This is you at your best, Steve-- reminding us of the best of ourselves as Americans. I love this passage, "Lincoln binds the Americans of that time to finish the work of that desperate hour, and connects them to the fallen, and ultimately us to both of them. The connection between us extends beyond this moment in time. All Americans are connected together and stand on top of foundations that have been laid at great cost."
The last time I was in Washington, D.C., I went on a nighttime tour of monuments and memorials. Every site was amazing - the Washington Monument lit up at night like a beacon of hope, the Marine Corps War Memorial with its enormous bronze rendering of raising the flag on Iwo Jima - all of it sacred ground steeped in history.
But only two places made me cry: the MLK Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. MLK's statue emerges from the raw stone it was carved from, like the unfinished business he left behind. And Lincoln, sitting upon his enormous chair, his care-worn face cast slightly downward, is positively luminous at night in snow-white stone. His two greatest speeches are carved on the walls around him - the second inaugural, and the Gettysburg Address. To read those words, steps away from where MLK gave HIS greatest speech - "I Have a Dream" - is to read the closest thing to a religious text our country has, save for the Constitution.
Will we fulfill our duty to ensure that this beautiful, imperfect experiment we call America "shall not perish from the earth"? America is under attack now, as surely as she was at Gettysburg. I hope we have even a portion of the courage Lincoln spoke of. The alternative is the end of democracy as we have known it.
Just a few thoughts from the back of an envelope. So we had this idea, which Lincoln felt was noble and right. What did the confederacy think? Was the confederate idea about human rights as noble as the founding fathers? On what noble principles did the confederacy build their cause? So extend the Gettysburg address to 2022. What are the underlying principles of MAGA. How does its leader compare to Lincoln. I choose Lincoln. Let’s pray the America does as well.
It is a tight speech as speeches go. It takes the sacrifices made and makes them holy.
Again Lincoln issues a call to action, what they did needed to be followed by more sacrifices to preserve the Union. We need the same words now. Our current battlefield is not confined to Seminary Ridge and Cemetery Ridge. It is in every voting precinct, every letter, text or door knock. Are we fighting? I hope so.
If you wish to the original version edited by Lincoln , search the Library of Congress loc. gov for the Gettysburg address The original is housed there: this includes the final edits It is worth seeing how Lincoln reworked the phrasing
Some of the most important words about America ever written, and spoken. By one of the most important figures in American history. Oh, how his party has desecrated his words, deeds and beliefs. Tragic.
Thanks, Steve. Words are powerful, especially when they are expressed concisely. As Americans, we love to get lost in our own interpretations. We forget the main points of our founding that give us a North Star to guide us. Kind of like how Christians should go back and read the red-lettered words in the New Testament as a reminder of our command to always love one another rather than look for new ways to hate.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain served at Gettysburg and wrote “In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision place of souls...generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”
When I spent two days at Gettysburg (with a professional guide) I felt in my bones the ground was sacred. My great great Grandfather was injured fighting at Gettysburg.
Lincoln was a guiding light and his words inspired the generations that followed. He understood the gravity of the loss of life on both sides of the battlefield. He also knew when the carnage was ended we would have to bind the wounds that divided our nation. I believe if Lincoln was not assassinated our country would not have endured those dark days of reconstruction that continued to repress the freed slaves in the south for more than a century that followed.
I pray we have more to unite us than divides us as a country. However, when you have news outlets that distort and misrepresent the truth, it seems like the divide is greater than perhaps it truly is. I heard something so profound this morning that it gave me hope. What I heard was 85% of Republicans now believe if Donald Trump committed crimes he should be held responsible. Prayer must work because I have been asking for that to happen for what seems like ages. It was only one poll but if correct it means that maybe there is hope we can once again bind our wounds and heal as a nation. Our only path forward is as a whole nation not separated by lies and political strife. I wish we had a statesman that had the ability to inspire and unite the country. This is what is needed today.
Thanks Steve. Beyond the needed reminder of who we are and can be, my daughter is currently writing college application supplemental essays of 250 words. She has been struggling. It was an amazing reminder of the power of 261 words.
I remember that the first time I ever did public speaking in 8th grade speech class, the Gettysburg Address was what we were assigned. Like everyone the first time they get up and intentionally speak in front of people, my heart was in my throat and I was soaked in flopsweat. But as I got into it, I remembered my father telling me that my ancestor, Henry Clay Thomas, had "celebrated" his 16th birthday on Little Round Top on the second day of Gettysburg, and the words came easier. And at the end I wasn't sweating and my heart was back where it belonged and I have never had trouble getting up in front of people and speaking since. Thank you Mr. Lincoln.
And thank you Mr. Schmidt for bringing that memory back from long term storage.
Thanks to you, Mr. Schmidt, I have read Lincoln's address at Gettysburg just minutes ago. As always, it is a profound inspiration. You have the power of thought and the power of words to express those thoughts, and most of all, the vision to know when to express them.
I am 72 years old and I memorized The Address when I was 12. My mother memorized It in 1938 when she was 12 and she taught it to me, word by word, telling me about Lincoln and the history.. Mom told me that she became a Republican the day she recited those words in front of her class. I can imagine her, tall and skinny, filled with the passion of a young girl who had grown up hearing Civil War stories from her great grandfather (I saw his tombstone; born in 1843, died 1940). She would have been ashamed of what the Republican Party has become; I know I am.
This is you at your best, Steve-- reminding us of the best of ourselves as Americans. I love this passage, "Lincoln binds the Americans of that time to finish the work of that desperate hour, and connects them to the fallen, and ultimately us to both of them. The connection between us extends beyond this moment in time. All Americans are connected together and stand on top of foundations that have been laid at great cost."
The last time I was in Washington, D.C., I went on a nighttime tour of monuments and memorials. Every site was amazing - the Washington Monument lit up at night like a beacon of hope, the Marine Corps War Memorial with its enormous bronze rendering of raising the flag on Iwo Jima - all of it sacred ground steeped in history.
But only two places made me cry: the MLK Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. MLK's statue emerges from the raw stone it was carved from, like the unfinished business he left behind. And Lincoln, sitting upon his enormous chair, his care-worn face cast slightly downward, is positively luminous at night in snow-white stone. His two greatest speeches are carved on the walls around him - the second inaugural, and the Gettysburg Address. To read those words, steps away from where MLK gave HIS greatest speech - "I Have a Dream" - is to read the closest thing to a religious text our country has, save for the Constitution.
Will we fulfill our duty to ensure that this beautiful, imperfect experiment we call America "shall not perish from the earth"? America is under attack now, as surely as she was at Gettysburg. I hope we have even a portion of the courage Lincoln spoke of. The alternative is the end of democracy as we have known it.
Just a few thoughts from the back of an envelope. So we had this idea, which Lincoln felt was noble and right. What did the confederacy think? Was the confederate idea about human rights as noble as the founding fathers? On what noble principles did the confederacy build their cause? So extend the Gettysburg address to 2022. What are the underlying principles of MAGA. How does its leader compare to Lincoln. I choose Lincoln. Let’s pray the America does as well.
It is a tight speech as speeches go. It takes the sacrifices made and makes them holy.
Again Lincoln issues a call to action, what they did needed to be followed by more sacrifices to preserve the Union. We need the same words now. Our current battlefield is not confined to Seminary Ridge and Cemetery Ridge. It is in every voting precinct, every letter, text or door knock. Are we fighting? I hope so.
If you wish to the original version edited by Lincoln , search the Library of Congress loc. gov for the Gettysburg address The original is housed there: this includes the final edits It is worth seeing how Lincoln reworked the phrasing
Some of the most important words about America ever written, and spoken. By one of the most important figures in American history. Oh, how his party has desecrated his words, deeds and beliefs. Tragic.
To think that these "republicans" come from the Republican Abraham Lincoln is unfathomable. Another great essay. There is nothing more to be said.
I am always amazed at the profound elegance of your words that are able to describe the undescribable.
Thanks, Steve. Words are powerful, especially when they are expressed concisely. As Americans, we love to get lost in our own interpretations. We forget the main points of our founding that give us a North Star to guide us. Kind of like how Christians should go back and read the red-lettered words in the New Testament as a reminder of our command to always love one another rather than look for new ways to hate.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain served at Gettysburg and wrote “In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision place of souls...generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls.”
When I spent two days at Gettysburg (with a professional guide) I felt in my bones the ground was sacred. My great great Grandfather was injured fighting at Gettysburg.
Thank you Steve for once again placing front and center from whence we come. We must be resolute to ensure our democracy continues.
Lincoln was a guiding light and his words inspired the generations that followed. He understood the gravity of the loss of life on both sides of the battlefield. He also knew when the carnage was ended we would have to bind the wounds that divided our nation. I believe if Lincoln was not assassinated our country would not have endured those dark days of reconstruction that continued to repress the freed slaves in the south for more than a century that followed.
I pray we have more to unite us than divides us as a country. However, when you have news outlets that distort and misrepresent the truth, it seems like the divide is greater than perhaps it truly is. I heard something so profound this morning that it gave me hope. What I heard was 85% of Republicans now believe if Donald Trump committed crimes he should be held responsible. Prayer must work because I have been asking for that to happen for what seems like ages. It was only one poll but if correct it means that maybe there is hope we can once again bind our wounds and heal as a nation. Our only path forward is as a whole nation not separated by lies and political strife. I wish we had a statesman that had the ability to inspire and unite the country. This is what is needed today.
As always beautifully said.
Thanks Steve. Beyond the needed reminder of who we are and can be, my daughter is currently writing college application supplemental essays of 250 words. She has been struggling. It was an amazing reminder of the power of 261 words.
I remember that the first time I ever did public speaking in 8th grade speech class, the Gettysburg Address was what we were assigned. Like everyone the first time they get up and intentionally speak in front of people, my heart was in my throat and I was soaked in flopsweat. But as I got into it, I remembered my father telling me that my ancestor, Henry Clay Thomas, had "celebrated" his 16th birthday on Little Round Top on the second day of Gettysburg, and the words came easier. And at the end I wasn't sweating and my heart was back where it belonged and I have never had trouble getting up in front of people and speaking since. Thank you Mr. Lincoln.
And thank you Mr. Schmidt for bringing that memory back from long term storage.
Thanks to you, Mr. Schmidt, I have read Lincoln's address at Gettysburg just minutes ago. As always, it is a profound inspiration. You have the power of thought and the power of words to express those thoughts, and most of all, the vision to know when to express them.
I am 72 years old and I memorized The Address when I was 12. My mother memorized It in 1938 when she was 12 and she taught it to me, word by word, telling me about Lincoln and the history.. Mom told me that she became a Republican the day she recited those words in front of her class. I can imagine her, tall and skinny, filled with the passion of a young girl who had grown up hearing Civil War stories from her great grandfather (I saw his tombstone; born in 1843, died 1940). She would have been ashamed of what the Republican Party has become; I know I am.