Gettysburg Address

[AussieMick]

Steve, I think the phrase "drawing a long bow" comes to mind when reading that article.
But ... but .... but. If Lincoln did borrow/ plagiarise (call it what you like) the phrase ... I guess the rabbi would have had just cause for claiming to have had some input to one of ("the", IMO) greatest speeches. (But then many others have also suggested that the Address has echoes of other great speeches. Example, Pericles' funeral oration as related in Thucydides.)

If he did use the phrase following reading the Rabbi's words ... It would tell me that Lincoln kept a wide grasp of texts and opinions. It would tell me that he was astute enough to recognise a powerful collection of words. It would tell me that he loved the way certain words came together to portray the exact quality he was seeking.

(That Newhart clip is pure gold, BTW , Gene)