As I noticed his handwriting--pouring over each word, each letter--I began to feel that this was written by a man...just a man. Not the icon I had admired.
Several months ago I visited the Gardner Historical Museum in Gardner, Kansas. The museum is inside a home built in 1893, with original hardwood frames and lattices. The museum was having a civil war exhibition--showcasing replica uniforms from both north and south, boots, guns, photographs.
But one item stood out in my mind. It was a copy of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
Having had ice cream and cookies from the ice cream social outside--i was feeling very full and relaxed--feeling the warmth of the sunlight coming into the parlor.
In a wooden display case--i saw the copy of the Address. I pulled out my camera and photographed it.
But on this day--as i stared at that document, reading each word slowly--I was transported back to that hot July 3rd day in 1863, when Lincoln gave this speech.
As I noticed his handwriting--pouring over each word, each letter--I began to feel that this was written by a man...just a man. Not the icon I had admired.
This could have been a grocery list for a party, or some notes on his next speech. But given the context in which it was written--and delivered, was amazing.
We have to remember that this Union victory came at great cost in lives--over 50,000 died at Gettysburg.
The real star of the show preceded Lincoln--famous orator, Edward Everett. He spoke for two and a half hours in front of 15,000 who had gathered.
I can imagine Lincoln sitting there, thinking back to the battle that occurred July 1-3, 1863--amidst this area of dead bodies, heat and fatigue (see below--Lincoln in center with no hat on)
A famous quote was made by Everett to Lincoln:
When Lincoln uttered these two sentences, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this,” he was essentially repeating an idea that had already been stated—only more succinctly. Everett used more than 5,500 words (the entire speech can be found here) to make the same point. Most every part of the corresponding speeches can be examined this way and leaves no doubt as to why Everett wrote to Lincoln: "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."
I imagined what was going through Lincoln's mind. Perhaps he felt he paled in comparison to Everett's speaking ability.
Much worse--he didn't have much to say. I can imagine him thinking--"everyone's going to say, heck--that's it? We missed it Mr. President! You want to repeat that?
History would in time show us that Lincoln's brevity and ability to focus--and zero in on what really needed to be heard--were hallmarks of his time as President.
I think about something Steve Jobs used to say--that if it can't be taught in half an hour--it shouldn't be taught.
With so many messages today via email, social media, etc--brevity is more important than ever.
In our daily musings, presentations, meetings, etc--how could we better achieve our goals without all the wasted hot air and time spent?
A real communicator understands their audience, what they need and delivers concisely.
Lincoln proved that. Steve Jobs proved that.
How do you think Lincoln would be as a blogger? Would he tweet or post much on Facebook? What advice would you have given Lincoln as he prepared his speech at Gettysburg?
How does Lincoln's style different from today's politicians?
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By John D. Verlin
By John D. Verlin
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