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June 30, 2012

"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected?"

Abraham_Lincoln_by_wendelin.jpg

I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgement of Courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice. This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it now exists in ours, though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth, and an insult to our intelligence, to deny. -- Lincoln, 1838 Lyceum Speech

Posted by gerardvanderleun at June 30, 2012 8:52 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Well. Kind of hard to think of a comment for that.

Posted by: rickl at June 30, 2012 9:23 AM

Not really. This speech (1838) was given 4 years into a depression and war (mexican war) and the US would not exit the depression until 1860. Many years of chaos leading to the Civil War. These are interesting times. Feel familiar?

Posted by: Anonymous at June 30, 2012 3:33 PM

Old Abe knew that the danger from men of towering ambition was more powerful than that from external foes. And yes, Anonymous, these are interesting times.

Posted by: Jimmy J. at June 30, 2012 8:05 PM

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