In his latest nod to our nation's powerful early history, president-elect Barack Obama has chosen to take the oath of office, to uphold the United States Constitution, using the same bible that Abraham Lincoln used when he was sworn in on March 4, 1861. According to the Library of Congress, the Lincoln Inaugural Bible has not been used in any other inauguration. It is a powerful symbol of Lincoln's strength and wisdom during a time when the survival of the United States of America was at stake.
Following the lead of seven states in the lower South [ ] the slave states of the upper South were threatening to secede from the Union. Amid fears of assassination, the president-elect had secretly arrived in Washington on Feb. 23, 1861.
To view the Lincoln Inaugural Bible today is to conjure up the remarkable scene which unfolded on the East Front of the Capitol almost 147 years ago. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, then 84 years old. As the author of the infamous "Dred Scott" decision of 1857, which held in part that Congress did not have the power to abolish slavery in the territories, Taney was clearly no friend to Lincoln or the cause of emancipation. In the Inaugural Address which followed, President Lincoln appealed to his countrymen to follow "the better angels of our nature." Source
The Lincoln Bible is part of the rare book and special collections at the Library of Congress in Washington. Clark Evans heads one of the sections there. "There is a palpable connection between Mr. Lincoln the great emancipator and having this Bible used by our first African American president," he said.
The Bible was purchased for Lincoln's first inauguration in 1861 by a clerk of the US Supreme Court. The court's seal authenticates its historic use. Evans says the Bible is not usually exhibited, except on special occasions like this.
Evan stated, "One of the beauties of the timing of this inauguration is that just a few weeks after is the bicentennial, the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth." Source
When Barack Obama is sworn in, 146 years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, the weight of our nation and much of the world will settle fully on his shoulders. I believe that objects hold energy and that history holds solutions and strategies to address contemporary problems and dilemmas. In my opinion, Obama's decision to use Lincoln's bible is an inspired one.
What do you think?
Comments: (72)
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By: dixlovingmother on 12/29/2008 5:58AM
I too believe that objects holds energy whether good or bad. History wise, Lincoln has done a great deed to this country but family wise, he was afflicted with so many problems and seem supernaturally believed by his wife. Deaths of his kids also happened. If the energy will transfer to Obama, will it not be scary that same things will happen to him?
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By: Rozlyn on 12/29/2008 6:15AM
I love the idea of Barrack Obama using President Lincoln's Bible for his swearing-in-ceremony."
In my opinion, "as an African American a "free" descendant of slavery. This is a wonderful illustration of homage, to express a sincere gratitude of thanks. What a wonderful gesture Obama!"
May God Bless you in your presidency.
Sincerely,
Roz..
PS. Thank you President Lincoln for my freedom.
May you rest in peace.
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By: James on 12/29/2008 9:01PM
It would be more meaningful if Obama truely supported everyones civil rights, including those of gays and lesbians. Obviously he does NOT - as shown by the fact that he has chosen the homophobe Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration.
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By: karen on 12/29/2008 9:11PM
first, Barrack Husane Obama is not BLACK His MOTHER IS WHITE and FATHER BLACK (MUSLUM) SO he is not the first black african american to run conmander in cheif for the USA HE is HALF WHITE & HALF BLACK if it was not for his WHITE MOTHER he would not be where he is today , look at all the white power he has put in place to help him run this country. and yes i'm black
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By: Curt on 12/30/2008 8:23AM
My friends, I hope that I can pass onto you the link to President Lincoln's 2nd Inagural Speech. It isn't long, as many speeches usually are. What is so sad though, is that a month after he delivered his inagural address, he was assassinated.
http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.html
Of all the President's we have ever had, I don't think there is one which has so heavily been a man of grief. For at the time that he delivered this address to the nation, 600,000 men had perished in that awful war. How heavy that weight must have been upon him.
Lincoln believed that a just God was a God whom hates injustice. It was his belief that the War Between the States was in fact a judgment from God upon the nation for the cruel injust treatment of the African man and woman, bound in bondage.
I say to you my fellow American's, there were many issues in that day besides slavery, but there was only ONE issue over all those issues, and it was slavery.
Today, we have many important issues, and even some very serious issues. Yet, God is a just God and He still hates injustice. He will speak for those who do not have a voice, just as He did 140+ years ago. I say to you and I say to Mr. Obama....END ABORTION. For as God judged this nation because of slavery, do not think that He will not judge us for this issue either.
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By: mikebg1693 on 12/30/2008 8:53AM
that was brilliant for obama to exploit lincoln that way........many people dont realize just how awsome that president was.......oh ...also,many dont know that lincoln was born to an ex-slave from kentucky,(slave state)who was taken to illinois....where he was born...
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By: abdul majid on 12/30/2008 9:06AM
As far as I am concern Obama is a myth. All his speeches etc are from the pass people. He is a person of someone dreams. He is living of my hard work and other black people hard courage to build this country.
Obam is another per who became a US. citizem throught the parents sex. If I could see him rish his life like King, Lincoln, Kennedy and others than I will see a person who can lead.
Obama history to me is a want to be. Hw went to German to give a speech from J. F. Kennedy lagency. His peeches are Lincoln and Martin King lagency.
Obama has no dream but a goal to for hinself living of other people.
Bush is true person of his-miss takes. I am not a believer if Obam or Winphrey. I am a believer of my own struggles and pain.
A true leader is not a person of words and good speeches.
Prohets of the Bibles were go doers with less words. Their life was a wisk not of protection. Their smile was not of looks, but with truth and sincereity. Their life was of fear not body guards. Their words were of bond, honesty, truth and to die.
Obam is a person who live of people fear in the US. The people of the US. live in fear. They are afraid of their shadows, and Obama creed of their fears.
The people are a country of miss-trust, theives etc. A country of slavery of rivary.
I am a decedent of the native Indian and African Slave. I know and understand the niss-trust, dishonesty and miss-leading of this country. I am also a former Marine and a combat Vietnam Veteran. I understand and know this government.
Obam is not a new government, but a new copy of the old. The laws and leadership is a pen and paper with no true trust.
Obama know how use people feelings to get what he want. He will still have this country in war, because he know the people wqant to as the better of this world.
This country still live in sorrow of losing to Vietnam. They living in sorrow now of Irag. Obam had never really lived in horror! His life is not a testimoy!
AMajid
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By: wandqueenb on 12/30/2008 10:58AM
To all of the obama haters, Listen up. Go and whine on your pillows the man is President of the United States. It does not matter who is his mom was or his father you don't even know them. What is wrong with you people it is time for change quit complaning let's pray for this man and his family. The White House already has been curse from previous Presidents and their wives. So instead of talking about him pray for him and the and his family. Life and death is in the power of the tongue so please be careful what you say. And if there is any real men and women of God out there please say a pray for him. Quit talking and start praying.
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By: Bella on 12/30/2008 11:15AM
Never though to be alive to see An African American Take office & a Powerful ..Educated one too .. As a greek American .. i was never more compelled to fight for President Obama the way I Did for his campaign in 2008 .. I Did it for my family in Greece, that told me we better not vote anothe rdevil in ..i did it for my family in Australia that said WAKE UP AMERICA :) .. and most of of ALL I did it for AMERICA Who believe in Freedom & Unity & PEACE & JUSTICE FOR ALL .. our country hasnt seen this is decades!!
THANK U JESUS FOR HEARING OUR PRAYERS
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By: BAN FOUNDATION on 12/30/2008 11:35AM
"President elect Obama will use the same Bible used by President Lincoln" This is a powerful illustration of the unity that our President elect has been demonstrating, and hope to continue for the duration of his Presidency. It reterates the fact that there was one powerful icon who from such a long time had the same inspiration that Obama has, and because his memory lives on, Obama will walk in his footsteps and beyond to get us closer together as a people regardless of our color or creed. HE DID THE RIGHT THING.
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