Lincoln’s Life: A Small Glimpse into an early pro-life voice

In April 1865, the sixteenth President of the United States of America was shot at close range by a gunman’s bullet.  His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, lived in dread of a day like that happening.  Lincoln himself wasn’t unaware that his days were probably numbered and marked by an enemy. In his role as a leader in the abolishment of slavery in the United States of America, he knew he was making enemies. 
There have been many books written about Abraham Lincoln regarding his personal, professional and public life.  His tall black top hat and his height and long lanky body are legendary.  Some say he may have suffered from a physical disorder which gave him his lanky looks. 
Lincoln’s physical appearance alone would have made him stand out in the small crowd of presidents.  But, we don’t generally set our standards for remembering heroes just on their looks.  Looks fade and become unimportant in time.

He is remembered for his speeches.  His short speech at the dedication of the Gettysburg burial ground is of great value to orators today.  The words are timeless and are applicable to the memory of every person who has ever gone into battle for a good cause.

Lincoln’s hatred of slavery was well known even before he ran for office.  The Civil War didn’t erupt over-night.  The embers were smoldering for years before the flames of war broke out into a raging, devastating fire.

As children, we remembered Lincoln in schools with black construction paper silhouettes of our two most famous presidents, George and Abraham, side by side on every February bulletin board.  They were stapled to my bulletin boards when I taught also.  A cursory understanding of his actions (and George’s) should help us to remember that he is more than just a caricature face for advertising campaigns or a picture of a man in a black suit and funny hat that the child in charge of the February calendar would put in place instead of the number 12.
A recent popular movie, bearing Lincoln’s name as the title, gives insight into a short period of time, in Lincoln’s life and our nation’s, which actually changed the way we live today.  Would someone else have fought so hard that his name is synonymous with the actions to abolish slavery?  A civil war under one’s presidency would have one remembered.  But his accomplishments go beyond ending that war.

Whether or not the dialog in the movie is from historical records or the paraphrasing by screen writers, there are two scenes in the movie that drew my attention for reasons other than the fight against slavery.  Lincoln was not only a freedom fighter for the people of his time, but for people of all time, even the unborn.

This information is brought out in a movie that was produced by two names not associated with the pro-life movement.  In fact, the two main producers are often associated politically with having strong ties to pro-choice and pro-abortion candidates.  Lincoln, if he lived today, they may have even campaigned against.  Because, as demonstrated, at least in the movie’s dialog, Lincoln had concern for the unborn.
In one scene, with a democratic member of the House of Representatives, Lincoln and the man discuss slavery.  The man states that he hates slavery.  Lincoln tells the man that “I saw a barge once, full of colored men in chains…..”  Lincoln goes on to say that “the sight sickened him and it brought a shadow to that night.”

The man responds that the nation is not ready for emancipation and there are too many questions.  Lincoln states that the nation “is not ready for peace too.  When it (peace) comes it will present us with conundrums and dangers greater than any we faced during the war, bloody as it has been.  We will have to extemporize and experiment what it is, when it is.”

The conversation is successful.  The member of the House of Representatives votes in favor of the 13^th Amendment.

In another scene, the filmmakers once again have Lincoln discussing techniques for getting the vote with his strategists.  The discussion gets heated and Lincoln shows his frustration.  He slams his open palmed hand down on the table and states: “I can’t listen to this anymore, we cannot accomplish anything of human meaning or worth until we cure ourselves of slavery and end this pestilential war.  I need this.  This amendment is that cure.  We have stepped out upon the world stage now.  Now, with the fate of human dignity in our hands.  Blood has been spilt to afford us this moment.  But you grouse, heckle, and dodge about like petty, mugging Tammany Hall hucksters.  See what is before you.  See the here and now.  That is the hardest thing, the only thing that counts.  Abolishing slavery by Constitutional provision settles for all coming time the fate not only for the millions now in bondage but the unborn millions to come.  Two votes (and he shows two fingers) stand in its way. These votes need to be procured.”

Lincoln was pro-life.  How many votes were needed in the Supreme Court in 1973 to disavow what was fought for in the Civil War?  Rights for the unborn were a concern for President Abraham Lincoln.  He wanted to "release from bondage the unborn millions to come."

Marian R. Carlino
January 2014