author - "Abraham Lincoln"
ld be intimately known to every man engaged in the hardpractical work of American political life. It is difficult tooverstate how much it means to a nation to have as the twoforemost figures in its history men like Washington and Lincoln.It is good for every man in any way concerned in public life tofeel that the highest ambition any American can possibly havewill be gratified just in proportion as he raises himself towardthe standards set by these two men.
It is a very poor thing, whether for nations or individuals, toadvance the history of great deeds done in the past as an excusefor doing poorly in the present; but it is an excellent thing tostudy the history of the great deeds of the past, and of thegreat men who did them, with an earnest desire to profit therebyso as to render better service in the present. In theiressentials, the men of the present day are much like the men ofthe past, and the live issues of the present can be faced tobetter advantage by men who have in good faith st
ld be intimately known to every man engaged in the hardpractical work of American political life. It is difficult tooverstate how much it means to a nation to have as the twoforemost figures in its history men like Washington and Lincoln.It is good for every man in any way concerned in public life tofeel that the highest ambition any American can possibly havewill be gratified just in proportion as he raises himself towardthe standards set by these two men.
It is a very poor thing, whether for nations or individuals, toadvance the history of great deeds done in the past as an excusefor doing poorly in the present; but it is an excellent thing tostudy the history of the great deeds of the past, and of thegreat men who did them, with an earnest desire to profit therebyso as to render better service in the present. In theiressentials, the men of the present day are much like the men ofthe past, and the live issues of the present can be faced tobetter advantage by men who have in good faith st