A Few Appropriate Remarks

"House Divided" Sesqicentennial

A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free." A. Lincoln, "House Divided Speech," June 16, 1858.

Lincoln gave that speech in the Old State Capitol. The speech helped define the issues that led to the seven famous debates. In honor of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates 150th anniversary, the city of Springfield is hosting a Debates traveling exhibit, re-enactments of the debates, and several other events from June 14-16, 2008.

On Monday, June 16, Allen Guelzo (who recently wrote "Lincoln and Douglas") will be on hand to sign books and to provide commentary during historical readings by Lincoln-Douglas performers George Buss and Tim Connors. For tickets ($8), go to abelincolnmuseum.org or call (217) 558-8934.

Lincoln Docs coming to Smithsonian Exhibit

The Edward Everett copy of the Gettysburg Address, a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, and other docs will be on exhibit when "America's New Birth of Freedom" opens at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in January 2009.

That's the scoop I just read in the Spring 2008 issue of "Four Score and Seven," published by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. I couldn't find anything about it on the Smithsonian MoAH site.