An evening with President Lincoln
Mel Maurer as Abraham Lincoln
As a long time student of Abraham Lincoln I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to have heard him speak – in the debates with Stephen Douglas, at his inaugurations, and at Gettysburg. To hear the golden words of that great writer/speaker/politician would have been a wonderful experience, especially for a history junkie like me.
Even better would have been to be in the various inns and taverns where Lincoln stayed as he rode the circuit as a lawyer. There he would be, after everyone there had a hard day – maybe in courts arguing against each other – telling his stories and yarns. It would be the informal Lincoln, relaxing among his old and new friends. No one enjoyed hearing or telling tales as much as he did.
My wonderings led me to imagine a scenario that would combine formal and informal talks – to bring some of my dreams to life in a way that would entertain, inform and honor the president in a presentation to an audience. What if, I thought, Mary Lincoln, in February 1865, through her work with organizations helping service men and their families, committed the president to a talk at Ford’s Theatre to raise money? (Mary often visited the wounded and helped The Sanitary Commission, which provided aid to soldiers, sailors, their wives and children).
In this scenario, Lincoln reluctantly agrees to speak and further agrees not to make a political speech as per Mary’s request. He even agrees to take questions from the audience. (As president Lincoln was always very careful to avoid speaking extemporaneously for fear of saying something he shouldn’t). He does like the fact that it will be at Ford’s where he has seen many plays and where he feels comfortable – he may also want to experience standing on its stage. (A modern audience will appreciate the irony of this site).
The arrangements are made, the event – entitled: “An Evening with President Lincoln” – will play to a packed house. It will be held on February 12th, the president’s 56th birthday. This late in the Civil War, which is almost over, Lincoln plans to talk to the audience as he does to those who call on him at The White House – casually, although maybe too much so for Mary’s tastes – on his life, his view, the war he couldn’t avoid, and the future as he sees it. And Lincoln, of course, cannot speak in an environment like this without humor and many of his stories.
What would it be like to attend a talk like this? I’m hoping to give you some sense of what it would be like on February 22nd in my presentation called, strangely enough: “An Evening with President Lincoln.” The Dover Room at Porter Library will serve at Ford’s Theater. The president takes the stage at 7:00 p.m.
We hope to see you there.
Mel Maurer lives in Westlake.