Some of my posts are part of my daily musings. Since I don’t have a “Work in Progress” at the moment, I will be posting some of these musings.

11/19/24
Heather Cox Richardson, a noted columnist and historian,  in “Letters From an American” wrote this week about the Civil War aftermath at Gettysburg where more than 7000 were killed in the battle. She reminded her readers of Abraham Lincoln’s brief but powerful speech commemorating the battle and dedicating the land to those who had fallen while so valiantly fighting to save their country in the belief that “all men are created equal”.

Her words got me to thinking about Lincoln and his navigation through that time in America. Lincoln was a self-taught but well-educated man, grounded with what some might say ‘the wisdom of Solomon’. He held serious beliefs and convictions about what constituted a great nation. At the time of his Gettysburg Address, our nation was divided and in danger of losing all that our forefathers had fought for almost one hundred years previously (“Four score and Seven years ago”.)

Sleepless nights. Shaken beliefs. Anger as well as a deep sadness. All must have consumed Lincoln. Yet, he spoke that day of the strength of those convictions upon which our nation was founded. He confirmed the belief that we were a union of equality. Brave men had fought, and many had died to uphold that declaration.

I wonder what President Lincoln would say about the state of our Union today. Our recent presidential election has presented us by electoral college vote with a man whose weak ethics and loose morals have been publicly exposed and shared by the man himself in a bold, unflinching boast of self-righteousness.

He vows to rewrite the Constitution and restructure our democracy creating not a democracy, but an oligarchy. His power brooks no argument, allows no denial of his wishes, or even questions about his edicts. He has refused to sign the  required transition agreements. He has warned of retribution against any who dare speak against him.

“Lock them up”. “Gather the dangerous criminal immigrants and their families and send them back.” “Shut down the media.” “Send in the troops to enforce all new laws.”
I wonder what Honest Abe would say? Can such a nation long endure?