Description:

Coolidge Calvin

Calvin Coolidge Signed Proclamation for Observing Lincoln's Birthday

 

Single page document signed, 8.5" x 14," being an important Proclamation for establishing the observance of Lincoln's birthday. Dated "January 13, 1919," and signed by Calvin Coolidge with a large 4" signature as "Calvin Coolidge," Governor of Massachusetts. Fine condition.

 

An important signed Proclamation establishing the observation of the birth of Abraham Lincoln as "Lincoln Day" for the state of Massachusetts.  This awe inspiring Proclamation is shown below:

 

"Fivescore and ten years ago that divine Providence, which infinite repetition has made only the more a miracle, sent into the world a new life, destined to save a nation. No star, no sign, foretold his coming. About his cradle all was poor and mean save only the source of all great men, the love of a wonderful woman. When she faded away in his tender years, from her death bed in humble poverty she dowered her son with greatness. There can be no proper observance of a birthday which forgets the mother. Into his origin as into his life men long have looked and wondered. In wisdom great, but in humility greater, in justice strong, but in compassion stronger, he became a leader of men by being a follower of the truth. He overcame evil with good. His presence filled the nation. He broke the might of oppression. He restored a race to its birthright. His mortal frame has vanished, but his spirit increases with the increasing years, the richest legacy of the greatest century.

 

Men show by what they worship what they are. It is no accident that before the great example of American manhood our people stand with respect and reverence. And in accordance with this sentiment our laws have provided for a formal recognition of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, for in him is revealed our ideal, the hope of our country fulfilled …"

 

However this sentiment was not shared by all Americans, nor acted upon at the federal level. Lincoln’s legacy remained controversial and tied to the bitter politics of Reconstruction. The South, which made up one-fifth of the U.S. population at the time, was still occupied by the U.S. military. While many Southerners sincerely grieved over Lincoln’s death, with notable expressions of regret by Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, others were unable to put the bitterness of the war behind them. As Southern diarist Kate Stone wrote, “What torrents of blood Lincoln has caused to flow, and how Seward has aided him in his bloody work. I cannot be sorry for their fate. They deserve it. They have reaped their just reward.”

 

Eventually, individual states created their own Presidents Day holidays to be observed on the third Monday in February. This celebration has been enacted in some fashion by 38 states, though never federally, and each varies by state. While some mark the day as a specific remembrance of Washington and Lincoln (like Arizona), others view it as a day of general recognition for all U.S. presidents.

 

A superb document with a wonderful clean large 4" signature by Calvin Coolidge.


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