From "What Would Abe Lincoln Say Today?" By Eldon Kienholz
One day a group of students challenged me to answer the question, "What would Abe say about our treatment of animals in this country?" I took the challenge and have spoken on that subject, dressed as Abe and speaking as if I were actually Abraham Lincoln.
Human freedom, freedom of human slaves, was the all-consuming topic of the days in the mid-1800s, so there was not much said about other animals. Even so, Lincoln said that he did not care much for a man's religion, whose animals were not better treated because of it. Earlier, as a young man of 20, he waded an icy stream to rescue the family dog, when others said it wasn't worth the effort.
Lincoln said that persons who mistreat animals should be watched, because they are the type of person who will end up hurting humans, too. As a boy, amidst the derision of his young friends, he rescued a baby bird who had fallen out of a nest. He once shot a turkey with his father's rifle. As he watched the bird kick his last and die, Abe vowed that he would not kill another animal, and it appears that he kept that vow.
Thus, there is ample evidence that Lincoln would be among the animal rights activists these days, helping to convince people to change their attitudes, showing by example that animals are to be respected, and by writing and enforcing laws. I would expect Lincoln to be a vegetarian, if he were living, now, in 1993.
So, all of this was in the back of my mind when the Colorado State University staff newspaper, "Comments," came across my desk a few weeks ago. The lead article was that two widely celebrated CSU professors had just been named "CSU Distinguished Professors." Both of them had built their careers on the backs of animals. One was a top animal science professor specializing in beef meat research. The other was a reproductive physiologist, who had trained over 30 PhDs, had authored many scientific papers, and was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. And I was thinking, "What would Abe Lincoln say about that?" Would Lincoln approve a university or an entire scientific community giving its highest awards to researchers who used animals, restrained animals, used them as slaves, and perhaps worse?
When universities and the National Academy of Sciences give their highest awards, should they recognize only "achievement," or should they acknowledge those professors and researchers who have benefitted humankind where it was needed most? How important are improvements in animal meat production and animal reproduction studies? At the present time, are we not more likely to find real help from any other kinds of professors in our universities?
What endeavors are most likely to bring peace, brotherhood, tolerance, understanding, and long-term quality of life to the citizens of this nation and the world? We are increasingly concerned about the environment, preservation of life, and about our ability to find answers to life's problems as they arise. Do we not have eminent professors in those areas? If not, then why not?
So, what would Abe Lincoln say and do if he were with us now? I think he would say:
That we humans have made huge progress in certain physical aspects, but not much progress in the psychological and spiritual aspects of life, and that we need to bring all the aspects of life into a proper balance.
That 200 years ago it was common to think that human slavery would never end; but it ended, and trends now suggest that animal slavery will end within the next 200 years, perhaps sooner.
That the battle to end animal slavery will be fought on many fronts, but one very important battle will be in the universities, where minds are shaped and trained for making this world what it will become.
That the EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION was one major step to help end human slavery, that many people gave their lives to bring equality among the human races, and that the job is not done yet. Therefore, do not expect the battle to be easy, or the war to be won quickly. We are in for a long siege, for many battles. But one day a future president of the United States will write the EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FOR ANIMALS.
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