It’s a Presidential birthday

Posted on February 12, 2021
Lincoln, born 212 years ago Friday, had no idea an unconventional president in the 21st Century would be impeached twice and accused of fomenting a deadly insurrection upon our own government. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – How do you blow out 212 candles?

“Sequentially,” said President Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln, born 212 years ago Friday, had no idea an unconventional president in the 21st Century would be impeached twice and accused of fomenting a deadly insurrection upon our own government. That’s why Randy Duncan of Carlinville, “presenting” (don’t say “impersonating”!) Lincoln Friday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, refused to hazard a guess as to how the Great Emancipator would size up the events of the 21st Century — or even the 20th.

As for the stories of Mary Todd Lincoln’s mental health, the First Lady said, “I don’t know that they were fair comments, but I do know where some of them came from. I have my opinions, and I am not going to shy away from expressing them.”

Mrs. Lincoln Friday bore a great resemblance to a modern-day Springfield woman, Pam Brown.

The museum is open by reservation and is still searching for a new director.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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