American Heritage Library


At Lincolns Tomb
by Everett McKinley Dirksen

On the night of Good Friday, 1865, he left usto join a blessed procession, in neither doubtnor fear, but his soul does indeed gomarching on. For this was the Bible-readinglad come out of wilderness, following aprairie star, filled with wonder at the worldand its Maker, who all his life, boy and man,not only knew the Twenty-third Psalm but,more importantly, knew the Shepherd.

Now it seems possible that we shall neversee his like again. This is a sobering thought,but it should be a kindling one, for upon usnow, as a people and a party, has been laidperhaps the greatest responsibility any nationwas ever asked to shoulder, yet certainly notgreater than we can bear.

Our days are no longer than were Lincoln's, our nights are no darker, and if thereis any difference between his time and this itlies in the tremendous advantage that is ours,that he stood so tall before us. In such a timeand at such a moment we surely can say then,from hopeful, brimful hearts:

We are standing, Father Abraham, devotedmillions strong, firm in the faith that wasyours and is ours, secure in the convictionbequeathed by you to us that right does makemight and that if we but dare to do our dutyas we understand it, we shall not onlysurvive
--we shall prevail.

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