A Few Appropriate Remarks

Is This Guy Teetering on the Rail at Lincoln's Inauguration?

You've likely seen this picture of Abraham Lincoln during his Second Inaugural Address thousands of times:

But have you ever noticed that guy on the railing? Doesn't it look like if he sneezed, he'd fall off?

Emancipation Exhibit through March at Smithsonian

Today through March 22. Select documents on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library are now on exhibit at the Smithsonian: National Museum of American History.

America's New Birth of Freedom online exhibit is nicely done. The exhibit includes links to PDF copies of documents, including a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, and other new media features.

A House Divided Against Itself

The spoils of war in 1848, and a $15 million payment, meant that Mexico lost nearly half its territory. To some in the United States, Mexico had dumped its useless wasteland and the U.S. had been duped into paying for it. But to most, the acquisition of the Mexican territory was the culmination of Manifest Destiny--the fulfillment of the expansion across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, that was ordained by God.

But did God intend for this territory to be slaveholding or free?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act said that it was up to the people to decide. But Lincoln completely disagreed that "popular sovereignty" should be allowed to crush the inalienable right to liberty that the Declaration of Independence promised to all men, regardless of color.

"'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved--I do not expect the house to fall--but I do expect it will cease to be divided."

Read more about Lincoln's return to politics and his House Divided speech in an article I just posted to EverythingLincoln.com.

Gettysburg Address at National Museum

Through January 4, 2009, the White House copy of the Gettysburg Address will be on display at the National Museum of American History. It is one of only five copies in Lincoln's handwriting known to exist. Can't make it in person? Check out their online exhibit.

"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.

The Company You Keep

One of those bad boy bounty hunter reality cop shows was on the TV when I walked into the room. Of course, I got sucked into it for a moment before I gained the strength to propel myself from the room again. While staring at the TV, it occured to me that we tend to do what those around us do. We--corporately speaking--seldom rise above the general state of our peer group. I was reminded of the importance of the company that we keep.

Lincoln made this observation on the subject, in his Temperence Address:

"It is said by some, that men will think and act for themselves; that none will disuse spirits or anything else, merely because his neighbors do; and that moral influence is not that powerful engine contended for. Let us examine this. Let me ask the man who would maintain this position most stiffly, what compensation he will accept to go to church some Sunday and sit during the sermon with his wife's bonnet upon his head? Not a trifle, I'll venture. And why not? There would be nothing irreligious in it: nothing immoral, nothing uncomfortable. Then why not? It is not because there would be something egregiously unfashionable in it? Then it is the influence of fashion; and what is the influence of fashion, but the influence that other people's actions have [on our own]?"

February 22, 1842: Address delivered before the Springfield Washington Temperance Society [Collected Works, p. 277] 

Had Lincoln Used PowerPoint

This post is one that I'm carrying over from my old blog. Working in a corporate environment, I've seen the demise of both good writing and the power of oratory. Why? Blame it on PowerPoint--or, rather, on the refusal of my colleagues and managers to think about most anything unless it's presented as a PowerPoint deck.

What would have happened if Lincoln had been forced to use PowerPoint at the Gettysburg cemetery dedication? That's what Peter Norvig asked himself after he'd heard one too many presentations in which PowerPoint got in the way of what could have been a good speech. (By the way, Peter now works at Google, so I don't know whether he has to endure decks like this anymore.)

If your employer seems to live or die by PowerPoint, you're sure to love this deck of six slides. Start first by refreshing your memory about the real Gettysburg Address. Then, on to Peter's version...

The intro in the email my friend Diane forwarded to me really set the scene. I couldn't find it on Peter's site, so I've included it here:

Moderator: Please welcome President Abraham Lincoln. [Applause]

Lincoln: Good morning. Just a second while I get this connection to work. Do I press this button here? Function-F7? No, that's not right. Hmm. Maybe I'll have to reboot. Hold on a minute.

Well, while we're waiting, let me just say that my name is Lincoln and I'm your president. I want to thank Judge David Wills, chairman of the committee supervising the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery. It's great to be here, Dave. You and the committee are doing a great job.

...Gee, sometimes this technology does have its glitches, but we couldn't live without it, could we? Oh, there. Now it's ready. OK, here we go.

And now, the PowerPoint version of the Gettysburg Address.