Columbia Library columns (v.33(1983Nov-1984May))

(New York :  Friends of the Columbia Libraries.  )

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  v.33,no.1(1983:Nov): Page 34  



34                                Ke7ineth A. Lohf

Dr. A. R. B. Haldane. Knowing of the importance of the original
letter to Columbia, Mrs. Haldane and her family, in a most gener¬
ous and thoughtful gesture, presented the document to the Uni¬
versity in memory of Dr. Haldane. Professor Stephen Koss, a
friend of the Haldane family who was spending several months
this past summer engaged in research at All Souls College, Oxford,
and who brought Mrs. Haldane into contact with the Librarian
for Rare Books and Manuscripts, offered to receive the original
Lincoln letter on the University's behalf and to convey it to
Morningside Heights. Through this series of felicitious events, the
Lincoln letter is now in the collection of the University's histor¬
ical papers housed in the Butler Library.

Signed by Lincoln, the text of the letter is in the hand of John
Hay. The divisiveness of the Civil War is doubtless foremost in
Lincoln's thoughts when he writes of preserving the country's
institutions and of the honor's manifestation of "confidence and
good will," which he must have particularly valued during the
early months of the national crisis. His remarks on the advance¬
ment made in literature and science were most likely inspired by
President King's reputation for broadening and diversifying Co¬
lumbia's curriculum and for emphasizing the growth of profes¬
sional schools. Thus, this poignant and gracefully written letter
from President to President had, after all, survived in safe hands
for nearly a century and a quarter, and after the gift from the
Haldane family now returns to Columbia an historical document
important both as a record of an event in the history of the Uni¬
versity and as an expression of the national spirit at the time of the
Civil War.
  v.33,no.1(1983:Nov): Page 34