tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262783067993808760.post3433513707068052733..comments2023-09-29T06:18:27.221-07:00Comments on Cosmic America: The Bixby LetterM. Keith Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02444898713867430753noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262783067993808760.post-12192103566267177742012-04-03T08:05:21.000-07:002012-04-03T08:05:21.000-07:00For a largely self-educated man, Lincoln wrote bea...For a largely self-educated man, Lincoln wrote beautifully. Each word and sentence is simple yet powerful - and endlessly quotable. So many of his phrasings become book titles - "Upon the Altar of Freedom" from this one, "For Us the Living," "Malice Toward None," "With Charity For All", "The Fiery Trial", "The Great Task Remaining Before Us." Even the USS Abraham Lincoln has the motto "Shall Not Perish." An amazing, incredible man. How fortunate Americans had such a figure in their history at the moment of its greatest challenge! That he died on Easter Sunday added to his near-divine status. <br><br>Fun fact: the current Constitution of France says "The principle of the Republic shall be: government of the people, by the people and for the people."Scott A. MacKenziehttp://theslaveholderswar.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262783067993808760.post-47139342265932314282012-04-03T08:06:30.000-07:002012-04-03T08:06:30.000-07:00Edward Steers Jr. in his book, Lincoln Legends - M...Edward Steers Jr. in his book, Lincoln Legends - Myths, Hoaxes and Confabulations Associated With Our Greatest President, pretty well lays to rest the story that the Bixby letter was written by John Hay. Apparently Hay himself told Robert Lincoln that he had no knowledge of the letter at the time it was written.Robert Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262783067993808760.post-51919554820093894992012-04-05T08:12:56.000-07:002012-04-05T08:12:56.000-07:00Even if written by Hay as secretary Hay wouldn'...Even if written by Hay as secretary Hay wouldn't have signed his own name on any official capacity so whether he penned it or it was transcribed from notes given him I would not find it peculiar. <br><br>Much offical military correspondance was rarely "written" by the commander but by an aid or staff officer and much was directed to a superior's aid, signed by the commander and undersigned by the man actually writing the report.Phillip M. Bryanthttp://phillipmbryant.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8262783067993808760.post-3649660659599887602012-04-22T03:19:20.000-07:002012-04-22T03:19:20.000-07:00Okay, I'm as big a Lincoln fan as the next guy...Okay, I'm as big a Lincoln fan as the next guy. But this letter both amuses and appalls me. Lincoln was very eloquent and philosophical when it came to other people's children fighting and dying, but he sure as heck pulled string to get his Ivy-League son stationed on Grant's staff. Whatever helps you sleep better at night, Honest Abe ...Will Hickoxnoreply@blogger.com