New Book on Declaration of Independence ~ Very Lincolnian

[Karen S. Campbell]

http://www.tnr.com/book/review/liberty-e...ce=The%20N

An interesting review of "For Liberty and Equality: The Life and Times of the Declaration of Independence" by Alexander Tsesis The review states that Tsesis' book is very "Lincolnian" in its interpretation of the Declaration of Independence. The book underlines the importance of Lincoln's interp of the Declaration in the following passage as well as in the "Gettysburg Address." The reviewer quotes Lincoln:

The assertion of that principle, at that time, was the word, ``fitly spoken'' which has proved an ``apple of gold'' to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple --- not the apple for the picture.

[1] AD, ORB. This fragment may have been written earlier than January, 1861. The only clue in the context as to a date is Lincoln's allusion to the metaphor in Proverbs 25:11, which Alexander Stephens had used in his letter to Lincoln of December 30, 1860 (vide supra), Lincoln to Stephens, December 22, note). No speech which employs the language of the fragment has been found, but it seems probable that Lincoln wrote the passage some time prior to or during the preparation of his First Inaugural Address.

Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.

[maharba]

The assertion of that principle, at that time, was the word, ``fitly spoken'' which has proved an ``apple of gold'' to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple --- not the apple for the picture.

[1] AD, ORB. This fragment may have been written earlier than January, 1861. The only clue in the context as to a date is Lincoln's allusion to the metaphor in Proverbs 25:11, which Alexander Stephens had used in his letter to Lincoln of December 30, 1860 (vide supra), Lincoln to Stephens, December 22, note). No speech which employs the language of the fragment has been found, but it seems probable that Lincoln wrote the passage some time prior to or during the preparation of his First Inaugural Address.>>

So that the 'apples of gold' possible jotted note to himself which Lincoln may have made, may have come from a Proverbs bible reference in a 1860 letter from Stephens to Lincoln? That does sound Lincolnian. Reading and skimming through material and noting interesting passages to himself --whether from Bible, Shakespeare, newspaper clippings, etc.
And then with plans to use them later on, possibly in a speech, or edict, or funeral oration, or similar.

[L Verge]

Again, the magic word "may," which to me means that we can only speculate and surmise - which leads us nowhere until we stumble upon facts.

[maharba]

On the subject of the Declaration of Independence, I wonder if Thomas Jefferson would have agreed with Lincoln's policies
and understanding of the Declaration? Lincoln made a claim very odd to me: that the Union existed before the states, and I think Lincoln was claiming that that (Union) was set in motion from the obscure 1774 Articles of Association. What might Jefferson have said about such claims, I wonder?