Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Bill, but it's not Sumner.

[David Lockmiller]

Who wrote in a letter the following words, to whom, from where, and when?

I can’t write any more today. I may see you before long — I don’t know — & so I won’t waste time by telling you what you must know as well as I do.

I believe Lincoln is well understood by the people. . . .

Bancroft’s address was a disgraceful exhibition of ignorance and prejudice. His effeminate nature shrinks instinctively from the contact of a great reality like Lincoln's character.

I consider Lincoln Republicanism incarnate — with all its faults and all its virtues. And in spite of some rudenesses, Republicanism is the sole hope of a sick world, so Lincoln with all his foibles, is the greatest character since Christ.

[End of letter]

[RJNorton]

David, please let us finish one trivia question before beginning another. Thanks.


Hint #1: This person has been mentioned many times on this forum beginning in 2012.

Hint #2: The quote I used was reported by his sister.

Hint #3: I could probably have logically put my trivia question in another trivia thread.

[Susan Higginbotham]

John Wilkes Booth?

[RJNorton]

Kudos, Susan. Yes, these words were reported by John Wilkes Booth's sister, Asia.

[David Lockmiller]

David, please let us finish one trivia question before beginning another. Thanks.

I apologize, Roger. In the past, I have not participated very much in this thread. I will not make the same mistake again.

[Rob Wick]

I knew it was a Southerner, but I thought Booth would have been too easy. Well-played, Roger!

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

I knew it was a Southerner, but I thought Booth would have been too easy. Well-played, Roger!

Best
Rob

Thanks, Rob. Indeed I did not think it would last as long as it did.

[RJNorton]

David, regarding your question...this was obviously written by a person who greatly admired Lincoln, so I shall guess Grant.

[David Lockmiller]

David, regarding your question...this was obviously written by a person who greatly admired Lincoln, so I shall guess Grant.

Grant is not the correct answer, Roger.

Hints 1 & 2: The letter was written in Paris, France (not Illinois) in September, 1866.

[Susan Higginbotham]

John Hay?

[David Lockmiller]

John Hay?

Susan, John Hay is the correct answer.

John Hay to William H. Herndon.
Paris, September 5. 1866.

The letter reads in the beginning:

My Dear Mr. Herndon

I am so constantly busy that I have had no quiet day in which I write you what you desired in your letter several months ago. I have been Chargč d'Affaires nearly all summer, my day filled with official business and my night with social engagements equally imperative. Even now, I write because I am ashamed to wait any longer and have a few minutes disposable. I will answer your questions as you put them without any attempt at arrangement.

[RJNorton]

No googling, please.

What is the name of the person who noted the following about President Lincoln?

"He was not a born king of men but a child of the common people, who made himself a great persuader, therefore a leader, by dint of firm resolve, patient effort, and dogged perseverance. He slowly won his way to eminence and fame by doing the work that lay next to him – doing it with all his growing might – doing it as well as he could, and learning by his failure, when failure was encountered, how to do it better."

[AussieMick]

I'll try Walt Whitman (must be him one of these questions and the words do , I think, sound like him .... )

[RJNorton]

Good guess, Michael, but it's not Whitman.

Hint #1: This man was well-known in the business he was in. If I mentioned the business, I think folks would get the answer right away.