When we reflect on the most important documents in our history, the Gettysburg Address comes to mind. It carries not only the weight of its message, but the hope for the future in its 285 words.

Here in Lewiston, however, Mr. Lincoln might have a problem publishing it. In his message, the president included words like liberty, dedicate, dedicated, consecrate, consecrated, devotion, endure, equal, remember, freedom, brave, gave, lives, live and phrases like: of the people, by the people, for the people and we cannot hallow this ground. They describe selflessness, sacrifice, perseverance and honor, the best traits in our country’s character. This powerful speech pointing to a higher purpose of a government and its people required the removal of these words or it exceeds the Sun-Journal’s word limit.

Cutting the heart from something of this nature leaves a mere shell of a message that is no longer worth the effort to print. Likewise, when area people have a message that needs to be conveyed, editing to meet a small, strict word limit can strip the power from the message and diminishes the author’s value, and the wisdom of their words is lost. While some may be able to cut to the quick, others may need to more plainly speak in the public’s interest.

The Sun Journal should compromise “for the people” and raise the maximum word count from 285 to 300 to permit Mr. Lincoln’s words to ring out again on this year’s upcoming 140th anniversary on Nov. 19.

Larry W. Mayes, Lewiston

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