It is scheduled to happen once every four years. This isn't one of those years. But January 20 is still recognized in our Flag Code as a day to celebrate each year.
We're one year into the Biden presidency and one year removed from Trump's. It's sad that the tone and mood isn't much different now than it was a year ago. I'm gloomy in reflecting, on this day, about the long and miserable path of illegitimacy we're traveling regarding our presidents. The current office-holder is down in the polls as "Let's Go Brandon" flags fly. A majority of Republicans, it would seem, believe Mr. Biden didn't really win that election. Hmm.
Then again, Trump wasn't legitimate either. I certainly never considered him such. It wasn't as much the Russian meddling for me as it was him. Oh, and he failed to secure the popular vote.
Before him was Barack Obama, who Trump tarnished with his racist, birther-ist banalities.
Before him was George W. Bush. The 9/11 tragedy sometimes obscures the anger many had that Bush found himself in office as the winner of a 5-4 Supreme Court decision. Oh, and he didn't win the popular vote in 2000.
And then before him was Bill Clinton, the one who kinda-sorta was nearly removed from office due to a tawdry affair.
Really, we have to go back to George H.W. Bush, who left office 29 years ago this day, to find a president who enjoyed legitimacy in the eyes of voters.
And with each president since them, the shrillness of those who claim the president is unworthy and illegitimate grows louder. And I fear it will be louder still after this day in 2025.
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At one point in our history inaugurations were special moments for presidents to lay out their image for our nation. My favorite such time was March 4, 1865, when Abraham Lincoln was sworn in for his second term. Below you'll find a transcript of his address that day. It remains for me the most stirring speech given in the English language. This comes from ourdocuments.gov.
Fellow Countrymen
At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the enerergies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war. All dreaded it -- all sought to avert it. While the inaugeral address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war -- seeking to dissole the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.
One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern half part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope -- fervently do we pray -- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said f[our] three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"
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 achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with the world. to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with the world. all nations.
[Endorsed by Lincoln:]
Original manuscript of second Inaugural presented to Major John Hay.
A. Lincoln
April 10, 1865
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