Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-16
LincoIn's Example

lincoIn's Example
President Roosevelt, speaking at a
dinner OF the White House Core
spondentS' Association on Friday eve
ming, quoted again from President
Lincoln's second annual message to
Congress, December ], 1862. He had
referred to the same document on
several previous occasions Some ex-
PLANTATION Of the meaning Of the COM
munication perhaps may help toward
more general comprehension of the
significance of his latest citation OF it.
The message opens with an admis-
sion that "it has not pleased the Al
mighty to bless us with a return of
peace but promptly observes: 1--WE
can but press on, guided by the best
light He gives us, trusting that in His
own good time and wise way all will
yet be we'll" Lincoln then plunges
into a frank consideration of the eff
fects of "our domestic difficulties"
abroad He comedies: THE civil war.
which has so radically changed for
the moment the occupations and
habits OF the American people, has
necessarily disturbed the social con-
dltlon and affected very deeply the
prosperity OF the nations with which
we have carried on a commerce that
has been steadily increasing through
out a period Of half a century. It
mas at the same time excited political
ambitions and apprehensions which
have produced profound agitation
throughout the civilized world. In
this unusual agitation we have fore
borne from taking part in any con-
troVersy between foreign states and
between parties or factions in such
states"
Following Immediately after this
exposition of his policy with respect
to other communities of the globe
there Is developed plan for mutual
conventions" for the adjustment of
complaints. The main theme of the
message, however, is the pronounce
ment generally known as the Eman-
clpatlon Proclamation, OF which a
copy Is attached. Lincoln nowhere
Is more distinctively philosophic than
IN the passages beginning: "A ma
ton may be said to consist of its ter
rltory, Its people and its laws" He
argues with abundant reason: THAT
portion of the earth's surface which
Is owned and inhabited by the people
OF the United States Is we'll adapted
TO be the home of one national fam
~, and 1t is not we'll adapted for two
or more. Its vast extent and its
variety OF climate and productions
are OF advantage in this age for one
people, whatever they might have
been in former years. Steam. tele-
graphs and intelligence have brought
theSe to be an advantageous combi-
nation for one united people,"
Lincoln next appeals to Congress-
Tor amendments to the Constitution
providing for the freeing of chattel
slaves with compensation to their
owners and for "colonizing free COL
ored persons with their own consent
al any place or places without the
United States" Asking Indulgence
to discuss these proposed articles at
some length" he launches into an
exposition which makes inspiring
reaolng even now. Typical of his
atnrmatlons are those which run.
In times like the present men should
utter nothing for which they would
not willingly be responsible through
time and in eternity" and THE occa-
SION is piled high with diff1cultv. and
we must rise with the occasion. Az
Our case is new, SO we must think
anew and act anew"
Such is the background against
which Lincoln originally wrote the
message from which President Roose-
welt recalls the declaration: Fellow
cltlzens, we cannot escape history.
We OF this Congress and this admin
lStratlon will be remembered in spite
OF ourselves. The fiery trial
through which we pass will light
us - in honor or dishonor, to the
latest generation" The leader of
the American people In the prevail
ing conflict constructively repeats
with justified emphasis the thought
of his great predecessor.