Who wrote this?

[RJNorton]

Edwin Stanton?

[David Lockmiller]

(05-06-2025 07:09 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Edwin Stanton?

Not Stanton, Roger.

[David Lockmiller]

Hint #1: The actual words were written in French and much later translated into English.

[AussieMick]

Karl Marx?

[David Lockmiller]

(05-06-2025 01:55 PM)AussieMick Wrote:  Karl Marx?

No.

[Anita]

Based on Hint # 1 the person is Voltaire?

[David Lockmiller]

(05-06-2025 04:18 PM)Anita Wrote:  Based on Hint # 1 the person is Voltaire?

Not Voltaire.

---

IMPRESSIONS OF LINCOLN AND THE CIVIL WAR - A FOREIGNER'S ACCOUNT
By the Marquis Adolphe de Chambrun

Translated From the French By
General Aldebert de Chambrun

Random House, New York
First Printing
Copyright, 1952

The following is how a portion of Lincoln history and an astute character observation regarding Lincoln was almost lost. General Aldebert de Chambrun, the author's son wrote in the Preface to the book:

"It was not until my sister Therese died in Algiers only two years ago, after instituting me her Executor, I found among a heap of old magazines, maps and newspapers, a large dilapidated book. On opening it, my attention was at once arrested by these startling lines set down in my mother's familiar handwriting: ADOLPHE'S LETTERS TO ME FROM December 20, 1864 to June 13, 1865

Laying aside other occupations, I plunged into this record of far-off days, fascinated by the penetrating character study of President Lincoln, whose rare personality my father seems to have divined at their first meeting.

[David Lockmiller]

Marquis Adolphe de Chambrun letter to his wife dated February 27, 1865:

The happenings on Saturday were far more sensational. I went to see a certain Mr. Kennedy, director of the Census. . . . He told me that Mrs. Lincoln was receiving and that, if I wished, we might go together. . . . In brief, I accepted, dressed and started out for the White House. That was Saturday, February 25th, at three o'clock.

The reception was almost over. Many guests had already left. In we went. Upon entering the first parlor, I at once perceived a tall man standing near the door, surrounded by an atmosphere of great respect. No mistake was possible; it was Mr. Lincoln himself! Apparently, when there are so many visitors in Washington, as is now the case on account of the Union victories, the President is apt to come to his wife's receptions. What an anxious moment! Here I was alone, without anyone to help, obliged to say a polite word in English to each of them. No possibility of retreat, though. I had time, while waiting my turn, to observe Mr. Lincoln closely. He is exceedingly thin, not so very tall. His face denotes an immense force of resistance and extreme melancholy.

It is plain that this man has suffered deeply. His eyes are superb, large and with a very profound expression when he fixes them on you. It cannot be said that he is awkward; his simplicity is too great for that. He has no pretense to having worldly ways and is unused to society, but there is nothing shocking in this, quite the contrary. The elevation of his mind is too evident; his heroic sentiments are so apparent that one thinks of nothing else. Nobody could be less of a parvenu. As President of a mighty nation, he remains just the same as he must have appeared while felling trees in Illinois. But I must add that he dominates everyone present and maintains his exalted position without the slightest effort.

I waited fifteen minutes before Mr. Kennedy could bring me up to him and then managed to say that my whole heart was engaged on the side of his political ideals; that I participated enthusiastically in his present success and that of his armies, feeling, as I did, that Union victory was the victory of all mankind. This seemed to please him, for he took my hand in both of his as he said how glad he was to find his policies so well understood.

[book pages 20-22.]

[David Lockmiller]

Regarding a famous French song, what did the character of Victor Laszlo in the movie "Casablanca" have in common with what President Lincoln ordered in 1865?

I just happened to watch the movie recently and caught the connection to a particular passage in the book, IMPRESSIONS OF LINCOLN AND THE CIVIL WAR - A FOREIGNER'S ACCOUNT, by the Marquis Adolphe de Chambrun.

[AussieMick]

Laszlo tells the band leader to play The Marseillaise .... Lincoln liked Dixie, so I am guessing he ordered it be played.

[David Lockmiller]

(05-13-2025 05:05 PM)AussieMick Wrote:  Laszlo tells the band leader to play The Marseillaise .... Lincoln liked Dixie, so I am guessing he ordered it be played.

You are right and you are wrong. I anticipated the correct answer to be that both Victor Laszlo and the President of the United States Abraham Lincoln told the respective bands to play the Marseillaise.

Marquis Adolphe de Chambrun wrote [page 82]:

We were to leave City Point on Saturday, April 8, [1865]. A few hours previous to departure, a military band from Headquarters came on board the River Queen. After they had given us several pieces, Mr. Lincoln thought of the Marseillaise, for which he professed great liking, and asked to have it played. The French anthem was performed a second time; while turning toward me, Mr. Lincoln remarked: "You have to come over to America to hear it." [footnote 2 reads: The Marseillaise was proscribed in France during the Second Empire.] He then asked me if I had ever heard the rebel song Dixie, to the sound of which all the Southern attacks had been conducted. I replied in the negative. The President continued: ""That tune is now Federal property and it is good to show the rebels that, with us in power, they will be free to hear it again." So he told the surprised musicians to play it for us. Thus ended our last evening.

[AussieMick]

Hang on, hang on. I seek a re-count.
You asked what did the character of Victor Laszlo have in common with Lincoln.
David, where am I wrong?
Your quote has Lincoln saying "... it is good to show the rebels that, with us in power, they will be free to hear it again." So he told the surprised musicians to play it for us.

The point of Laszlo "ordering" the band to play The Marseillaise was to show the Germans that the French were not afraid to sing their Anthem. Lincoln was showing his own character in that the whole nation, even if it was a Southern favorite, could now hear Dixie played freely.

(my favorite film by the way, second to none. watched it perhaps 10 times)
https://www.google.com/search?q=casablan...RKKYg,st:0

[David Lockmiller]

(05-14-2025 03:24 AM)AussieMick Wrote:  David, where am I wrong?

I began my question with these words: "Regarding a famous French song,"

I wrote in my reply to your post: "You are right and you are wrong. I anticipated the correct answer to be that both Victor Laszlo and the President of the United States Abraham Lincoln told the respective bands to play the Marseillaise."

What you said was correct.

I wish that they would bring back the old style of making movies. One feels as a viewer that you are in the same room as the actors. Not any more . . . you would be too close to all the explosions and gunfire.

After watching Casablanca that night, I watched next on the same channel Key Largo, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Again, the viewer is in the same room . . . even with limited gunfire.