Greek Antiques heroes, like later American heroes, have always been of a sort who were more a Jefferson or a Lincoln in mind and soul. They seemed to rise to the occasions of most dire need for their times, and speak their truth so clear and clean and pure that all could remember and also bring into their own heart and rise in their own souls, and be and feel the better for it. Tom Jefferson poured his heart and soul into the Declaration of Independence.

When I first read this magnificent document, it was on the first page of the American History book I received for my entry into the American school system in my Grade twelve year. We had just moved down from Canada, and it was my first day of school. I did well in all my classes and felt the American education system was aiming low for that year level, so I received almost all A grades, which I did not accomplish in Canada.

But, as always, History was my favorite subject, and I would usually top the class in any History class. But when this happened in my American History class that Christmas in Santa Ana, California, it caused the teacher to embarrass the class, and me, by asking how many years I had actually studied American History. I had to admit, that actually, this was the first year.

And I stopped his lecture to the class of nice Americans I was trying to make friends with, by groaning after he had said what is the matter with you people? You have studied this since grade one and this Canadian comes down and beats you. He asked me how I managed the only A in the class, and I caused laughter when I said I really enjoyed the Book, so I read it several times.

I had inadvertently imprinted the information, as we all can do if we repeat an action and enjoy it. We moved back to Canada but in my soul are the fine words of my great heroes Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln. Which brings to my point about how a deep wise soul such as Lincoln could show such humility and door opening at just the right moment. And his letter that I later studied at university in Canada shows that.

It was only half a year after Lincoln had written a brilliant letter of discipline to a losing general who when drunk claimed he should be the dictator, and who soon resigned after his next defeat. Now, Lincoln was able to write a victory letter of thanks to General Grant in the west. Grant had presented the North with a wonderful birthday party by taking Vicksburg on July 4, 1863.

Lincoln could have written the usual congratulatory blather that Grant was his man, keep up the great efforts, knew you had it figured out. Not Abraham Lincoln. He wrote a short half page letter that said to my Dear General, I do not recall that we have met, and gave his grateful acknowledgment for the most inestimable service you have done the country.

And next is when the emotional genius of Lincoln shows quickly. He turns to the series of decisions Grant had made and the direction he took to the fortress hilltop with cannons that controlled the Mississippi. Lincoln admitted that he fear Grant might be making a mistake, rather than linking forces with General Banks first.

Lincoln ends that short letter with an amazing statement, which he did not need to admit. But he said that I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right and I was wrong. Yours, A. Lincoln. And what he had done was cause communication to be able to flow so freely between this winning General and his President.

And,when you think of it, that admission of error by Lincoln gave Grant much freedom. Now, if he did loose a battle, he would feel inclined to send off a quick letter to Lincoln, that he wished to acknowledge that this time the President had been right and he had been wrong. And they could have planned the next battle together.

Lincoln knew he had a diamond of a leader in Grant, no lump of coal. Some of that could work wonders today. Coming soon, one way or the other. The worst is almost over, some sideways bumps as always ahead. But some horse sense from the end that passes the gate post first, is coming to a nation near us soon. What an expensive roller coaster ride some unwise elephants love to take us on, vault door empty, bills due to China. Ah, well, they surely have our interests first? Even in Athens, Greek antiques such as Socrates understood good debts from bad.