By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
Reflecting on Our Past
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “Small things may perhaps, like the relics of saints, help to nourish our devotion to this holy bond of our union, and keep it longer alive and warm in our affections.”
At times, history can feel distant, confined to textbooks or museum shelves. This week, I was reminded that those “small things” still have the power to bring history close.
I had the opportunity to attend the opening of the Four Score and Seven Years Before exhibition at the Idaho State Museum, and I was honored to address the Idaho Senate on Lincoln’s Birthday. Both moments underscored that the principles that shaped our nation are not abstract ideas. They are preserved in ink, paper, and objects carefully stewarded across generations.
Honoring Lincoln Day
Delivering the Lincoln Day address to the Idaho Senate on Thursday, I focused on Lincoln’s words and legacy as a reminder that our American system of government remains a fragile experiment requiring constant attention and sacrifice. The “American experiment,” a phrase first coined by George Washington and later echoed by Lincoln during the nation’s greatest crisis, is something that sticks with me.
Here in Idaho, Lincoln’s story is woven into our own. On March 4, 1863, Lincoln signed the act creating the Idaho Territory. Idaho and the 16th president share ties that run even deeper and highlight the significance of Lincoln Day, celebrated on his birthday, Feb. 12.
Walking through our statehouse rotunda this year, the oversized Declaration of Independence displayed as part of the America 250 serves as a powerful reminder. Speaking with the Senate, I reflected on the 56 signers who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of American independence.
They weren’t just speaking for themselves 250 years ago; they were speaking for the millions of men and women who have pledged and sacrificed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in service to keeping the American experiment alive in the many years to come.
It was a privilege to give the Lincoln Day address. I included an homage to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, something I hope will stick with not just lawmakers but all Idahoans. I hope we can all dedicate ourselves to the unfinished work of preserving democratic government. It is a system that requires great care and action.
I ended with a simple truth, “We have come together to dedicate this day to honor a man who gave his life so that this nation might live.”
Relics That Keep the Bond Alive
If Lincoln’s words remind us of sacrifice, the Four Score and Seven Years Before exhibit reminds us of its origins. The must-see exhibit features an extraordinary collection of artifacts tied to our nation’s founding and Idaho’s entrance as the 43rd state in the Union. Many of the pieces come from my own father’s collection, assembled over many years, alongside significant Abraham Lincoln artifacts from David and Nancy Leroy.
Seeing these items firsthand, Jefferson’s words rang true. You can sense the courage and resolve of those who risked so much to see this American experiment through. Multiple editions of the Declaration of Independence are on display, including an early Dunlap Broadside whose title omits the word ‘unanimous,’ because that unanimity itself was still unfolding. Also featured are Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration and his lap desk, and a collection of the Federalist Papers.
Jefferson believed these relics could keep our shared bond “alive and warm in our affections.” Standing in the presence of the very documents that shaped our nation’s course, I understand exactly what he meant. History is not distant. It is entrusted to us.
The exhibit opens to the public February 14 and runs through August 2, 2027, at the Idaho State Museum. I encourage you to visit and see these pieces for yourself and allow these “small things” to remind you of the bond we share.
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
