Comments for Lincoln, the Ghost of Christmas Past and Future at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 4 out of 4 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:30:32 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2008/lincoln-the-ghost-of-christmas-past-and-future.html#comment-384 Professor Arkes and Others, Although Lincoln professed respect for the States' police powers, his choice to forcefully preclude State secession was a serious constitutional error. The sovereign State-peoples retain the right/power to reclaim powers that they entrusted to the federal government and, hence, withdraw from the constitutional compact. Secession is one of the State-people's 10th Amendment "reserved powers." - Peter Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:35:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2008/lincoln-the-ghost-of-christmas-past-and-future.html#comment-382 Paul, I think you have missed the point of the article. Lincoln's understanding of the constitutional restraints on his power precluded him from pursuing an aggressive or, as you say, violent policy to "achieve social change" ala John Brown. Lincoln took office determined to preserve the Union, if possible without war. It is worth recalling that the war was thrust upon Lincoln by the South, and that until the shelling of Sumpter he insisted the mail be delivered even to the states in rebellion. - Sam Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:45:44 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2008/lincoln-the-ghost-of-christmas-past-and-future.html#comment-379 By praising Lincoln, you are endorsing his policy of using violence to achieve social change. Lincoln created the supergovernment Americans live under now, with an unlimited and unrestrained capacity to murder the unborn. If he and John Brown are your heroes, then add Paul Hill to your pantheon. - Paul Bergeron Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:29:40 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2008/lincoln-the-ghost-of-christmas-past-and-future.html#comment-373 ?s for the Prof. I love Lincoln, but not sure about couple of things i've read. Maybe you'll find these stupid, but can you tell me: was Lincoln Anti-Catholic? Didn't he remove the American Ambassador to the Vatican? & was he a Mason? I also have read that his wife's "spirituality" was demonic involvement. Seems weird to me compared to what i've read about his prayer life & the work the Holy Spirit thru Him. Was he twisted by protestantism? Any TRUE books you recommend on him? - Debby Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:04:11 +0100