Two hundred and forty
years ago a new nation was founded; the United State of America. Many years have gone by since the Congressional
delegates from the thirteen original colonies debated and amended “The Declaration
of Independence;” and although we live in a new era, it is sometime interesting
to note that the words and wisdom of the past can apply to our present
world. Below I have rewritten excerpts of
various speeches from two of my favorite presidents of yesteryear; Abraham
Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Their words, written for events taking place during their terms, still
ring true today. The excerpts were taken
from a book entitled, By These Words by Paul M. Angel (1954, Rand
McNally & Co.-New York)
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Lincoln:
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| Mike and Jodi at Lincoln's Tomb - 2013 |
*An excerpt from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address - November 19, 1863
But,
in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow
– this ground. The brave men, living and
dead, who struggle here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add
or detract. The world will little note,
nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did
here. It is for us the living, rather,
to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have
thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather
for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from
these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave
the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead
shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new
birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people, shall not perish from the earth.
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| The 1865 Inaugural Address-Click to enlarge and see Abe |
*The end of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1865
With
malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God
gives us the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up
the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for
his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and
a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
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Roosevelt:
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| FDR's Four Freedoms Speech - 1941 |
*Excerpts from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s message to Congress – January 6,
1941
(Eleven months before Japan bombed
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii)
In
times like these it is immature – and incidentally, untrue – for anybody to
brag that an unprepared America, singlehanded, and with one hand tied behind
its back, can hold off the whole world.
No
realistic American can expect from a dictator’s peace international generosity,
or return of true independence, or world disarmament, or freedom of expression,
or freedom of religion – or even good business.
Such
a peace would bring no security for us or our neighbors. “Those, who would give up essential liberty
to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
As
a nation, we may take pride in the fact that we are softhearted; but we cannot
afford to be softheaded.
We
must always be wary of those who with sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal
preach the “ism” of appeasement.
We
must especially beware of that small group of selfish men who would clip the
wings of the American eagle in order to feather their own nests.
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In
the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world
founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The
first is freedom of speech and expression – everywhere in the world.
The
second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way – everywhere in
the world.
The
third is freedom from want – which, translated into world terms, means economic
understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for
its inhabitants – everywhere in the world.
The
fourth is freedom from fear – which, translated into world terms, means a
world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough
fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical
aggression against any neighbor – anywhere in the world.
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This
nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions
of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights
everywhere. Our support goes to those
who struggle to gain those rights or keep them.
Our strength is our unity of purpose.
To
that high concept there can be no end save victory.
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“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)
See
you along The Way…
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