[PJ-Comix]

A lot of people don't realize that much of Lincoln's eloquence was due to his intense reading and study of Shakespeare. Early in his political career, Lincoln was a HORRIBLE speaker. He was virtually laughed out of Congress during his sole term in Congress due to a silly speech he gave concerning the Mexican War. After he left Congress he did a lot of soul-searching and intense study which included the Shakespeare plays. The result was the eloquent Lincoln we know today.

[Non-Sequitur]

Early in his political career, Lincoln was a HORRIBLE speaker.

I have to disagree with you there. Lincoln as a young man participated in debating societies in Springfield and was an excellent speaker. Witness his lyceum address in 1838, years before he went to Congress. This was Lincoln at his most eloquent and, as it happens, most prophetic.

"How then shall we perform it?--At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?-- Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!--All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.

At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."