Let's hear it for me and my craftiness.... by milford

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Let's hear it for me and my craftiness....

POSTED BY: MILFORD
UPDATED: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 04:25
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VIEWED: 1314
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Monday, February 13, 2006 11:37 AM

In my lecture on Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address today I actually worked in the phrase: "Might have been on the losing side, not convinced it was the wrong one." No one got the reference but a few students lit up like I had just elucidated a point they had missed previously.

Feelin good about myself today for that.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Monday, February 13, 2006 2:52 PM

DONCOAT

That was mighty cunning!

May I ask in what context you used that line?

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I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Monday, February 13, 2006 2:55 PM

RIVER6213

Very clever.

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Monday, February 13, 2006 5:39 PM

FOLLOWMAL

I second DonCoat's question.

And that was mighty crafty.

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 4:09 AM

MILFORD

Sure. If you're familiar with the context of the speech you'll know that Lincoln thought the North was on the ropes. The casualties were approaching 600,000 and they were running out of soldiers, enough to have to institute a draft. Lincoln was feeling pressure to do anything to get the war to a quick end.

Taking that into consideration, a lot of what Lincoln says in the address could almost be seen as an admition of defeat, but not wrongdoing. Lincoln writes, "Neither party expected for the war th magnitute or the duration which ti has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease." Lots of Mal-type weariness there, but not much quit. Lincoln goes on to say, "It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged." A quick stab at the intitution of slavery, ensuring that the audience understands that regardless of the outcome of the war, the side of freedom is the right one. Later, he adds, "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this might scourge of war may speedily pass away." Facing the aforementioned pressure from politicians, and the added pressure from the public due to the enormous loss of life, Lincoln had to face the fact that the Union may not be reunited, that he may have to accept a divided nation. In the face of that, he still asserts his position against slavery. In essence admitting that he may be on the losing side, but he's not convinced it's the wrong one.

How's that?

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:31 AM

DONCOAT

Ah, now I see. I'd forgotten that Abe suggested a possible failed outcome of the war in the second inaugural. That's not a part of the speech that's often quoted.

Makes much more sense in that context, and the Mal quote is truly a propos.

Thanks.

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I don't disagree on any particular point.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 8:47 AM

FOLLOWMAL

Thanks Milford, I understand now how the quote fits. I had never read that part of the speech, even though I've done a fair amount of studying the Civil War and Lincoln at my Dad's table. He was quite the Civil War buff. By the way, my Dad would have loved Mal and co. He would have liked you got the quote in too.

" You hold. Hold til I get back." Mal

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 10:20 AM

MILFORD

Thanks FollowMal, I appreciate it much.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006 1:25 PM

ZISKER

Very slick - and now we're better informed about history! Can you ever imagine any president getting up in this day and age and saying something like that?

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:02 AM

MILFORD

Not too well received these days, I would imagine. By the way, I like your signature, Adams is great.

Remember, that but for one trifling exception, the entire universe is made up of others.- Oliver Wendall Holmes

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Wednesday, February 15, 2006 4:25 AM

CALLMESERENITY

Very nice, Milford! Clever and crafty!

Serenity, First Officer of Destiny
President of the Juggled Gosling Chatroom

I have a live journal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/callmeserenity/

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