Very very infrequently I am terribly awed by...
...how some folks underestimate the quality or the importance of their work or message to world.
In one case, I came across letters between two men who had both spoken at a dedication. The first man to speak was an incredibly popular orator and statesman. He spoke for about two hours and held everyone's complete attention. The crowd that gathered, most of whom were standing, made hardly a sound the entire time. The second man spoke only for a few minutes. He later expressed to the first speaker that he felt his words had fallen flat and left those gathered unmoved.
The first speaker, Edward Everett, wrote: "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."
The second speaker's response letter:
Washington
November 20, 1863
Hon. Edward Everett.
My dear Sir:
Your kind note of to-day is received. In our respective parts yesterday, you could not have been excused to make a short address, nor I a long one. I am pleased to know that, in your judgment, the little I did say was not entirely a failure. Of course I knew Mr. Everett would not fail; and yet, while the whole discourse was eminently satisfactory, and will be of great value, there were passages in it which transcended my expectation. The point made against the theory of the general government being only an agency, whose principals are the States, was new to me, and, as I think, is one of the best arguments for the national supremacy. The tribute to our noble women for their angel-ministering to the suffering soldiers, surpasses, in its way, as do the subjects of it, whatever has gone before.
Our sick boy, for whom you kindly inquire, we hope is past the worst. Your Obt. Servt.
A. Lincoln
President Lincoln's words are now known as the Gettysburg Address.
In another way, in my opinion, even more humbling, is this account best explained by the artist herself:
Thanks for reading and watching.
= new reply since forum marked as read
