Community takes pride with its role in
life of President Lincoln
September 18, 2008
The Herald-Whig Staff (opinion)
QUINCY’S place in history is secure as the
site of an 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.
Members of the Quincy
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission are doing their best to see that celebrations next
month and continuing into next year do justice in showcasing Lincoln as well as the city.
Today the first of
10,000 brochures will be distributed as a compendium of local Lincoln events and attractions. The brochure
lists a calendar of events, local attractions, details about improvements at Washington Park
and mention of events that will continue in 2009 when the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth will be
celebrated.
A “Reunion Tour” will
be among the highlights of the Oct. 11-13 celebration.
Portrayals by actors
will be staged several times during the weekend and at local schools on Monday,
Oct. 13. As explained in the brochure, the actors will not recreate the
debates, but will reminisce about the debates while in character as Lincoln, Douglas and a naval officer of the period.
Looking for Lincoln storyboards located at various sites around Quincy will offer
analysis and historic observations. In addition to the storyboards on Lincoln, there are others that tell about his political foes,
his friends and what Quincy
was like during the 1800s.
A newly improved plaza
will be dedicated in Washington
Park on Oct. 11.
Fireworks and a concert will be held along the riverfront that evening.
It has taken a strong
local, state and national commitment to set up a variety of Lincoln events this year and next year. Quincy’s Lincoln Bicentennial
Commission members, donors, business partners and an army of volunteers and history
buffs have helped set up the grand celebration.
Abraham Lincoln’s name
and accomplishments are important in national and world history. Quincy will gladly shine a spotlight on Lincoln next month and proudly point to the
part this community played in the life of a great president.