Imagine that! George Washington wondering whether the American Revolution would be considered a blessing or a curse. And still the question is not decided. I must make it clear to the people that we are the legacy of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison and that history has selected this generation to decide the fate of the American Revolution.
The Confederate Union is trying to snuff out our inheritance that all men are created equal. They do not understand that by maintaining slavery they are also dividing the White race into two classes — those planation owners who own thousands of acres of the best lands, and the poor farmers who own neither land or slaves. Such a divided society goes against the advancing tide of civilization’s progress. And it just as surely goes against our founding principle that all men should have equal opportunity to improve their lot.
Mr. Lincoln considered how to work these words into a speech. But the flash of brilliant sunshine had put him in a playful mood. He had been thinking of a humorous ditty to commemorate the Battle of the Wabash for the last few weeks. Suddenly the words came to his mind:
The Battle of the Wabash
The Confederates set forth to conquer Illinore
They sent forth old Stoneballs on a ride up north
He had Chicago set in his sights
Then it rained for seven days and nights
Those Rebels, they fought him, and surely stood fast
They dug in their heels and did not let him pass
He gave up his quest and surrendered his pride
And returned to his camp with buckshot in his hide.
Mr. Lincoln slapped his knee and laughed uproariously. That isn’t bad, not bad at all. Maybe I’ll use that in my speech! Simple words can be more convincing than long-winded speeches.
He heard the kitchen door open. It was Robert coming in after putting up the horse and feeding her. The President got up and went into the kitchen where Robert was shaking off the snow.
“Thank you for taking the children for a sleigh ride.”
“Not at all, Father, it was my pleasure.”
“What say you accompany me to dinner at the American House with General Grant and Governor Yates?”
“Excellent!” exclaimed Robert. “I would like to ask Grant for a position in his army. I think it is time for me to do my share of fighting for the United States of Free America. And please don’t tell me to ‘finish my education.’ With Boston under the Confederates’ thumb, I don’t expect that Harvard will be reopening anytime soon! The best ‘education’ for the present will be learning how to fight the Confederates!”
Mr. Lincoln was torn by a father’s ancient dilemma. First there was a surge of pride. My little boy has grown up to be a man, whose honor compels him to join the fight for his country. There is no higher calling than to bear arms for one’s country.
Then he felt weak in his knees. His eyes moistened. In Robert’s face he saw the hopeful young face of his former protégé Elmer Ellsworth, shortly before his death.
I can hardly bear the loss of Elmer. How could I bear the loss of my son in battle? I know Mother could not bear it. She will blame me for the rest of my life if I permit him to enlist and he does not return. But how can I ask every other Free State man’s son to fight for our country yet deny my own son’s request to answer his call to duty? I must answer his request in a way that is honorable for him and that serves the interests of the country, but does not place him in harm’s way immediately. To send him into combat now would derange Mary and undermine my effectiveness as President.
“We will be reopening the Military Academy in the spring,” Mr. Lincoln suggested. “You may enroll as soon as it is reopened. In two years you will graduate a commissioned officer. If the war is still in progress at that time you will add a hundred times more value to the country than you will by going into the ranks as an enlisted man today.”
Robert started to argue but knew it would be futile. I will ask Grant for a commitment to serve in his army as soon as I complete my officer training at the Military Academy. Father will have no choice but to honor that commitment when the time comes.
Mr. Lincoln knew full well what his son was thinking. If the war is still going in two years and Robert enlists as an officer, then so be it. Our Founders who led the Revolution in 1776 pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause. Some of them lost all they had in this world, including the precious lives of their sons. We must be as worthy to the cause of maintaining The United States of Free America as they were in creating it. And that means that many sons will not be coming home.