December 25, 1860: Christmas with Mr. Lincoln.

[Condem]

Man. I was never aware of the Jesus Christ/Abraham Lincoln parallels. I cannot begin to imagine what was going through this man's head that holiday. All presidents are faced with daunting tasks but not to the degree that Lincoln faced. The Union's fate and the grand experiment of democracy hung in the balance. Very few (General William Sherman being one) saw what was coming in the gathering storm. But nothing forecasted the incredible carnage the country would face in the coming years. I still wonder where Lincoln found the fortitude. Merry Christmas, DU!
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/christmas-with-lincoln/?hp

[Lucinda]

1. Interesting stuff. I hadn't run across the parallels either.

I've always assumed he just put one foot in front of the other and met each day as it came. His character really wouldn't allow him to do anything less. The stress must have been incredible though. I've really enjoyed the NYT series. Truly made me feel as if I was there as it happened.

[EFerrari]

2. Check out Lord Raglan's Hero Pattern.

1. Hero's mother is a royal virgin;
2. His father is a king, and
3. Often a near relative of his mother, but
4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and
5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god.
6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, but
7. he is spirited away, and
8. Reared by foster -parents in a far country.
9. We are told nothing of his childhood, but
10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom.
11. After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast,
12. He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and
13. And becomes king.
14. For a time he reigns uneventfully and
15. Prescribes laws, but
16. Later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and
17. Is driven from the throne and city, after which
18. He meets with a mysterious death,
19. Often at the top of a hill,
20. His children, if any do not succeed him.
21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless
22. He has one or more holy sepulchres.

http://department.monm.edu/classics/courses/Clas230/MythDocuments/HeroPattern/default.htm

[hootinholler]

3. I wish Harpers would reproduce the issues over the next several years.

Being drawn to ephemera, somewhere I have a few copies of Harpers from the era (late 1862-ish IIRC). Rather boring weeks in the grand struggle, but interesting in their own way.

-Hoot

[Condem]

4. I received The New York Times Complete Civil War, last night, hoot....

..with the companion DVD-ROM. An epic 500 plus page tome that was published this year. Edited by Harold Holzer and Craig Symonds. Foreword by President Bill Clinton. Every article that appeared in The Grey Lady. The gift that keeps on giving.

[hootinholler]

5. Nice reference!

I know you'll enjoy it.

-Hoot

[bluestate10]

6. Of all our Presidents, Lincoln was the best writer of speeches.

Lincoln's address at Gettysburg stand for all time as a great speech. Short on time, but rich with imagery, timelessness and significance.

[Lucian]

7. Of course one of those guys actually existed...

the other is a myth, a fable.

[Condem]

8. I'm pretty sure Lincoln existed, Lucian.

I don't think you can get around that.