Purpose: To dedicate February 12th as a day to remember President Lincoln and his sacrifices
Date: January 30, 1919
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
By His Excellency Calvin Coolidge, Governor
A Proclamation
Five score and ten years ago that Divine Providence which infinite repetition has made only the more a miracle sent into the world a new life, destined to save a nation. No star, no sign, foretold his coming. About his cradle all was poor and mean save only the source of all great men, the love of a wonderful woman. When she faded way in his tender years, from her deathbed in humble poverty she dowered her son with greatness. There can be no proper observance of a birthday which forgets the mother. Into his origin as into his life men long have looked and wondered. In wisdom great, but in humility greater, in justice strong, but in compassion stronger, he became a leader of men by being a follower of the truth. He overcame evil with good. His presence filled the Nation. He broke the might of oppression. He restored a race to its birthright. His mortal frame has vanished, but his spirit increases with the increasing years, the richest legacy of the greatest century.
Men show by what they worship what they are. It is no accident that before the great example of American manhood our people stand with respect and reverence. And in accordance with this sentiment our laws have provided for a formal recognition of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, for in him is revealed our ideal, the hope of our country fulfilled.
Now, therefore, by the authority of Massachusetts, the 12th day of February is set apart as
LINCOLN DAY
and its observance recommended as benefits the beneficiaries of his life and the admirers of his character, in places of education and worship wherever our people meet one with another.
Given at the Executive Chamber, in Boston, 30th day of January, in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nineteen, and of the independence of the United States of America the one hundred and forty-third.
Calvin Coolidge, Have Faith in Massachusetts, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1919.