(viGTA/AM £S£)

nhOns ranh-ngOn

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Chan dung ong Abraham Lincoln, vi Tong-Thong thu 16 cua Hoa-Kij,

in & bia sdch Id mot hoa-pham cua Tong-Thong Dwight D. Eisenhower,

vi Tong-Thong thir 34 cua Hoa-ky. Hoi-hoa Id mot thu tieu-khftn wa-thich

cua Tbng-Thong Eisenhower,

NHLTNG DANH-NGON

cua

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

MOT TUy£N-TAP NHUNG VAN-KI$N VA

danh.ng6n cOa mOt bac vI.nhAn m?

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

http://archive.org/details/nhngdanhngncuaabOOIinc

L&i giai - thi&u

«c/FtHUNG l&i chung ta noi day, the-gi&i se it chu-tj

va cung se chang nh& ldu....»

Bo Id l&i noi cwc ky nhun-nhg.fi cua Abraham Lincoln, noi

tgi Gettysburg, Pennsylvania ngdy 19 thdng Mw&iMgt nam 1863.

Lam sao ma ddn-chung lai co tti& phai nh& lai it l&i noi dan-di

cua Lincoln khi ma chinh tgi nai nay ngw&i ta vita trai qua mot

trdn iw chien kinh~hon ngw&i chet nhw ra, mot trdn chien da

lam cho ten Gettysburg dwac Iwu tieng ngan thu ?

Nhwng Lincoln da nghi lam ve diem do. May l&i dan-di

cua ong noi ngdy hdm do that ra da dwac nh& lau lam, va se

con dwac nh& lau lam, va se con dwac nh& mai mai, khi macon ngw&i con men trgng nhwng ly-twang da dwac vgch ra

trong bai dien-vdn Gettysburg bdt-hu mot each hung-hbn gay-

ggn den nhw the.

Khong phai chi bai dien-vdn Gettysburg ma thdi, ede l&i

noi khdc Lincoln da viet hope noi trong suot d&i ong, ong cung

chang dam w&c mong thien-ha phai « nh& Idu ». Trong nhwng

nam ong lam Tbng-Thong Hoa-Ky, trong th&i-gian gay-can

nhat cua lich sw My tw khi Idp quoct

co-nhien ong biet rang

chinh 6ng dang nhdo nan lich.sw, trau-chuot giang-san. dng

hieu ro trdch.nhiem ngng ne gdnh iriu hai vai, nen ong rat

ihdn trgng l&i noi trw&c quoeddn. Nhwng l&i dng ndi van luon

luon Id l&i tdm-huyet ong gai cho con tim khfii 6c cua l&p ngw&i

tdm-huyet th&i do, nai do.

Tren cwcrlig-vi Nguyen-Thu Hanh-Phdp cua « mdt Chinh.

Phu cua dan, b&i dan va vi ddn », ong co tim each dan dat dbng-

bao ong lam dieu phai, chiu theo dim phai. Ong viet hag noi

cung chl nham muc-dich ay. Con ngw&i nhiin-nhfin it cao-vgng

nay khong he bao gib lai nghi rang biet bao nhieu the he ve sau

khong nhirng lai Hoa-Kij md la khcip wgi no-i tren the-gi&i, se

doc, se nghien ngdm suy-ludn nhirng l&i ong thot ra hoi do. Baco fan 6ng viet cho mot ngw&i ban, « Ong a, toi phai noi that v&i

ong dieu nay, toi thay toi khong xirng-ddng v&i ghe Tbng-

Thong ddu. »

Lincoln da mat di non mot the-ky nay rbi. Non mdt the-ky

nayt

tat ca nhirng l&i ong noi ho$c viit ra, khong nhirng trong

ih&i kij ong lam Tbng-thong, md trong suot ca d&i ong, ngw&i

ta dd. day cong swu-lam, thdn-trgng gin-giw, xuat.ban ihanh

sdeh rbi lai tdi-ban nhieu phen. Mot trong nhirng nhd vvkt

tieu-sw Lincoln danh-tieng nhat la ong Carl Sandburg, danhdn manh la tat ca nhirng bdi viet va dien-van cua ong

dwac in ra cong ca thay la 1.078.365 chit.

Nhitng trang sdeh sau day duac bien-soan ra de ky-niem

ngay sinh-nhdt thir 160 cua Lincoln, gom co nhtrng doanchon-lgc trich ra trong n\& l&i-le tw-iw&ng phong-phii bieu-

dwang ca mot kho gia-tdi qui bdu cua ddn-tgc Hoa-Ky.

Theo l&i ong Roy. P. Basler, cay but cir khoi viet ra bo

Lincoln Todn Tdp. thi day Id sir bieu-lg « pham-cdeh motbde vi-nhdn long da cao sau nhw ir&i bien da d&t cdi thien

trong nguyen-tac, cdi chdn trong hdnh-dgng va cdi mi) trong

ngon ngir. dug chinh la mot Iwvng-tri sang lao trong do cdi

thwechat cua My-quoc the-ky 19 ho-hap md sinh-tbn. Cdcthwe-chdt ay chinh la co san trong ngi-idm Lincoln, md ongbay to ra mot each khong ai bat chw&c noi, nen l&i ong

noi m&i song mai v&i th&i-giant

vita dai-dien vira iupng-

trwng day du cho ca mot th&i-dai da nuoi-dw&ng ong, hoivdy cho nen ngay nay ta nghien-ciru suy.tw&ng ve ong nhwta nghien-ciru suy.tw&ng nhirng bde van-tdi co dien th&i xwa

t

vwg-t h&n ngw&i thw&ng. Th&i-gian co the xoa nhoa y-nghia

sw trang nhirng viec ong lam v&i tw.cdch Tbng.thong vd tw.

each cong* ddn thu&ng, nhwng cdi cao-ca sdng-chdi trong l&i li

cua ong thi chung ta se ghi nh& mai mai, khong bao gi& quen ».

I, Nhwng N&m Bau

;w^ -

\ -^

w

Lincoln rat cham doc sach de ty*

hoc, va dirge quyen sdch nao la

dem dem me mai doc ngau docnghien dual anh nen hay dnh iCra

chap chon, mac dau suot ngay dd

NHUNG NAM &AU

Bdi dienvdn dau tien trirac cong chung

Bdi diin-vdn dau-tien Lincoln doc trir&c cong chung Id bdi

ong tugen-bo ra img-cur nghiuien trong Bqi Hoi-Bong tieu bang

Illinois. Bo Id nam 1832, hoi ong mai 23 tuoi. -Boqn Irich dir&i

day khong noi t&i nhirng chi-tiet quan-dftm cua ong ve tinh-hinh

lapphdp dia-phircrng, nlurng cung da chl ro thai-do y kien ong

thai do.

Kinh thira d&ng-bao ;

Toi ra irng-cu* lam chixc vu cao-qui cua mot trong cac vi dai-bieu

ciia dong-bao vao Dai Hoi-Dong Dan-bi&u khoa toi cho tieu-bang chung

ta, theo luat-le da dinb, va theo dung nguyen-tac mQt nen cong-h6a

chan-chinh, vay bcm-phan toi la phai tir gioi-thieu vcri dong-bao, voi

nhirng ngiro-i toi xin lam dai-dien trinh-bay voi dong-bao tat ca nhirng

y-kien cua toi ve moi cong viec dia-phtrang chung ta.

Thoi-gian va kinh-nghiem da chung thiic ro-rang nhirng dieu cai-

tien noi-bo lgi-ich cho cong-chung nhu* the nao. Khong ai ch6i cai

dirge rang mo duo-ng mo sa, dao vet song ngoi cho thuyen be qua lai

de dang, rat c6 ich-loi cho nhieu xu* dan-cir thira-thot ngheo-nan.

Nhirng neu bat tay vao viec ma khong biet ro ngay tvr liic dau rang

minh co lam duoc den no*i den chon hay khong thi th?t la ro dai.

Cong viec lam do dang chl them hao tai ton cong ma thoi...

Ve van-de giao-duc, toi khong dam bao la toi du*a ra mQtchuong-trinh, he-thong nao dac-biet, toi chl c6 the n6i la doivoi toi, giao-duc la mot van-de toi quanhe cho cluing ta. M6inguoi chung ta it nhat cung phai dirge hoc - hoi it nhieu,

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

d£ c6 the doc dirge lich-sur nirac minh va niroc khac, d& co the nho*

hoc-van ma thirong-thirc dugc gia-tri nhirng cc-so* tir-do cua nir6*c ta

B6 la mQt viec circ k$ khan-trong. Ay la chira ke den nhirng lgi-l$c

va sir sung-sirong cua nhirng ngtro-i doc nSi sach kinh va cac sach vor

khac vura ve ton-giao va dao-ty. Ve phan toi, toi chi mu6n dirge thay

tho-i ky ma giao-duc, va nho* 6* phircrng-tien giao due, cac sir trang

dao-duc, tiet d§, cac cong viec kinh-doanh, ky-nghe se tro nen thong-

thuo-ng hon bay gio* ; toi se rat lay lam sung strong dugc quyen gop*

phan gop sue vao sir thyc hien mot bien-phap nao kha dT xuc-tien

dirge su- viec cho thd*i-ky hoan-lac ay mau to*i...

Tuoi tre la tuSi bao gio- cung phai bet sire nhun-nhan mai dirge,

toi dua ra nhirng y kien tren day ke cung da la hcri qua muc, nhung

thua dong bao, toi nghisao noi v£y, khong dam an khuat dieu gi. Rat

co the toi lam mot vai dieu hoac tat ca moi dieu cung chira biet

chvrng, nhirng toi van co het sire theo loi tuc thuo-ng noi, la tha dirge

mot hai Ian diing con ho-n ca ngan Ian sai, nen neu toi thay ^-kien nao

sai, toi san sang loai bo ngay. khong dam ngoan-co.

Pham ngu-6-i ta ai cung co cao vong rieng. Neu dung that nhur the

thi ve phan toi, toi c6 the n6i rang uoc-vong cao xa nhat cua toi la

dirge dong bao thirc tam yeu qui, va rang lam sao cho dirge xirng dang

voi long yeu qui ay. Toi co thanh-cong dirge trong cong-cuQC theo

tfuoi cao-vong do chang, thanh-cong dugc den mux nao, dieu 6.6 dong

bao se ro khi toi bat tay vao viec. Toi con tre tuoi, nhieu dSng bao

khong biet toi la ai. Toi von la mot con nha ngheo, tu* truoc den nay

luon luon song trong canh ngheo cue. Toi khong co ban-be than-thuoc

nao giau-sang danh-gia de tien-dan cho toi ca. Toi dac-biet chi, trong

nho* vao la phieu doc-lap cua dong bao trong khu nay ma thoi. Neu

toi dac cu, toi se chiu mot cai an doi voi dong bao, ma toi chi co the

tra dirge bang su* tan tam lam viec ma thoi, Con neu dong-bao nhan

xet sang-suot thay toi khong xirng dang thay mat cho dong-bao, phai

nhircrng biroc cho ngiroi khac thi toi cung khong dam phien-trach gi,

vi toi la nguoi da quen chiu that bai nhieu roi.

Kinh chao dong bao

A. Lincoln

Tan Salem, ngay 9 thang Ba 1832

NHUNG NAM BAU

Ve cdc van - de chinh - tri

Veto nam 1839, tuoi m&i ba mwori, Lincoln da tra nen mot

nhdn-vat chinh-tri loi-lgc trong tftu-bang. Thdng Chap nam ag,

trong phong hop Hoi-Bong Ddn-Bieu & Springfield, ong doc mot

bdi dien.van ve nhirng van~de chinh-tri luc bag gib. Bag Id mot

bdi diin-van thien ve dang-phdi mlnh nhieu lam, vl hoi do Lincoln

Id dang-vien rat nhiet-thdnh cua dang Whig — bag gib dang nag

khong con nu-a — nhirng cuug phan-chieu duac tinh cuong-truc

cua ong ve nguyen-tdc chinh-tri, Bdi diin-van do co doqn ket

nhir sau :

Ong Lamborn noi ve ky bau-cu- triroc trong cac bieu-bang, roi

xet ket-qua ma tien ctoan rang ky bau Tong-Thong sap toi, tat ca moi

tieu-bang trong Lien-Bang deu se bau cho ong Van Buren. Noi nhirng

16*i ay voi nhirng quan hen nhat, bat-liro-ng thi du*oc, chu* voi nhungngiroi quan-tu* tir-do, dom-lirong, thi dirng hong ai nghe. Muon cho la

dung thi cu* viec khong ai can. Nhieu xu* tir-do da mat tir-do roi, xii*

chung ta cung co the mat tu*-do nhu ho, neu chang may co*-su* xay ra

nhu* vay thi toi xin the khong dam n6i khoac, khong phai toi se la

nguoi cuoi cung dao ngu dau, toi se chang bao gio dao-ngu ca. Toi

biet rang ngon nui lua to tuong 6* Hoa Thinh-Bdn du*orc mot hung th&n

khci ra va dfeu-khien dang khac ra nhung phiin thach chinh-tri I hoi

nat chay thanh mot dong lua sau manh ao-ao tran di nhu* thac

lu khap moi nai moi xur, nhat dinh tan-pha het thay moi sinh"

vat co cay ; tren ngon lira biet bao nhieu la tieu qui nhay muareo hd, gap vat gi hay nguo-i nao ngang-nhien chong lai chungthi chiing thi nhau ma che-dieu si-va mot each tai-ac. Toi biet

nhu* vay lam, va toi khong cai rang tat ca moi vat se co the cung bi

quet sach. Ca toi nua cung co the bi gay guc. Nhung gay thi gay, chu*

ciii dau chiu luy thi nhat dinh khong. Dau chac miroi mu*oi la s§ thau

cuoc, ta cung quyet khong tu* bo chinhnghia ta theo duoi. Toi thi toi

nhat dinh gi£r virng lap-triicrng. Neu co luc nao toi cam thay tam-ho"n

thanh-thoat bay vut len toi cho vo-bien cua Tao-H6a thi chinh la luc

toi suy-ngam den chinh nghia cua xur-so, bi tat ca moi ngufri thoai

bo, ma rieng loi, toi dam ngang-nhien khu* khu mot minh chong giu>,

NHITNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

thach do bon ngiroi ap-biic thang tran. No*i day, triroc Thirong-Be,.

triroc mat the-gioi, bat ke den nhirng hau qua ra sao, toi xin the vTnh-

vien trung-thanh voi chinh-DghTa cua xur toi, cua dfri toi, cua su* tu*-do

va tinh thtro*ng yeu cua toi, nhir toi hang tin-ttrong. Ai cung mot y-

aghT voi toi, xin cho ngai gi ma khong ciro-ng-quyet the nhu* toi. Biet

minh phai, thi khong nen do du- nu-a. Chiing ta se co the thanh-cong.

Sau nay neu chang may that-bai, au cung danh chiu vay, chiing ta van

co the tu*-hao ma noi voi luang-tam chiing ta, voi cai bong mo* cua

nen tu*-do xii-so* chiing ta rang chiing ta da chang bao gio* lui birac

trong cong-cuoc bao-ve chinh-nghia ma liro*ng-tri chiing ta da thua-nhija

16ng da chiing ta ton-thcr, trong bao lau noi nguynan, kho cue, chct

choc, hanh-ha daudon e-che.

Quan-diem ve dao-ly

Nam I8b6, Lincoln ra ting-cir Quoc-Hoi Hoa-Kij — ong dircrc

dac-eir sau do — thi co ke mqt-sdt ong la ngir&i hay bdng-bo ton.

giao. Ong thciij can phai tra lori cong-khoi cho moi ngir&i hifai

quan-diem cua ong.

Kinh gcri toan-the cir-tri Quan Bay Tuyen-Cir Quoc-hpi

Kinh thua dong-bao,

Trong Quan co nguoi ket-toi toi la mot ngiid'i cong-khai bang-bo-

Gia-T6 giao, nen toi dirge may ngiioi ban khuyen toi trinh bay lai voi

dong-bao cho ro qnan-diem cua toi. Toi khong la hoi vien cua mot

nganh giao-hoi nao net, dieu do co that. Nhirng toi cbira he bao gio*

phu-nhan chan-ly cua Thanh Kinh, chira he bao gio- co y noi hdn-lao

doi voi dao-giao noi chung, va doi voi moi nganh Gia-T6 giao noi rieng*.

Cua dang toi hoi con tre toi co xu-hirong tin-tirong mot chu nghia goi

la « Chu-nghTa Can-Menh », nghia la linh-hon con ngucri hoat-dong hay

yen-tTnh la do mot quyen-hrc nao do dinh-doat, ta khong the nao cirong.

10

NHUNG NAM BAU

noi ; doi khi traah luan (voi doi ba ngiro-i thoi chir khong cong-khai

triroc mat nhieu ngiroi) toi van thiro-ng cai-ly cho dieu toi tin-tirong

— thoi quen tranh-luan nhir vay toi da bo nan diro-c ban nam nam nay

roi — ; va toi xin n6i them rang tu* triroc den nay toi van nghT rang

^-kien ay cung thiro-ng diro-c nhieu nganh Gia-to-giao tan thanh. Bo sir

thait la nhir vay, toi xin trinh-bay van-tat sir thirc ve van-de do nhir vay.

Rieng toi, toi nghT rang toi khong the nao lai di iing-ho mot ngiroi

thu-nghich dao-giao, bang-bo dao-giao cong khai, ra lam viec niroc.

Hay bo cac van-de cao-xa ve hau-qua do*i do*i kiep-kiep cua ngiro-i do

doi voi dang Tao-H6a ra mot ben, toi nghT rang khong mot ngu-6'i nao

lai co quyen lang ma nhirng niem tin-tir6*ng, xuc pham den dao-dirc

cua xa-hoi ngiroi ay dang song. Neu qua that tir-cach cua toi don-mat

nhir vay thi se khong phien-trach gi nhirng ngu-ai ket toi toi ca, nhu*ng

toi rat phien-trach bat-cir ngu*6'i nao don-dai nhung 16-i vu-khong doi

voi toi.

A. Lincoln

Ngay 31 thang Bay, 1846

Lai khuyen-bao mot ngu-ai trong ho

Ai cung Met Lincoln sinh trir&ng trong mot gia dinh ngheo

tiing, Ben luc ong lam nen, nhieu ngwcri trong ho thw&ng xin

ong giup da tien bac, Mac dau khong dwac phong Iwu cho lam,

ong van giup da rat rong rai, Nhung hoi nam 184-8, luc ong

dang lam nghi si Quoc-Hoi & Hoa-ThinhBon, mot ngw&i em re

xin ticn ong, ong khong g&i tien, ma lai g&i cho nhung lai

khuyen-nhu rat chin-chdn.

Em Johnston th&n men

Em xin anh 80 do-la, anh nghT ky thay khong nen cho em luc nay.Triroc kia nhieu Ian anh giup em tien, em thiro-ng bao anh : « Thoithe la chiing em khong con phai lo ngai gi nira», ay the ma changbao lau anh lai thay em tiing quan nhir thud-ng. Nhir vay chi la do tir-

cach cua era c6 dieu-khuyet-diem do ma thoi. Khuyet-diem nhir the

II

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

nao,c6 le anh biet. Era khong co tinh lircri bieng, ma sao em van lumgkhu-ng it chiu lam viec. Tu* ngay anh xa em, anh ngo- rang em chira

lam viec Sucre mot ngay nao hoan-toan co the goi dirge la motngay cat lure lam viec cho ra tro. Em khong phai ghet lam viec, ma sao

em lam viec van it lam, co le chi vi em cho rang lam viec chang kiemdugc bao nhieu tien. Tat ca moi sir ma ra. Em phai b6 cai thoi ay di

raffi dirge ; 3.6 la mot dieu vo cung he-trong doi voi ban than em, va

nhat la doi v.cVi cac chau, vi cac chau do-i con dai, can tranh cho chiing

no khoi mac phai benh liro-i-bieng an khong ngoi roi, chir dgi den khi

mac phai roi thi kh6 go* lam lam.

Bay gia em can mot so tien ngay tire thai. Anh de-nghi em phai

di kiem viec lam, «cat-lu"C)) ma lam cho ngircri nao chiu tra cong choem. Be cha va lu tre coi s6c viec nha, lam dong lam ray, c6n em thi

nen di kiem viec lam ngay, viec nao dong ltrcrng cho kha cang hay, neukhong lam trir no* cung diro-c. Va de thur&ng cong chiu kh6 cua em, anhhura voi em la tu*- nay cho den mSng mot thang Nam, moi mot do-la

em kiem duoc bang cong an viec lam, hoac tien mat, hoac tien tru* no,

anh se dai em them mot do-la ntra. Nhur vay, neu em di lam mironduoc 10 do-la mot thang, anh se thurang em them raircri dola nura, the

la em se co 20 do-la mdi tliang. Bi kiem viec, anh khong co y bao emphai di suot tan St. Louis, hay di rain di mo 6* mien California dau

?

ma chi can kiem quanh 6* mien Coles gan nha cung dirge, mien la

luo-ng huang kha thi thoi, Neu em chiu kho nghe anh, thi chang mayliic era se sach no* sach nan, ma tot nhat la em bo duro*c tinh lird'i bieng

no lam cho em mang cong mac no*. Con neu anh lai giiip tien cho emtrang trai bay gio*, thi sang nam the nao em cung lai c6ng lai no, dau

lai vao day. Em bao la em san long doi ch6 ngoi cua em tren Thien-

Bang lay 70 hoac 80 do-la. Vay ra em danh gia qua thap cho ngoi cua

em tren Thien-Bang vi anh dam chac voi em rang neu em chiu nghe

anh, thi chi trong vong bon nam thang la em kiem duo*c bay tam chuc

do-la ngay. Em lai noi rang neu anh goi tien cho em, em se nhird'ng

dat cua em cho anh, va neu em khong tra dirge mon tien ay, thi emde luon quyen so* htru dat ay cho anh. Noi vay la noi bay ! Bay gio* co

dat em con khong song dirge, nay mai khong co dat thu* hoi em song

lam sao ? Em bao gio* doi vo'i anh cung tot, anh khong muon xu- te doi

vo'i em dau. Trai lai, neu em nghe theo 16*i khuyen cua anh, em se

thay 16-i khuyen ay dang gia gap mircri Ian 80 do-la day em a.

Than men

Anh cua em

A. Lincoln

12

II. Nhwng Nam Tranh-Lu&n

Chinh-Tri

ir

s£

i

^v

Day 16 btirc chan-dung Lincoln do hoa-sT Alexander

Fesler ve hoi thdng Sau i860, m9t thdng sau khi nha

< Dai Giai-Phong > di/ac dang cur ra tranh ghe Tong thong.

NHVNG NAM TRANHLUAN

Bdi dlen-vdn thfr nhat ve che-do noJe

Vdo khoang nam 185b, van-de no-le bat dau dwcrc dem ra

tranh-luqn rat nhieu trong cdc gi&i chinh-tri My. Van de do ribi

len trir&c het doi v&i cdc tiiu bang m&i thdnh.lqp vd sat nhdp

vdo Lien.Bang trong thai Tag tien. Bdi dien-van quan trong dau

tien cua Lincoln vi van de note dirac doc tqi Peoria, Illinois,

vdo hoi thdng Mircri, 185b, & tra lai dien-van cua Thirang nghi-

st Stephen A. Douglas mot dich-thu chinh tri quan-trong cua ong

trong nhirng nam lien sau do. Lincoln noi luon mot hori trin ba

gi& dong ho, cung nhir Douglas tru&c khi. Boqn diin-van trich

sau dag, mac dau trich ngdn, cung du bieu-lg quan-niem triet-lij

can-ban cua ong ve van-de no-le.

Ngiroi ta n6i « Cong ly binh-dang cho mien Nam », tire la doi hoi

chung ta phai bang long cho che-do no-le banh-trirong sang cac xu*

moi lap. Nhir the nghia la neu anh khong phan-doi quyen cua toi

diroc mang theo heo cua toi sang Nebraska, thi toi cung khong diroc

phan-doi quyfcn cua anh mang theo no-le di voi anh. Toi san long

cong nhan dieu nay la hop-ly, neu giua heo va dan da den khong co

dieu gi khac biet ca. Nhirng trong khi anh d6i boi toi phai phu-nhannhan-cach cua ngiro-i da den nhir vay, toi muon hoi chinh cac anh la

nhirng ngiro'i dan mien Nam, cac anh co chiu phu-nhan nhir the khongda ? That la mot dieu may man ma trong so nhirng nguxri sinh ra 6* doi,

chi co mot thi&u so rat it nhu-ng ke ban-tinh doc ac. Cai thi&u so doc

ac ay trong nhu-ng tien bang no-le cung khong nhieu ho-n gi nhung tieu

bang tu*-do. Ba so chiing ta, Nam cung nhir Bac, deu co nhu-ng tinh

cam cua con ngu-6-i, ma chung ta khong bao gid' chiu de mon moi di

triro'c six dau-don ve the xac. Nhirng tinh cam do trong long dan mienNam diroc bieu 16 bang nhieu each, nhir sir nhan thiic diroc cai sai lamcua che-do no-le, va thira nhan diroc rang dau sao ngiro-i dan da dencung co nhan-cach nan hoi. Neu ho khong chiu la phai, thi toi xin h6|

ho vai cau nhu the nay. Hoi nam 1820, cac anh da hau het dong yvo*i mien Bac ma coi viec buon no-le Phi-chau la mot hanh-dong

15

NhO'NG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

ke cuop, dang toi xir-tu*. Tai sao cac anh lai lam the ? Neil cac anhkhong cho do la mot dieu trai dao thi tai sao cac anh lai tan-thanh xir

treo co nhu-ng ke buon ngiroi ? Buon no-le thi co khac gi mang damdan da den tir Phi-chau ve ban cho ke nao mua lai? Nhu*ng cac anhlai khong nghl toi viec treo co nhfrng ngiro-i nao bat va ban ngira rung,

trau rung, gau rung.

Mot chuyen nua, la giira cac anh, co mot tlur ngiro-i hen- ha thuoc

hang ban tinh tan-bao doc-ac, goi la nhu-ng ten lai no. No rinh anh, hethay anh co ve tiing quan, la bo den ga mua ten no-le cua anh, voimot gia net sue dau co. Can qua anh phai ban cho no. Neu khongcan ban, anh se long ten lai no ra khoi cua. Anh khinh-bi no vocung. Anh khong the cong-nhan no la ban anh, khong cong-nhan nola nguoi lu'O-ng-thien nfra. Con anh, anh khong cho cho*i voi con no,

choi voi nit nho da den con du*o'c chur voi con anh « lai no » thi tuyet-

doi cam chi. Neu cipc chang da phai giao-dich voi bon lai no, anh se

co khong cham gi den chung no ca, vi doi voi ngu-oi khac thi anhquen tay bat mat mu*ng, chu* voi bon lai no, anh se rut tay lai khongdam so vao nhCrng ban tay nhom torn ay. Dau chiing no co giau sang

khong lam nghe lai no niJa, anh cung van giu* y khong giao dich choi

bcri gi voi chiing va ho hang nha chiing ca. Vay tai sao anh lai hanhdong nhir the V Anh co doi xir each ay voi nhu-ng ngivoi lai trau lai bo

hay buon ngo buon bap dau ?

Lai mot chuyen nu-a : 6- Hoa-ky va cac xu* nhiro-ng dia, ke ca quanColumbia, co tat ca 433.643 ngu-6-i dan da den tur-do. Neu tinh gia

500 dong mot ngiro-i, thi so ngu*6*i do dang gia tren 200 trieu dong.

Tai sao mot so cua cai Ion lao nhir vay lai dirge chay nhong khong

co ai lam chu ca ? Chiing ta khong he trong thay nhu-ng con ngura

hay trau bo tu--do chay nhong nhir the bao gio\ Tai sao vay ? Tat ca

nhu-ng ngiro-i dan da den tir-do do deu la con chau no-le xira, hoacchinh ho cung da la no-le, bay gio* rat co the ho van c6n la no-le,

neu khong c6 mot BIEU GI tac-dong trong tinh-than cac ong chu da

trang, khien cho ho phai giai-phong no-le, thiet-hai biet bao nhieu

la tien bac. Cai BIEU GI ay la cai gi ? Con nghi ngo- nu-a hay thoi ?

Trong tat ca moi truo-ng-ho-p ke tren. chinh la cai y-thirc cong-ly,

cai tinh-cam cua anh no luon luon nhac nho cho anh biet rang con

ngiro-i da den khon kho kia ciing co chiit quyen thien-nhien nao do

rieng cl)o minti, rang nhu-ng ke nao phu nhan quyen ay ciia ho, chi

coi ho nhu- mot mon hang-hoa tarn thirong, that dang phi-nho vao

mat, dang noc co ra phet cho may roi, dang treo co len cho chet.

Bay gio- thi toi xin h6i, tai sao anh lai doi hoi chiing toi phai phunhan cai nhan each cua ngiro-i no-le, danh gia ho nhu- mot con heo

ma thoi ? Sao anh lai bat chiing toi lam mot viec chinh cac anh khongmuon lam ? Sao anh lai muon chiing toi lam khong cong, khong dirge

hiromg mot xu nho nao het, khi ma ca so tien kech-xu hai tram trieu

do-la cung khong thiic day cac anh lam dirge ?

16

NHUNG NAM TRANH-LUAN

Nhtrng lai con mot If le Ion lao ngiroi ta dun ra de ho-hao buy

bo Thoa.uoc Missouri nua. Do la ly le « quyen tir-tri thieng-lieng ».

Dird-ng nhir vi Thugng-nghi-sT cao sang cua chiing ta da khong the

nao tim dirge dich thu, ngay 6* trong nghi-vien, kha-di co the chong

lai duo-c ly le do cua ngai ! Mot thi-sT da co cau tho* nay :

« Thien than lui biroc qui ma tien vao »

T6i xin lieu linn di ngay vao van-de, mac cho ai muon bao toi la

ma qui ciing dime. Toi xin choi lai ly le ay.

Toi tin rang toi rat hieu, va rat qui-bau quyen tir-tri. I ong tin-tuong

cua toi vao lo-i de-nghi rang ngudi nao cung phai dirge quyen xu dungmoi vat so huu cua minh the nao tuy y, chinh la dya vao can-ban y-

thirc cong ly trong tham tam toi. Nguyen-tac ay, toi san long ap-dungrong ra cho moz khu virc xa-hoi, cung nhu* cho tirng ca-nhan, Toi san

long mo rong nguyen-tac nhu* vay, vi do la mot su* khon kheo ve chinhtri, dong-thoi la mot le phai duong nhien. Khon klieo ve chinh-tri de

tranh cho ta khoi rac-rfii ve nhirng viec khong an thua gi den ta. <? dayhay 6* Hoa-thinh Bon cung vay, toi den khong muon can-lhiep vaonhiirng dao-luat ve so hen cua xu* Virginia-, hay nhirng dao-luat ve le

tao cua xii' Indiana.

I y-thuyet tu-tri qua that la dung, hoan toan dung, vinh-vien diing.

Nhung ly thuyet do dirge ap-dung khong diing, nhir 6* day chang han.

Co le toi xin noi nhir the nay cho ro nghia hen : ly-thuyet do duoc ap-

diing diing hay khong diing la tuy 6* dieu minh ngUT ngu*6*i dan da denla mot ngu-6-i hay khong la mot nguoi. Neu han khong phai la motnguoi, thi ve phuong dien tvrtri, con ngiro-i that la con nguoi muonlam gi han thi lam. Nhirng con neu han Id mot con ngirai, thi bao ranghan, chinh han khong dirge quyen tu* minh cai-tri minh, cha hoa ra dapha huy diet quyen tu-tri lam ru ! Khi mot ngircri da trang tir minh cai-

tri minh, do la tir-tri, nhung khi anh ta tir minh cai tri minh, dong-tho-i cai-tri ngiroi khdc nua, thi la qua quyen tir-tri mat roi, do chinhla chuyen-tri, chuyen-che cai-tri. Neu nguo-i da den qua that Id mglcon ngirai, thi long tin-tuong sat da xua kia cua toi day loi rang « tat

ca moi ngiroi sinh ra binh-dang», va nguo*i nay khong he co quyen-lgitinh-than nao bat ngiroi kia phai lam no le cho minh ca !

Vi Chanh-an Douglas lai tiiiro-ng hay chua chat ma giai thich themly le cua chiing toi nhir the nay :« Dan da trang 6* Nebraska chi du tueach tu* minh cai-tri lay minh thoi, chir khong du tir - each de cai-tri

may thang da den khon nan ».

Vang, toi chac rang dan Nebraska rat du tu-cach, va luon luondu tir.each nhir trung-binh moi nguoi dan 6- noi khac. Toi khongnghich lai y - kien do. Dieu t6i muon noi la, khong mot nguainao lai du tu-each de cai-tri mot nguo-i khac du-gc, neu khongduac sir irng - thugn cua ngircri do. Toi xin tuyen-bo rang do lk

17

NllUNG DANH-NGdN CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

nguyen-tac c6t can cua ch^-d^ C$ng-Hda M^. Ban Tuyen-Ngon Boc-I4p ciia chiing ta n6i :

« Chung ta coi nhirng sir th$t nay la nhirng sir that duong nhien:

Rang tlit ca moi ngircri sinh ra binh-dang ; rang ho duoc Thirorng-Be

ban cho nhirng quyen-lo*i bat-kha truat-phe ; rang trong nhirng quy&nloi ay, c6 quyen duo'C song, diroc tir-do, va duoc rairu cau hanh-phiic.

Rang d& bao-dam nhirng quyen loi do, nhirng co-scV chinh-quySn dirc/c

tao l|p ra giira loai ngucri, voi nhirng qiujen.han chinh dang phat-

nguyen tic sic wng-thuqn cua nhirng ngwdri bi cai-tri ma ra ».

Lan nay toi ke sach ra nhieu nhu vay, chi la d& to rang, theo

niem tin-tuong xua cua chiing ta, quyen.han chinh dang cua cac ccr_

so chinh-quyen la do 6* sir irng-thuan cua nhirng nguroi bi tri maphat sinh ra. The ma su* doi xur ngay nay giira chu-nhan va no.le lai

hoan-toan da pha nguyen-tac d6. Khong nhirng chu nhan cai-tri no IS

khong co su* irng-thuan cua nguoi nay, ma han lai c6n cai-tri no-le

theo nhirng lu^t-ie hoan-toan khac nhirng luat-le han dat ra cho chinh

ban than han nira. Thu* cho phep TAT CA dam ngud-i bi tri duocan noi binh-dang trong chinh-quyen ma xem, chi the thoi cung du

la tir-tri day.

Bung bao rang toi dang tranh dau de thiet-la'p mot sir binh-dang

xa-hoi va chinh-tri giira nguoi da trang va nguoi da den. Toi da noi

nguoc lai nhu* v$y. Toi khong phai la dang chong danh ly le cua sir

CXN YEU phat sinh 6- su kien ngud-i da den dang song san giira

chiing ta roi, nhurng toi cuang-quyet chong danh cai ly le TINH THAMdae each cho mang ngircri da den toi nhirng noi ho chira he song bao

gio- cuo-ng-quyet tranh-luan chong lai su BANH-TRU'ONG cua mot

dieu xau. Bieu ay noi nao da thanh le roi thi danh pbai vi sir can

thiet ma net sire xoay-so che-ngu* duoc chiit nao hay chut nay.

Ve van-de no-le : thir gu*i mot ngircri ban

Trong mot buc thic rieng gici mot nguo-i ban cm hoi thdng

Tarn 1855, Lincoln hoa-nha trinh-bay quan-dftm cua minh ve

van-de no-le,

Springfield, ngay 24 thang 8, 1855

Anh Speed than men :

Anh biet la toi chiia luoi viet thu. Tir ngay 21 thang Nam toi nhan

duoc birc thu vo cung thu vi cua anh, toi van djnh tra loi mai ma chua

18

NhunCt nAm tranh-luAn

co dip. Anh c6 y bao rang bay gio- trong dia-hat chfnh-tri, anh vatoi bat (long lir tirong voi nhau, Cung co the nhir vay, nhirng khongden noi qua lam nhu anh tirong dau. Anh biet rang toi rat ghet che-

ap no-le, ma anh, anh ciing hoan-toan cong-nhan do la mot dieu quay,

ve phiro-ng-dien tinh-than. Den day, doi ta chira co ch6 bat-dong.

Nhvrng anh noi rang neu anh phai tir bo quyen-loi hop-phap cua anhdoi voi no le, nhat la do sir thiic-day cua nhirng ngiroi khong dinh~

dang den viec do chut nao, thi Lien-Bang se tan ra rat chong. Toi that

qua khong biet rang co ngir&i nao thiic day anh phai tir bo quyen-

loi do cua anh. Toi thi chac-chan la toi khong thiic day anh. Toi de

viec do cho anh hoan-toan tir dinh-doat lay. Toi lai thira-nh^n moiquyen-loi cua anh, va moi bon-phan cua toi theo hien-phap ve damngiroi no-le cua anh. Toi thii that rang toi rat ghet trong thay cai

canh tirong nhirng con ngiroi khon-kho bi san bat, bi dieu ve mac lai

bo quanao sdng-soc, roi bi trirng-phat phai lam nhirng viec nang-

nhoc khong cong ; nhirng toi can moi ngam mieng khong noi gi ca«

Hoi nam 1841 hai ta da cung di mot chuyen tau thiry tu- Louisville

den St. Louis. Co le anh cung con nho tren chuyen tau ay, tu* Louis-

ville cho toi cu-a song Ohio, co mucri miro-i hai ngirfri no-le bi xieng

xich cot chat lai voi nhau, Canh-tirong ay luon luon day dirt toi,

moi Ian toi den song Ohio hay bat cu* mot dia-gioi khu-virc n6-l£

nao la toi lai nho den. Neu anh bao la toi khong nen ban-khoan vi

mot viec khong an nh?p gi voi toi ma lai lam cho toi khon-kho dennhu* vay thi toi khong chiu. Co le anh nen nghi' den tinh-trang daukho cua khoi dan vt-dai mien Bac chiu hi-sinh tinh-cam cua minh denbac nao de giu- cho tron long trung-tin cua minh doi voi Hien-Phap

va doi voi Lien-Bang !

Toi co cirong-quyet phan-doi sir banh-tnrong che-do no-le, vi y-

kien, cam-giac toi nhir vay. Ma toi cung khong co bon-ph£n gi b^t-

buoc phai lam trai lai ca. Neu do la sir bat dong giua anh va toi, thi

au cung la danh.

Toi khong phai la mot dang vien dang Bat-Biet (mot dang chinh-

tri thcri ay co chinh-sach khong muon quySn chinh-tri vao tay ngoai-

chung), dieu do chac-chan nhu the. Sao toi lai thanh dang-vien dang ay

dirge? Mot ngiro-i von ghet cay ghet dang sir hiep-che dan da den, sao

lai co di ung-ho lop ngiroi da trang suy-doi nhu* the du-gc ? Sir tien-bo

cua chiing ta tren dirong suy-don dirong nhir man chong qua. Quoc-gia

chiing ta da kh6'i dau bang loi tuyen ngon « tat ca moi ngirfri sinh ra

binh-dang.» Bay gio* chiing ta dang thirc-te doc la « tat ca moi ngiro-i

sinh ra binh-dang, trir dan da den ». Nay mai, dang Bat Biet nam dirge

quyen binh roi, ta se phai doc la « tat ca moi ngiroi sinh ra binh dang,

trir dan da den, va. ddn ngoai-quoc, va dan Ldnggiao, » Bfe'n niroc fly thi

toi chac se phai cuon g6i di 6* mot xir nao khac ma dan chiing khonggia vo* gia vit yeu-chuong tu* do gi ca, nhir nu-oc Nga chang han,

chuyen-ch^ la chuyen-che, chang can phai pha tron dao-dirc gia gi het.

Ban than- men cua anh mai mai,

A. Lincoln

19

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Khuyen . nhu mot ngirai tre tuoi

Lincoln tret nen mot ludt-gia xuat sac, nen thinh Ihodng lai

nhan dirorc thw cua ede thanh-nien muon xin vdo hoc luat trong

phong viee cua ong. Nam 1855, ong Ira lai cho mot ngwai,

klmyin-nhu nhieu dieu danh thep.

Springfield, ngay 5 thang 11, 1855

Gui ong Isham Reavis

lhira ong,

Toi vura ve toi nha thi nhan dirge thir ong de ngay 23 moi roi. Toi

it khi c6 nha lam vi dang co mot thanh-nien hoc luat voi toi rat chain

chi tan-toi. Neu ong nhat dinh hoc-hoi de sau nay tr6* nen mot luat-gia,

thi nhir vay la ong «ta di dirge qua nua dirong roi d?ly. Ong hoc v&i

phong viec nao hay khong voi phong viec nao, dieu do khong quan-he.

Toi cung khong hoc voi ai ca. Ong hay kiera sach, doc va nghien-ngamcho den khi nao hieu dirorc he"t nhu-ng dieu chinh-yeu, do la dieu cot

tur. Boc sach trong mot thanh-pho Ion cung chang loi gi hon dau. Toi

da doc 6* Tan Salem, la noi khong bao gio- co den ba tram dan-cur. Sach

va khd-ndng cua minh hieu dirge sach, no*i nao cung the thoi. OngDrummer la mot ngtrdi rat tai g 6i, va rat xuat-sac ve luat ( ve luiat

gioi hon toi nhieu); chac chan the nao ong la cung se vui long chi

cho ong nen doc nhtrng sach nao, va san sang cho ong mirgn sach.

Ong nen ghi nho luon luon trong tri rang 16ng cirong-quyet tien

toi thanh-cong cua ong la mQt dieu quan-h$ hen bat cu* dieu nao khac.

Mot ngiro-i ban that tinh cua ong

A. Lincoln

Ve sir binh - dang cua con ngirai

Toa An Toi-Cao Hoa-Ky xic vn Dred Scott (da den) nam 1857

sau khi bdn-cai circ-ky soi-noi da ra mot quyel-nghi bang mot daso rot mong manh khong cho anh chang da den Dred Sco't

quyeu cong-ddn, tw&i them dau vdo ngon lira tranh-

chdp dang bung bung chdy ve van - de no-le\ Quyet - nghi

20

NHUNG NAM TRANH-LUAN

nay lam gidrn them quyen-loti cua ngiroi da den mdt each de-

list. Thdng Sdu nam ay Lincoln do? mot hai diP.n-vdn ve chuyen

ay, vita tva lai mot Ian nu-aede hj le cua Thuang-nghi-sX Douglas,

vira trlnh-bdy quan.diem cua minh ve sir binh-dang cua eon ngirai.

... Chanh-An Douglas... thay cac dang-vien Cong-H6a nhat-dinh

bao rang Ban Tuyen-Ngon Doc-Lap chi gom TAT CA moi nguo*i, den

ciing nlur trang, ben lap-tire cai mot each trilng-trgn rang no khong

chi gom ngu'6-i da den, roi long trong bien luan rang ke nao co cong

tranh-dan cho no chi gom ca ngiroi da den, chi la nhirng ke muondiroc bau-eir, an nam, ngii-nghe va ciroi-xin voi ngiroi da den mathoi 1 Ong ta lai nhan manh rang ho benh-vyc ngiro-i da den khong

nham mot muc-dich nao khac. Roi cir suy-luan nhir vay ma di den

ket-luan mot each lieu-lTnh rang neu toi khong muon co mot ngiro-i

dan ba da den lam no-le, at han toi phai muon lay ngiroi do lam va.

Toi xin phan-doi dieu do. 1 oi khong muon ngu-oi dan ba da den lam

no-le hay lam vo- gi ca, toi chi muon de chi ta duo*c binh-yen minh

chi ta ma thoi. Tren mot vai phiro-ng-dien, chi ta co-nhien khong binh

dang vo'i toi ; nhirng voi quyen duong-nhien cua chi ta dirge an

mieng banh kiem diroe bang mo hoi nu*6c mat cua minh, khong can

phai xin phep ke nao ca, chi ay binh-dang vo'i toi, binh-dang voi tat

ca moi ngiroi khac.

Vien Chanh-Nhat Taney, trong vu an Dred Scott, da to y thira-nhan

rang 16-i le trong Ban Tuyen-Ngon co y-nghia du rong-rai d& chi gomtat ca dai gia-dinh nhan-loai, nhirng ong ta va ong chanh-an Douglas

lai bien.luan rang cac tac-gia ban Tuyen Ngon khong co y nao chi gomdan da den hot, bang co la ho da khong ngay liic bay gio* flat ngu'6-i

da den len ngang hang voi ngiro-i da trang. Ly le nay chang ra dau

vao voi dau ca, bang co la cac tac gia do cung da khong ngay luc bay

gio* — vd ludn thai ve sau nua — dSt tat ca nhirng ngiro-i da trang len

mot bac ngang hang voi nhau. Bo, ly le cot tru cua ca hai ong chanhnhat va thirong nghi-sT dira ra de cong-nhien thoa-ma lo'i-le ban TuyenNgon khuc-chiet minh-bach cua chung ta day ! Toi thi toi cho rang cae

tac-gia ban Tuyen Ngon co chu-y chi gom tat ca moi ngu*6-i, ehu- ho

khong co chu-j* uy en-bo rang tat ca moi ngvroi deu bin'i-dang tren moiphuo-ng-dien. Ho khong co y noi rang tat ca deu binh-dang ve mau da,

tam voc, kha nang phat huy tinh than hay tri-thire, hay y-thuc xa-hui*

Ho dinh nghia ro-rang ve nhirng phircrng-dien nao ho da de-quyet moingu-6'i du'oc sinh ra binh dang — binh-dang trong « mot so quyenlgibat-kha truat-phe, trong do c6 quyen du'erc song, diro-c tu-do va du-oc

mu*u-cau hanh-phiic ». Ho d§ n6i ro nhu- vay, chu y ho la nhu- vay. Hokhong he c6 chu-y du-a ra mot dieu gia-dd'i rang tat ca moinguoi liic bay

gi6- da du-oc htrang sir binh-dang ay ca roi,hoac ho se lap tire ban chomoi ngirfri su- binh-dang ay. Thgt ra ho lam gi c6 quyen-lu-c gi ma bandvr&c mpt an-hue nhir vay. Ho chi c6 mot chu-y tam-thuo*ng la tuyen-bei

21

NHUNG DANH-NGdN CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

ra cai quySn-lpi ay tudi, d§ cho su* thuchdnh vS sau cang mau chdngbao nhieu lai cang t6t dep bay nhieu. Ho c6 chu-y dyrng nen mQtngan-ngir tieu-chu£n cho xa.h$i tijr-do, kha-di co thl tr6- nen quenthuQc vcri tat ca moi ngtro*i, va diro'c moi ngirfri qui-trong, co the dirge

ludn luon ngo de"n, ludn luon dirge Urn toi nghien ciru, dirge khSc6ng dao-luyen ma van chang bao gio* d£n dirge toi noi, luon luon theo

sat, thanh thir luon luon banh-trirong sau rpng, khori r<?ng them unli-

hiromg, va t&ng them hanh-phuc va gia-tri dd*i song cho tat ca moingiro i moi mau da 6* kmtp moi noi. Gau n6i « tat ca moi ngircri deusinh ra binh-dang» khong cd ich-dung gi thirc*te* trong cong-viecchung ta tach rc*i khoi Anh-qu6c ca ; cau d6 du*o*c dSt vao Ban Tuyen-Ngon khdng co dung-y a"y, ma la c6 dung y ve sau. lac-gia cua no co

dung $ mucSn n6 se la mpt chirong-ngai-vatt d6i vto nhfrng ke thinh-

thoang lai chirc 16i mQt dan-t6c tir-do tro* lai nhirng neo duo-ng chuyenche dang ghet. Nho* o*n Thirgng-Be, hien-thdu n6 dang dirge dip bi£u-

10 tinh-chat ay ra.

Mot Nhd Chia re

Vi su- chia re ve van de no le cang ngaq cang Ian rong, nen

cdc gi&i chinh-tri phai lo sap lai hang-ngu tranh-dau. Bang Whigcua Lincoln tan ra, dang Long-H6a ra do-i, va Lincoln tr& nenmot trung nhung lanh-tu quan.lrong. Vao dip be-mqc Hoi-Xghi

Bang-Bo Tik"u-Bang hoi thdng Sau 1858, Lincoln doc mot bdi

diin van gidi-lhich that minh bach, va that tdo-bqo doi v&i phftn

l&n cdc lanh-tu chinh.tri thoi ay, van-de quan trong quoc-gia

dang phai dwang dhu. Bdi dien.van nay lam ong not titfng di

khap nude Ian dhu tien. Boqn met dhu da lam toan-quoc

giqt minh.

Neu ngay tur dau ta co the biet ro ta dang or ddu, va ta se di ve

hw&ng ndo, thi ta c6 the quyet-dinh dirge dung lion ta phai lam gi,

va lam nhir the ndo.

Tir ngay chung ta de ra mot chinh sach, voi mot muc-tieu ro rang,

mot hu-a-hen vu-ng chac, se chain dirt moi Ion xon ve van de no-le

,

toi nay da dirge nam nam roi.

22

NHUNG NAM TRWH-LuXn

Chinh-sach do dk ra, ma sir lon-xon khong nhfrng khcmg ch^m

dirt, lai con luon luon ngay mot them nhieu.

Tlico y toi, no se khong cham-dut diroc trir ra khi nao no da toi

d£n tot-do khung-hoang roi tan-bien di.

« Mot nha chia re liic due khong the nao dirng virng dvrorc».

Toi tin rang chinh-the nay se khong the ton-tai diroc, neu cir vinh

vien ban no-le, ban tir do.

Toi khong mong Lien-Bang se tan ra, toi khong mong nha se do,

nhirng toi nhat-dinh mong no se cham dirt chia- re.

No se phai tro nen tat ca theo phia nay, hay tat ca theo phia khac.

Hoac nhfrng ke phan-doi che-do no-le se ngan sir Ian tran cua no

lai, va dat no tai cho nao ma cong chung co the yen tri tin-cay dirge

rang no se chay vao con duo-ng tieu diet ; hoac nhfrng ke theo duoi

ung-ho che-do ay se day no tien toi, cho den khi nao no tror nen

luat-phap cho tat ca moi tieu-bang, cu cfing nhir moi, Bac cung nhir

Nam. . .

Xet lai ede quan-diem ve van-de no-le

Bdi diea-van « Mot nha chia re » cua Lincoln lap-tiic bi doi~

phitang nhao-nhao cong.kich, trong do co Thwcrng nghi-si Dou-

glas, Thdng Bay nam ay, trong mot bdi dien-van o Chicago,

Lincoln nhdn ca-hoi giai-thich ede quan-di%m cua minh.

. . . Triroc net toi khong phai la khong biet rang chinh-th$ nay da

trai qua 82 nam ban no-le ban tvr-do roi. Toi biet lam chu*. Toi cungkha thong-hieu ve lich-su* nvroc nha, toi van biet nvroc nha da phai

chiu dung 82 nam ban no-le, ban tir-do. Toi tintu&ng — va do chinh la

y toi dinh noi the — toi tin-tuong nvroc nha da phai chiu-dung vi,

trong suot thoi-gian ay, cho den khi dao-luat Nebraska ra do-i, tarn tri

cdng-chung da diroc yen-on, suot thoi-gian ay, voi sir tin-tirong rangche'-do no-le dang chay vao con dirong tieu-diet. Bo la di&u lam chiing

ta yen-tri trong suot tho-i-gian 82 nam, it nhat toi cung tin nhu-

v§y. Toi nghT rang toi luon luon thu ghet che-dQ no-l§, nhir tat ca

moi chie'n-sT giai-phong khac. Tdi da la mot dang-vien dang Whig.

23

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Toi luon luon thu ghet che-do no-13 nhirng toi da luon luon gift thai-

do yen-lang cho den tho-i-k^ moi dao-luat Nebraska ra do*i. Toi vanluon luon tin-tirong rang khap moi ngird'i ai cung chong che-do no-le,

tin-tirong rang n6 dang chay vao con diro-ng tieu-diet. Quang-dai quan-chung niroc ta cung da yen tri tin-tiro-ng rang che-do no-le dang biroc

vao con dircrng tieu-diet. Ho co ly-do de tin-tuong nhir vay.

Sir thua nhan Hien-Phap va lich-sir Hien-Phap tiep theo do lamcho quan-chung tin-tirong nhir vay. Ma chinh do cung la niem tin-

tirong cua nhirng ngiroi soan thao ra Hien-Phap. Tai sao nhirng bac

d6, vao khoang tho-i-gian thu*a-nhan Hiep-Phap, lai ra chi-du rang che-

do no-le khong du-oc phep nhap vao mien Bat Moi, la no*i no chira he

xuat-hien bao gio*? Tai sao ho lai tuyen-bo rang trong v6ng hai miroi

nam, viec bucn ban no-le Phi-Chau de cung-cap thj-triro'ng no-le se

phai bi Quoc-Hoi bai-bo? Tai sao lai co nhirng dao-luat nhir the' ?

Toi co the ke ra nhieu dao-luat khac tirong-tir, nhu-ng thoi, the la

du. Nhirng dao luat ay co nghTa gi ngoai trir y-ngliia hien-nhien rang

cac nha soan-thao Hieu-Phap co dungy va mong muon sir tieu-diet cua

che-do no-le ? Va khi toi noi, nhu* toi da noi trong bai dien-van

triroc, ma chanh-an Douglas da lay ra, khi toi noi rang toi nghf

cac ngiro-i phan doi che-do no-le se chong lai sir lan-tran cua no, va

dat no tai ch6 nao ma cong chiing co the yen-tri tin cay diroc rang

no se chay vao con dircrng tieu-diet, thi toi chi co y muon noi rang

ho se dat no tai cho ma nhirng nha sang lap ra chinh-the nay da dSt

no hoi so-khoi...

Ve che-do no-le : mot cfiu bat-hu

Lincoln thwfrng hay ghi voi vao giay nhtvng tw-iwong thodng

qua trong 6c, Nhieu can ghi voi nhir vay da dwcrc lua loc gin

gilt can-than. Can sau day dwcrc truy'en-tung nhieu nhat, hay dxxoc

ke den nhat, duong nhw Lincoln viet veto thdng Tarn 185S.

Toi se khong muon lam mot ke no-le, bo'i v£y cho nen toi cung

khong muon lam mot ga chu-nhan. Do la y kien toi ve dan-chu. Bat cu*

dieu gi khac vol dieu nay deu khong phai la dan-chu.

A. Lincoln

24

NHUNG NAM TRANH-LVAN

Tinh-than Tir.do

Thdiuj Chin nam 1858, Lincoln doc mot bdi dien-van tqi Ed~

luardsville, Illinois, Bdi dien-van nay chi con give lai dircrc vdi

doqnftrong do co doqn sail dag, to ro tdi hung-bien cua Lincoln,

Khi nao. . . anh da thanh cong trong viec triet-ha nhan-cach ngircri

da den, khi anh da dim bin xuong den tan dat den khien cho han

khong the nao ngoc dau len diroc, chi c6n gia-tri nhir trau ngu*a mathoi, khi anh da dap tat linh-hon han, va dat ban vao mot noi u-ara

toi-tam khong con loe noi mot tia hi-vong nao nira nhir coi tu-nguc

am-u cua nhu-ng hon ma toi-loi, anh co chac rang con qui anh da danh

thiic day se khong quay lai ma can xe anh chdng ? Thanh tri cua nen

ir-do va doc-iap cua chinh chiing ta la nhu-ng cai gi ? Chang phai la

nhu-ng thanh-luy kien-co cua chiing ta, nhu-ng bo* be lorm-chom cua

chiing ta, siing dong tau tran cua chiing ta, hoac cai lu-c-lurong hung-

dung cua quan-doi chiing ta. Nhung thj do chang phai la cai chiing

ta trong cay de chong lai mot sir tan-bao chuyenche tr6* lai nam lay

quyen-hanh trong dat niro'C yeu qui cua chiing ta. Lirc-liromg ay,

thanh liiy ay rat co ihe quay lai chong doi cac quyen tir-do cua chiing

ta ; mat chiing ta cung chang yeu ho-n, ma con chiing, ta cung changmanh hern. Go trong-cay thi ta chi trong-cay duroc vao long yeu-chuong

tir-do ma Thu*o-ng-Be da ban cho ta. Su-c phong-ve cua ta nam ngaytrong sir bao-ton cai tinh-than qui-trong ti.r-do nhir mQt di-san cua tat-

ca moi ngu-cri moi xii- moi ncri. Huy-diet tinh-than ay, tu*c la gieo hatchuyen-che ngay dau ngo roi do. Tap cho quen voi nhu-ng xieng-xichno-le, tuc la siia-soan chan tay de deo xieng deo xich. Quen cha daplen quyen-lo-i cua ngu-6-i chung quanh, ta se mat cai y-thixe ty-do cuachinh than ta, va se de-dang tro nen toi-to* cho ke bao-tan khdn-kheonao noi day dau-tien. . .

*ao.l^ ung.ho che.do no.le

Sam 1858 Lincoln suy-nghT rat nhieu ve cM-do no-le, Doqn sauday duo-ny nhw dirorc ong viet vdo thdng Chin nam do.

25

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Vi du that qua ngirai da den sinh ra da kem ngircri da trlmg rcH

thi theo le cong-binh, him con mot chut gi, mot phan nho mon nao-

Thurong-Be ban cho han, sao ngiroi da tnlng lai no* cirop di not ?

Giao-ly Cong-giao ve sir lam pluroc noi : « Hay ban cho nhirng ke ngheokho », nhirng luat-le ve sir no-le se noi: « Hay lay di ciia nhirng kengheo kho .»

Bao-ly iingho che-do no-le co the torn tat nhir sail : « Che-do no-le

khong phai hoan loan la dung, cung khong phai hoan-toan la sai. Comot hang nguro-i dirge lam no le se tot hern ; trong nhirng truo'ng-horp

ay tiit la y muon cua Thirong-Be nhir vay.

»

Tat-nhien khong ai lai di tranh-dau chong lai Y Muon cua Thirong

Be, nhu-ng that kho ma nhan duoc y muon ay nhir the nao, va ap-

dung vao moi trirong hop ra sao. Vi-du chung ta hay tam cho nhvr

Birc Cha Ross co mot ten no-le ten la Sambo. Van-de ta can biet la :

« C6 phai chang y muon cua Thirong-Be la bat Sambo phai chju mailam mot ten no-le, hay la diro'C tra lai tir-do?» Thu-crng-Be khong tra

16-i cau hoi nay. Trong Kioh-Thanh cung khong thay noi den. Khongai nght den viec hoi y-kien Sambo ra sao. Thanh thu* ra sau cung,

Birc Cha Ross phai tir giai-quyet van-de. Trong khi suy-nghT, Cha ngoi

trong b6ng mat, tay deo gang, va an mieng banh chinh Sambo da giai

nang dam mira de lam ra. Neu Cha quyet-dinh rang $ muon cua

Thirong-Be la Sambo se tiep tvic lam no-1^, thi Cha cu* viec ngoi

nguyen 6* dia-vi ngoi mat an bat vang. Nhvrng neu Cha quyet-dinh ^mu6n ciia Thuong-Be la tra tur-do cho Sambo, thi Cha se phai biroc ra

ngoai nang thao gang tay ra, dao boi lay banh ma an. V|y Cha Ross

lieu co hanh-dong chinh-trirc vo-tir dirge hay khong? Co chinh-trirc

vo-tir thi quyet-dinh moi khong so* sai lam !

Nhvrng che-do no-le lai tot cho mot vai hang ngiro-i kia raa III

Neu che-do no-le la mot dieu tot thait, thi dieu tot ay co mot cai naydac-biet, la : do la mot dieu tot duy-nhat ma khong ai chiu san-don

cho chinh than minh cd

!

Noi bay nao 1 Cho soi an thit ciru non, khong phai la tot cho cai

mieng tham-lam cua soi dau, ma la t^t cho cai than cua chii cvru ! ! I

Mdt bu*c thu* ve chu-c-vy Tong-Thong

Mac dan Lincoln bi that-bai hoi nam 1858 khdng dircfC

ban lap-phdp lieu - bang bau vao ghe thucrng - ngh\ - si cha

26

NHUNG NAM TRANH.LU&N

Douglas trong Thircrng nghi-vien Hoa-Kij, nhung bdi tranh-ludn

iua dug v&i Dauglas vd nhieu bdi dien-van khdc da lam ong noi

lieng den noi ong bat dftu dwcrc ke den Id co the* ra ung-cir vdo

yhc Tong-thong dirorc. Ong viet mot bite thir rat nhun-nhwang,

gai den chq mot ngwai ban tre iing-ho ong.

Springfield, ngay 16 thang Tir, 1859

Gai ong T. J. Pickett

Thira ong,

Thir ong gu*i hom 13 vira tori tay toi xong. T6i bi ma: nhieu viec

qua, nen chtra the nao tinh chuyen di tham Bao Rock dirge, de doc

mot bai dien-van, hay de lam m6t viec gi khac.

Con ve van-de ong co ldng t6t nghi den, toi phai noi that \6*i ong

dieu nay, toi thay toi khong xirng-dang vo*i ghe Tcing-thong dau. Conhien toi rat cam-kich ghi o*n cac ban be da c6 long yeu toi mamong cho toi dirge nhir v?y, nhirng toi nghi di nghi lai t6t nhat dirng

nen gop sire nhau lai ma lam viec nhir 6ng de-ngbi lam, la horn.

136 la dieu tam-sir, iro*c mong xin gift kin.

Rat thanh-tam

A. Lincoln

Ve Canh - Nong

Mac dan van-de no.le Id mot van-de dqc-bi^t nong hoi thai do,

Lincoln cung co thi-gia suy-nghi rat kjj den nhieu van-d$ khdc,

Ong von td con ngwai cua dong-ruong vd cua bien.khu ma rdng,

nen ong rat cham-chu den su- tiffn-bd v8 canh-nong. (May nam sau

ddyChinh trong thai-ky ong lam Tong-thcng ma vanphong chinh-phu

dciu tien dupe thiet-lap ra, ve sau chujen thdnh B$ Canh-Nong).

27

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

7 hang Chin nam 1869 , dug doc bai dien - van ihwang - te

hang nam trwac Hoi Canh-Nong Tie u-Bang Wisconsin tai Madi-

son, Wisconsin, Boqn dien-oan irich ra sau dag phdn.chien y-

kien cua dug v'e nhung kha-rumg gido-dnc canh-nong, bao nhieu

nam trircrc khi cdc lap giang-dqij chlnh-thi'rc ve canh-nong dwcrc

mv ra.

. . . Khong co hoat-dong nao cua con ngud'i lai co duoc ruol pham-

vi rong-rai thich-thii nhir sir phoi hop vira co lo*i vira thii-vi cua siic

lao-dong voi nganh tu'-tirong diroc dao-luyen nhir nganh canh-nong.

Toi chu-a thay co liic nao khoai-hoat cho tam-tri bang liic kham-pha

ra mot cai gi moi la ma lai co gid-triy chira thay co dieu gi em ai nhe-

nhang cho cong-viec bang su* theo-duoi nghien-cii-u dieu vua kham-pha,

long chan-chu-a hy-vong. Ma doi voi cong cuoc kham-pha, tlii canh-

nong la mot khu-vyc rQng-rai bao-la, thienhinh van-trang, rat nen

thich-hop. Tam-tri con ngu-oi, da duoc dao-luyen 6* nha triro-ng dia-

phurong, hoac tru-6'ng cao-hoc, tat-nhien thay trong khu-virc canh-nong

mot nguon hoan-lac loi-ich vo-tan. Moi la co la mot thir de tim-toi

nghien-ciru. No'i nao co mot la ma lai muon no moc ra hai la, la ca

mot cong-viec bo-ich ma lai thii vi. Ma nao chi' co co ma thoi, lai c6n

nao la dat cat, hot giong, raua mang, nao la bo rao bo- rau, du*6-ng

rairong du*6-ng ranh, nao la lut loi, han-han, tat niro-c, dan-ttiuy nhap-

dien, nao la cay bu-a cuoc soi, gat hai phoi phong, nao la gin-giu- muamang liia ma, de-phong nan sau liia, benh lua, thuoc-men chfra chay,

nao la dung-cy, vat-lieu may-moc, thir nao dung vao viec gi, lam lhe

nao cho may chay tot ho*n, mau han, nao la heo ngu-a trau bo, nao

la de cuu ga vit, nao la cay, vuo-n, hoa, trai, hang ngan van thu*, moi

thu mot loai mot viec khac nhau, tha-ho ma khao-sat hoc h6i, suu-tam.

Tat ca nhung thii* ay, hoc sach deu c6 ca. Co du kha-nang doc sach,

va thich doc sach, la co the thau thai duoc tat ca nhung dieu gi nguo-i

khac da tim ra. Bo la cai chia khoa, hoac la mot trong nhung chia

kh6a de mo rong nhirng van de da giai-quyet san roi. Them niia, nolai giiip ta co da co hung tim-toi giai-quyet nhung van-de moi me.

Khoa-hoc cung-cap cho ta nhieu dieu rat qui gia. Thao-moc hoc giup

ta trongt-rot rau co, tang-gia san-xuat, hoa-hoc giiip ta phan-chat duocdat cat, lira chon va xu-dung phan bon, cac nganh co'-gioi-hoc va tu*-

nhien-hoc giup ta thuc-hien du moi viec, nhat la ve dung-cg may-moc t

28

NFJV'NC NAM TRANH-LUAN

Ta lai c6 the nght rang giao-duc — nghTa la tir-tirong dirorc dao-

luyen co the diroc phoi-hop tot nhat voi cong-viec dong-ang, ho5c bat

cur ioai cong-viec lao-dong nao khac, nhirng phai la cong-viec Jam cgt

lire, den dau dem dua, chir lam nua voi, lam cau-tha, lam lay le^ la

khong the nao nen chuyen. Cong-viec lam can than, cat-lire thi manh

flat thua ruong du nho den dau cung du nudi song diroc mot con

ngir(Vi. Va nhir the moi thich-hop xirng-dang voi mot the gioi xa dan

chien tranh, thien nhieu ve nghe-thuat, an luvong thai binh. Dan-so se

tang-gia rat mau chong, va nghe-thuat qui-gia nhat trong moi^ nganh

nghe-thuat, se la nghe thuat lam cho mot manh dat nho be nhat cung

du san-xuat ra doi-dao tlurc-pham no am con ngiro-i. Xa-hoi nao ma tat

ca con dan deu biet den nghe-thuat ay, se khong bao gio- bi sa vao nan

ap-buc, bat cir voi hinh-thuc nao. Mgt xa-hoi nhir vay se co the thoat

khSi vong l£-thuoc cua nhung 6ng vua c6 ngai, cua nhirng ong vua

tien, cua nhirng ong vua da*t...

Mot ban tu* - thuat

Ddn-chung cang ngay cang chii-trong den Lincoln, thay ong

co the ra vcng.cvt Tong-thong nay ma/, nen ong bat dau nhgn

dirac nhieu thw hoi xin cho Met tfiu.su-. Mot ngweri ban vie I thir

doi hoi nhw vay, ong viet mot ban torn tat lieu-sir cua ong, Ibi

le rat ha tien.

Toisinh ngay 12thang Hai, 1809, o quan Hardin, Kentucky. Cha metoi sinh o Virginia, nguon-goc tam-thirong, c6 the noi la con nha le-

thir. Me toi qua do-i nam toi 10 tuoi, von thuoc ve ho Hanks. Bay gio*

ho Hanks con vai ngird*i 6* Adams, mot so 6* quan Macon, Illinois Ong npi

toi, ten la Abraham Lincoln, tirquan Rockingham, Virginia, di-cir sang

Kentucky vao khoang nam 1781 hay 82 gi do, roi mot hai nam sau ong

bi nguoi dado giet mat, khong phai danh nhau, ma la ban trom, trong

liic ong dang cuoc dat mortrai trong rirng* To-tien toi la ngiro-i theo

TTnh giao (Quakers), di-cir tu* quan Berks o- Pennsylvania sang Virginia.

6- Tan Anh-qu6c cung c6 mot d6nghotrung ho voi nha toi, nhirng khong

29

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

chac c6 cung m$t cOi-re khong, chi thay hai ho co nhung ten giongnhau, nhu* Enoch. Levi, Mordecai, Solomon, Abraham.

Luc dng noi tdi chet, cha tdi md-i dirge 6 tu&i. Cha tdi lcrn len,

khong dirge hoc-hanh ti gi. Tir Kentucky ong lai dd*i nha di den ch5goi la qugin Spencer, Indiana bay gio*, vao nam toi len tam. Chung tdi

den chS 6- moi vao nam tifcu-bang sat-nh$p Lien-Bang. Bo la m$t mifen

hoang-dai, c6 rat nhieu gau va da-thii khac or trong rirng. Toi 16*n len

o d6. Cung c6 mpt vai trird-ng hoc. Tigng goi la trird-ng hoc, nhirngong giao chi can mSt day « doc, viet, va may phep tinh, phep tam-xuat » cung du r&. Hoi ay, co ngird*i nao phat-pho* de*n quanh mifcn

ma lai bigt nam ba chu La-tinh, thi ai cung cho la phu-thiiy, cdnhieu phep la. Khong c6 mot thu* gi, v§t gi khich-d$ng 16ng ham hocCo-nhien toi Ion len ma van chiu canh d6t-nat. Tuy v|y tdi cung btgt

doc, bi^t viet, biet lam tinh den phep tam-xuat, nhirng chi bigt thS

thdi. Tir do, toi khong he dirge birdc chan d£n trircrng nfra. Bay gio*

toi dirge biet them doi chut, la nhd* or ngay do thinh-thoang tdi lai

tir lirgm-lat dirge do sir c^n-dung ma ra.

Cha toi day toi lam rudng lam ray cho den nam toi 21 tuoi.

Nam 21, toi den Illinois, 6* mot nam 6* qu$n Macon. Roi tdi di TanSalem, (liic bay gio* la Sangamon, bay gio* thu$c qu$n Menard, tdi 6* domot nam, lam mot chan ban hang trong nipt tidm tap hda). Kdi xay

den tran Hac-ung, tdi dirge chon lam doi trwong mpt dpi tinh-nguyen-

quan. Chu*a bao gio* tdi lai thanh-cdng den nhu* the\ tdi la"y lam thich

lira. Tdi danh tr$n, dirge khen thiromg kha lam, rdi ra ung-cu* vao

ban Lap.phap ngay nam ay (1832), nhirng bi thua — tdi chi bi dan-

chung danh thua co mpt Ian ay. Lan sau, ludn ba ky bau cur hang-men, toi dirge bau vao ban L^p-phap. Ve sau tdi khdng irng-cu- nua.

Trong thd*i-k£ 6* ban L^p-phap, tdi hoc lu$t, va chuycm sang 6* Spring-

field mo phong luat. Nam 1846, tdi dirge bau mpt ky vao Ha ngh}-

vien Quoc-Hoi. Ky bau-cur sau tdi khong ra irng-cir. Tir 1849 cho de*n

1854, chuyen ma phdng lu$t, lam viec rat hang-hai. Vfc chinh-tri ludn

ludn dirng trong dang Whig, ra irng-cu* thiro-ng la'y danh-nghia dang

Whig, hoat dOng ve* viec tuyen-cur rSt hang. Sau tdi bi^t thii v£ chfnh-

tri, cho toi khi Thoa-ird,c Missouri bi thii-tieu, tdi lai quay lai hoat-

ddng chinhtrj. Tir do d^n nay, tdi da lam nhirng gi, cd 16 ai cung

biet ca roi.

Neu mu6n biet them ve hinh-dang mat mui tdi, thi be4

cao tdi gan

6 bp, 4 phan Anh, ngird-i gay go* can nang trung-binh 180 bang, da

30

NHITNG NAM TRANH-LU&N

ngam ngam den, t6c den re tre, mSt miiu sam, con cac dau vet khac

thi khong nho* ro.

Triet - If ve chinh - quyen

Lincoln rat hay suy ngtii ve triet-ly chinh-qayen, nhat la tip-

dung tren sdn-khau chinh-tri My. Trony mot doan dubng nhir

vi'et vdo nam 1860, ong ghi lai mot vdi quan-dfem tu-twong

chinh-tri.

Tat ca nhirng cai nay khong phai ngati-nhien ma sink ra. No c6

mot nguyen-do triet-ly. Khong co Hien-Phap va Lien-Bang, chiing ta

khong the dat diroc ket-qua ay. Nhirng ngay nhirng thir ay cung khongphai nguyen-co chinh cua nen thinh-virong vT-dai cua chiing ta. G6mot cai gi dang sau nhirng thir ay, no soan-suyt gan trai tim con ngirfri

horn. Bo la nguyen-ly « Tir-do cho hot thay moi ngiroi », nguyen-ly

don dir-Tng di quang dang cho moi ngiroi, gay niem hi-vong cho moi

ngiroi, va do do, tao dire can-man, tan-tuy cho moi ngird'l.

Sir bi&u-hien nguyen-ly do trong Ban Tuyen-Ngon Boc-Lap cuachiing ta la mot dieu hop-each nhat, may man nhat. Khong co n6, hayco no, ta cung van co the tuyen-bo dQC-lap, ra khoi vong kiem-toa cua

Anh-quoc diroc ; nhirng khong co no thi toi thiet-tirong chiing ta

khong the bao-dam diroc mot chinh-quyen tir-do cho chiing ta, va dodo sir thinh-virong cho chiing ta. Khong c6 mot dan-toe nao b| ap-bire

ma lai chiu tranh-dau, va chiu dirng vat va, nhu* ong cha chiing ta dalam, neu khong co vien-anh mot dieu gi tot-dep hon la mot cuoc dSi

chu tam-thirong.

Tieng noi cua nguyen ly do, vao tho-i ay, la mot « tieng n6i thich

hop », la mot « trai tao vang » cua cluing ta< Lien-Bang, va Hien-Phap,la chiec khung bac, diroc lap vao trai tao ve sau. Khung lam cho tao,

chir khong phai tao lam cho khung.

Boi vay cho nen chiing ta hay hanh-dong lam sao cho ca khungIan tao deu khong bao gio lu-mo hay tan-vo.

31

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Ma muon hanh-dong dirge nhir the, chiing ta phai nghien-curu,

va hieu cho ro rang nhirng diem nguy-nan.

Dien-vdn tai Vien Cooper

Ddu lich-sir da ghi ten Lincoln Id « Bgi Giai Phong chi-

nhdn », con ngirai giai-phong no-le va quit sqch cdi che*-dg no-

li xau xa & Hoa-ky, trong nhirng ngdy tien Noi-chie'n, da chi

gi&i-hgn muc-tieu cua minh vdo sir tieu-hao Icin hoi che-dg nayv&i tinh-than gidengg cua con ngw&i chir khong tinh chuyen daptat nyay tirc-khac bang chi-du cua chinh-phu. Lam nhir vgyonghi-vong rang edc tieu-bang co dan no.le se cong-nhdn chwerng-

irinh de ra mac dhu mien-cirong, va khoi Lien-Bang se gift dwgetodn ven. Tuy.nhien, ve mat dqo due cua che-do\ dng da noi ten

nhirng lai vang-dong dm-huong di khap nw&c. Bdi diln-van

dwerc chu y nhat, dng doc tru&c mot phien hgi-nghi Bong Cgng-

Hoa tai Vien Cooper nhdn mot cugc du hdnh sang mien Bongden Nua-U&c. Bdi dien-vdn do co doan ket nhw sau ;

Neu cb£-dQ no-le la chinh-dang, thi tat ca cac lai le, lual-le,

hien-phap ch6ng lai no deu sai-lam net, deu phai dep bo di hfe't. Neun6 chinh-dang that, thi chiing ta khong the chong lai su* linh-cbat ph<>-

bien khap qu6c-gia cua no ; con neu no sai-lam. thi ho khong the* nao

nai-ni cho no mo-mang banh-trirong dirorc. Neu chiing ta cho rang

ehe-do no-le la chinh-dang, thi tat ca nhirng dieu ho d6i hoi, chiing

ta san-sang chap.thuan ; con neu ho thay no sai-lam, thi tat ca nhu-ng

dieu chiing ta doi hoi, ho phai san sang chap-thu|n. Ho cho la phai

ma chiing ta cho la trai, do dau m6i tranh-chap chioh la 5* 66, Ho cho

la phai thi ho muon cho no dircrc hoan-toan thira-nhgn, khong trach

32

NHUNG NAM TBANH-LUAN

-diroc ho. Nhirng chiing ta cho la trai, thi chiing ta c6 ly nao chiu

thua ho ? Chung ta co the nao b6 phie'u tan-dong quan-niem cua ho,

-ma chong lai quan-niem cua chinh chiing ta chang ? Triroc nhirng

trach-nhiem dao-dirc, xa-hoi va chinh-tri, chiing ta c6 the c6 nhirng

hanh-vi nhir \ay (lucre chang?

Chiing ta thay che-do no-le la trai den nhir vay, ma chiing ta

cung con co the de mac cho no tai-vi hien-thdi the nao hay cir d&

nguyen nhir th£, chi vi le can-thiet no da co san or trong nuroc lau roi.

Nhung chiing ta con co the bo phieu ngan-ngira cho no khoi tran-lan,

thi le nao chiing ta lai cho phep no tran vao nhirng mien dat quoc-gia,

tran len dau len co chiing ta ta» day trong nhirng Tieu-Bang Tir-Do

nay ? Neu y-thirc bon-phan cua chiing ta cam chiing ta hanh dong nhir

vay, thi chiing ta phai giir cho tr6n bon-phan, khong so-hai gi net.

Chiing ta khong nen de bi danh lac diro-ng boi nhirng sir toan-tinh gan-

do- n6 day.dii-t dan-vM ta, vi-du nhir co bam lay mot manh dat trung-

dung nao giCra cai phai va cai quay, hao-quyen vo*-van chang khac nao

-co di tim mot con ngircri khong song ma cung khong chet, hoac la theo

duoi mot chinh-sach « bat-can » doi voi mot van-de ngud-i quan-tir ai

-cung cho la can, hoac la keu goi nhir Lien-Bang keu goi nhirng conngucri chan-chinh trong IJen-Bang phai chiu hang-pbuc bon ngucri chutrucrng chia re, dao-lon ca Le Tro*i, va doi-hoi khong phai lu nguoi toi

loi, ma la lu ngvrcri lu-omg thien phai quay ve sam-hoi, hoac ke denWashington ma lai hd-hao ta dung noi nhirng dieu Washington n6i:

-dtu-ng lam nhirng viec Washington lam.

Ma chiing ta cung cho de nguoi ta vu-cao chiing ta, ke xau k^bay chiing ta, bon-phan chiing ta the nao la cir viec ta lam, cho heso-hai vi nhirng 16-i doa-nat pha do chinh-quyen, doa-nat giam-cambat bo- chiing ta. CHUNG TA HAY 7IN-TUONG RANG LE PHAI LASl>C MANH, VA TRONG BUC TIN, TA HAY DAM THI-HANH TO!CUNG BON-PHAN CUA CHUNG TA NHU' CHUNG TA BA HIEU.

33

A'HUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

III. Nhwng nam lam Tony-thong

*&.*.

Tren day la mot bCrc hoo tirang-tirgng cua hoa-sT, hi nh-dung canh-

tuong Tong-thong Abraham Lincoln hop noi-ede tai Toa Nhan-Mon a thu-

do Hoa-thjnh-Bon, doc cho nhan-vien noi-ede nghe ban dy-thao « Tuyen-

Cao Giai-Phong »

34

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

Nhan Idi tien cir

Thdng Xam nam I860, Bqi H6i-Nghi Quoc-Gia dang Cdng-

Hoa hop & Chicago, Illinois, tien-cv- Lincoln ra ung-cic Tong-

Ihong. 6ng binh-finh nhan quyet-nghi tien cir.

Springfield, Illinois, 23 thang 5, J860

Kinh thira George Ashraun dai nhan

Chu tich Bai Hoi-Nghi Quoc-Gia Bang Cong-H6a,

Thira Ngai,

Toi xin nhain quyet-nghj tien-cur cua dai hgi-nghi do ngai lam

chu-tich, da diroc chinh-thu-c-hoa trong birc tliir cua ngai va cac uy"

vien khac trong mot iiy-ban hoi-nghi thiet-l|p rieng ve viec ay.

Toi xin thira - nhan loi tuyen-bo cac nguyen - tac va ^-kien neu

trong birc thir do ; toi se xin th^n-trong giir-gin, khong dam khinh-

thirong hay phan-boi nhCrng nguyen-tac y-kien ay.

Cau xin Thirong-Be phu-ho, ton-trong cac quail-diem va cam-xuccua tat ca moi ngircri co dai-dien trong Hgi-Nghi, ton-trong moi quyenloi cua moi ti&u-bang, nhiro*ng-dia, va dan-toe trong niro'C, ton-trong

tinhchat bat-kha xam-pham cua Hien-Phap, va sir doan-ket, hba-hop,.

tbinh-vircrng vinh-vien cua tat ca moi ng«6*i, toi rat lay lam sung-

sirong dime hcrp-tac hoat-dong cho sir thanh.edng tturc-tien ciia cac

nguyen-tac Bai Hpi-Nghi da tuyen-bo.

Tran-trong cam o*n

A. Lincoln

35

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Dien-vdn tfr-bift : Springfield

Thdng Hai n&m 1861, Lincoln tit nhd a Springfield, Illinois

bir&c ch&n ra di nhdn trdch-vu Tony-thong or Hoa-Thinh-Bo'n.

Bdi dien-vdn ngdn.ngui gia-tir dbng-bdo dwpm mgt ve thong-thiet

nhir da du-.dodn dWpc nhwng chuyin dau-dan xay ra sau nay :

noi-chitn vd dm-sdt.

Khong or trong canh-ngo toi, cac ban khong ai hieu 6uac net noi

bu<5n ly-biet cua toi. Toi chiu on no*i nay, xir nay, chiu o-n tam 16ng

iru-ai cua tat ca cac ban doi voi toi. Toi da s6ng 6* day mot phan ttr

the^-k^, da tur tuSi thieu-nien biro-c len tuoi trtrang-thanh. Cac con toi

da sinh ra or day, va mpt dura da qua do*i, chon cat 6* day. Bay gio*

t6i ra di, khong biet ngay nao tror lai hay c'6 tror lai ducrc khong, vo-i

mot nhiem vu nang-ne horn nhiem-vu cua Washington xu*a gap bpi.

Khdng c6 siy nang do- cua Thuo-ng-Be nhir da tung nang do- Washing-

Ion, toi khong the thanh-cong. Hirorc nang do-, toi khong the that-bai.

Tin-turomg 6* 1 hircrng Be vira or ben toi, vira 6- ben cac ban, vua 6- tat

ca moi nori mai mai vo cung, chung ta hay hy-vong cong-viec se troi

chliy thuanlori. Cau xin Thiiorng-Be phu-hd cac ban cung nhir cac ban

cau xin Ngirori ban phu*6*c cho toi, toi xin than-ai tu* gia cac ban.

Dien.vfin tai phong &§c-Lap

Cdc tfiu-bang co dan no-le Ihay Lincoln ddccir Tong-thong,

so qua, bat dau tuy$n-bo tdch ra khoi Liin-Bang ngay tir trtr&c

khi ong a Springfield bir&c chdn ra di. Thay ca-su xay ra nhir

vdy, Lincoln doc m6t bdi dien-vdn ngdn tai Phong Boc-Lgp,

Philadelphia, tren dirang di Hoa-Thinh-Bon* Chinh Ban Tuyen.

Ngon Bdc.Lqp da dircrc ky tai phong nay hoi xwa.

36

NHUNG NAM LAM T()NG-THONG

Tdi rat xuc-dong thay rainh dung tai nai nay, cho nay, xua kia

-da qui-tq duoc lai bao tri khon-ngoan, long ai-quoc, tantuy voi

nguyen-tac, xaydung nen nhung co--s6- trong do chiing ta song ngaynay. Cac ban da thanai bao toi rang nbiem-vu toi la van-hoi lai h6a-

binh cho cai tinh-trang roi.ren hien-thoi cua xtr-so. Bap lai, toi co the

n6i voi cac ban rang tat ca nhung y-kien chinh-tri cua toi la da

du-o-c phac-dinh voi tat ca kha-nang cua toi theo nhung y-kien da phat

sinh xua kia 6* tai phdng nay va da duoc ban ra clio the-gioi. Toi

chua he bao gio- co nhung y-kien chinh-tri khac nhung y-kien de ra

trong ban 1 uyen-Ngon ©oc-Lap. Toi van thuo*ng suy-nghT toi nhungnoi gian-nguy xay den cho nhfrng con ngu-6'i da hoi-hop 6- noi day,

da thao ra va da thua-nhan ban Tuyen-Ngon Doc-Lap ay. Toi van

thircrng suy-nghT toi nhii-ng noi kbo-khan vat-va cua sT-t6t trong quan.

dpi da hoan-thanh nen Doc-Lap ay. Toi van thuong tu hoi khong biet

nguyen tac vT-dai nao, tu-tuong sieu-viet nao da gan-bo ducrc khoi

lien-minh ay kien-co lau ben den nhir the. Khong phai chi la van-de

tam thuo*ng tach ro*i thuoc.dja ra khoi mau-quoc ma thoi dau, nhirng

chinh la cai tu-tvrong cua Ban Tuyen-Ngon Doc-Lap ban bo tu-do,

khong rieng cho dan xu* minh ma la cho ca the-gioi, cho tat ca moi

thoi sau. Do chinh la cai tu-tu6*ng hua-hen kip thoi kjp luc cat ganhnang tren vai moi nguoi. Do chinh la tu-tuomg y-kien de ra trong

ban i uyen-Ngon Doc-Lap. Bay gio-, thua cac ban, voi can-ban tutuongay, niroc ta co the cuu-van du-oc khong ? Neu co the duoc, va neu

toi co the gop sure vao cong-cuoc cuu-van ay, thi toi se la nguoi

sung strong nhat the-gioi. Con neu khong ihe duoc, thi do la mot dieu

ghe-gom qua, khong the nao tu-ong-tirong noi. Nhung neu van cir giu

diet lay nguyen-tac do ma khong the cu-u-van duoc xu so, thi toi

co the n6i rang tha toi chiu chet ngay 6- cho nay chu khong the dau-

hang. Bay gicr, theo ^-kien toi doi voi tinh-the cong-viec hien tai, thi

khong can phai do mau hay chien-tranh gi ca. Nhat-dinh khong can-

thiet phai qua den nhu vay. Toi khong tan-thanh bien-phap ay, va

toi co the noi duoc rang se khong co su do mau tru phi nguo-i ta

bat-buoc chinh-phu phai do mau, va den ndng-noi ay thi chinh phu

bi bat-buoc phai tu-ve chu khong the ngdi yen duorc.

Thua cac ban, day hoan-toan la mot bai dien-v^n bat ngcr, toi

toi day ktiong ngo* lai phai noi nhung 16*i tren day. Noi nhung 16*i ay,

toi chi muon lam mot viec gi co y-nghia phat mot la co*, do do toi co

the da noi mot hai dieu 16 lieu. Nhung do chi la nhu-ng 16-i tam-huyet,

toi song vi no, ma neu Thuong-De bat chet, thi toi cung se chet vi no.

37

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Bdi dien v6n tu-cvi dau.tfen

Trong bdi dien.van ti'rc-vi dftu-tien, tagen-doc ngdy 4 thdngBa, 1861, Lincoln vqch ra mot dwfrng loi thuijtit-phuc kicn-nhdnde gift cdc tfeu-bang mien Nam dirny tdch ra khoi Lien-Bang,vd ken yoi ho co trdnh ngi-chien.

... Tat ca raoi quyen-lirc cua vien Giam-Qu6c la do dan ban cho,.

ma dan khong he ban cho ong ta quyen-lirc nao de dinh dieu-kien veviec chia-re cac tieu-bang. Chinh dan co quyen lam viec ay neu danmuon, con vi hanh-phap d£u mu6n cung chang lam dirge. BSn.pUInong ta la difcu-khien chinh-quyen hien-htru da dirge dSt vao tay ongla, roi phai trao lai tron-ven cho ngiro-i ke-vi, khong dirge lam hu-llong suy-nhirgc di.

V|y thi ha co gi ta lai khong nhan-nai tin-tirong dirge vao tinh-

than cong-ly sau cung cua dan chiing ? Khong c6n mot nguon hi vongtot dep nao bang, ho|c lion, o trong the-gioi nfra hay sao ? Trongtinh-trang roi-ren tranh chap hien-thoi cua chiing ta, cha nhe lai

khong co ben nao tin-tirong la minh 6* trong dirong phai hay sao ?

Neu Bang Thu*ong-Be Toi-Cao cua cac quoc gia, voi chan-ty va cong-

ly ngan nam cua Ngiro-i, dirng ve phia cac ban mien Bac, hay diirng vephia cac ban mien Nam, thi chan-ly ay, cong-ly ay nhat-djnii se tbang,

voi sit phan-doan cua cai t6a an vT-dai, la dan-chiing My.

Trong khuon-kho chinh-quyen diroi do chiing ta dang song, cungkhoi dan-chiing ay da khon-ngoan trao cho nhCrng vi cong-boc quoc-gia rat it quyen de co the lam bay dirge, va cung da khon-ngoan dat

ie de lay lai quyen ay ve tay minh trong nhfrng khoang thoi-gian

ngan ngui.

Trong liic dan van giCr dirge tinh-than dao-dirc va minh-man cuaminh, thi khong m6t chinh-phii nao, dau baty ba dien-cuong den maydi nira, lai co the" lam hir-hai nang-ne dirge chinh-quyen trong khoangthcri-gian ng^n-ngui b6n nam.

Dong-bao cua toi, tram ngu*oi nhir mot, deu suy-nghT rat binh-

tinh khon-kheo ve toan bo van-de nav. Cir tu* tu- ma lam, ta khong so*

mat dieu gi qui gia ca. Neu co viec gi voi-va qua, den noi cac ban

phai hoc-toe thirc-hien mot bien-phap ma neu suy-nghT that chin-chan

cac ban se chang bao gio* lam, thi viec ay tat se khong the nao thirc-

hien dirge khi ta de thi gio* suy-nghT ky cang Viec chinh-dang, de thi

gio* toan-tinh, se khong he bi can tro\ Cac ban nao hien-thd'i dang bat-

man, thi day, Hien-Phap cu cua chiing ta van con day, khong he bi

suy-giam, va tat ca luan-phap ciia chinh cac ban de ra cung c6n ca

day, trong liic chinh phu moi chira co quyen-lirc gi tii*c tho*i ma doi-

thay di dirge. Trong cuyc tranh-chap, cac ban bat-man neu qua la coly, thi cung van khong co co* gi khien cac ban phai vpi va hanh-dpngca. Voi tri thong-minli, long ciro-ng-quyet tin-tirong o Thien-Chiia, vi

38

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-TU&NG

Chua chira he bao gitr ghet bo manh dat con cirng nay, ta van c6the khuon-xep dirge ven-toan tat ca nhirng noi kho-khan hien-thoi.

Hoi cae dong-bao bat man, sir quyet-dinh khan-trirong mot cuoc

noi-chien la o Irong tay dong-bao, chir khong phai 6- trong tay toi.

Chinh-phu se khong tan cong dong-bao. Neu dong bao khong lan-cong

triroc, thi se khong bao gio' co chien-tranh ca. Dong-bao khong he

the-thot triroc Tlurgng ©e la se pha-do chinh-phu, nhirng toi thi toi

da the mot each vo cung long-trong la toi phai « gifr-gin, che-cho*

va bao-ve » nof,

Toi danh long xin ngirng lai no*i day. Chung ta khong la ke thii,

ma la ban. Chung ta khong the nao thu-nghjeh nhau dirge. Longgian-dir co noi len hang may di nira cung khong the* dirt dirge moitinh thtrcng-men giira chiing ta. Nhirng diro*ng to* day ky-niem thiet-

tha, giang len tir moi chien-trirong, moi nam mo chien-sT ai-quoc,

den moi trai tim, moi mai nha ke song, se vang-dong len bai hgp-xircrng Lien-Bang boi nhirng ngon tay than-dieu cua thien-chat chungta, mot khi ta dong den.

Chien-tranh : Thong-diep gai Quoc-H6i

Thdng Tit nam 1861, qudn-hrc ede tieu-bang ly-khai no sungvdo mot thdnh-luy Lien-Bang tqi Bon Sumter, Chien-tranh

khong trdnh dwac nira. Trong mot biic thong-diep g&i Quoc-Hoingdy k thdng Bay, 1861, L'ncoln nghiem.nghi kiem-dem Iqi

tinh-the.

...Vai co'-sir xay ra 6* Don Sumter.... bon ngiro-i tan-cong Chinh-Phu da nhat-quyet don xir so vao mot con dirong ro-ret, « ly-tan tire

tho*i hoac la do mau ».

fitrcrng-loi ay khong quan-he den so-phan cua cac bieu-bang hiep-nhat nay ma thoi. No dira ra triroc toan-the gia-dinh nhan-loai motvan-de he-trong, van-de mot niroc cong-hoa lap-hien, mQt niroc dan-chii, mot Chinh-phu cua dan, boi dan, co the hay khong the gift dirge

toan-ven dat-dai chong khoi nhirng ke thu ngay trong niroc. No dira ravan-de mot nhom ca-nhan bat man, qua it d£ kiem soat chinh-quyentheo dinh-le co'-cau to-chire, co the nao dira vao nhirng dieu doi hoivu.vo trong trirong-hgp nay, hoac vao bat cir nhirng dieu d6i hoi vu-va nao khac, hoac mot each doc-doan khong can ddi hoi gi net de mapha.va Chinh-phu cua ho, va do do cham dirt che-do chinh-quyen tir dotren trai dat dire c khong. No bat chung ta phai dat ra cau hoi :

39

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

« Trong tat ca moi quoc-gia cong-hda, c6 cai tinh-trang nhu-nhtro-c ctf-

hu-u khong the tranh dirge ay khong ?» «MQt Chinh-Phuco nen, theo sit

can-thiet, co nen qua manh d£ bao ve nhfrng quyen ty-do cua danminh, hay qua yeu d& gifr l3y mang s6ng cua minh thoi ?»

X6t ky van-dfc, ta khong c6n each nao khac ho*n la phai keu goi

den quan lire cua chinh-phu, de chong lai lirc-lirong phan chinh-phubang nhfrng lirc-lu'O'ng bao-ve chinh-phu....

Chinh quyen nhan-dan ciia chiing ta thircrng van dirge goi la motcuoc thi-nghiem. Trong chinh quy&n 6.6, quoc-dan ta da dinh xongdirge hai diem: thanh-cong thiet-lap ra no va thanh-cong dijtu-khifcn

dirge no. Con mot diem nfra can phai dinh not : thanh-cong gin gift

no chong lai am-miru ghe-gom- noi-tai toan be lat do no. Bay gifr

bon-ph|n quoc-dan la phai chirng minh vcri the-gioi rang nhfrng conngircri da co the thtrc-hien mot cuoc tuyen-cu* chinh-dang, se co the deptan dirge mot cuqc noi loan, rang la phieu hoa-binh va hop le phaithay the cho ten dan, rang mot khi la phieu da dirge quyet-dinhmot each cong-binh va dung hien-phap, thi keu goi tro lai binh-daochi la uSng vo ich ma thoi, rang chi co keu goi den la phieu trong

nhfrng cuoc tuyen cur lien-tiep la co the thanh-cong dirge ma thoi. Bose la mot bai hoc vT dai ve hoa binh, day ta rang dieu gi ta klidng

the thirc hien noi bang tuyen-cir, ta cung khong the nao thirc-hien

dirge bang chie'n-tranh, day cho ta thay ca mot sir dien-ro gay ra motcuoc chien-tranh....

Tuyen - cdo ngay cau- nguyen

Sir that khiingkhiep cua mot cucc noi chien da dien ra

khap nir&c. Lincoln ken goi toan-qnoc ddnh mot ngay nhin an

cuii-nguyen.

Do Tong-thd'ng Hi£p-Chung-Qu6c Hoa-Ky :

TUYEN - CAO

Xet vl mot tien-uy-ban cua luong-vien Quoc-Hoi da hoi-kien vol

Tong-thong, d6i hoi Tong-th6ng « keu goi mot ngay nhin an, cau-nguyen

va chiu nhyc chung, toan dan Hoa-Ky phai cir-hanh theo le dao trong

40

NH&NG NAM LAM TONG-ThSnI}

the, dang 16*i ca*u-nguyen Bang Chi-C6ng ban sir bang-yen va hanh-phi'ic

cho cac tieu-bang nay, ban plume lanh cho binh-doi cac tieu-bang ily;

\b cho diroc van-hoi mau chong hoa-binh »

Xet vi toan-the quoc-dan, tho-i nao ciing vay, phai nen thanh-

tara ung chili va tdn-trong Quyen-H&nh Toi-Cao cua Thircvng Be, ciii

dau vang chiu nhu-ng su* trung-phat cua Ngiroi, sam-h6i an-nan cac

toi-loi va doc 16ng tin-tirong rang biet so Ngiro-i chinh la bat dild

khon-ngoan biroc vao du*6*ng lanh, va rat nen thanh-tam hoi-han cau~

nguyen xin Ngir6*i dai-xa cho nhung toi-ldi trong qua-khii', phu-ho baii

phiroc cho nhirng hanh-dong hien-tai va tirang-lai :

Xet vl triroc kia dat nu'oc yeu-dau cua chiing ta da co tho-i-ky

dtroc Thirong-Be ban cho dircrc doan ket, thinhvirong va sungsirong,

nay lai bi lam vao noi-chien va chia re, thi toan dan chiing ta phai nen

thay do ma nhan thirc diroc ban tay hinh-phat ghe-gom cua Chiia, va

an-nan kiem-diem lai nhfrng toi-ac loi-lam cua chinh chiing ta tren

ciro*ng-vi ca-nhan cung nhu* ciro'ng-vi quoc-gia, chiing ta phai ha minhtriroc Chiia, cau-nguyen xin tha toi, cau nguyen cho dirge xa mien

nhu-ng hiah phat sau nay mac dau co bi hinh-phat bao nhieu cung la

xirng dang, cho canh tay cua chiing ta diroc cirng-ran de phuc-hoi luat*

phap, trat Ur va hoa binh, tren khap xii* so chiing ta, va cho dieu an-

hue vo-gia ve tu* do tin-ngirang va tir-do cong-dan, danh diroc bang

cong-lao vat-va va mo-hoi nu*6*c mat ong cha chiing ta du*6*i quyen-

phep hirong-dan cua Thirong-Be, dirge van-hoi vol tat ca moi net ru*c-

ro* huy-hoang tron-ven nhu* hoi nguyen-thuy :

Cho nen, toi, Abraham Lincoln, Tong-thong Hiep-Chiing-Quoc Hoa-

K$9 quyet-dinh lay ngay Thu* Nam cuoi cung trong thang Chin toi

day, lam ngay chiu nhuc, cau-nguyen va nhin an cho toan-dan trong

niroc. Va toi net long nhu cung toan- dan, va nhat la tat ca cac vi

giao-sT va thay giang cac nganh giao-hoi, tat ca cac vi gia-trirong phai

nen cur-hanh ngay do tuy theo cac phirong thirc luat-le tin-ngirang cua

minh, voi tat ca moi su* ha minh, va phai cir-hanh rat nen trong-the,

sao cho lOi cau-nguyen chung cua toan-quoc co the thau den tai

Ngirdi. dang Ngiro-i ban cho that nhieu phiroc lanh cho xir-so*.

Chii-ng cho cac le ay, toi ha but ky ten diroi day,

d6ng quoc-an Hiep-Chiing-Qu6c, ngay 12 thang Tarn

1861 sau Thien-Chiia, va nam thu* 86 Boc-L^p Hiep-

Chung-Quoci Hoa-K^.

Abraham Lincoln

41

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Ve Tir-ban va Lao-dong

Trong birc thong-diep hang nam dan-tien g&i Quoc-Hdi,

thdng Chap nam. 1861, Lincoln phdn-tdch va nghi-hian cdc yen-

to quan.he den ddn-sinh hanh-phuc, ngogi Irir yeu-to chien-

tranh. Trong so cd ; yen-to do, co sir qnan-he giiia iur-bdn va

lao-dong,

... Lao-dong co truoc tu-ban, va doc-lap, khong le-thuoc gi tu banca. Tu-ban chi la san vat cua lao-dong, va khong the nao phat-sinh

diroc neu lao-dong khong phat-sinh triroc nhat ?. Lao-dong dung tren

tu-ban ; va dang diroc ton-trong ho*n nhieu. Tu ban co quyen-loi cuano, dang duoc benh-virc nhu tat ca moi quyen lcri khac. Va ta cungkhong phu-nhan rang hien co, va se luon luon co mot moi tu-ang-quan

giu-a lao-dong va tirban, gay loi-ich Ian cho nhau. Bieu sai-lam la 6-

chd ngircri ta thtfcrng cho rang toan-the lao-dong xa-hoi deu namtrong pham-vi tircng-quan ay ca. Mot so it ngtro*i s6'-hiru tir-ban, tranh

viec lao-dong cho rieng minh, va lay tu-ban cua mioh ma muon hoacmua mot so it ngiro-i khac lao-dong thay cho minh. Con phan lcrn dan-chiing khong thuQC vao hang nao ca, khong lam viec cho ngiro-i khac,

ma cung khong nho* ngiro-i khac lam viec cho minh. Trong phan Ioncac tieu-bang mien Nam co mot so Ion dan chung du moi mau dakhong la no-le, ma cung khong la chu-nhan ; Trong khi do 6- mien Bacmot so Ion dan chung cung khong la nguro-i di 6* muon hoac thue

ngu-cri lam muon. Nhieu ngucri cung voi gia-dinh, vo* chong con cai,

tir minh lam viec cho minh, trong ap trai, trong nha, trong cac cira

hang cua tiem, tat ca san vat thau duoc la de dung rieng cho minh,khong can den an-hue cua tu ban, ma ciing chang can den no le hoac

ngucri lam cong lam muon gi ca. Ta cung khong quen rang co mot so

Ion nhung nguo-i tron Ian sue lao-dong cua chinh minh voi tu.ban,

nghia la chinh ho ra sue lam viec voi ban tay cua ho, dong tho*i muahoac muon nguo*i khac lao-dong giiip minh ; Nhung do chi la motgiai cap pha tron, chu khong phai la mot giai-cap rieng biet. Su bien-

huu cua giai cap pha-tron nay khong xao-tron gi nguyen tac cua ta da

de ra ca.h

C6n mot dieu nua, nhu ta da noi roi, khong he co chuyen nguo-i

di lam muon tu-do phai chiu lam muon suot do'i. Khap moi nui trong

cac tieu bang nay, co rat nhieu nguo-i tu-do doc lap, truoc day n.ay

nam deu la nhung nguo-i 'ao dong di lam mirfrn. Mot ngu6*i moi buocchan ra d6*i, ngheo kho khong mot xu dinh tui, biet chju khodi lam muon lay cong mot thoi-gian, danh-dum tien - nong muadat mua dodung rieng cho minh, roi tu minh lam viec cho minhmot thai-gian nua, va sau cung muon mot tan cong-nhan khac lamviec giiip minh. Le-16i ay chinh la mot le-loi chinh dang, quang-

42

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

dai, thinh-virong, mo* diro-ng cho tat ca moi ngiro*i, gay hi - vongclio tat ca moi ngirfri, va do do tao diroc khi-lu-c, tien-bo, va cai-

tien tinh-the cho tat ca moi ngud'i. Con ngiroi ta khong ai dangquy-trong bang nhirng ke chiu vat-va lam viec tir cho ngheo-nan tro di,

khong them de y gi den nhirng vat-dung cua-cai khong phai tay minhkiem ra mot each ltro-ng-thien...

Nd-le dwoc giaiphong trong quan lien-bang

Thdng Tir nam 1862, Quoc-Hoi thong qua dqo-ludt gidi-phoncj

nd-le trong quqn lien.bang Columbia, ghi mot bwerc tien dau-tien

tren con dirung cham dirt che-do node, Lincoln voi-vdng ky chap,

thugn dqo-luqt ciy va bdo cho Quoc-Hoi biet.

Kinhthira quy-vi dong-bao trong Thirong Ha-Nghi-Vien :

Dao-luat nhan-de la « mot dao-luat giai-ph6ng mot so ngiro-i bi

cam trong vong lao-dong hay 6' mvron trong quan Columbia » ngayhom nay da du*oc chap-lhuan, va ky xong roi.

Toi khong he bao gio- nghi-ngo- quyen-han theo hien-phap cua Qu6'c

Hoi trong viec thu-tieu che-do no le trong quan nay ; Va toi hang luon

luon dirge thay thu-do quoc-gia giai-thoat che-do no-le mot each em-dep. Do do, tam-chi toi khong he thkmac ve mot dieu gi thuoc van-

de ay ca, ngoai tru* dieu tuy-nghi hanh-dong, the theo tat ca moitriro-ng-hop xay ra. Neu co the co nhung dieu gi trong va ngoai dao-

luat nay, neu ra mot dirong loi hinh-thirc nao lam cho toi du-oc toai

y hon, thi t6i cung chira muon neu ro ra day...

Tuyen - cdo giai - phong

Ngdy 22 thdng 9 nam 1862, Lincoln trieu-tdp Noi-Cdc doccho nghe mot ban tuyen cdo ong vita m&i thao ra. Bd Id ban

Tuyen-Cdo Giai-Phong trong-dqi trong lich sir.

43

NHUNG DANH-NGdN CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

« Toi, Abraham Lincoln, Tong-Thong Hiep-Chiing Quoc Hoa-Ky, vaTong Tu-Lenh Thuy-Luc-Quan Hoa-Ky, n o*i d*ay xac-nhan va tuyen-cao

rang sau day, cung nhu* triroc kia, chien tranh se duoc theo duoi voi

muc-dich van hoi mot each thiet-lhirc nhirng moi giao-dich quan-hegiua cac tieu-bang hiep nhat, va moi tieu-bang, cung dan-chiing tieu-

bang ay, mac dau tieu-bang ay van gift dirge moi giao-hao, hay bi xao

tron, ngirng-tre.

Muc-dich cua tgi la, ky hoi-nghi toi day cua Quoc-Hoi, toi se

khuyen cao mot Ian nira de Quoc-Hoi chap-thuan mot bien-phap thirc-

te tro-giup tai-chinh cho tat ca moi tieu-bang no-le, nhu* ten goi nhir

vay, tir y irng-thuan hay bai-bac, ma dan chiing cac tieu-bang ay co

the khong noi day cbong lai cac tieu-bang hiep nhat, va cac tieu-bang

ay co the da tu- y thu-a-nhan, hoac sau day se tu y thira nhan sir thu-

tieu tire khac hay dan-dan che-do no-le trong gioi-han rieng cua moitieu-bang...

Rang ngay nguyen-dan thang Gieng nam Thien-Chiia, mot ngan

tarn tram sau muoi ba, tat ca nhung ngu-oi bi cam giir lam no-le trong

moi tieu-bang, hoac trong phan dat cua tieu. bang da diroc chi dinh,

mac dau dan-chung tieu-bang ay co the da noi day chong cac ti&u-bang

hiep-nhat, tir ngay ay trcr di va mai mai se dirge tir-do ; Va chinh-phu

hanh phap cua Hiep-Chiing-Quoc Hoa-Ky, gom ca cac co-quan quansir thuy-luc, se cong-nhan va bao-ve sir tir-do cua nhung ngiroi ay,

hoac bat cu* ngiro-i nao trong so nhung nguo-i ay, trong tat ca moi co-

gang hoat-dong cua ho de ihau-hoi tir-do cho chinh ho...

Ludn ve Y Tral

Ngoi trong Toa Bgeh-Cung, Lincoln van co thi gi& ghi laj

nhirng di'eu sny-tuong cua ong, Noi-chien tiep dien, v&i bao siv

that bqi cay-dang lien-mien, Thdng Chin nam 1862, ong ghi lai

mot vdi tir tirong ve Y Trai.

Y Troi bao gio- cung thang, Trong nhirng cuqc tranh-chap Ion lao,

moi ben d£u tir cho minh la hanh-dpng ho*p vo*i Y Trcri. Ca hai ben cung

co th&trai, va it nhat cung co mot ben trai. Thircrng-Be khong the cung

mot luc vua thircng vua ghet cung mot vat. Trong cuoc noi-chien ngay

nay rat co the* la y ciia Thugng-Be la mot dieu gi khac vcri y-dinh cua ca

NHLTNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

liai ben ; Ma nhung khi-cu nhan-loai, hoat-dpng nhtr hi6n nay ho danghoat-dong, van la nhirng phuong tien hgp-ly nhat de the-hi£n y muon-cua Thugng-0e. Toi san sang noi rang day chac la mot dieu dungth|t : rang Thugng-Be muon co cuoc tranh-chap nay, va muon chocuqc tranh-chap chira dugc phep cham dirt. Chi rieng voi cai uy-luc

vT-dai cua Thugng-Be doi voi tam-tri nhirng ke dang tranh-chap ngaynay. Nguoi ciing du cuu-van hoac tieu-diet Lien-Bang khong can phai

nho* den chien-tranh. Vay ma chien-tranh da bat dau. Va chien-tranh

-da bat dau tu Ngudi co the ban cho phan thang-lgi sau cung bat cuve ben nao, bat cu ngay nao. Chien-tranh van con dang tiep-dien.

Boi-thirang cho nhirng tieu-bang

giai-phong no-le

Trong biic thong-diep hang nam thir hai g&i cho Qucc-Hoi-hoi thdng Chap 1862, Tong-Thong Lincoln de-nghi mot lu-chinh-

dn Hien-Phdp do do chinh-phu Lien-bang se boi-thwcrng du v$ tat

ca mgi no-le dirorc giai-phong cho tat ca moi tieu-bang no-Id naottr-y titih nguyen thu.tieu che-dg no-le, nhir dng da hira trong

ban Tuyen-cdo Giai-Phong, Ong van hy-vgng rang cdc tieu-bang

no-le se co ttifc tror lai gia-nhqp Lien-Bang nho- & le phai vdthien-chi, vd ong neu ro diem hy-vong ay trong buc thong-

di$p nay.

. . . Toi tin-tirong rang ke hoach nay se van-hoi dirge h6a-binhtnau ch6ng horn, gin-giu h6a-binh dugc lau-ben hen la chi ap-dungden sire manh ma thoi...

Co ngd'-virc dirge chang, ke-hoach toi de ra, neu dirge chap-thuan,se rut ngan chien-tranh, va do do giam bot du*gc ton-pbi tiSn bac vaxuong mau ? C6 the* ngd- dugc chang. ke-hoach ay se phuc-hoi dirgeuy-quyen quoc-gia, thinh-virgng quoc-gia, va kliien cho hai thir aydugc vinh-ciru muon doi ? Co the ngo* du*gc chang, chung ta 6* day,Quoc-Hoi va Hanh-Phap co the bao-dam dugc sir chap-thuan ke-hoachay ? Quoc-dan lieu co dap lou keu-goi doan-ket va nghiem-trong cuachung ta hay chang ? Chiing ta co the nao, dan co the nao, bang batcu* each nao khac, dat dirge nhirng muc-tieu chinh-yeu ay mot eachnhanh-chong chac-chan hon khong ? Chiing ta chi co the thanh-congbang sir hoa-hgp hanh-dong ma thoi. Cau hoi khong phai la « moinguoi trong chiing ta co the nao nghT dugc hon khong ? », ma la « tat

ca chiing ta co the lam dugc hon khong ?». Ta muon phan-doi dieugi cung du-gc, nhung cau hoi luon luon van la « chiing ta co the lamdugc hon khong ? ». Nhirng tin-dieu tho-i dT-vang tram-lang khong con

45

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

thich-hcrp nua cho thd-i hien-tai giong-to. Cor-hQi chong-chat ihanbraQt dong cao-ngat nhung kho-khan vat-va. chiing ta phai virorn minhday, cho kip voi co-hoi. Tinh-the chiing ta la mQt tinh-the mori, nenchung ta phai co nhung tu-tiro*ng moi, hanh-dong moi. Chiing ta phai

tir giSi-thoat cho chiing ta, se ciru-van dtroc xur-sor chiing ta.

Hoi dong-bao, chung ta khong the tronthoat du*o*c lich-sir. Chiing.

ta o trong quoc-hoi nay, chinh-phu nay, se dirorc nhac d^n ten mScdau chiing ta khong muon. Bat cu mQt ngu*6*i nao trong chiing ta se-

khong thoat khoi dirge bat cir dieu nao nghTa-ty hay vo nghia-ty dinhdang den chiing ta. Cuoc thir-thach ac-liet chiing ta phai trai qua se-

soi ro chung ta, hoac ve-vang hoac nhuc-nha, cho tori the-he sau cung.

Chiing ta tuyen-bo rang chiing ta ung-ho chinh-the lien-bang. The*-gi6r*

se khong quen lcri tuyen-bo ay cua chiing ta Chiing ta biet each cirur

van du*oc lien-bang. Chiing ta, chinh chiing ta or day, dang nlm giir

quyen-hanh, va chiu moi trach nhiem. Ban-bo tir-do cho dan nd-16,.

chiing ta bao-dam tu-do cho dan tir-do, dieu chiing ta ban-bo, va di£u

chung ta bao-ve, cung la dang trong nhir nhau ca. Chiing ta c6 th&

ciru-van dugc mot each cao-quy hay danh mat mQt each hen-ha, memhy-vong dep de cuoi-cung tren mat dat. Nhieu phuang-ti^n khac c6th& thanh cong, phirong-tien nay khong the that-bai. Birtrng I6i r5-

rang, hda-binh, quang-dai, chinh-dang, mot dirdrng-loi ne~u dirge theo*

cho sat, se duoc the-gioi hoan-nghenh mai-mai, dirgrc Thirgng-Be' phutro' mai-mai.

Thir guri mot vi f>ai-Tu*6wg

Trong nhirng nam dau nqi-chien, Lincoln khong mag khi

dircrc hdi-long ve tdi chl-hug cua nhirng vien -Bai-Tir&ng, Nhdndip thay-dlii thuyen-chuyen mot vien -Bqi-Tir&ng chl-hug binh-dgi,

ong viet mot bu-c thu lcri le rat thang-thdn khuy£n-bao vien Bqi-Tir&ng do,

T6a Hanh-Phap

Hoa-Thinh-B6n 26 thang Gieng 1863:

Gui Bai-Tuong Hooker

Bai-Tuong :

Toi da dat ong chl-huy binh-doan Potomac. C6-nhien toi quyet-dinh nhu Vay la iheo nhirng ly-le toi cho la thich-hgp. Nhirng toi thaycung can phai noi cho ong biet rang co m$t vai difcu, toi rat khongdirge hai-ldng.

46

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

Toi tin rang ong la mot chien-sT can-dam va c6 tai, dieu d6 c6-nhientoi thich Toi cung lai tin rang ong khong tron Ian chinh-tri voi nghe-nghi^p cua ong, va nlnr the" la ong c6 ly. 6ng vCrng 16ng tin-tu*6ng 6*

tai-sirc ong, do la mQt tir-cach gia tri, neu khong phai la can-thiet. Ongla mot ngiro-i co tham-vong, dieu do neu vira phai, se co loi ho*n la c6hai. Nhirng toi thay rang trong thoi-gian Bai-Tu*6ng Burnside chi-huybinh-doan, ong da nghe theo 16ng tham-vong cua ong, da c6-suc can-

iro cong-viec cfia Burnside, va nhir vay ong da pham mot loi-lam Ionlao doi voi xu*s6\ va doi voi mQt sT-quan dong-ban ve-vang nhat, xiVng

dang nhat. Toi lai nghe n6i, theo mot nguon tin chac-chan, moi dayong n6i rang ca quan-doi Ian chinh-phu deu can mot nha doc-tai mo'i

dirge. C6-nhien khong phai vi 16*i n6i ay, ma chinh la mac dau co 16-i

noi ay, ma toi giao cho ong chircvu chi-huy. Chi co nhirng vi nguyensoai bach-chien bach-thang moi co the durng nen nhirng tay doc-tai mathoi. Bi&u toi doi-hoi ong bay gio* la phai thanh-cong tren bai chien-

triro-ng, roi sau day toi se co th$ lieu chiu-dirng duoc chinh-the doc-

tai. Chinh-phu se nang do* ong vol tat ca moi phiiong-tien c6 the,

khong hen khong kem doi voi tat ca moi can-bo chi-huy tu* triroc

den nay va tu* nay ve sau. Toi e rang cai tinh-than ma ong da tiem-

nhiem vao trong quan-doi, che bai chi-trich vi tirong-lanh chi-huy,

lam cho ong ta mat tin-nhiem, ngay nay se tro lai do len dau ong. Toi

se co net sire giiip ong triet-ha cai tinh-than do. Trong quan-doi mamot tinh-than nhir vay con ton-tai, thi ong chir cu* den Na-Pha-Luan

song lai cung khong co the nao lam dirge dieu gi ich-loi.

Va bay gio* thi xin ong hay de-phong, cho nen lieu-linh. Bunglieu-linh, nhirng hay tien len, voi long dung-cam, khi-lirc va luon luon

than-trong, mang thang-loi ve cho chiing ta.

Rat thanh - that,

A. Lincoln

Tuyen - Cdo ngay le ta an

Trong giura can binh lira day dau thwang tang- toe, Lincoln

keu goi quoc-ddn ddnh rieng mot ngay Le Ta On Chua ve nhirng

dieu Chua van ban cho moi ngirai. Sau do thanh cai le hang namngay Li Ta On tr& nen mot ngay quoc-le Hoa-Ky.

47

2WUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Do Tong-Thong Hiep-Chiing-Quoc Hoa-Ky :

TUYEN - CAO :

Con it thang nua la net nam, ta thay quanh nam chiing ta da

dirge mira thuan gio hoa, mua-mang tiroi tot. Chung ta dirge hirong

nhu-ng an-hue ay nhieu qua den noi chiing ta quen mat ca vi dau manhirng an-hue ay dirge ban cho chiing ta. Them vao day lai con nhu-ng

an-hue khac, co mot tinh-chat phi-thirong, phi-thiro-ng den noi no

lam cam-dong, lam diu dirge ca nhirng con tim cii-ng-ran nhat, khd-

khan nhat, chua he bao gio- biet cam-dong triroc su* an-can san-soc cua

H6a-C6ng giua con khoi-lu*a cua mot cut)c noi-chien vo ciing gay-gat

dir-doi doi khi du-6-ng nhir da co ve gi xui-duc co-dong cho nhu-ng tieu

bang ngoai lien-bang xiic-tien viec xam-lang. Hoa-binh da du*oc bao-ton

khap noi, trat-tir da du-oc giir gin, luat-phap da dirge ton trong va

tuan theo, va su- hoa-hop da dien ra khap moi noi trong niroc ngoai-

trvr tren bai chien-trvro-ng ; ma chinh bai chien-trvrong do cung da du-gc

thau hep mot phan Ion nho* o su* tien quan cua binh-doi thuy-luc lien-

bang. Moi dieu sai lech ve cua-cai va lirc-luong tu- pham-vi ky-nghe

h6abinh cho den cong-viec ph6ng-thu quoc gia, cung da khong lamngirng duoc luoi cay cay dat, chiec thoi det vai hay con tau chay tren

bien tren song ; lvroi biia da mo- rong bien-khu nhu-ng vung khai-thac,

va cac mo sat mo than, mo vang mo bac cung deu da san.xuat nhieu

hon bao gio* hot. Dan-so cang ngay cang tang-gia mac dau da co biet

bao nhieu thit roi mau do tren bai chien-tru-ong ; va xir so vui mungvi cam thay cang ngay cang du-oc tang-cirong khi-lirc, non-nao hy-vongnhu-ng nam sau nay se cang duoc huong them bao noi sung-sirong cuanen tir-do ngay mot them nhieu. Tat ca nhu-ng dieu cao-ca ay, khongmot su-c ngiro-i nao vach ra duoc, khong mot ban tay ngiroi nao tao

ra du-oc. B6 chinh la nhu-ng an-hue vo-cung cao-quy ciia Thu-gng-De

Toi-Cao ban cho ta, vi Dang Thvxong-Be trong khi tru-ng-phat chiing ta

ve nhirng toi-loi chiing ta da pham lai van thu-ong-xot chiing ta maban on lanh cho chiing ta. Boi vay nen toi thay rang toan-the chiing ta,

toan the dan-toe My-quoc, ngan ngiro-i nhir mot chiing ta phai nen nhoden nhirng an-hue ay mot each kinh-can long-troDg, thiet-tha. Toi xin

moi toan the dong-bao khap moi noi trong Hiep-Chiing Quoc Hoa-Ky,

ca nhu-ng dong-bao dang di tren mat bien hay o nhu-ng xir la ben ngoai

nvroc, hay d& rieng va cir-hanh ngay Thii- Nam cuoi-cung Thang Miro-i

Mot toi day, lam ngay le Ta Cfn va Ca-Ngoi Dang Chi-T6n ngir o tren

Trcri. Toi lai moi dong-bao cir-hanh le ay voi tat ca ve long-trong trang-

nghiem xirng-dang voi nhung an-hue phu*oc-loc Thuong-De da ban cho ta,

dong-tho*i phai dang minh sam-hoi toi-loi va sir khong vang 16-i cua quoc-

48

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

:gia^ chung ta dot voi Ngtrcri, va cau-xin Ngird-i phu-ho cho tat canhirng ke da chang may mat chong mat con, mat cha mat me, hoactro nen tan-phe, kho dau trong cuoc noi-chien the-tham ma chiing tada khong tranh noi, va doc ldng cau-xin ban tay cua Bang Chi-ton x6adiu cho nhirng vet thirongcua qu&'c-gia va gia on cho quoc-gia chiingta dirge tro lai an-hirong thai-binh, thuan-h6a, yen-on, va doan-ketHen-bang, neu f muon cua Thirong-Be cho phep diroc nhir vay.

Chu-ng cho cac le ay, toi ha but ky ten diroi day, va cho d6ng/juoc-an Hiep-Chiing-Quoc.

Lam tai thanh-pho Hoa-thinh-Bon, Ngay Mong Ba Thang Mircri,

Nam Thien-Chiia M$t Ngan Tam Tram Sau Miro-i Ba, va Nam Thir TamMucri Tam Boc-Lap Hiep-Chiing-Quoc Hoa-k^.

Abraham Lincoln

Bai dien-vdn Gettysburg

Ngay 19 Thdng 11,1863, Lincoln t&i Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,

de du- le thanh-lap mot kha nghia-trang. Horn ay dien-gia thinh

la ong Edward Everett, nhirng nguai ta mbi Tong-thong ten noi

vdi lori ngan. Bo la bai diin-van Gettysburg co du?n noi tieng

trong lich.sur.

Tam miroi bay nam truoc day, ong cha chiing ta da lap ra tren

mien Bai-lyc nay mot quocgia moi, hoan-thanh tren nen-tang tir-do

va can-cii- tren nguyen-tac la moi nguai sinh ra binh-dang. Hien-thcri,

chiing ta lam vao cuoc noi-chien Ion lao, mot cuoc noi-chien se can-

cu* vao nguyen-tac nay co the ton-tai dirge khong. Chiing ta dang gap

nhau tren mot khu chien trird*ng Ion cua cuoc noi-chien do. Chiing ta

cung-hien mot manh dat cua bai chien-trird'ng do lam no*i an-nghT cuoi

cung cua nhu-ng con ngiro'i da hy-sinh do*i song de cho quoc-gia naydirge ton-tai. Chiing ta phai lam viec ay vi do la nhiem-vu cua chiing

ta, bon-phan ciia chiing ta.

Nhirng, tren mot tinh-than rong-rai hon, chiing ta khong the nao cung-

hien, chiing ta khong the nao ciing dang, chiing ta khong th&naothanh-hoa dirge manh dat nay. Nhirng con ngircri dung-cam, con song hay che*t,

49

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

da chien-dau noi day, chinh nhirng con ngircri do da thanh-hoa manbdat do roi, cao xa ho-n quyen-han nho-mon mong-manh cua chiing ta

nhieu, chiing ta co cung-hien them vao hay bot di doi chut cungkhong tham vao dau. The-gioi se it chii-y toi, ma ciing chang nho*lau nhu-ng dieu chiing ta noi 6* day, nlurng the-gioi khong bao gicr

quen du*o*c nhirng cai gi nhirng con ngircri do da lam 6' noi day. Bon-phan cua chiing ta, nhu-ng ngud-i con song, la hy-sinh cho cong cnoccao-quy cua nhu-ng ngu-oi da tung chien-dau tai day.

Bon-phan cua chiing ta tai day la hy-sinh cho nhiem-vu to-tat conphai hoan-thanh — la hoc 6* nhu-ng nguo-i qua-co dang ton-siing kia,

phuong-thii-c phung-su* tich-cuc lion cho chinh-nghia ma cac vi ay da

tirng triet-de hy-sinh — la t-uyen-the long-trong tai day rang nhirng

nguoi quaco ay da khong phai do mau mot each vo ich, rang quoc-gia nay, diroi quyen Thirong-Be, se du-gc tai-sinh nen tudo, va chinh-

phu ciia dan, boi dan va vi dan, se khong bi diet-vong tren mat dat-

Lincoln, con ngirdi nhan~dao

Mac ddu liic nao cung bdn-biu vi nhirng cong viec he-trong

nqng-ne v&i chiic-vi Tongthong, Lincoln van co thi gicr san-soc

den dam nguoi toi-tam hen-hq ken goi den long tit-thien cua ong.

Toa Hanh-Phap

Hoa-Thinh-Bon 1 thang Ba, 1864

Goi 6ng Bo-truong Chien Tranh

Kinh Ong :

Co mot ngu-6-i goa-phu ngheo nan, ten la Baird, co con trong hang:

ngu quan doi ma ngu-oi con vi toi-pham gi do da bi phat phai phvic-

dich trong mQt tho*i-gian lau dai khong lvro-ng, hoac co dirge thi cungdvroc rat it liro-ng. Toi khong thich loi trvrng-phat ciip lrrong ngu-6-i ta

nhir vay, vi nhu- the qua nghiem-khac doi voi nhirng giadinh ngheo-

tiing. Sau khi anh ta da bi trirng-phat nhu- the may thang lien, ngircri

me kho so- da khoc-16c van-xin, nen toi da quyet-dinh cho anh ta

duoc phep dang linh mot thoi-han mcri va du-gc hvrong dieu-kien nhu-

nhu-ng nguo-i khac. Bay gicr ba ta den, noi rang viec ay chu*a du-gc

thi-hanh. Vay xin ong cho thi-hanh ngay,

A. Lincoln.

50

NHUNG NAM LAM t6nG-TH0N&

Quan diem ve Ty-Do

Lincoln rat kheo dung nhirng vi du linh-dong trong tori noi,

nhw ta thay ro trong mot doqn dien-van doc trong mot kij hoi

cho- ve-sinh a Baltimore hoi thdng Tir nam 186b.

The-gioi chira bao gio- giai thich dirge ro rang chu- Tir-Do, va danchung My chinh ngay bay gio- cung dang can mot loi giai-thich ro

rang ve nghia chu- do. Chiing ta ai eung tuyen-bo la ung ho Tir-Do,

nhirng cung thi dung mot chu- Tu*-I)o ma chiing ta moi ngu-oi hieu moty khac nhau. ©oi voi mot so thi Tu*-Do nghia la moi ngtrai muon lam

gi thi lam doi voi chinh minh, va san-vat cua minh lam ra ; voi motso ngiroi khac thi Tir-Do lai co nghia rang mot vai ngu-6-i tha-ho

muon lam gi thi lam doi voi nhirng ngu*6-i khac, va san vat cua nguo-i

khac lam ra. ©6 moi la hai dieu khong nhirng khac nhau ma lai conkhong the di doi voi nhau du-oc, cung dime goi bang mot ten : Tir-

Do. Ma roi sau do moi dieu lai dirge doi ben doi-phirong goi bang hai

ten khac nhau, trai nguoc voi nhau : Tir-©o va ap-birc.

Ngu*6'i chan ciru dang con cho soi 6* co hong con ciru ra, con ciru

cam on ngiroi chan ciru la mot ngiro*i giai-phong, trong khi docon cho soi lai to cao anh ta la mot ngirai pha-hoai Tir-©o cung bo»i

chinh hanh-dong ay, nhat la khi con ciru lai la mot con ciru den. Rorang la ca ciru Ian cho soi deu khong thoa-thuan voi nhau ve nghia

chu- Tir-Do. Va chinh sir doi-lap tu-ong-tir cung dang dien ra ngay naygiira chiing ta la nhii-ng con ngu*6*i, ke ca o mien Bac, ma tat ca

chiing ta deu tuyen-bo la yeu-chuong Tu-Do. Chiing ta thirc-hien

nhung phu*ong-cach nho do hang ngan con ngiroi hang ngay thoat

khoi ach no-le, co ngu*oi hoan-nghenh chiing ta la da xiic-tien dirge

Tir-Do, ngu*oi khac lai keu ca chiing ta la pha-hoai Tir-Do.

Noi vai ciru chien-binh

Vdo khoang giira nam 186b, ndi-chien xoay ra lai-the cho

Lien- Bang, va Lincoln led dirac quyet-nghi tdi-eir ra tranh gheTong-Thong. 1'hdng Tarn nam ay, ong noi trir&c mot doi chien-

binh tup-hvp de nhqn lenh giai-ngu.

51

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Toi thay rang cac ban sap sua duoc ve nha gap gia-dinh ban-be.

Toi thanh that cam o*n cac ban nhan-danh toi va xir-so*, doi voi cong-

viec cac ban da lam troag cuoc chien-dau vT dai ma chiing ta phai trai

qua. Bat cir liic nao toi co dip noi chuyen voi binh-sT, la toi lai muonnhac den sir quan-trong cua thanb-cong trong cuoc chien-dau nay.

Chiing ta phai giu vung muon doi cho con chau chiing ta sau nay cai

chinh-quyen tu-do va caoca ma chiing ta ducrc huong tat ca do*i

chiing ta. Toi noi the* khong phai cho ngay horn nay ma thoi, ma choknap ca tho*i sau nira. Toi xin cac ban hay nho lay dieu nay, khongphai vi toi, ma chinh vi cac ban. Toi tam tho-i giu diroc mot chirc vi

trong Toa BachCung lon-lao nay. Toi co the chiing to dirge rang bat

cu* con chau nao cua cac ban co the co-gang toi du*oc Toa Bach Cungnhir toi da lam. Moi nguoi trong cac ban deu co the tim thay quanen chinh-quyen tu-do ma chiing ta dang dircvc huo-ng, mot khu-vu-c

mo* rong va mot co-hoi tot dep cho su- can-man, hoat-dong va chi minh-raan cua cac baa ; tat ca cac ban deu co quyen-han ngang nhau trong

cuoc chay dua tren duo-ng song, voi clu moi nguyen-vong thiet-tha cua

con nguo-i. Cuoc chien-dau phai dirge the-hien theo nghia do, chiing

ta dung de cho chiing ta mat quyen binh dang co-hu*u cua chiing ta.

Quoc-gia chiing ta rat dang du*oc chiing ta bao-ve, de gin-giu- motquyen-loi quy bau nhu vay.

Ve sir hu-ang-dan cua Thvang-Ae

Trong mot bite thir giti cho mot ngixai ban, viei hoi thdng

Chin nam 1864, Lincoln bay to long tin-tw&ng cua minh da ndng

da diu-dal minh qua corn thit-thdeh cua chien-tranh.

T6a Hanh - Phap

Hoa-Thinh-Bon ngay 4 thang 9, 1864

Ban than-men Eliza P. Gurney :

Toi da khong quen, co lesechang bao gicr quen du-oc each day hai

nam, ban va may nguo*i ban nira den tham toi mot buoi sang ngay Sa-bat,

lam cho toi cam-dong vo-cung. Mot nam sau, ban lai go-i toi motbirc thu*,

toi cung khong the nao quen ducrc. Luc nao ban ciing co $ muon cho toi

52

NHUNG NAM LAM TUNG-THONG

tang them ldng tin-caiy 6* Chiia. Toi rat chiu o-n dam dan Cong-giao

liro-ng-thien cua xir-so- da luon luon an-ui khich-le toi, luon luon cau-

nguyen cho toi. Ma nhat la toi chiu o-n ban ho-n nguoi nao net. Y-dinh

cua dang Chi-C6ng bao gio* cung hoan-toan va bao gio* cung phai thang,

mac dau 10 ngiro-i ngu-muoi lac-hu*ong chiing ta van rat co the nhan-

dinh sai lam. Chung ta mong-moi cuoc chien-tranh tan-khoc nay duocket-thiic mot each em dep tu* lau ; nhung Phuong-Be biet ro ho*n

chiing ta, va Nguo-i da khien chien-tranh theo each khac. Chiing ta

phai nen thu*a-nh?n cai khon-ngoan cua Ngiro'i va loi-lam cua chiing

ta. Trong khi do chiing ta phai no-luc lam viec theo du'6*ng loi sang-

sua nhat Ngird'i ban cho ta, tintuong rang lam viec nhir v£y la de

dat duac nhung muc dich cao ca Ngiroi truyen dinh san. lat-nhien

Nguo-i bat ta phai trai qua cuoc bien-dong manh-liet nay la de di toi

mot ket-qua gi that la dep-de, cuoc bien-dong ma con nguo'i khongtao du-crc ra, ma cung khong kim-giu* lai duo-c.

Quoc-dan ta — nhung nguo-i ban — da va c6n dang trai qua motcuoc thuvthach nang-ne. Bii-ng tren nguyen-tac va tin-tuong chong doi

voi ca chien-tranh Ian su- ap-bii-c, ho chi co the trong thirc-te chongsu- ap biic bang chien-tranh ma thoi. Tru-oc mot van-de rac-roi khoxu- nhu- vay, nguoi thi chon nga nay, ngiro-i thi theo hiro-ng khac. Doivo*i nhu-ng nguo-i da keu goi toi phai tan-tam- tan-lire, toi da va se luon

luon tan tam tan-luc, truoc luong-tam toi, duoi 16-i the cua toi tru*6c

phap-luait. Toi chac la ban se tin-tuo-ng nhu* vay Va tin-tu*6*ng nhu*

vay, toi chac se con nhan diroc cho xii* so- va cho rieng toi nhu-ng io-i

cau-nguyen nghiem-trang cua ban dang len 1 huong-Be.

That tinh

A . Lincoln

Tuyen.cu- tu-.do

Tra lai mot ban nhac chao mirng hoi thang Mwai Mot, 186k,

Lincoln to-bay quan-diem ve cuoc tdi-cur cua ong.

Tu- lau van co mot van-de he-trong, la mot chinh-phu, khongmanh qua de co the phu-o-ng-hai den nhu-ng quyen tir-do cua quoc-dan,c6 the nao du manh de tu* minh bao-ve diroc minh trong nhu-ng co-n

nguy-cap hay khong.

Ve diem nay, cuoc day-loan ngay nay dua nu*6c cong-hoa chiing ta

1oi mQt sit thir-thach gat-gao; va mot cuoc bau-ciitong th6ng tien-hanhjihu* thu-6-ng-le trong tho-i loan-lac gay ra them nhieu diem kho-khan.

53

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Neu dam luang dan trung-tin doan-ket lai, da vi cuqc day-loan ma phai

bieu-duong den tot-do sure-lire cua rainh, thi lieu ho co gift duocphan thang hay khong, mot khi ho lai bi chia re, va te-liet mot phan

boi mot cuoc dau-tranh chinh-tri ngay trong giua bon ho voi nhau ?

Nhung tuyen-cu la mot viec can-thiet.

Kh6ng co tuyen-cu*, chiing ta khong the nao co chinh-quyen tir-do

duoc Neu vi cuoc day loan ma chiing ta phai tir bo hay lui lai mot

cuoc tuyen-cu* toan-quoc, thi ke nhu* bon phien-loan da thang duocchiing ta roi vay. Sir tranh-dau trong cuoc tuyea-cu* chi la mot dieu

thong-thuo-ng cua tinh-chat con ngtro-i ap-dung mot each thirc-te vao

six-kien tuyen-cii'. Tinh chat con nguo-i khong thay doi. Trong tat ca

moi cuoc thir-thach quoc-gia lon-lao ve sau nay, so sanh voi nhungcon ngiroi bay gio*, chiing ta ciing se co ke yeu nguai manh, ke ngunguoi khon, ke xau ngiroi tot. Vay chiing ta nen nghien-ciru cac bien

co trong cuoc tuyen-cu* nhu* nghien-ciiru mot nen triet-ly de hoc lay

cai khon-ngoan, chu* khong nen luc nhung cai do ra de bao-thu ru*a han.

Nhu*ng cuoc tuyen-cu*, mac dau co mot su* tranh-dau bat ho-p-thoi

va lam dieu nhieu chuyen, ciing van co diem tot. No chu*ng-minhrang mot chinh-phu cua dan van co the cu-hanh du'Q'c mot cuoc tuyen-

cii* toan-quoc, ngay giua co*n khoi lu*a noi-chien lon-lao. Cho denngjiy nay, tren tne-gioi chu*a co no*i nao lam duoc viec ay ? ? . Nociing lai chu*ng-t6 chiing ta van con vung-vang, hung-manh biet baonhieu. No chiing to rang, ngay trong cac ung-cu-vien eung mot dang,nguoi nao tan-tuy nhat cho Lien-Bang, chong-doi nhat cho bon phan-loan, la co the duoc quoc-dan bau cho nhieu nhat. No lai chung-t6them rang, theo sue chiing ta biet, ta co nhieu nguo*i ho*n la khi moibat dau chien-tranh. Vang ngoc la mot vat qui-gia ; nhung nhung connguoi yeu nuoc, dung-cam dang song manh hien-tho-i con qui-gia

gap may muo*i !

Nhu-ng cuoc day-loan van tiep-dien. Bay gio* tuyen-cu* da xong roi,

tat ca chiing ta, von theo duoi nhung muc-dich chung, co the nao lai

doan-ket nhau lai voi mot co-gang chung, dl cuu-van xiiso* chung cuachiiug ta du*gc khong ? Rieng ve phan toi, toi da gang su*c, va se conxin gang-sue tranh moi d eu can-tro cac ban. Tu* truoc toi nay, 6* dia-

vi nay, toi chua he lam phien lam nhuc ai ca.

Toi rat cam-kich duoc quoc-dan tirang thuo*ng ma cho duoc tai-

cu*. Toi rat chiu on Bang Chi-C6ng da huong dan quoc-dan chonnguoi chinh-dang duoc viec cho ho, nhung neu co nguo-i buon raudau-kho vi ket-qua cuoc luyen cir nay, thi toi eung khong sung sxiorag

vui-ve gi ho*n ca.

Toi co the nao xin cac ban khong xung-khac voi toi, eung toi chiase ciing mot tinh-than ay doi voi cac ban xung-khac chang ?

Va bay gio thi toi xin cham-dut bang each xin cac ban hoan-ho baIan tat ca binh-sT va thuy-binh dung cam cua chiing ta, va cac vi

tuong-lanh tai-gioi anh-hiing cua ta.

54

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

Thir cho mot bd me

Trong tat ed moi birc thir cua Lincoln viet gui di, co le

khong co birc ndo lai dircrc cong-bo rgngrai, vd dirgrc khap moi

ngirai cung-kinh doc di doc lai suot tir dcri no truyen sang doi

kia, bang birc thm sau day gu-i cho mot bd me co nam con irai

den bi tir Iran ca.

Toa Hanh-Phap

Hoa-Thinh-B6n 21 thang 11-1864

Thira Ba,

Toi moi dirac xem thay trong ho-so* Bo Chien-tranh, co mot t(V

trinh cua vien sT-quan coi ve nhan-vien o* Massachusetts, n6i ve vice

ba co nam ngu'O'i con trai (leu bi diet ve-vang noi tran-tien.

Thwa ba toi thiet-nghT 16-i noi cua toi kheo-leo den may cung la

vo-ich va yeu-6*t doi voi su* mat-mat qua u* nang-ne cua ba. Nhu*ngtoi khong the ngirng diroc viec dang len ba mot niem an-ui may ra

lam diu dircrc doi chut noi phien-muon cua ba : do la 16*i cam en nong-hau cua To quoc ma cac vi con ba da hy-sinh tinh-mang de €ihi chono dirge ton-sinh.

Toi xin cau-nguyen Bang Chi-T6n ban phiro'c cho ba diroc nhe noi

u-buon tang-toc, chl con gifr lai trong long mot ky-niem em-dju cuanh&ng ngird-i yeu thtrcng da khuat, va mot niem tir-hao trang-trong dadang mot le hy-sinh vo cung qui-gia tren ban thcr Tu-Bo.

Tran-trong to long thanh-that va ton-kinh

A. Lincoln

Ldm «phong-vien viet tin-t6'c»

Mot horn, vdo hoi thang Chap, 186b, Lincoln cho trien motphdi-vien nhd bdo den, trao cho mot ban tin-tire chinh ong daviet san day dii ca giong chic tit, vd bcio anh ta many ve danglen mat bdo.

55

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Bdi dien-vdn moi nhat, ngan nhat

vd hay nhat cua Tong-thong

Thu Nam tuan triroc co hai nguo*i dan-ba 6' Tennessee den yet-

kien Tong-Thong xin tha cho chong bi bat lam tu-binh 6* dao Johnson.

Ho duoc hen den thu* Sau, thu* Sau ho lai den, roi lai duoc hen denthu Bay. Lan nao den, mot trong hai nguo-i dan ba do cung nhac denchong minh la mot nha tu hanh. Horn thu* Bay, Tong-Thong ra lenhcho tha hai ngu*6*i tu-binh kia va noi voi nguo*i dan ba ay :

« Ba noi rang chong ba la mot nha tu-hanh. Vay khi nao ba gap

chong ba, xin ba noi dum voi ong ta rang toi khong phai la motngu6*i phan-xet ve ton-giao, nhung toi thiet-nghT rang dao-giao naoday nguo-i ta di noi-loan va chon^ lai chinh-phu chi vi ngiroi ta nghTrang chinh phu khong chiu giiip-do* day-du cho mot so nguo*i an duocmieng banh mo hoi nuoc mat cua nguoi khac, thi do khong phai la

thu dao giao lam cho ngudi ta len duoc coi Thien-Bang.

»

A. Lincoln

Bdi dien - vdn turc-vi Ian thu* hai

Ngdy 4 tha tig Pa, 1865, Lincoln tuyen-the hhqm-chitc Tftng-

Thong nhiem-ky thu hai, va doc bdi dicn-van titc-vi. Koi-chien

van tiep-dien, nhwng thang-lgi da gan ke, Lincoln bat dan

tinh chuyen cho sdt-nhgp tr& lai Lien-Bang « khong co dc-y

56

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THQNG

v&i ai, va thien-y ddnh cho lai ca », nhirng lieu-bang da dungsang hang thu-nghich. Bdi dien-van ngdn nag dirorc coi Id motbdi dien-van xuat-sdc nhdt cua Lincoln,

Lan thir hai dirng ra day tuyen-the nh&m chirc Tcing-Thong, tdi

thay khong co gi nhieu de lam mot bai dien-van dai nhir lan triroc.

Lan triroc, can phai trinh-bay chi-tiet mot dtrong-loi nen theo. Lannay, sau bon nam troi hoat-dong lien-mien, luon luon phai tuyen-bo,

giai-thich tu*ng diem, tvrng giai-doan mot cuoc xung-dot Ion lao toi

nay van lam cho moi ngircri phai bang-hoang, van nuot het bao nhieusinh-liic quoc-gia, thi thiet-tirong khong con gi moi la phai trinh-bay

them nira. Binh-lyc ta tien-bo the nao, tinh-chat quan-trong cua nokhien cho tat ca moi dieu khac deu phai trong vao no nhu* the nao,

quoe-dan cung da dir hieu, toi khong can phai noi nhieu. Bo la motdieu lam chiing ta phan-khoi vo cung, va dat dirge nhieu hy-vong ve

tu-ong-lai.

Ngay nay bon nam ve triroc, tat ca moi ^-nghT, moi tam-trangdeu lo-lang triroc vien-anh mot cuoc noi-chien sap sira bung-no.

Ai cung so chien-tranh, ai cung muon tranh chien-tranh. Trongkhi bai dien-van tirc-vi doc tai noi day trinh-bay nhurng dieu tam-niem co lam sao cho ciru-van dirge Lien-Bang ma khoi can den chien-

tranh, thi lai co nhirng con nguoi phan-loan den t£n thanh-phonay tim each pha-hoai Lien-Bang khong can den chien-tranh, tire

la tim each thirong-thuyet de giai-tan Lien-Bang, chia re dat-dai.

Ca hai ben cung khong muon chien-tranh, nhirng mot ben lai muontha gay chien con hon de cho quoc-gia dirge sinh-ton, con mgt benthi tha nh£n chien c6n hon de quoc-gia mang vong. The la chien-

tranh xay ra.

M6t phan tam toan-the dan-chiing hoi do la nhirng dan no-1^

da mau, khong song rai-rac knap Lien-Bang, ma t^p-trung ca 6*

mien Nam. Bam dan no-le ay bieu-du*ong mot thir quyen-lgi dac-bi§t

lon-lao. Ai cung biet chi vi cai quyen-lgi dac-biet do ma xay ra

chien-tranh. Bon phien-loan thi vi muon tang them quyen-lgi ay,

raff rong no ra, giu*-gin no mai-mai, nen danh long xe rach Lien-Bang,

du phai chien-tranh cung mac ; con chinh-phu thi chi doi-hoi co moimot dieu la han-che sir mo-rong quyen-lgi ay sang mien dat khac. Ca

doi ben, khong ben nao ngo dirge chien-tranh lai ac-liet va keo dai

den nhir vay. Khong ben nao lai ngo dirge rang chinh cai nguyen-nlian

gay ra chien-tranh lai co the cham dirt ciing voi, hoac co khi triroc

57

NHUNG DANH-NGON CUA [ABRAHAM LINCOLN

ca chie'n-tranh. Moi ben deu tiro-ng rang minh se thing tran de-dang

mau-chong, va dat dircrc mc)t ket-qua binh-thircrng ho-n, dan-di ho-n.

Ca hai cung doc mot tnir Kinh-Thanh, cung cau xin mot Bang Thiro-ng

Be, va moi ben deu cau Thircrng-Be giiip ben minh ma chong ben kia.

La-lung thay la lai co hang ngircri dam xin Thircrng-Be chi-cong chi-

chinh phu-hc minh cirop giat mieng banh mo hoi niroc mat cua ke

khac, nhirng thoi, chiing ta cho nen phan-xet neu chiing ta muon khong

bi phan xet. Ca lo*i cau-nguyen doi ben deu rat co the khong dircrc

nghe th'au, khong ben nao diroc Thu-o-ng Be de tai. Thircrng-Be da co

^ rieng cua Ngu-oi

« Khon cho the-gian da gay ra nhieu dieu toi-loi ! vi toi-loi phai

duoc gay ra ; nhirng lai khon cho ke nao tu* tay gay ra toi-loi !» Neuchiing ta thay rang Che-Bo N6-Le My-Quoc la mot trong nhirng toi-loi

phai dirge gay ra, nhir theo dieu tien-lieu cua Thirong-Be, nhirng nay

da trai qua du thcri-han Thuong-Be qui-dinh roi thi Ngircri muon triet-

bo no di ; va neu chung ta thay rang Thirong-Be giang cho ca hai ben

Nam Bac mot tran chien-tranh khoc-liet nhu* the nay de gieo khon cho

nhirng ke nao da tir tay gay ra toi-loi, thi thir hoi chiing ta co dam gan

cho do la mot dieu sai-lam trong cong-viec ban-phat hoa-phiic cua

Hoa Cong chi-cong chi-chinh hay kh6ng ? Chiing ta khat-khao hy-vong,

chiing ta thanh-tam cau-nguyen cho cai tai-hoa chien-tranh tan-khoc

nay se mau mau cham dii-t. Vay ma neu Thirong-Be muon rang chien-

tranh van phai tiep-dien, mai mai cho den khi nao dong cua chong-

chat len bang hai tram nam miro-i nam mo hoi niroc mat khong congcua con ngu*6-i no-le se sup-do khong con mot chir cho den khi naom6i giot mau toe ra bang ngon roi da phai dircrc den-boi bang motgiot mau toe ra bang liro-i kiem, nhu* IcVi sam truyen ba ngan nam vetriroc, thi chiing ta van se phai tin rang do la « nhirng phan-xet

chinh-trire vo-tir cua Bang Chi-C-6ng» vay.

Vcri ac y khong doi vcri ai, va thien-y danh cho tat ca, voi sir

cirang quyet tren con ducrng phai, nhu- Thirong-Be ban cho ta dirge

trong thay duo-ng phai, chiing ta phai nen gang sire lam tron congviec ta dang lam, han-gan vet thirang quoc-gia, san-soc cham nomngiro-i chien-sT co the mang-vong 6* chon sa-tru'6'ng, cham nom lu con

tho- vo* dai, gang sii-c lam tat ca moi dieu kha-dT co the hoan-thanh

va giu-gin qui-bau dircrc mot nen hoa-binh chinh-dang va lau dai

giu-a chiing ta va vcri moi quoc-gia khac.

Ve van - de xay-dyng lai quoc-gia

Chien-tranh cham dirt veto Ihdng Tir, 1865. Hai dem sau cuoc

dau - hang cuoi cung cfia toan - qudn, Lincoln noi v&i mot

58

NHUNG NAM LAM TONG-THONG

nhom ngircri d#n chdo mirng ong tqi toa Bqch-Cung. Ai cung

twang ong vui mirng lam lam, nhirng ong con mai nghi den

nhiem-vu l&n-lao xdy-dirng lai moi giao-hao cho tat cd moingir&i lam sao cho that Id em-tham, nen ong vin co ve than-

nhien, khong 16 y vui mirng qua dang, Khong ai ng& diro-c rang

nhiem-vu ong tvt vqch ra cho mlnh dcm do lai hi dirt ra khoi tag

ong ba dem sau do, b&i mot vien dan dc-hqi cua ki sdt-nhdn.

Bag Id bdi diin-van cuoi cung cua ong noi trw&c cong.chung.

Chiing ta gap nhau dem nay, long khong buon rau, ma trai lai,

lhait la vui mirng khap-kho*i. Loan-quan da nit khoi Petersburg vaRichmond, dpi quan cot-can cua dich da dau-hang, nen chiing ta hy-

vong dat duo-c mot nen hoa-binh china-dang va lau dai dang nen anmirng trong the. Tuy vay, giu-a liic nay, ta khong diroc phep quenBang thuong-Be vi do ban tay Ngiro-i ma ta du-oc hirong moi dieu

phiroc. Toi dang cho sura soan keu goi mot cuoc Le Ta on, sap-su-a

cong-bo nay mai.

Sau nhirng thanh-cong ru-c-ro- moi day, viec xay^dirng lai quyen-hanh quoc-gia tru*6c kia ta da nghi den nhieu, nay ta lai cang phai

chii-y den lam moi dirge. B6 la mot cong-viec day kho-khan hiem-tro.

Bay khong phai la mot cuoc chien-tranh giua cac quoc-gia doc-lap,

nen khong co co-quan huu-quyen nao de cho chiing ta ky-ket gi du*o*c.

Khong co mot nguoi nao lai co quyen ha khi-gioi rieng cho mot ngirMnao khac. Chiing ta chi phai bat dau cho vao khuon phep nhirng phan-

tu* lac-long, trai-nghich voi nhau. C6n mot dieu kho-khan khong nhonu-a la giu-a chiing ta, la nhirng ngiro-i trung-tin voi nhau, chiing ta

lai khong dong-y voi nhau ve cong viec dirong loi, phuong-tien xay-

dirng lai quoc-gia ra lam sao....

Chiing ta se dong y rang nhirng tieu-bang ly-khai rat lac-long vevan-de giao-dich diing phep voi Lien-Bang, dong-y rang muc-dich duy-nhat cua chinh-phu hanh-chinh cung nhir quan-sir, doi voi cac tieu-

bang ay, la dat lai ho vao du*6*ng-l6i giao-dich diing phep ay. Toi tin

rang viec do thirc sir rat de lam, khong can phai ban-khoan rangnhirng tieu-bang do da tirng ly-khai khoi Lien-Bang. Thay ho da tro-

ve yen-on trong nha, thi nghi - ngoi den viec ho da tirng 6* benngoai la mot dieu tuyet-nhien vo-ich. Chiing ta hay hop sire nhau

59

XHUNG DANH-NCON CUA ABRAHAM LINCOLN

lai ma lam nhirng cong-viec can-thiet de xay-dixng lai dircrng-loi giao-

hao diing phep giu-a nhirng tieu-bang do va Lien-Bang. Va moi ngiroi

se cho ^-kien la lam nhirng cong-viec xay-dyng ay, minh se mang cac

tieu-bang ay tu* ben ngoai vao trong Lien-Bang, hay la se chi tro-giup

ho nhirng cai gi thich-hop, nhir la ho chira he bao gio* ro-i khoi Lien-

Bang.

Bieu ghi lai cuoi - cung

Ngdy cuoi cung dcti dug, ngdy U thdng Tw 1865, Lincoln

viet ra mot so nhitng buc thong diep va chl-thi, Sau day Id mot

vdi giong viet goi *Bqi- tw&ng James H. Van Alen.

Hoa-Thinh-Bon, 14 thang Tir, 1865

Kinh ong : Toi dinh theo 16*i khuyen cua cac ban be, net sire gifr-

gin can-than... Toi cam om ong da doanchac voi toi rang tdi se diroc

nhieu vi bao-thu nhir ong ung ho trong cong-cuoc xay-dirng lai Lien-

Bang, ngo hau thiet-lap dirge, nhir lai ong noi, mot Lien-Bang cac

trai tim va cac canh tay, cung nhir cac tieu-bang ho-p lai.

Thanh-thgit

Abraham Lincoln

Hinh ben phai Id tu-crng cua Lincoln do mot hoa-sT ve thien de tqi

thii-do Hoa-Thinh-Bon.

60

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