Abraham Lincoln Quote 12/19/07

The full letter is at the link. An introduction is below:

During the Civil War, Union supporters in President Abraham Lincoln's hometown of Springfield, Illinois, asked him to speak at a rally on September 3, 1863. Lincoln could not attend but wrote this letter to be read at the gathering by his long-time friend, James C. Conkling. The letter was accompanied by a brief note which read, "I cannot leave here now. Herewith is a letter instead. You are one of the best public readers. I have but one suggestion. Read it very slowly. And now God bless you, and all good Union-men."

Shortly after the rally, John Murray Forbes wrote to Lincoln, referring to the letter and the Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863. Forbes declared that the letter "will live in history side by side with your proclamation." He noted, "It meets the fears of the timid and the doubts of the reformer. It proves that the Proclamation and the policy resulting from it are the most conservative, both of liberty and of our form of government."

This is another good quote from Mr Lincoln, he was truly a good president.

Thanks for the quote. We have come a long way since then.

You'll be able to quote him for years. A wise man only speaks when he has something of value to say... and everything Lincoln said had value.

Have you read the book about Lincoln that came out recently? I can't remember the author's name, but I've been curious about it.

Landen - you'll have to be more specific about the Lincoln book that came out recently...believe it or not there are still 6-10 major books that come out each year on the man...and lots of lesser tomes. I can't keep up with them all, but I do try to get signed first editions whenever I can.

Servant ~ that word isn't even implied these days, our politicians are all about careers. Lincoln would be ashamed.

Now if we can get the canidates to read this quote, it would be a good thing

Rosa - Unfortunately it appears you are right. Granted, times have changed and there certainly were a lot of politicians in Lincoln's day that were more interested in power than service, but it would be nice if our current representatives tried a little harder.

Deborah - Hmmm, I wonder if there are any folks from the House or Senate that are on Gather? It would be a way for them to see what real people think. Obviously it would be their staffers that would do the actual reading, but many of them (staffers and Congressmen/women) could benefit from a daily dose of Abraham Lincoln.

Good one!

Thank you...Abraham Lincoln was certainly a special man.

Hi Julie - I missed you earlier...always glad to share my morning with you.

Busy day today - conference calls, treating my staff to lunch, meeting old friends for dinner...fa la la la la, la la la la...

I wish more of our leaders would consider themselves servants and not above the law. This country would be in a much better place.

I really love this Lincoln quote, in fact I almost used it once--but I leave his quotes for you my friend...thanks for sharing them Dave.

I see the meaning behind the old saying. thanks for the reminder

thank you

Great quote. Thanks for sharing.

Words of wisdom for anyone who seeks the office.

However, it seems there is always a small group who "claims" that a sitting president isn't upholding the Constitution. These claims abound these days but when confronted to explain how, they have no answer.

Excellent quote! Thanks!

Sounds like what my family thinks of my responsibility to them!! Forever!!

Nice. Accountability. What a concept!

Ivan - unfortunately, party politics means there will always be contrarians. It was as true in Lincoln's time as it is today. Still, I believe that many politicians desire to do the right thing (though they may disagree on what that is).

Kimberly - Hmm, perhaps a reminder to your family about "personal responsibility" is in order. :)

Stacie - a little accountability goes a long way.

I'm with Rosa. ANd all. And, I believe in the concept that we owe our first resposibility to that which has endowed us, through creationism. But, unfortunately, as for what any of them might think if they were on gather and saw what the people really think, I believe they already have taken that into consideeration. In fact, that is why this conversation takes place. They have taken it into consideration, and developed a scheme. Talk about it. And talk, and talk, and talk..... Cirlcle. Semi-circles. Just talk, talk talk. Why else do you think this conversation exist? I can't see why anyone could conclude that most of them really want to do thie right thing. If they tried to do the right thing they would wound up on a slab, more likely than not, if they didn't get that condition back under control, real quick, before it's too late. Capreesh? Think outside of the Box.
Historically speaking, men of greatness have always had their way of speaking the truth, right before our very eyes. But as obscure as it was, apparently it is always overlooked. It seems that most want to adhere to believe in that which is not really the truth at all, and act as if they percieve it to be, unquestionably, the truth. Knowing all along to the contrary.
Take for an example, football and other highly popular spectator sports. The truth was investigated and broadcast on public telivision that if not for the gambling aspects of these intensely governmentally regulated activities, they would not survive. Now what does that tell you? That it is just those scum bag bookies from the "hood" breaking all the laws, surrounding it, and his $20 a week gambling addicted clients? Not me. I know better. It's the gladiators all over again. Rome, built the second time around. According to scripture, at that. Wow, and now just look. The woman have their own cigarette now, baby. We have come a long way, haven't we. And when in Rome....?
MMMMMMMMM!

good quote

Destin - Pardon me if I'm appear ignorant, but I cannot understand at all what you are trying to communicate.

Thanks Ashley

In its context an even more revealing quote about the man.