A Paean to Lincoln: Something Not Copyediting-Related
I’m taking today off since my son’s birthday was this weekend, and I’m worn-out!
But just in case you’d miss me appearing in your inbox on the fifteenth of the month, here are some thoughts I have about today’s holiday.
As I mentioned last time, there’s some discussion about whom Presidents’ Day is designed to honor. I think it’s honoring both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and in my opinion, Lincoln is our nation’s greatest president and greatest statesman. And one of its greatest wordsmiths. Not that he followed all the modern-day rules for commas and capitalization, of course.
Here are the main reasons Lincoln is one of my heroes:
More than many other presidents, Lincoln was deeply committed to the Constitution and wanted to follow it faithfully. He understood his role as president.
Lincoln was both practical and idealistic. He knew how to balance what could feasibly be accomplished, given public sentiment, with what his moral convictions demanded. The balancing act was tricky, and obviously he didn’t do it perfectly. But he neither ran roughshod over the will of the people nor abandoned his core beliefs during an extremely contentious time in American history.
Lincoln believed, deep in his bones, that slavery was wrong. He knew and understood what the foremost evils of the day were. His commitment to ending the gross injustice of slavery once, upon reflection and discussion, he believed it was constitutional to do so, was a massive step toward liberty and equal rights for all Americans.
Lincoln was magnanimous—he refused to hold grudges in the messy world of politics.
He had a fantastic sense of humor, and was able to use it to defuse tense situations and help himself unwind in challenging times during his presidency.
Lincoln was a brilliant writer and speaker. His use of distinctively American English—colloquial, clear, full of concrete examples—made him an effective communicator.
I tend to focus on the nitty-gritty in Strike-Through: Refer to Super Bowls with roman numerals. Only put one space between sentences. Capitalize Electoral College. Don’t include an apostrophe when you form the plural of last names.
But it’s important to think about why we want to use language clearly and effectively. It’s safe to say that none of us will have the influence of Lincoln. Still, all of us can use language in way that conveys meaningful ideas, binds people together, and reflects our core values.
Happy Presidents’ Day!
Beating through the thicket of English, inspired by Lincoln’s careful pruning,
Rebekah Slonim
Our sixteenth president.