Autocratic egotism, whether framed in national or personal will, among many or few, must perish from the earth, with all its spoils and masteries, before there can be any possible "government of the people, for the people and by the people." As "a house divided against itself cannot stand," so, a civilization cannot stand whose humanity is divided into the three special interests known to us as individuals, the nation and an alien world. The human task of conscience and reason, made clear in the progress of experience, finds the humanity of child, mother and man in all its relations and interests, or it has not found God or the meaning of the Universe. Human peace and salvation are gained, not only through persuasion, education and regeneration, but also that the composing conditions of "peace on earth" shall be made materially safe for "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Physically, as well as spiritually, the faith that is "without works is dead." The righteousness that allows its right to be defeated is not righteous, and the conscience that permits the crimes of inhumanity is no less unlawful before man and God. In such conditions, the prophet cried out, "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood." The American democracy of Washington and Lincoln, with their hosts of devoted associates, means individual righteousness and responsibility making safe the free-born mind for a moral world. What is an American and why so is the patriotic and religious interest developed through ages of sacrifice and suffering. Only those who are willing "to give the last full measure of devotion" to that divine work are heirs to the humanity of Washington and Lincoln, and who are thus entitled to be named Americans, or are worthy to share the heritage of America. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Wonderful Story of Lincoln, by Charles M. Stevens