On the 22nd of October, 1887, this statue by Saint Gaudens was
unveiled, Mr. Eli Bates donating $40,000 for that purpose. There is a
vast oval of cut stone, thirty by sixty feet, the interior fashioned
to form a classic bench, and the statue stands on a stone pedestal.
The sculptor represents him as an orator, just risen from his chair,
which is shown behind him, and waiting for the audience to become
quiet before beginning his speech. The attitude is that always assumed
by Lincoln at the beginning--one hand behind him, and the other
grasping the lapel of his coat. He appears the very incarnation of
rugged grandeur which held the master mind of this age.
Charles Graham Halpin (Miles O'Reilly) was born near Oldcastle, County
of Meath, Ireland, November 20, 1829. Graduated from Trinity College,
Dublin, in 1846. He entered the field of journalism as a profession
and soon gained a reputation in England. Came to New York in 1852 and
secured employment with the _Herald_, was later connected with other
papers. Enlisted in April, 1861, and became lieutenant of Colonel
Corcoran's 69th Regiment, rising to the rank of brigadier-general. He
died in New York City, August 3, 1868.