To Honor Lincoln

February 13, 2024

Of all the commendable qualities President Lincoln exhibited, to me his ability to communicate in a time of great division in our country is foremost. When Laura and Don moved to Northern Virginia, we made sightseeing trips to Washington, D.C. Of all the monuments we visited, the Lincoln Memorial is the most memorable. Every time I walked up those steps and stood in front of his statue, I felt that I was personally ushered into his presence. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I was awed by the words above him.

I learned there were many ideas as to where to place the memorial. A spot was chosen near the Potomac River. “It was next to the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building and would expand the National Mall. But it was also set apart from these structures. This would let people be ‘alone’ with Lincoln.” (Katie Clark, The Lincoln Memorial: Myths, Legends, and Facts, 12.)

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in view.

Daniel Chester French was chosen to be the sculptor for the statue. His first attempt was overshadowed by the large halls, and he wanted to change from bronze to marble. He made the statue from 28 blocks of marble from my home state of Georgia. That statue was 19 feet tall. The sculptor revealed the meaning behind Lincoln’s hands. One is a closed fist, and it stands for “Linoln’s determination.” The other hand is relaxed. French said the open hand stands for “his compassion.” (Clark, The Lincoln Memorial, 13.)

In a hall on each side of Lincoln’s statue, are two of Lincoln’s speeches carved on the walls. The south wall has the Gettysburg Address.

Virginia State Monument at Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil war and it was a turning point in the war. It’s hard to imagine such bloodshed—8,000 killed.

Gettysburg Battlefield today

Part of the battlefield was set aside for a cemetery for the fallen soldiers. People gathered to honor the soldiers and President Lincoln was asked to speak. The speaker before him talked for two hours. Lincoln’s speech was less than three minutes. Here are some of his memorable words—

“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.” (Carla Jablonski, The Story of Abraham Lincoln: A Biography Book for New Readers, 46.)

I memorized this famous speech when I was in the fifth grade, and I hope to have it re- memorized again soon.

The north wall has Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.

When I read a book for writers, I was fascinated that the author took a whole chapter to discuss this address from the writer’s standpoint. The author talked of Lincoln’s humility when he spoke. “. . . many in the nation were ready to celebrate loud and long . . . but Lincoln avoids any arrogant ‘I told you so.’” He instead spoke of “binding up the nation’s wounds,” and that they must “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 lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations.” (Andrew T. Le Peau, Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality, 163, 167.)

The Lincoln Memorial causes me to want to emulate a man who knew how to communicate, how to bring opposing sides together. It’s hard to imagine the feelings of the North and South after such a bloody war. Here is a man who spoke with compassion and wisdom.

To honor President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1809, I have chosen some verses that speak to me of our words. After all, Lincoln learned to read as a young boy with only several books available, one of which was the Bible.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak . . .” (James 1:19)

Jesus is speaking . . . reminding His disciples, and us, we have help! “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26)

A Prayer from a Psalm of David:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Statue of President Lincoln on the grounds of the Kansas Capitol