by David K.
Member since:
April 29, 2007

Abraham Lincoln Quote 2/19/08

February 19, 2008 07:13 AM EST (Updated: February 19, 2008 07:23 AM EST)
views: 48 | comments: 26

"If all do not join now to save the good old ship of the Union on this voyage nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage."

Abraham Lincoln, "Speech at Cleveland, Ohio" (February 15, 1861) [A speech given a month before taking the oath of office of President for the first time]
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Comments: 26

Landen Michaels Feb 19, 2008, 7:17am EST
There's nothing like a good nautical reference...
Kathy W. Feb 19, 2008, 7:21am EST
This quote hums and sings "Row, Row, Row the Boat" and "All Hands On Deck" to me!
It will take a majority of people to remove the powers that feed the corporations and powerbrokers currently in office. Of the people, By the People, and FOR the people, please. If we're not going to live by the words, we ought not to make our children study them as though they are still living, operational truth.
Wilka
David K. Feb 19, 2008, 7:25am EST
Lincoln was asking both for the people to rally around the Union and for soldiers to fight as the number of states seceding or threatening to secede increased.
Chuck M. Feb 19, 2008, 7:27am EST
Good one!
Larry M. Feb 19, 2008, 7:30am EST
Lincoln was right, as was usually the case. Our present difficulties, though not so obviously a threat to the nation, are more insidious. The only real solution rather than just a temporary easing of the danger is described in my novel "Invisible Hand" which I have published here on Gather. Please read it to see the nature of the threat as well as the detailed solution, so simple yet to hidden from our consideration.

The complete novel is also available online at:

http://www.unc.edu/~mason/hand.html

where there are no ads.
J W. Feb 19, 2008, 7:32am EST
good quote
donna h. Feb 19, 2008, 7:51am EST
Also, wasn't England just waiting for the chance(kinda) for nah-nah..they wanted to see this country fail.
David K. Feb 19, 2008, 8:05am EST
Donna - The UK never quite gave up on retaking the US.
John S. (arizona) Feb 19, 2008, 9:25am EST
From what I recall, Britain did have observers(?) in the South, but didn't risk getting involved directly unless the Confederacy was a sure bet. They would have to run a blockade to support, so chose the avenue of "wait and see"....
I also think there was some smuggling of weapons from there.
Chris W. Feb 19, 2008, 9:35am EST
brits admired the "aristocratic" tradition of the southern land, and wanted the supply of cheap cotton to feed their industry. On the other hand, the presence of slavery made it impossible to support the south, in the absence of a clear and lasting provocation from the union. so they stayed on the fence.
Jeanie C. Feb 19, 2008, 9:57am EST
Gotta love the jump ship inference! Thanks
David K. Feb 19, 2008, 10:07am EST
I found the following in a quick search so not sure about whether it reflects actuality:

The British position was set in stone from the beginning of the war, neutrality. Britain had far too much to lose and almost nothing to gain from any other position.
Sammie B. Feb 19, 2008, 12:21pm EST
Great quote. Thanks for sharing.
David K. Feb 19, 2008, 12:23pm EST
Lincoln is always good for a tantalizing quote.
Nancy 67 Feb 19, 2008, 2:01pm EST
Amen, Abe! "United we win; divided we fall."
Carol Roach Feb 19, 2008, 2:07pm EST
well I am sure somebody else would have eventually, never say never.
David K. Feb 19, 2008, 4:06pm EST
Good afternoon Julie - glad you came around. Busy day today.
Emma L. Feb 19, 2008, 4:43pm EST
Great quote! My understanding is that the British hoped the South would win, or at least remain separate, thereby making the US a smaller, weaker country. I also think some of it had to do with trade- they wanted cotton and tobacco from the South.
Dawn V. Feb 19, 2008, 5:43pm EST
Lincoln quotes are always great! I used to work with a professor who was a Lincoln scholar, and picked up quite a bit of information on him through that... :)
David W. Feb 19, 2008, 8:43pm EST
This seems to apply to the now.
Jan S. Feb 20, 2008, 8:24pm EST
Still true today. Who will best pilot our ship through dangerous waters, to prosperous ports and safe harbors?
David K. Feb 20, 2008, 9:16pm EST
Lincoln was a wise man.
Roger Kiser Feb 20, 2008, 9:20pm EST
One day Lincoln was told "You are two-faced." He replied, "If I was two-faced, do you think I would be using this one."
David K. Feb 21, 2008, 7:47am EST
Good one Roger

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