Giving Hope to All

More of Abraham Lincoln's thinking that Barack Obama and other Democratic politicians must have missed in their intensive study of his life and works.

From his first Annual Message to Congress as president, December 3, 1861 (emphasis added):

There is not, of necessity, any such thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition for life. Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few years back in their lives, were hired laborers. The prudent, penniless beginner in the world, labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself; then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just, and generous, and prosperous system, which opens the way to all — gives hope to all, and consequent energy, and progress, and improvement of condition to all. No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from poverty — none less inclined to take, or touch, aught which they have not honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political power which they already possess, and which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close the door of advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities and burdens upon them, till all of liberty shall be lost.

As I've said before, So much for those who say that Lincoln would be a Democrat were he alive today.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sat. 04/04/09 08:12:36 AM
Categorized as Historical & Political & Speeches and Suchlike.