate, born at South Otis Field, Maine, July 12, 1833.
Bachelor of Arts, Bowdoin College, 1862. Author of _Wild Birds and
Flowers_, 1895; _Wells of English_, 1892; _Obeyed the Camel Driver_,
1899; _Apollo's Guest_, 1907.

By special invitation from the faculty of the Alumni Association of
said College he read the following poem at their annual banquet held
on the centenary of Lincoln's birth, 1909:

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.

[Illustration: 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-F