Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln

[Zomby Woof]

195 years ago, the greatest orator and writer to ever ascend to the presidency was born. I offer the following excerpt from his second inaugural address, perhaps the greatest speech ever delivered upon a swearing in of a president:

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, urgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

[Insider]

1. able abe

a REAL president

:party::bounce::bounce::party:

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. It is the greatest speech ever! Thanks Zomby for reminding us all.

:hug: Laura

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

3. Thanks Zomby

from 'The Land of Lincoln'.

[Westegg]

4. Yes, I thank you too. Great speech. Great man.

I recommend a book called "Abraham Lincoln: His Speeches and Writings," edited by Roy Basler and with a preface by Carl Sandburg. Originally published in 1946, but I got a paperback version from Da Capo press for about $6 at a used book store. A worthy addition to any library.