Abraham Lincoln statues

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to David Lockmiller for sending these images. David writes, "The first photo of Lincoln is from Springfield. The rest of the photos were taken today at the Lincoln statue outside of City Hall in San Francisco."

[LincolnMan]

Beautiful. Thanks for posting!

[Gene C]

Wow!
I think the artist did a great job. I see in Lincoln's face a wise, tired but determined, caring man.

Thanks David

[David Lockmiller]

(01-27-2020 07:29 AM)Gene C Wrote:  Wow!
I think the artist did a great job. I see in Lincoln's face a wise, tired but determined, caring man.

Thanks David

Thanks, Roger, for posting the photographs. And, I agree with your assessment of the artist's work, Gene.

The name of the artist is Haig Patigian (Armenian: Հայկ Բադիկեան; January 22, 1876 – September 19, 1950). He was an Armenian-American sculptor. The artist recognition is on the base of the sculpture (not photographed). Given the artist's date of birth, memories of Abraham Lincoln and what he meant to the nation must have still been fresh in the thoughts of many Americans at the time.

I have a feeling that this is how Lincoln must have appeared to the many common American citizens that participated in Lincoln's "public baths" and also the many distinguished men and women who consulted with Lincoln on important matters of state.

[LincolnMan]

I'm intrigued by the inscription on the base noting the "Lincoln Grammar School Association of San Francisco." Wonder what it's history was? I'm sure it must no longer exist.

[Gene C]

(02-17-2020 07:48 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  I'm intrigued by the inscription on the base

Me too.
This reminds me of a song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rOw4JQqs6A

I'd like to buy a vowel. A "U"

[LincolnMan]

Wow Gene. Cool link--- but I couldn't spend 15 minutes listening to all that-lol.

[LincolnMan]

Well, the subject of Lincoln statues has certainly been in the news as of late. The statues are being reevaluated for good or bad as well as Mr. Lincoln himself. Not necessarily a bad thing. If our leaders cannot withstand honest and fair scrutiny by succeeding generations then they are not worthy of our veneration. Obviously, I don’t approve of destroying statues. My hope is that at some point those who would destroy would be open and honest enough to learn and consider the history of the person that the statue represents. A little for that I see.

[Gene C]

Unfortunately, the lives of those who want to tear the statues down lack most of the personal characteristics of the people the statues were built to commemorate.

No wonder they want to tear them down. They don't, and never will measure up in comparison.

[LincolnMan]

Sadly, I fear you are correct Gene.

[LincolnMan]

I am aware that that will be a new Lincoln statue in Kalamazoo, Michigan soon. Has anyone heard of any other new Lincoln statues being proposed or already placed?

[LincolnMan]

And another Lincoln statue was torn down in Portland yesterday. However, Lincoln’s stature never can be.

[David Lockmiller]

(10-12-2020 03:26 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  And another Lincoln statue was torn down in Portland yesterday. However, Lincoln’s stature never can be.

Portland protesters pull down statues of Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln

Protesters spray-painted "Dakota 38" on the base of Lincoln's statue, referencing the 38 Dakota men Lincoln approved to have hanged after the men were involved in a violent conflict with white settlers in Minnesota.

If these people knew about the "Dakota 38," they must also have known about all of the accused Indians sentenced to execution that President Lincoln personally saved.

Some of our American historians should loudly protest this injustice to President Abraham Lincoln.

[LincolnMan]

I thought the exact same thing David. I just get weary of it all.

[Steve]

Here is Lincoln's 11 Dec. 1862 statement to the Senate on the Indians to be executed:

Anxious to not act with so much clemency as to encourage another outbreak on the one hand, nor with so much severity as to be real cruelty on the other, I caused a careful examination of the records of trials to be made, in view of first ordering the execution of such as had been proved guilty of violating females. Contrary to my expectations, only two of this class were found. I then directed a further examination, and a classification of all who were proven to have participated in massacres, as distinguished from participation in battles. This class numbered forty, and included the two convicted of female violation. One of the number is strongly recommended by the commission which tried them for commutation to ten years' imprisonment. I have ordered the other thirty-nine to be executed on Friday, the 19th instant.

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/document...-the-state

Lincoln pardoned/commuted the death sentences of 265 of the 303 Dakota men condemned. (He also later pardoned one of the 39 mentioned in the letter to the Senate after evidence came to his attention questioning the man's guilt.)

After the 1864 midterm election, Minnesota Senator Alexander Ramsey told Lincoln that Republicans could have gotten a larger electoral majority in the state if Lincoln had allowed the execution of more Indians. Lincoln told Ramsey, simply:

"I could not afford to hang men for votes."

source: Alexander Ramsey diary - November 23, 1864 entry