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In his memoirs Ulysses S. Grant wrote, "I do not think there was ever a more wicked war
than that waged by the United States on Mexico." In retrospect Grant observed that he, "had not
the moral courage to resign," even though in his youth he believed the Mexican War to be
wrong ( Lawrence, viii ).
It takes great strength to recognize that the actions of a person or a country are wrong.
Grant knew the United States was wrong, but he lacked the courage to act against the injustices
of the Mexican War.
At the same time that Grant was in Mexico there was a young, freshman congressman
from Illinois who was prepared to take a stand against the Mexican War. Before he would
become the nemesis of Jefferson Davis and the people of the South, Abraham Lincoln would take
a stand that could have lead to the end of his political career. It was a necessary action Lincoln
had to take. It was an action that would help shape a young man from Kentucky into the "Great
Emancipator."
Lincoln's objections to the Mexican War angered many of the war hawks in Congress and
in the state of Illinois. As the only Whig representative in the state of Illinois, Lincoln did not give
into the will of the numerous warmongers in the United States simply because they where the
majority. He stood for what he believed in, no matter what happened.
In one speech Lincoln refused to support an "unnecessary war," which he believed to be a
land grab by the United States; a land grab that would also increase slavery's sphere of influence
to the southwest. Also, Lincoln did not want to support a war that he believed, "was
unconstitutionally commenced," by President James K. Polk (Lawrence, 104 ).
In the last month of 1847 Lincoln put forth a resolution questioning the spot where the
shots that led to the Mexican War where fired. In a latter resolution he questioned whether or not
the United States forces where violating the orders of commanding General Zachary Taylor when
U.S. forces engaged the Mexican Army in a skirmish that was the justification for Polk's
declaration of war. In January of 1848 Lincoln supported a Whig resolution that attacked Polk for
starting the war and the grounds on which he declared it ( "History: People" ).
Lincoln's resolutions did little to affect Congress or President Polk. However, Lincoln's
stand against the war caused a great outburst against him in the state of Illinois. The Illinois State
Register called Lincoln, "a second Benedict Arnold," and other newspapers around the state
referred to Lincoln as "Spotty Lincoln." Many people in Washington and Illinois criticized Lincoln
as a traitor to the nation ( Sherwood, 226; "History: People" ).
Others in the nation noticed something about Lincoln that his constituents didn't. A
corespondent for the Baltimore Patriot said of Lincoln, after hearing him give a speech,
"evidently there is music in that very tall Mr. Lincoln." Support for Lincoln's courageous, moral
stance came from unusually place: Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln's main political adversary,
Douglas had high praise for Lincoln's stand in Congress, "He distinguished himself by his
opposition to the Mexican War, taking the side of the common enemy against his own country;
and when he returned home he found that the indignation of the people followed him everywhere,
and he was again submerged or obliged to retire into the private life, forgotten by his former
friends," said Douglas (Sherwood, 227 ).
Lincoln had wanted to run for a second term in Congress, even though traditionally the
Whig representatives from his district only served one term. However, Lincoln decided against
running since many in his district supported the Mexican War and had an unfavorable opinion of
Lincoln even though he voted for all war appropriations once war was declared.
Before Lincoln went to Washington D.C. to serve his term in Congress he wrote to a
friend saying, "as you are all so anxious for me to distinguish myself, I have concluded to do so
before long." In the short term Lincoln did not distinguish himself; that was to come latter.
Lincoln's time in Congress showed many that he was a man of character, not a man to support the
majority simply because they where the majority. He indeed was a man with music
in him ( "History: People" ).
Lincoln's time in Congress was the beginning of an evolution, the evolution of a man that
would strive to end slavery and die as a result of trying to preserve the Union. The Lincoln that
served in Congress was not the Lincoln that would deliver the "Gettysburg Address." This was a
simple man from Kentucky that took a stand for what he believed to be a morally right cause.
This stance would lead Douglas and men like the corespondent for the Baltimore Patriot
to recognize a man of great character and moral decency. They did not let partisan feelings, a
conflict, or the drive of war hawks to temper their view of Lincoln. They let the actions of Lincoln
create the reasons to judge his character. They recognized Lincoln before anyone else did as a
man of great character.
Works Cited
"History: People in United States History Lincoln, Abraham." Microsoft Encarta Concise Encyclopedia. ( 1998 ). n. pag. Online. Internet. 22 Feb. 1998. Available
http://encarta.msn.com/introedition/default.asp?vs=x97&la=na&ty=1&vo=34&ti=0644 2000
Lawrence, Jerome, and Robert E. Lee. The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail. New York:
Bantam Books, 1972
Sherwood, Robert E., Abe Lincoln in Illinois. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1965.
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She is beauty's purest rendering.
She is life and light
Blessedly devoid
Of such a dreary darkness;
She is Isis,
A goddess of many names.
As in a dream I see her;
She rises from a gray sea
In a moon's pure light.
Come to me Queen of Heaven,
Of Earth,
Of Nature.
Do not ignore me,
Come to me;
Let me fall feebly
At your feet.
The moon and sun are your halo;
I, Isis my love eternal,
I sing of you,
You are queen of all,
Of my life, of my love.
Like I am in sleep,
In dream I see
You floating in front of me.
My mind, body, and sprit
Yours all yours,
As you are mine.
As we are each others.
My mind full of you,
My body full of you,
My soul full of you,
My sprit full of you.
I dream of only you;
You my fair Isis,
You my only love.
You Queen of
Heaven,
Earth...
And Underworld.
Death for me,
Would not be sad
For as Queen of the Underworld
You'd be there.
Do not worry sweet one
Of death far and improbable.
Your mysteries move me
As in a dream.
Far too good are you,
Queen Oh, lovely Isis.
Goddess of nature and fertility,
Who needs worry,
Worry of time;
When eternity has blessed us.
Given us each other,
Inseparable like
The God of Earth,
Geb
And Fair Goddess of the sky,
Nut.
We are blessed more than
both gods of earth and sky
with each others
Soft gentle caress,
Matching our
Unyielding, undying love.
A love for each other,
A love that is the heartbeat,
The force behind all life.
I am mad for you,
My fair Isis.
I worship you like
Many before me.
I worship you in
The light of an undying
Summer's moon where you
Are all that matters; where peace is found.
So much more for me to say;
Say to you my one and only;
My true love, my only love.
I implore all the forces
Of a sometimes cruel world:
(Yet how cruel can this world be?
It had blessed me with you.
And you with me.
And the world with us.)
Never let us grow apart,
Let us never be driven apart,
Never forsake us to evil;
Evil bound on destroying us.
Let evil melt before love true.
Oh my Isis!
Wrap your divine spirit
Around my poor soul,
Warm my heart with your gentle hand
And your sweet breath.
My love for you grows beyond
All boundaries of my heart.
My heart a kingdom,
Greater than that of Rome,
Richer than that of Egypt.
All of it yours, Isis;
My darling, my true darling.
Yours Isis, only you,
Are given this power.
A power over me.
The power to make me yours.
Oh my sweet one, my Isis!
I am yours and all I have.
As you are mine.
Glorious Isis I praise you,
As I love you,
As I have,
In tremulous past,
In blissful present.
My love will grow my Isis,
Into a future unknown,
For you, you my only love.
on
9th Aug 1998
==================================================
A Fine Day For Voices
by
Ricky Spencer
It's six am. Jack gets up and goes to the bathroom. He relieves himself of the pressures of the night and pops a few advil. By six thirty a.m. Jack has shaved and taken his shower. By six forty-five he'll be locking the door to his apartment so he can see to his daily tasks.
Morning Bill.
Bill is the door man at Jack's apartment. Jack and Bill have the same conversation everyday.
Mornin' Mr. Jack. Fine day isn't?
I don't know. I'll take my umbrella. Is it here.?
No suh. Ya didn't bring it back with ya last night.
I see. Talk to you later Bill.
Have a nice day suh.
It's the same deal everyday. Jack gets up, cleans up, and after he talks to Bill pretty much shut's up. After his morning chat with Bill he heads down the street to the subway terminal. On the way he always stops at Jane's Bakery for a coffee and bagel.
Mornin' Jack.
Hello Jane. I want the same thing I have everyday.
Same price as everyday. Two dollars please.
Here you go Jane.
Thanks. You have a nice day now.
Bye.
From Jane's Bakery Jack goes to the subway terminal. By this time it's seven a.m. and Jack is always in time to catch the train. The train always comes at two minutes after seven. Jack never misses the train and the train is never late.
Ya got some change, buddy?
Jack never talks to anyone in the terminal, or on the subway train. It's not in his nature and he doesn't want to be bothered by anyone. By two minutes after seven Jack is on the train. There's always a seat on the train for Jack. He never stands.
Hey mister! Do ya know what time it is?
Don't know kid.
Ya gots a watch.
So I do.
It took Jack awhile to shake that kid off. But he did it. By seven twenty Jack's out off the subway. He's always out by seven twenty. He never has to wait for a connection. Jack gets out of the stuffy subway terminal and heads to his daily destination.
Hey Jack, it's pay day.
I know.
I am not interested in what you know. I am interested in what you have.
If ya mean the money. I've got it. I always got it.
I am glad.
Good. Now take your money and get out of here. I've got stuff to do.
I got the latest line Jack.
Hit me.
Danny Boy wins the third race today.
Jockey?
Robertson.
If the odds are good put me down for the usual.
Nice talkin' with ya pal.
I am not your pal. I am nobody's pal.
So Jack's perfect time table life stops at Tiny's off-track betting place. No not quite. Jack's no where close to being finished for the day. By the time it's seven p.m. Jack will have met the scum of the city, but his day still will not be done.
What do ya want Jack?
Martini. Two olives. Double scotch.
At least you're consistent.
All that matters is that I pay you.
Ya left your umbrella here again.
Thanks. I'll remember to get it.
Hey, Jack.
See that gal down there- She picked up the tab for ya.
Bring me what I ordered, again. Charge me double and give the money back.
You're a bastard, Jack.
Just do it Teddy.
Hey Rick, ya see that lush over there?
Him? What about 'im?
He's been coming here for the past six months, after he gets off from his job.
Well Rob what do you expect from a workin' man like him?
No Rick, what does the world expect from a man like that?
Once again Jack blew off the advacnes of human contact. He thinks he can stay safe in his world that way. Jack will forget the umbrella again. He'll leave Teddy's Bar drunk. Not like Teddy cares, Teddy gets his money. As for Jack he doesn't care when folks talk about him. No one cares, so why should he?. It's his life. The same thing everyday. By eleven thirty p.m. Jack is back at his apartment. Tonight is no different from any other night. Bill is still watchin' the door. Once the cab pulls up, Bill knows it's Jack. Bill always helps Jack back to his apartment.
Not again Mr. Jack.
I don't need your help Bill. I am fine.
Jack always says that. But Bill knows better. It's been one too many times that some one has found Jack halve way up to his apartment passed out on the steps. Bill always makes sure that Jack gets in for the night. Bill is a good man.
It's six am. Jack gets up and goes to the bathroom. He relieves himself of the pressures of the night and pops a few advil. By six thirty am Jack has shaved and taken his shower. By six forty-five he'll be locking the door to his apartment so he can see to his daily tasks.
Morning Bill.
Bill is the door man at Jack's apartment. Jack and Bill have the same conversation everyday.
Mornin' Mr. Jack. Fine day isn't?
NOW YOU HAVE READ SOME OF MY WRITINGS. I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY. REMEMBER STONEWALL JACKSON CAME FROM A BROKEN HOME AND WAS KILLED BY HIS OWN MEN IN 1863 BECAUSE HE WAS A RELIGOUS ZEALOT.
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CIVIL WAR POEMS BY ME
Marye, Queen of Death
Marye, Marye you tantalizing queen of
Death!
How calm and peaceful you are.
The years have dulled the anger you caused.
You remain unchanged Marye;
My dear Marye.
Things around you have changed,
but you remain the same
after your crimson bath.
Your crimson bath in that cold December
of so long ago!
The men you shunned joined you in eternity,
buried in the maddening glory of you bosom
==================================================
The Bridge
I. Nature
In the green valley
Humbly flowed the river.
In the rolling green valley,
Flowed the river.
Wild and free
It moves among the trees.
Untamed like the beasts
That drink from it's banks.
Free and unchanging
It moves among the trees.
So it was,
Before the men came.
II. Progess
With ingenuity and zest
The trees are felled.
Progress can't rest.
So the rocks are moved
And the trees are felled.
The ground is cleared,
The trees pile up on the banks.
The time is near,
The ground is cleared of
Rocks and stumps.
The bridge takes form,
A wooden span, like so
Many others.
Marvelous and new.
The river is tamed,
The land is changed.
III. War
A thundering storm approaches,
The sounds amplified in the
Valley, down the
River, and outside the valley.
All signs of things to come.
A motley Rebel horde
Falls back across the bridge,
Followed by artillery rumbling along.
The stragglers and the wounded
Struggling to get ahead of the rest,
The calvary approaching,
For they are the rear guard.
The last stand
Between the this wretched mass of men
And the quickly approaching Unionists.
The cavalry crosses,
A hardy few stop
Braving the shot and shell,
To burn what took years
To build.
==================================================
- Brother
Where I have I seen my brother's face?
After his birth, when our mother died.
I saw him grow up alongside of me.
I saw my brother's face one day-
With dignified pain as he headed South.
I equally distraught headed to the North,
To answer the call of my Father Abraham.
The seasons passed.
It was late in the never ending war,
When I saw my brother's face again.
The same young face I remembered
From our youth.
Chiseled by the artistry of death.
==================================================
- READ THIS PUBLISHED POEM
On the Banks of the Rubicon
On the hill I stood.
Overlooking the flowing Rubicon.
Staring chance in the eye.
I pondered my options,
Considering the consequences.
I watched the water flow.
The current would not slow,
The water would not rise.
No biblical figure to part this divide.
All I had was my heart to guide me.
My thoughts to guide me.
My ideas to console me.
When the time comes for me,
To cross the River Styx,
I will not regret
That I had crossed
The Rubicon.
==================================================
- JUST FOR YOU, THIS KAT SAYS GRRR.....
``Frankie, Baby, Frankie''
Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra
You Krazy Kat,
You give me back
Bone.
Frankie Blue Eyes
You Swank Swinga'
You!
You make me a ringa'.
'Cause you are a a ``win''-g-a'
Frankly Frankie I know you're old,
But baby those mono records;
They're far from cold.
'Cause when Baby Blues,
Cry and they croon
You'll make 'em swoon,
'Cause Frankie you are the
Swingin' daddy.
==================================================
10:34 From Pittsburgh
At night in the void
-Between Prime Time and Late Night-
I see the 10:34 from
Pittsburgh.
A nightly occurrence, same
Time different channels.
My life passing away
By the measure of
A plane.
Incoming from
Pittsburgh to my
Fair LVI or ABE
( whatever they call it now ).
Just another measure of time.
No different than a calendar day.
Just a measure of my life wasted.
Wasting away between
Prime Time and Late Night.
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