NOUN: pl. oaths   (z, ths) KEY   A solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God, a god, or a sacred object as witness. The words or formula of such a declaration or promise. Something declared or promised. An irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or something held sacred. An imprecation; a curse.

QUESTION:  

Go to the Library of Congress Treasures website at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trt040.htmlestion

The oath the 16th President said was this:                  "I, Abraham Lincoln, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Go to Illinois Issues Online for an explanation of how the oath related to President Lincoln.  http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/features/2005jan/oath.html   Answer the question:

In the letter to Mr. Hodges, Lincoln refers to his oath.  Why did the President take the oath he made so seriously?

Do you think that modern-day took the oath as seriously as President Lincoln?