jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,439
Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday and it used to be a national holiday but has now been merged with George Washington's birthday (February 22) and celebrated on a Monday in February as President's Day.
No matter. Let us honor today one of our greatest Presidents. On the eve of his birthday in 1861 (February 11, 1861), Lincoln left his adopted hometown of Springfield, Illionois on his way to Washington DC for his first Inaugural and made one of his great speeches, dubbed the Farewell Address. It was made somewhat extemporaneously (although every significant speech that Lincoln made had been carefully written beforehand). After the train pulled out of Springfield, reporter Henry Villard of the New York Herald asked him to put it paper and he did. Although there are different versions, this one is considered the authoritative version of the Farewell Address:
"My friends---No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."
***
Photos:
First photo shows Lincoln shortly before he left Springfield.
Second photo shows Lincoln outside of his home in October 1860.
Note: For further reading, I recommend Lincoln's Sword by Douglas Wilson (winner of the Lincoln Prize).
No matter. Let us honor today one of our greatest Presidents. On the eve of his birthday in 1861 (February 11, 1861), Lincoln left his adopted hometown of Springfield, Illionois on his way to Washington DC for his first Inaugural and made one of his great speeches, dubbed the Farewell Address. It was made somewhat extemporaneously (although every significant speech that Lincoln made had been carefully written beforehand). After the train pulled out of Springfield, reporter Henry Villard of the New York Herald asked him to put it paper and he did. Although there are different versions, this one is considered the authoritative version of the Farewell Address:
"My friends---No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."
***
Photos:
First photo shows Lincoln shortly before he left Springfield.
Second photo shows Lincoln outside of his home in October 1860.
Note: For further reading, I recommend Lincoln's Sword by Douglas Wilson (winner of the Lincoln Prize).
