§ Bind Up the Nation's Wounds That American Government Doesn't Perish

§ ≡ A section of Preserve, Protect, and Defend: Faithfully Executing the Office of the President
{Section 4.7 « Section 4.8 » Section 4.9}

{link » Abraham Lincoln}

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.” — Abraham Lincoln, second inaugural address (March 4, 1865)

“... — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” — Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg (November 19, 1863)

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” — Abraham Lincoln

Dear Mr. President-elect Obama:

Congratulations on your historic victory in the Presidential Election of 2008. Though I had supported Senator McCain, I acknowledge and fully support our time-honored American tradition of a lawful, smooth, and congenial transfer of Presidential power as prescribed by our Constitution. And I echo the graciously expressed good wishes of Senator McCain in his concession.

I watched your victory speech last night, and I was heartened to hear your reference to President Lincoln, which reference was particularly well chosen in my personal estimation. In using those three of the many well-known Lincoln quotes to preface my own remarks in this open letter, I chose the first two to represent what I interpreted to be some of the intentions you expressed to the Nation last night, and the third to represent the hope, my own as well as the presumed hope of most if not all Americans, that you will match the brilliance of your election campaign to the arguably much more difficult task before you — to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America as President of all its people.

Best wishes to you, and may God bless America.