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"Duty of Government"
The first duty of a government is to be true to itself. This
does not mean perfection -- it means a plan to strive for
perfection. It means loyalty to ideals. The ideals of America
were set out in the Declaration of Independence and adopted in the
Constitution. They did not represent perfection at hand, but
perfection found. The fundamental principle was freedom. The
fathers knew that this was not yet apprehended. They formed a
government firm in the faith that it was ever to press toward this
high mark. In selfishness, in greed, in lust for gain, it turned
aside. Enslaving others, it became itself enslaved. Bondage in
one part consumed freedom in all parts. The government of the
fathers, ceasing to be true to itself, was perishing. Five
score and ten years ago, that divine providence which infinite
repetition has made only the more a miracle, sent into the world a
new life destined to save a nation. No star, no sign foretold his
coming. About his cradle all was poor and mean, save only the
source of all great men, the love of a wonderful woman. When she
faded away in his tender years from her deathbed in humble poverty,
she [endowed] her son with greatness. There can be no proper
observance of a birthday which forgets the mother. Into his
origin, as into his life, men long have looked and wondered. In
wisdom great, but in humility greater, in justice strong, but in
compassion stronger, he became a leader of men by being a follower
of the truth. He overcame evil with good. His presence filled the
nation. He broke the might of oppression. He restored a race to
its birthright.
His mortal frame has vanished, but his spirit increases with
the increasing years the richest legacy of the greatest century.
Men show by what they worship what they are. It is no accident
that before the great example of American manhood, our people stand
with respect and reverence. In Abraham Lincoln is revealed our
ideal -- the hope of our country fulfilled. He was the incarnation
of what America was to be. Through him, the Almighty bestowed upon
the nation a new birth of freedom that this dear land of ours might
be returned to the health of its fathers.
We are the beneficiaries of a life of surpassing service.
Wise in wisdom and gentle in gentleness. Freedom has many sides
and angles. Human slavery has been swept away. With security of
personal rights has come security of property rights. The freedom
of the human mind is recognized in the right to free speech and
free press. The public schools have made education possible for
all and ignorance a disgrace. In political affairs, the vote of
the humblest has long counted for as much as the vote of the most
exalted. We are working towards the day when, in our industrial
life, equal honor shall fall to equal endeavor.
Duty is collective as well as personal. Law must rest on the
eternal foundations of righteousness. Industry, thrift, character,
cannot be conferred by act or resolve. Government cannot relieve
from toil. Do the day's work. If it be to protect the rights of
the weak -- whoever objects -- do it. If it be to help a powerful
corporation better to serve the people -- whatever the opposition -
- do that. Expect to be called a stand patter, but don't be a
stand patter. Expect to be called a demagogue, but don't be a
demagogue. We need a broader, firmer, deeper faith in the people,
a faith that men desire to do right -- that the government is
founded upon a righteousness which will endure.
Listen to this recording.
Listen to this recording.