Things Lincoln never said

[LincolnMan]

Mike That is a fascinating note to the comments as published in the book. What is the name of your book? Is it available on Amazon?

[Mike B.]

(12-13-2012 08:42 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Mike That is a fascinating note to the comments as published in the book. What is the name of your book? Is it available on Amazon?

Yes, Bill.
It is available on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Lincolns-Christian...ristianity

Thanks,
Mike Burkhimer

[LincolnMan]

Thanks Mike!

[Mark MacKenzie]

So I kept asking myself, "What do carrots have to do with anything?" I need to get better glasses. Ten carrots at that.

[RJNorton]

Another unproven Lincoln quote is in the news:

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/lo...f887a.html

[LincolnMan]

Another one that I don't think Lincoln said!

[RJNorton]

Here's another quote not said by Abraham Lincoln.

[LincolnMan]

Roger: you would think politicians would check the quotes for authenticity-but I guess not. I just arrived at work. A hospital employee just gave me this Lincoln quote:

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

I don't think Lincoln said it. Can you check it?

[RJNorton]

Bill, I researched that quote a few years ago and drew a total blank. Indeed it is attributed to Lincoln (some websites carry it), but I cannot find a source. A person at work was given a plaque with this quote on it and wanted to know if it was a legitimate Lincoln quote. When I tried to find a legitimate source I came up empty.

[LincolnMan]

Roger: thanks for sharing what you had found about the quote-or actually didn't find. Which means that it is doubtful he said it.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Could someone comment on the following quotes, please:

1. "Don't criticize them; they are just what we would be under similar circumstances"
(When/Where) Did Lincoln say this?

2. "The beetles wouldn't have much of a chance here." (to Col. J. G. Wilson about a
female singer's feet; D. H. Donald: "Lincoln", p.570)
It seems somewhat odd to me that Lincoln said so, is there any other source or
evidence?

[Rogerm]

Eva. I think Lincoln said something similar to your first quote. I believe he meant that if Northerners had grown up with slavery and an economy based upon it, they would probably would have defended it, just like the Southeners did. However, I can't give you a source for it right now. Unfortunately, I know nothing about your second quote.

[RJNorton]

I am with Roger on the first quote. I've seen the quote (and variations) attributed to Lincoln but don't think I have ever seen an original source for it.

David Herbert Donald's source for the second quote is an article by James Grant Wilson in the February 1909 edition of Putnam's Magazine. Wilson writes:

"I find in my diary, under date of Wednesday, March 15, 1865, the following entries: "Enjoyed an enjoyable afternoon drive with Mrs. S.A. Douglas. In the evening at Grover's Theatre, with the President, Mrs. Lincoln, and Miss Harris, listening to the opera of 'The Magic Flute,' and occupying a comfortable box. The President, alluding to the large feet of one of the leading female singers, which were also very flat, remarked, "The beetles wouldn't have much of a chance there!" When asked by Mrs. Lincoln to go before the last act of the opera was concluded, he said, "Oh no, I want to see it out. It's best when you understand a job to finish it."

Eva, I doubt there's another source for the quote. We just have to rely on Wilson's recollection. I should also note that in the Fehrenbachers' book, the authors write of Wilson, "There may be as much invention as remembrance in his recollected words of Lincoln." However, I would think that if the quote comes from a diary being kept in March 1865 there is a pretty reasonable chance the quote is accurate.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks to both of you. I read the first one 20 years ago in a book about psychology, without any source or origin given, and since then I've always considered this when dealing with people. Now I was rather surprised when I learned that Lincoln should have said this. I really think I should get a copy of the "Fehrenbacher".

[RJNorton]

I wonder if Mary was in the habit of asking to leave before the last act of performances the couple attended...