“We pass over the silly remarks of the President; for the credit of the nation, we are willing that the veil of oblivion be dropped over them.” – O. Barrett, Editor
Another prominent publication suggested this:
“The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat, dish-watery utterances of the President of the United States.” –W.F. Storey, Editor
Many journalists and political opponents stooped to derogatory nicknames for the President of the United States: perjurer, liar, robber, thief, swindler, braggart, tyrant, buffoon, and land pirate.
Unfortunately, that President of the United States did not live long enough to see the reverse in public opinion regarding his presidential legacy and impact. Those scathing words weren’t written about a modern president—they were written about Abraham Lincoln.
This Wednesday is the 162nd anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. President Lincoln’s two-minute talk, delivered on November 19, 1863, is considered one of the most inspirational speeches in American history. In fewer than 300 words, Lincoln honored thousands who gave their lives to preserve the Union and bring an end to slavery. School children have been required to memorize that speech for over a century.
There were actually two speeches given that day at Gettysburg. One was highly anticipated; the other was a reluctant concession to protocol. One lasted two hours; the other less than two minutes. The two-hour speech was delivered by Edward Everett — a former minister who had been president of Harvard, served as Secretary of State, and represented Massachusetts as a U.S. Senator.
Following Everett’s oration, the president was scheduled to offer brief dedicatory remarks. Everyone knows the name of the second speaker. Yet few today remember the name Edward Everett, and far fewer can quote a single line from his two-hour address. Everett himself understood why. He wrote Lincoln the next day and requested a copy of the speech:
“I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.”
However, political opponents and many in the media failed to recognize the greatness of Lincoln’s remarks. They despised him. In addition to the insults listed above, others called him “Original Gorilla,” “Ignoramus Abe,” “Illinois Baboon,” “Old Scoundrel,” “Long-legged donkey,” and “Long Shanks.” Their contempt blinded them to the speech’s significance.
Along with the Chicago Times (1863) declaring it “silly, flat, dish-watery utterances…” and the Patriot & Union (1863) calling them “silly remarks,” the London Times (1863) even wrote: “Anything more dull and commonplace it would not be easy to reproduce.”
Only in 2013 — 150 years later — did the Patriot & Union (now the Patriot-News) publish this retraction:
“Seven score and ten years ago, the forefathers of this media institution brought forth to its audience a judgment so flawed, so tainted by hubris, so lacking in the perspective that history would bring… The Patriot & Union failed to recognize the speech’s momentous importance, timeless eloquence, and lasting significance. The Patriot-News regrets the error.”
The lessons for us? The media gets things wrong. So don’t be easily swayed by media opinions.
The press confidently declared the Covid vaccine “100% effective,” insisted the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation, and amplified predictions that global warming would submerge the East Coast by 2020.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 warns there will come a time when people will be so hardened by sin that “God sends them a powerful delusion so they will believe the lie.”
Be perceptive. Don’t believe everything you hear in the news. Certainly don’t believe everything you read on social media. And now, with artificial intelligence, you can’t automatically trust everything you see with your own eyes.
Jesus Christ is the one and only source of truth. “So, Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:1–2).
Preachers, don’t let critics discourage you. Harsh words often reveal more about the critic than about the preacher. Keep preaching the truth in love.
Armchair Critics, choose your words carefully. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). Your criticism may make you look foolish when the day of judgment comes.
Genuine Believers, be perceptive and acknowledge truth. Like Edward Everett, be perceptive enough to acknowledge truth when you see it. It may come from an unexpected source.
Bob Russell is Retried Senior Minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.
See the Gettysburg Address here in this December Word & Work.