Abraham Lincoln's inaugural bible

[cannnfodder]

As I'm sure most of you know, the new president Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday taking the oath on the bible that Abraham Lincoln was sworn in on in 1861. (which I think is pretty cool)
It is an English bible printed by the Oxford University in London.

http://www.loc.gov/blog/?p=410
(Nice hi-res pics)

My question is, why didn't Ol' Abe use a good 'ol American bible from the American Bible Society or the American Tract Society?
As an amatuer collector of bibles I found this a little odd.
Does anyone know the story of this bible?
Now, I just put this out to start a gentlemanly discussion about the inaugural bible and not have it degenerate into a mudslinging mob that gets thrown into the Whine Cellar

[nast t]

Also the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, Company A
will be in the Inaugural Parade.

http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/InaugParade_2.htm

[cannnfodder]

Yes, that was covered in the forum before-
http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/showthread.php?p=96263&highlight=54th
(one of the unruly mobs that got locked down and thrown into the cellar)

[indguard]

Sir,

I am wondering why you think that the "made in America" debate was one that existed in 1860?

A Bible was a Bible was a Bible ( and for most people still is today).

WTH
The He'sAHeathen mess

[ScottWashburn]

The bible shown there is dated 1853, so it's not some old family bible, it was relatively new at the time Lincoln used it. It would be interesting to know the story behind it.

[flattop32355]

Question: Did this bible have any special meaning to Lincoln before his swearing in, or did it become significant by the fact that it was the one used?

I've not seen anything about the background on this particular book. It's possible Lincoln had no contact with it prior to its use to swear him in, and he had no connection with its choosing.

[sbl]

Good point Bernard. Lincoln may have been more of a cultural Christian. He adhered to religion and referenced God only because most of US culture was Christian and understood the world in religious references. Lincoln also seemed to have others, Mary Lincoln and Seward for example, guiding him.

[Hoosier49er]

I did a little digging on this one: Lincoln didn't have his own bible with him at the time of the swearing in. The bible he used belonged to William Thomas Carroll, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, who was used as a witness for the ocassion. 1853 was also the year that his (Lincoln's) son Tad was born.

[plankmaker]

VMI is ready for the parade:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElC06eDHQ-E

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[flattop32355]

VMI is ready for the parade:

I wonder if they are required to render their weapons inoperable by some means. I would expect so.

[sbl]

Will they check under the Hoops of the Azalea Trail Maids?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xue0n0JqCeY&feature=related

[flattop32355]

Good point Bernard. Lincoln may have been more of a cultural Christian. He adhered to religion and referenced God only because most of US culture was Christian and understood the world in religious references. Lincoln also seemed to have others, Mary Lincoln and Seward for example, guiding him.

There is some speculation that Lincoln found religion later in his presidency, but was not particularly so early on. To my knowledge, there is no proof positive to that effect, but some indications exist that could lead one to believe it possible, if not probable.

[sbl]

With all the poor guy went though I'm surprised he didn't turn to drink! Mary Todd turned to that spiritualist nonsense.

[tompritchett]

With all the poor guy went though I'm surprised he didn't turn to drink!

He had Grant for that :D.

[jda3rd]

It was reported during the ceremony today that Lincoln's family bible was packed up and in shipment along with his other belongings. I believe they said a clerk was sent out to purchase a bible to be used, and returned with this one.

It now belongs to the Library of Congress.

Frank Brower

[reb64]

As I'm sure most of you know, the new president Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday taking the oath on the bible that Abraham Lincoln was sworn in on in 1861. (which I think is pretty cool)
It is an English bible printed by the Oxford University in London.

http://www.loc.gov/blog/?p=410
(Nice hi-res pics)

My question is, why didn't Ol' Abe use a good 'ol American bible from the American Bible Society or the American Tract Society?
As an amatuer collector of bibles I found this a little odd.
Does anyone know the story of this bible?
Now, I just put this out to start a gentlemanly discussion about the inaugural bible and not have it degenerate into a mudslinging mob that gets thrown into the Whine Cellar


Lincoln was the first republican and perhaps torch holder for civil rights, arguable but idealized by these dems

[Thad Gallagher]

I think that clip of the Azalea Trail Maids is one of the most obnoxious things I have ever seen.

[flattop32355]

I think that clip of the Azalea Trail Maids is one of the most obnoxious things I have ever seen.

Proof positive that God did not make pastels during the first week.....

[Spinster]

Will they check under the Hoops of the Azalea Trail Maids?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xue0n0JqCeY&feature=related


Based on personal experience in wearing a MUCH BETTER period gown with hoops to the 2005 Inauguration of President George Bush, that answer would be YES.

Mama was right when she said always wear nice undies:p

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Will they check under the Hoops of the Azalea Trail Maids?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xue0n0JqCeY&feature=related
You could fit the Gross National Product of several island nations under those skirts.

[Spinster]

Ahem.

The colors and design of the dresses worn by the Azala Trail Maids are dictated by the Mobile Jaycees, and have been since 1929.

In other words, guys created these. :p

100+ yards of organdy, taffeta and broadcloth, 300 to 1500 yards of ribbon, and enough spring steel to support the whole shebang, means that 100 pound girls are walking 50 pound dresses down the street. In heels. And did so today over a parade route stretching about 4 miles.

[indguard]

IN THE WINTRY COLD, we should add to the above recounting.

WTH
The IWon't WearIt mess

[sbl]

When I was at Yorktown in 1981, the Rev-War ladies told me that the security for President Reagan used metal detectors on their skirts if they were anywhere near the reviewing stand.

I think it was Mrs. Lawson that told me about the story of the Maids and I checked into their group. They greet returning troops and Navy vessels in Mobile amount other activities. The group is inter-racial too. I wish they had something like this for my daughter here in Massachusetts. The Maids looked great in a really great parade yesterday!

[plankmaker]

I thought the VMI Cadets were rather impressive also. A marching group of 1,200 is pretty cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eLC4Xgpyf8

I thought the choice of "Shenandoah" while marching past the reviewing stand was rather cool also.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[Robert A Mosher]

I thought the VMI Cadets were rather impressive also. A marching group of 1,200 is pretty cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eLC4Xgpyf8

I thought the choice of "Shenandoah" while marching past the reviewing stand was rather cool also.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

Even a hard-core Union man has to concede that. I think they probably made the biggest impact in the parade and the choice of "Shenandoah" was inspired.

Robert A. Mosher

[Pvt Schnapps]

I wonder if they are required to render their weapons inoperable by some means. I would expect so.

For last year's Memorial Day parade we were required to "demilitarize" our weapons by removing the nipples. I believe there'd been talk about removing the hammers, but luckily we didn't have to go that far.

[sbl]

They kept coming and coming! Spectacular!

[plankmaker]

These two groups left little doubt aout where they were from either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEfitidb09I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGXyY2h26-0

A script Ohio in front of the review stand would have been cool. I wonder how times you can play Rocky Top over the course of 4 miles.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[hiplainsyank]

These two groups left little doubt aout where they were from either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEfitidb09I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGXyY2h26-0

A script Ohio in front of the review stand would have been cool. I wonder how times you can play Rocky Top over the course of 4 miles.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN


That definitely would have been sweet, but probably would take a bit too long. They could have even had the President dot the I!

[hiplainsyank]

Just watched some of the parade I recorded off CNN. No mention of most units, so I was curious who the mounted Federal cav unit fairly early in the parade was.

[sbl]

Joanna, I'm pretty sure it was this group.

Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard, First Infantry Division, Fort Riley KS

Here's an album of that group...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackmonam/477312610/

[Spinster]

Watch this youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dI-6OO6ho

And then imagine the effect multipled hundreds of times, as World War II, World II, Spanish-American War, and the Grand Army of the Republic all come home.

I don't believe Korean War veterans got such a parade, and I know Vietnam veterans did not, nor any of the Gulf Wars.

While most VMI students have not served in active military duty status, some have, and many more of them will.

[GaWildcat]

The Institute was surely heard from that day! Looking good, Cadets!

The Fort Riley mounted Color Guard looked great.... I will probably be banned for life from the order of the spur, and told to turn in my combat patch, but they sure looked better than the Horse Platoon from the 1st Cav Div. Nice to NOT see the yellow suspenders and scarfs.

[cannnfodder]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I think that clip of the Azalea Trail Maids is one of the most obnoxious things I have ever seen."


More obnoxious than "World Famous Lawn Rangers from Amazing Arcola"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUr2JKIw89w
PUHLEEZ!!!! Those fake Abe Lincolns! Those red gowns! Mowing a tar road! With no engines in the mowers! AAAHH!! Make it go away ! The images burned my corneas!
The star of the parade was the VMI for sure. What class!
Also my Mass Boys in Blue the 54th Mass were great! Huzzah!

[sbl]

I say Let ' em march!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhx26_ZyABs

[cannnfodder]

He had Grant for that :D.
Mista Moderator! Dare I say, Sir, you are guilty of inciting a mob and need to lock yourself in the cellar?:p :p :p

[cannnfodder]

I say Let ' em march!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhx26_ZyABs

Somehow, I knew this was coming. ( :( good grief :eek: ) The band members can march, but that drum major (at the lead) has GOT to go!

[sbl]

No, that's standard for drum majors.

"Not that there's anything wrong with it."

I'm surprised at the mean comments about the Mobile Azalea Trail Maids.

[cannnfodder]

No, that's standard for drum majors.

"Not that there's anything wrong with it."

I'm surprised at the mean comments about the Mobile Azalea Trail Maids.
Why, Scott, Pray tell, I think ya'll got a sweetness fer them fair ladies of Mobile!

[Captain of 1864]

I wonder if they are required to render their weapons inoperable by some means. I would expect so.
When I was in the 1st. cav , For Pres. Gorge H . Bush , The guys on the Horse Team said all weapons are checked by secret service. and peace locked .

[sbl]

We had the Secret Service check at Yorktown for President Reagan. Not flints, No fixed bayonets. Also we couldn't change drill position or look at the reviewing stand. This was on a few weeks after President Sadat of Egypt was killed by marching troops at a parade.

[GaWildcat]

When I was in the 1st. cav , For Pres. Gorge H . Bush , The guys on the Horse Team said all weapons are checked by secret service. and peace locked .


Another from 1st Horse.... FIRST TEAM!!