The money power preys on the nation in times of peace, and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war.It denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes.
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What was Abraham Lincoln trying to say?
- Thread starter Neil R
- Start date
It's so clear now!
New member
He could foresee Obama destroying this country
P
PianoFan
Guest
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands, and the Republic is destroyed. I feel at this moment more anxiety for the safety of my country than ever before, even in the midst of war."
Abraham Lincoln - In a letter written to William Elkin less than five months before he was assassinated.
"The money power preys on the nation in times of peace, and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes."
Abraham Lincoln
This is the first time I've read these words by President Lincoln.
I think he was a very deep thinker and was able to foresee that the wealthy were beginning to own more, control more, become even wealthier. How greed can overshadow logic, common sense and values when there is an agenda to gain more and how is also causes separation between people. It also seems that he was speaking in his view as per the control of corporations, that the same might happen in Government in the future, via the money powers, as wealth does tend to give people power. In some regards as well, it seems he is speaking of division of citizens within the country when saying 'working upon the prejudices of the people'...which would lend itself to going against the, "United we stand, divided we fall" concept....
And if I believed in such things, it would appear President Lincoln had a crystal ball in this sentence "it denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes."....the "it" being the greed that takes over those that hold the most money.
I think he saw profits being made from war, and again the wealthy who were making those profits perhaps using propaganda at that time to create more wealth for themselves, their corporations. The wealthiest seem to have been gaining in power and control and he feared that would spill over into politics and government in some fashion and it also seems to speak to class separation, the rich get richer and the poor stay poor.
For a first read, that is what I got from it. Historically, I don't know without researching more of the time frame for context and time frames that followed so I can get a better understanding. History is an amazing study and an excellent teacher as well.
Interesting question.
Abraham Lincoln - In a letter written to William Elkin less than five months before he was assassinated.
"The money power preys on the nation in times of peace, and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes."
Abraham Lincoln
This is the first time I've read these words by President Lincoln.
I think he was a very deep thinker and was able to foresee that the wealthy were beginning to own more, control more, become even wealthier. How greed can overshadow logic, common sense and values when there is an agenda to gain more and how is also causes separation between people. It also seems that he was speaking in his view as per the control of corporations, that the same might happen in Government in the future, via the money powers, as wealth does tend to give people power. In some regards as well, it seems he is speaking of division of citizens within the country when saying 'working upon the prejudices of the people'...which would lend itself to going against the, "United we stand, divided we fall" concept....
And if I believed in such things, it would appear President Lincoln had a crystal ball in this sentence "it denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes."....the "it" being the greed that takes over those that hold the most money.
I think he saw profits being made from war, and again the wealthy who were making those profits perhaps using propaganda at that time to create more wealth for themselves, their corporations. The wealthiest seem to have been gaining in power and control and he feared that would spill over into politics and government in some fashion and it also seems to speak to class separation, the rich get richer and the poor stay poor.
For a first read, that is what I got from it. Historically, I don't know without researching more of the time frame for context and time frames that followed so I can get a better understanding. History is an amazing study and an excellent teacher as well.
Interesting question.
F
Fred
Guest
He was returning from a visit to Mexico, At that time Mexico was having lots of gang wars, constant fighting with the local police, Lincoln stepped up to the plate and confronted the problem. This is his reaction to the situation.