Abraham Lincoln: SUMMARY The Emancipation Consciousness 1978 Feb

Filed under Interfaith meeting - conference | Thoughts from the UN community. | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

On 10 February 1978 the birthday of Abraham Lincoln was marked by a programme of music and human rights tributes held in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters, sponsored by the Peace Meditation Group.

Statements were offered by:

  • Ambassador Ovadia Soffer of Israel,
  • Ambassador Jorge Enrique Illueca of Panama,
  • Ambassador David M. Thomas of Liberia and
  • Ms. Karyne Jones, Personal Representative of the U.S . Ambassador to the United Nations.

The programme also included:

  • the recitation of his poem “Abraham Lincoln” by Sri Chinmoy,
  •  two songs by the Meditation Group choir:
    • “All Men Are Created Equal , ” and
    • “O Human Rights,”
  • and readings from the writings of Abraham Lincoln.

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Reference Note:

Excerpts from the tributes follow:

Ambassador Ovadia Soffer of Israel: It is only natural that Jews everywhere have felt especially attracted to Abraham Lincoln as the emancipator of the Negro slave, as a victim of violence, as a dreamer of peace and as the spokesman of a way of life “with malice towards none, with charity for all,” which matches the idealism of our prophets.

. . . This doctrine of equality among men and among nations is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and bestows upon us an obligation to strive so that men can live as equals.

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Ambassador Jorge Enrique Illueca , Permanent Representative of Panama: To the people of Panama, to the people of Latin America and to the Third World countries in general, Lincoln’s teachings, the symbol of Abraham Lincoln and his emancipation consciousness are a permanent source of inspiration, strength and positive action against
the anachronistic evils of colonialism, racism and apartheid. After the Civil War, Lincoln proclaimed that the nation would have a new birth of freedom.

This right to a new birth of freedom here in the United Nations is not confined to the United States. Every country, the whole of mankind, claims the same rights promoted by Lincoln to ensure change and renewal towards the legitimate aspirations for the common goals of freedom, prosperity and peace.

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Ambassador David M. Thomas, Permanent Representative of Liberia : Abraham Lincoln was a good man-and because he was good, he was great. His noble words and deeds have made him immortal. He was honest, compassionate and jus t. He was charitable and philanthropic. His spirit of humanity and love went beyond the boundaries of his own country and embraced the world. The spirit of freedom and justice for all was exemplified in the life of Lincoln and his passionate desire to see all men emancipated. This spirit of his made such an impact that it has inspired generations, and today this great world community is committed to the cause of peace for all mankind.

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Ms. Karyne Jones, Personal Representative of the Permanent Representative of the United States: Ambassador Young wanted me to tell you that there is a modern slavery now in South Africa, about which he feels as Abraham Lincoln did about slavery in the United States. These people, he feels, also need an emancipator to help them break away from slavery. . . .

America still has that commitment to civil rights, human rights, social rights and freedom of all peoples.

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Ambassador Illueca comments to Sri Chinmoy after the programme:

“I have deep admiration for what you are doing at the United Nations. It was a very nice atmosphere, very nice spirit and inspiration.

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Abraham Lincoln

Born under no lucky star,

But dynamic in his dreams,

He fought his way to Luck:

“From log cabin to White House.”

No soul on earth supreme over another—

Equality every man’s birthright and treasure—

Black and white, brown and red

Make no difference—

This nation cannot exist half-slave, half-free:

From his voice these bold truths rang out.

He had the gift to dream of union,

The courage and capacity to fight,

The confidence to win,

The patience that knew no flagging.

Faith in God’s Justice was his stamina,

Faith in God was his might.

Natural the affinity of vision-luminous souls,

So Emerson could say of Lincoln:

“His heart was as great as the world,

But there was no room in it  to hold a wrong.”

“Force is all-conquering,

But its victories are short-lived.”

Love is all-conquering,

And its victories live on forever.

What is really important?

Are we God’s or is God ours?

The idealist in Lincoln reveals:

“We trust, Sir, that God is on our side.

It is more important to know

That we are on God’s side.”

– from Sri Chinmoy’s , America In Her Depths, Agni Press, 1973.
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  Songs performed by the Meditation Group choir:

“All Men Are Created Equal ,

” and

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“O Human Rights,”

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