Since Sept. 11, Americans have seen a resurgence of patriotism. In anticipation of the Presidents Day national holiday on Feb. 18, UNMC Today is featuring the words and images of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Today’s selection highlights Lincoln and Washington’s thoughts on the divine.
Lincoln and Washington’s thoughts on the divine
Phrases such as “God Bless America,” “In God We Trust,” and “One Nation Under God” have appeared more frequently in our public affairs since the tragedy of Sept. 11 than almost any time in recent history. To help understand the significance of these phrases, a review of past American history is needed.
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, along with many of the Founding Fathers, believed that the “hand of God” was needed for America to survive. Over the years, reliance on God became evident in the words comprising many of our governmental documents.
In their first inaugural addresses to Congress, Presidents Lincoln and Washington emphasized God’s role in our nation. Said President Washington: “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of Providential agency; …We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained…” (April 30, 1789).
In his inaugural address, President Lincoln said: “Intelligence, patriotism…and a firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust in the best way all our present difficulty.” (March 4, 1861).
Photo above: Mt. Rushmore National Monument. Left: A portrait of Abraham Lincoln engraved by Charles Burt in 1896 from a photograph taken at the Matthew Brady Studio in 1864.