Weathering Disdain The man whose birthday we celebrate today is probably best remembered for his famous address at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863. But there was little remembrance or honor for the gaunt, haggard President of the United States on that occasion. Abraham Lincolns appearance at Gettysburg was an afterthought. He was not the star performer. In fact the committee in charge sent him no formal invitation to attend. He received the same printed circular sent to members of Congress, state officials, members of the diplomatic corps and others. Only after the President decided to attend, much to the surprise of the committee, was he invited to make a brief address. The address he gave was so brief his audience had scarcely settled themselves to listen when it was all over. Most of those who were present, and most of the newspapers covering the dedication, ignored the Presidents address. It was the great orator, Edward Everett, who held the center of the stage. If reported at all, Lincolns address was buried on an inside page, and while there were some favorable editorial comments, many were downright insulting, as this from the Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Patriot and Union We pass over the silly remarks of the President; for the credit of the nation we are willing that the veil of oblivion shall be dropped over them and that they shall no more be repeated or thought of. Fortunately that wish was not fulfilled. The common sense of the people, reading those immortal words recognized in them the essence of the American ideal dedication to the cause of liberty, to the God given equality of all men, to the preservation at all costs of government of the people, by the people, for the people. In a few moments, using less than three hundred simple words, Abraham Lincoln expressed so clearly what millions of Americans had in their hearts that they quickly seized upon it almost as a national creed. And today the Gettysburg Address has taken its place alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as one of Americas great documents; just as its author has taken his place as one of this countrys great leaders yet, like his address, rising from obscurity, weathering disdain, overcoming insult. Perhaps it was this most of all that made Lincoln great that he knew failure and rejection, yet despite all obstacles, held with firmness to the right as God gave him to see the right.