Reflections on 150 commemorations

[Sally]

After watching the events in and around Ford's Theater on April 14 & 15 (not in person, sadly, but via the live stream and C-Span), then after watching the funeral recreation in Springfield last weekend (again, thanks to C-Span), it got me wondering, What would Mr. Lincoln think of all this? Would he be embarrassed? Amused? Bemused?

So I just thought I'd throw the question out on the forum here to find out what others think? Any opinions? Thanks.

[RJNorton]

Hi Sally. Just guessing, but I think it might have been a combination of your suggestions. Your question reminded me of the final paragraph of William Hanchett's Lincoln Murder Conspiracies. Dr. Hanchett wrote, "A generation after Lincoln's death, the newspaperman and former Civil War correspondent, John Russell Young, imagined Lincoln imploring his old friends to save him from the public's unrealistic and unrestrained idolatry. "Save me," Young thought Lincoln might say, "save me, friends, from this slush called history."....Lincoln would not have enjoyed the extravagant and pseudoreligious praise being offered in his name by so many Americans."

My best guess is that he would have tried to "deflect" all the attention he was receiving in the commemorations by telling a story.

[Eva Elisabeth]

I agree, it would be a combination and depend on the very matter/incident in detail. Overall I think he would be proud that his efforts and dedication for the county and his difficult task (no other president had to lead through a civil war) are still acknowledged that much. And that his achievements in life belied his father's opposition to his desire to study. I am not sure he would be delighted about some of the misquotations that "abuse" his name, but to many incongruencies/oddities he would probably say: "I have endured a great deal of ridicule without much malice...I am used to it."

[LincolnToddFan]

WONDERFUL topic Sally. Roger and Eva E., I love and 100% agree with both your responses.

I want to add that in addition to wonder, amazement and embarrassment at how he has been mythologized by history, he'd also be somewhat saddened by what transpired in our country in the decades after his death.

And I would give my weight in gold to hear-or read-his response to the revisionist anti-Lincoln libertarians, civil rights militants, and Lost Cause advocates.