The following famous stories about Lincoln are in “Good Stories for Great Holidays”: A Solomon Come to Judgment; The Colonel of the Zouaves; Courage of his Convictions; George Pickett’s Friend; He Rescues the Birds; His Springfield Farewell Address; Lincoln and the Little Girl; Lincoln the Lawyer; Mr. Lincoln and the Bible; A Stranger at Five-Points; Training for the Presidency; Why Lincoln was called “Honest Abe”; The Widow and her Three Sons; The Young Sentinel.
FEBRUARY 22
GEORGE WASHINGTON
THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY
Where may the wearied eye repose,
When gazing on the Great;
Where neither guilty glory glows,
Nor despicable state?
Yes—one—the first—the last—the best—
The Cincinnatus of the West,
Whom Envy dared not hate,
Bequeathed the name of Washington,
To make man blush there was but one!
Lord Byron
LINCOLN ON WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY
This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of Washington. We are met to celebrate this day. Washington is the mightiest name of earth—long since mightiest in the cause of Civil Liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it.
In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendour, leave it shining on.
Abraham Lincoln, February 22, 1849