Are those stories about Mary abusive to Abraham overstated???

[STS Lincolnite]

(01-13-2020 04:55 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  The crowd seemed to enjoy the President's impromptu speech very much.

Lincoln seemed to have sort of a format he used for "impromptu speeches that weren't speeches." Below are his remarks on the evening of November 18, 1863 (the night before he gave his famous remarks at Gettysburg), as reported by the New York Tribune:

“I appear before you fellow citizens, merely to thank you for this compliment. The inference is a very fair one that you would hear me for a little while at least, were I to commence to make a speech. I do not appear before you for the purpose of doing so, and for several substantial reasons. The most substantial of these is that I have no speech to make. (Laughter from the crowd) In my position it is somewhat important that I should not say any foolish things. (person in the crowd yells out “If you can help it!”) -- Lincoln deftly picked up on the comment and continued--: “It very often happens that the only to help it is to say nothing at all (laughter again from the crowd) Believing that is my present condition this evening, I must beg you to excuse me from addressing you further.”

Sounds similar to the remarks that Mary apparently did not care for - his remarks on February 22, 1864 (as reported in The Daily National Republican):

"Ladies and Gentleman: I have appeared before you to apologize for not speaking rather than to speak.
This committee of yours has practised a little fraud upon me. (laughter) They did not intimate that I was expected to say anything and I am therefore totally unprepared to speak. And this taking one at a very great disadvantage, to be called up after the address of the eloquent gentleman whom we have listened, and the fine emanation of the poet who has just taken his seat.
But there is a greater objection. Everything I say, necessarly, in consequence of my position goes into print. (laughter) If it is foolish, it does not do me or the nation any good. If I make any mistakes it may do both myself and the nation harm. (applause) It is difficult to always say sensible things. I therefore hope that you will accept my sincere thanks for this charitable enterprise in which you are engaged. Withe the expression of this gratitude of mine, I hope that you will excuse me. (applause)."