Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Farewell to 'army of future citizens'

TO THE EDITORS:

In the final pages of her wonderful book, "Team of Rivals," upon which the movie, "Lincoln," was based, Doris Kearnes Goodwin describes a very dramatic and moving tribute to the fallen president, which the movie, perhaps for budgetary reasons, did not include.

In what was termed "A Farewell March," nearly 200,000 Union soldiers marched through Washington in Lincoln's honor. It took two days for all of them to pass the reviewing stands that lined Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House. The first day was given to the Army of the Potomac and the second day to the Army of the West.

Watching this spectacle, the great friend of the deceased president, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, remarked, "You see in these armies the foundation of our republic -- our future railway managers, congressmen, bank presidents, senators, manufacturers, judges, governors and diplomats and, yes, even a few presidents ...."

As I thought about his words, I could not help but envision another "army" of future citizens who will never be a part of our economic and national life. Before and beyond any religious or ethical considerations, it is certainly an unhappy fact that, since Roe v. Wade 40 years ago, the most dangerous place for a healthy child to be is in the womb of its own mother.

Dennis R. McMahon

Manheim Township