Twelve score and six years ago our founding fathers (and founding mothers) brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in hypocrisy, and dedicated to the proposition that most white men were created equal, but women, Blacks and Indians were subhuman and much less than equal.
Now we are engaged in a great cultural war, testing whether this nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war, called Washington, D.C. Many of us have come to protest on a portion of that field. A chamber where those who raised enough money to get elected can further their dreams of power, glory, and greed. Our enemies would strip us of the little democracy that is left in our country. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should protest this attack on our democracy; though it will probably not make much difference and may only end up with us getting beaten and clubbed.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot succumb — we cannot give up — we cannot forget– this ground. Brave men and women, living and dead, have struggled here before us, have protested here before us. From those honored protestors who have gone before us, we make increased devotion to the cause for which some gave their last full measure. It is perhaps far above our ability to add or detract from their valiant efforts.
The world may little note, nor long care what we say here. It will all too soon forget what we tried to do here as well. But let us not surrender to world opinion. As Americans one and all, we must be dedicated to the great task still remaining; to make this nation truly proper to be called a nation of justice, equality, and freedom.
We here highly resolve that those living, and dead shall not have struggled or died in vain. That this country, under manifold Gods, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that a democratic government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from this earth. And that someday, America will manifest the dream of Martin Luther King to become a country where little children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
——————————————————————————————————-
Aging Capriciously 
Jun 06, 2022 @ 08:10:11
The words of Abraham Lincoln are transported to modern America through the keyboard computer by of the fertile mind of John Persico.
The news of current events disheartens me and I often wonder what Persico, the Sage, will report to his followers. Will he open Pandora’s Box and see the remaining Virtue of Hope? Will he point to the hypocrisy we claim as good for all of us?
He did it today. I await the next missive to quiet the noise of the madness. Because I sense evil is rampant in this world, I pray for God to help us.
LikeLike
Jun 06, 2022 @ 09:01:54
Thanks Socorro for the kind comments. I hope prayer works because nothing else seems to.
LikeLike
Jun 06, 2022 @ 11:32:43
Well done, John. I may be mistaken, but I believe the Founding Fathers were only counting white men who were property owners, which left plenty of white men with not much more voice than all women, and all Blacks and Native Americans. I’m quite sure that many who are happily brandishing their guns because of their “constitutional right” have no idea that they wouldn’t have had the vote in those days! For the record, prayers (and thoughts) don’t seem to be having a big impact on curbing gun violence or bringing people to their senses. They need to vote out the hypocrites who do whatever they think will get them votes (and money), regardless of the lies and moral morass they encourage.
LikeLike
Jun 06, 2022 @ 17:05:14
HI Jane, thanks for the insightful comment. I agree we need to vote them out but I do not think it will happen. I am writing a blog now on gun control. I am making an argument that I have not seen but perhaps others have made. I will look forward to your comments on it when I publish it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jun 06, 2022 @ 18:48:06
You can count on it! I saw a terrific gun-control approach suggested on social media recently. Perhaps I’ll write a blog about it as an alternative for you. 😏😊
LikeLike
Jun 07, 2022 @ 07:42:15
Jane, that would be great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jun 06, 2022 @ 19:23:08
Whilst holidaying in the USA recently I took this photograph at the Lincoln Memorial of a young boy reading Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address about the evil of slavery. I found the solitary figure and his concentration quite moving. The Gettysburg Address was on the other wall.
Perhaps there is hope?….
(Note: I can’t work out how to post the photograph – it was one boy intently reading Lincoln’s address)
LikeLike
Jun 07, 2022 @ 07:43:10
Love to see the picture. Send it to me if you can and I will post it on my page as a PS
LikeLike
Jun 07, 2022 @ 14:58:29
Here is the link to the photograph at the Lincoln Memorial – hopefully!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jun 07, 2022 @ 21:35:44
Hi, no link. Can you resend it or send it to my email at persico.john@gmail.com
LikeLiked by 1 person