News: Lincoln Day Address, Maryland State Senate

Senator Nancy Jacobs
February 15, 1999

On February 27th, 1860, a country lawyer, little known outside his home in Illinois, addressed the Young Men's Central Republican Union in New York City. He was testing the waters for a campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America.

The man appeared before a sold-out auditorium of 1,500 spectators, who had gathered to listen to speeches by prospective presidential candidates. Although he stood on the podium with leaders who inspired greatness, expectations for this prairie lawyer were low. One reporter's description reflected the crowd's unflattering mood toward the man:

"When he rose to speak, I was greatly disappointed. The long, ungainly figure, upon which hung clothes that...were largely the work of an unskilled tailor; the large feet, the clumsy hands...made a picture which did not fit in with New York's conception of a finished statesmen. His voice was high and piercing from the outset."

This was the description of the man the people saw. However, let it be known that on that night, Abraham Lincoln challenged mankind forever with these words:

"LET US HAVE FAITH THAT RIGHT MAKES MIGHT, AND IN THAT FAITH, LET US, TO THE END, DARE TO DO OUR DUTY AS WE UNDERSTAND IT."

Thunderous applause erupted throughout Lincoln's speech, and when he had concluded, the audience, while waving hats and handkerchiefs overhead, gave this lowly country lawyer a standing ovation. The seeds of freedom had been sown.

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, esteemed guests, thank you for this opportunity to honor the legacy of our nation's sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln, the GREAT Emancipator.

At a time when America is desperate for strong, virtuous leadership, Lincoln's life is an inspiration to us all. No modern day hero can compare with the unyielding qualities of leadership captured in the person of Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln's own words and deeds define the noble ideal of leadership. Tonight, I would like to share with you the leadership genius of this great man.

Abraham Lincoln was a man of great principle.

Lincoln's anguish over slavery and the Confederacy's unequal treatment of man guided his administration and served as a beacon for the direction of his policies.

His commitment was simple and direct.

"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this," concluded Lincoln, "is not democracy."

Throughout his campaign, he condemned slavery as a vast moral evil and blight on the national landscape. Once in office, the Republican Party became the party of Lincoln - the Party that denounced the Dred Scott decision, reaffirmed the "all equal" clause of the Declaration of Independence and worked to abolish slavery from the face of our nation.

When faced with a question regarding the spread of slavery, Lincoln answered that there was "no possible compromise on it."

He insisted that his fellow Republicans should, "on that point, hold firm, as with a chain of steel." To his final breath, Lincoln adhered to his principles. Abraham Lincoln was a man of great compassion to friend and foe alike.

"I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing," said the Commander-in-Chief. Whether it is in his record-setting number of pardons or his approach to the defeated Confederacy, Lincoln knew that there was no purpose in seeking revenge for the sake of revenge. However, his compassion did not express weakness, but was the precursor to a modern day tough love. Yet this spirit of forgiveness allowed him to begin the process of rebuilding--more effectively--that which was ravaged by war.

As Lincoln said, "We are not enemies, but friends. We must NOT be enemies. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

Abraham Lincoln was a humble public servant...

From the very beginning of his career, Lincoln was recognized for his modest life and his unassuming manner.

"I'll do the very best I can, the very best I know how," said Lincoln. "And I mean to keep doing so till the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

"I confess I do not fully understand and foresee it all. But I am placed where I am, obliged to the best of my poor ability to deal with it. And that being the case, I can only go just as fast as I can see how to go."

Abraham Lincoln perpetuated a vision and inspired greatness in others...

In 1864, the President visited battle-weary soldiers in an attempt to encourage them. He wanted them to know that neither he nor the nation had forgotten them; and he wanted to remind them of the importance of what they were fighting for. Lincoln told the 166th Ohio Regiment:

"It is not merely for today, but for all time to come, that we should perpetuate for our children's children this great and free government, which we have enjoyed all our lives. I beg you, remember this, not merely for my sake, but for yours."

"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order that each of you may have, through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise, and intelligence; that you may all have equal privileges in the race of life, with all its desirable human aspirations. It is for this, that the struggle should be maintained...THE NATION IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR."

And finally, Abraham Lincoln was a man who recognized his dependence on a sovereign God and drew on His strength to govern.

During the violent days of the Civil War, Lincoln said these words: "I have been driven many times tomy knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom seemed insufficient for that day. It is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence, and if I can learn what it is, I will do it.
As we reflect on his legacy, his meaning to our country today, let us remember that Abraham Lincoln truly "belongs to the ages." He is a shining example to every elected official and public servant in America.
His leadership is real. It is eternal.

The very words Lincoln used to inspire then can echo in this chamber tonight to challenge us, as we stand on the doorstep of a new millennium:

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history...The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just - a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."

May we here in this assembly tonight accept Lincoln’s challenge of leadership and rededicate ourselves to these timeless principles.

Thank you.