That our government should have been maintained in its original form from its establishment until now, is not much to be wondered at. It had many props to support it through that period, which now are decayed, and crumbled away. Through that period, it was felt by all, to be an undecided experiment; now, it is understood to be a successful one.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lincoln argues that the government's survival is due to past support that has since faded, and its initial uncertainty has now been replaced by proven success.
- In plain terms
- The government survived early challenges with help that is now gone, and what was once unsure is now known to work.
- What can you take from it?
- Success validates the original design after initial doubts fade.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a successful government?
- How do we measure institutional success?
Another view
It assumes the original form remains optimal despite changing conditions.
More from Abraham Lincoln
There is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law. In any case that arises, as for instance, the promulgation of abolitionism, one of two positi…
Permalink to quote #57 It is to deny, what the history of the world tells us is true, to suppose that men of ambition and talents will not continue to spring up amongst us. And, when…
Permalink to quote #59 But all this even, is not the full extent of the evil. - By such examples, by instances of the perpetrators of such acts going unpunished, the lawless in spiri…
Permalink to quote #56
Related quotes
American militarism today is an unintended byproduct of the reaction to the 1960s and Vietnam.
Andrew BacevichAndrew Bacevich quote #1 The Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Abba EbanAbba Eban quote #2 Our foreign policy was an improvisation. Like Schacht's financial policy, it lacked foresight. The Nazis kept talking about a thousand-year Reich, but they cou…
Paul SchmidtPaul Schmidt quote #3