Mention of Lincoln in The Australian newspaper

[AussieMick]

There's often a mention and I really thought I ought to at least pass this one on.
It shows that Lincoln's ideas reverberate still ...

"But it is worth remembering that Abraham Lincoln, in declaring that “A house divided against itself cannot stand”, warned that the nation’s utmost need was to understand “where we are and whither we are tending”. As we enter a period of high tension, Australians deserve better than another leap in the dark."

("Why voice referendum can’t afford to repeat error of 1967", The Australian, Henry Ergas ... behind a Paywall I think )

It comes at the end of an article concerned with a Referendum which will occur here in Nov/Dec. "Alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration? "

On the face of it this makes sense. Indigenous peoples have suffered thru poor facilities and ineffective welfare. There are though issues to be considered (and Yes supporters will argue they are all covered) ...

How will the people expressing that 'Voice' be chosen? (Many Australians claim to have Indigenous ancestry)

Will the executive arm of Govt (i.e the 'Management' people) as well as Parliament need to take note of the "Voice".

What if the Govt chooses not to do as the "Voice" wishes? (the Constitution is the supreme decider)

Importantly ... some people believe that this alteration would introduce a racial divide in that Indigenous people would have a "Voice" to Parliament, but the other Australians would not.

If interested in more ...
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconc...arliament/

https://deakin.libguides.com/voice-to-parliament/no

[David Lockmiller]

(06-03-2023 03:36 AM)AussieMick Wrote:  Indigenous peoples have suffered thru poor facilities and ineffective welfare.

The Australian Reconciliation Barometer – our two-yearly survey on attitudes to reconciliation – shows consistent and strong support.

80% of the general Australian community believe the creation of a national representative Indigenous body is important

86% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people believe it is important

79% of general community believe such a body should be protected under the constitution.

87% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people believe such a body should be protected under the constitution.


The following is from a post I made to the the thread titled "Re: President Lincoln and the Sioux Indian Uprising in 1862" at post # 112 on June 7, 2017:

Episcopal Bishop Henry B. Whipple lobbied the President to reform the corrupt Indian agency system. In the spring of 1862, the bishop had recommended more humane treatment of the Minnesota Sioux. Lincoln promptly asked the secretary of the Interior to investigate, which he did and suggested numerous reforms.

The President told a friend that Whipple "came here the other day and talked with me about the rascality of this Indian business until I felt it down to my boots."

In reply to Whipple's appeal, Lincoln characteristically recounted a story:

"Bishop, a man thought that monkeys could pick cotton better than Negroes could because they were quicker and their fingers smaller. He turned a lot of them into his cotton field, but he found that it took two overseers to watch one monkey. It needs more than one honest man to watch one Indian agent."

[President Lincoln] pledged to Bishop Whipple that "[i]f we get through this war, and if I live, this Indian system shall be reformed."

(Henry B. Whipple, "Light and Shadows of a Long Episcopate,etc.," pages 136-137.

So, at least two things would have been different had Lincoln lived: Reconstruction and the treatment of native Americans. [emphasis added today April 23, 2020.]