Speech #840030822

There is no admission charge to the Lincoln Memorial. and there should be none at Fords Theater. Every school child knows the Lincoln story. Everyone who comes to our shores as visitors or as immigrants knows and is moved by the story of this great American who belongs to the ages. But. today. it is clear that some of the presentday leaders in the great political party which he played a major part in establishing have forgotten. if they ever knew. another part of the Lincoln story which is equally vital and valid. and equally important to our times. Lincoln. the man of the people. had a high regard for the contribution which the immigrants to America through the years. and the descendants of those who reached our shores in earlier years. have made to our country. for the richness and variety of cultures they brought. for the sacrifices they have made in the battles fought to preserve and strengthen our country. and the contributions these peoples from all the countries of the earth have made to every phase of our lives. In a speech in Cincinnati. on February 12. 1861. Lincoln said: In regard to Germans and foreigners.