What would Presidents Washington and Lincoln have to say to us today?

It would be good to know why February 19 is a holiday and to ponder the sentiments of the leaders the day honors.  Presidents Day honors President Washington, whose birthday falls on February 22. The day is also believed to celebrate Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President who was born on February 16.

Though we don’t know what Presidents Washington and Lincoln might want to say to us today, we can look at several of their ideas and test them against the climate of today.

President Washington on truth and conscience

~ Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.  

~ Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.

President Lincoln on freedom and character  

~ America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

~ Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The  shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

For sure, to speak about truth and conscience, freedom and character will be a fruitful conversation