Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 July 1948 — Page 30

2

Shown on Train

Display Manuscript | Which President Read

on the original Declaration of

By vocation a newspaper and almanae publisher, shop k While Abraham Lincoln wrote and operator of paper several longhand copies of the Franklin, nevertheless, was con-/the new energy for more than Gettysburg Address, the one ex-|gstantly seeking after fundamen-|few months when he made his truths,

hibited aboard the Freedo! ain | ta)

is the actual manuscri from which the Civil War President

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Benjamin Franklin's name is one of the illustrious signatures] He conducted his experiment|with a steel rod attached Independence by placing friends on blocks of

. non-conducting wax “Old Ben” was a statesman, and a superb one. But he was also and

shown on the

vote his entire time to it. He had not been working with

first fundamental ery: *. ..

discov

read his memorable words.

While on a trip back to Phila-

It was lent to the American delphia from Boston, Franklin

Heritage Foundation by the Li-

brary of

was impressed by some experiments in electricity at Newport,

Lincoln wrote two drafts of the + I. He wrote to London for

Gettysburg

Both were P00ks and experimental equip-

bodies, both in drawing off and ‘electrical fire.”

Address. given by the President to his Sec- mest and set about to studyisk, or whether the electricity retary, John Hay, whose three new force.

Library of Congress in 1916.

was delivered, Lincoln was asked by various individuals to write out other longhand copies for publication or display. Three of these also are in existence. In all] five manuscripts there are slight differences in wording, but the! essential text is the same. Events Haphazard The events leading up to Lin- | coln’s deliverance of the immortal words were haphazard in nature. Lincoln was only barely considered in the plans surrounding the dedication of the National Soldiers Cemetery of Gettysburg. The natural choice for the orator of the day was Edward Everett, generally considered as the foremost orator of his time. Everett was notified in September that the date of the dedication ceremonies would be Oct. 23, 1863, but upon his request for aditional time for preparation of his speech, the dedication was postponed until Nov. 19. The ceremonies, sponsored by a special nonprofit corporation set up to administer funds con-

. tributed by 18 northern states to

in the subject and retired from|transferred from the silk to the Some time after the address|/2Ctive business so he could de-|glass.

give proper burial to the heroic |

dead who had fallen at Gettysburg, certainly were never intended to furnish the backdrop they did for the President. As a matter of fact, only after Lincoln had accepted his formal invitation to appear at the cemetery was it decided, as an afterthought, to ask the President to dedicate the grounds. Thus, on Nov. 2, Lincoln was informed by letter that “it is the desire after the oration, you, as Chief Executive of the nation, formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks.” Devotes Time {0 Drafts Contrary to some reports that Lincoln wrote his speech aboard the train from Washington to Gettysburg, Lincoln appears to have devoted ¢onsiderable thought to it. He began his first draft some days before leaving Washington. The first page of this draft, in fact, is on “Executive Mansion” letterhead. Arriving at Gettysburg at sundown, Lincoln went immediately to the home of David Mills, where he spent the night. During the course of this evening he revised and rewrote some of the passages in the first draft of his speech. Next morning, he wrote out the second draft (the Freedom Train copy), a fair copy from the first, embodying changes upon which he had finally decided. : Shortly after Everett's two-| hour speech delivered the next day to thousands of spectators, Lincoln rose to his feet and began what is now regarded as one of history's briefest and greatest addresses. : The President glanced only occasionally at his manuscript, and his reading of it was over almost before the crowd realized he had finished. Thus was humbly delivered an immortal expression of American democracy and freedom. :

Documents Are Shown | In 3 Special Cars

All documents on the Freedom Train are shown in three specially constructed exhibition cars. Most of the papers come from collections of the Library of Congress, the National Archives and the State Department, although] various state and private collections are well represented. Many of the documents are of Jnsalcutapie worth and are irreple "able. Accordingly, great caucions have LE to xn

treaknne i BORG ADS. POROTA Sroka ANY ADJURY- Ry

Soon he was completely sunk|both materials and was merely element

"AW, FORGET IT!"

‘Sorry Mister, but it’s not that easy. ' the future happiness and safety of It’s still a tough, warlikeworld ... our children. and a man just can’t sit back and wo can ehow the bewildered forget about atom bombs. countries how well Freedom works . Haven't you noticed lately that here in America, Freedom has been going out like a YOU can help do thit. By taking light in country after country on the CTU sour wip da sts, By ring other side of the world? And that’s taking part In civic affairs. By visittoo important to forget about. ing the Freedom Train. By pitching There ls something we can alldo - in as a citizen, instead of saying,

; ++. for the cause of peace and for + “Aw, forget it.”

i

FREEDOM IS EVERYBODY'S JOB!

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into Charg-| ith which he controlled

coc cd

AY JULY 25, 1048

Franklin's Tests Produced Wordage Stiil Used Today

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WHAT TO PO ABOUT IT

FIND OUT ELECTION ISSURS. Atend focal political Hear both sides. Ask questions. KNOW the hsves. VOTE INTELLIGENTLY IN ALL BLICTIONS. No election Is mimporiont. Vote in ofl of them...according fo your conscience. W's your government

SERVE GLADLY ON JURIES. if you baven't served before, you'll be surprised fo find how Interesting and ime .poriont i ks, JOIN LOCAL CIVIC GROUPS, ParentTeacher’ Association or School Board, opportunity Good education is vitol te the cawe of Freedom.’

VOTE IN UNION ELECTIONS AND STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. Take part In the deckions that affect your life. Don't let someone else do It,

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