Posted on 02/15/2005 12:39:46 PM PST by DBeers
BY PAUL AYARS THE COURIER
Attempting to discredit a recently developed theory, a panel of four distinguished Lincoln historians declared Sunday that Abraham Lincoln was not homosexual.
The panelists, here for Lincoln College's 140th anniversary Charter Day observation, were guest speaker Edwin Bearss, an honorary degree recipient in history from the college; Cullom Davis curator of the Lincoln Legal Papers at the University of Illinois-Springfield; Ralph Gary and Ronald White.
The historians' views against Lincoln being homosexual won warm applause from an audience largely made up of invited representatives of 10 Illinois Civil War roundtables.
The homosexual theory emerged in a published best-selling work that White, author of "Lincoln's Greatest Speech," based on Lincoln's second inaugural address, said Sunday was not done by a historian.
"The argument would not hold up" to historical scrutiny, said Davis, professor of history emeritus at the University of Illinois in Springfield.
"This ridiculous thesis can't hold any water," Gary said.
Bearss said the jist of the contending author's argument is that Lincoln slept with other men.
"It was rather common for men to sleep together in that day" to stay warm and maximize space and accommodations, he said.
Bearss, a Civil War expert, gave his address staccato-style as the panel held the audience's attention throughout a two-hour recognition of the college's 140th anniversary weekend. The 16th president's 196th birthday was Saturday.
Introducing the panel Sunday, moderator Paul Beaver, professor emeritus at the college, recalled President Kennedy saying at a White House meeting, "This is the greatest gathering of talent ... since Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
He commended Davis' exhaustive work researching Lincoln's legal papers.
"He's never gotten the recognition he deserves," Beaver said of Davis. The legal papers is a collection of court documents and legal records in which Lincoln played a part while practicing law in the old Eighth Judicial Circuit. The collection will be among Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum documents.
"Lincoln was a speaker more than a writer," Davis said, saying, by example, that in 1863 he directed the slow, deliberate reading of a speech in Springfield that he was unable to give.
"It showed the power of Lincoln's words," he said.
"His words live and will continue to live," White said.
Davis said Lincoln's commitment to holding the union together and insisting on elections even during the Civil War when Lincoln doubted his own re-election showed Lincoln's character and commitment to democracy.
"Words were fiercely important to Lincoln. I hope they matter to us," he said.
"Why should he be remembered? Why shouldn't he be?" Gary said. "Everybody loves a success story. His was the greatest."
A Texas attorney and author of "Following in Lincoln's Footsteps," Gary also was guest speaker at a Looking for Lincoln of Logan County luncheon Saturday at the Maple Club.
Gary said Lincoln "was one of the poorest trained presidents in our history. He came (to Illinois) as a country bumpkin and left on the threshold of greatness." He the nurturing of public awareness of Lincoln heritage where Lincoln practiced law and campaigned as a candidate
Lincoln portrayer Charlie Ott of Lincoln and the family of the late Harry Hahn of Mount Pulaski, who portrayed Lincoln, received framed pictures of themselves while portraying Lincoln.
Onyx--might go well on your bookshelves!
and the Cabasiss family had the Education Center (behind Old St Andrews)....where all the freaks (my friends..lol...went)
it was Dazed and Confused X100 back then.
Prep was preppie ...I was not....but Prep had the babes no doubt.
Riverside Park was like Hippie Holler and I was there in the think of it.
steady....I'm getting a flashback...lol
better go find some Xanax quick.
oh yes....we are in the midst of private school entry here...what a zoo....it's like manhattan or bev hills getting in some of these.
St Pauls, Christ Pres, Harding Academy, Lipscomb, Franklin Road, Oak Hill.
and this is just Kindergarten.
I will have two in college and two in private school.
pray for my finances.
PS...it's times like these I wish I were catholic.
If he buys one more book, I'll maim him. :)
Yeah, if you were Catholic you could get a discount at Father Ryan.
That's one thing N'ville has on Jackson in spades...superior and competitive Catholic education. St. Joe is getting better though...or so I hear.
Ah...the Ed Center. That was where all the NE Jackson hoods went about 15 years ago. Everybody I knew that went there full-time was majorly damaged.
that's being too kind..lol
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