Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care and commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell. (Internet)
Lincoln started his presidential journey correctly. With God as his focus and guide he felt and knew he could succeed. The path ahead was long and tiring yet Lincoln walked it with conviction and dignity.
I found in reading the many speeches and letters of Lincoln, his character was revealed, compassion, dedication, reverence, charm, strength and fortitude. His compassion was evident in his writing. In our text Lincoln, in his second inaugural address, expressed in words of conviction and emotion so palpable I could feel them. “Fondly do we hope—fervently do we pray—that this almighty scourge of war may speedily pass away” (862). Continuing on the concluding paragraph contains a most powerful statement of the time:
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish just and lasting peace, among ourselves and with all nations. (862)
In this quote taken from his speech sums up his desire throughout his presidency. He wanted to see the union be a “union” together as one. Lincoln was opposed to slavery, yet in his leadership he would stand for the very thing that would bring the union together. This was clearly stated in letters that I had read on the internet to both Mr. Albert G. Hodges and Joshua Speed. Lincoln reveals his ideals and beliefs in those letters; he also speaks of his desire to keep the union intact even at the cost of slavery continuing. It also reveals the full thinking of Lincoln to act at the appropriate time. Timing is a crucial element in leadership and Lincoln exhibited this on a number of occasions.
Lincoln was a common man in an uncommon situation. I saw Lincoln as a strong leader. He stood by what he believed and did not wavier. He didn’t point fingers of blame, or use his power to dictate. Lincoln was slow to speak and mighty in action. In this slowness I found great power. To think and process what is to be said and done is much more effectual than rash, rushed decisions. In this Lincoln showed great control not only of self but of his power. That reveals greatness of a man. There are many who praise him, who labeled him as “great”. There are also those who did not like him or the means by which he lead the country. Lincoln was a simple man, a man of the people. He wrote letters to those families whose sons were killed in battle. He took time to listen to the people. The Thanksgiving proclamation written on October 3, 1863 set the precedence for America’s national day of Thanksgiving. Because Lincoln listened to Sarah Josepha Hale the last Thursday in November is set aside “as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise”(Internet):
...Mr. Lincoln was the central figure of our age, and on him were concentrated the love, the faith, the reverence, the hate, the fear and the calumny, of half the civilized world. The ‘plain people’ understood him better than did the politicians; and he in turn had a wonderful perception of the real condition of the popular heart and will. (Internet)
As stated in White House Sketches by William O. Stoddard the above quote leads me to see the great man Lincoln was and how history not only made him great but how he made history. Turbulent times can often call for turbulent measures: A war between brothers, within a nation, a union, North and South over the issue of humanity. In these turbulent times, a great man would arise to lead and direct a nation, under God, into an era of change. Lincoln was this man. In reading and researching the Civil War and the people involved I have been made aware of the continued conflict of slavery, even today. Lincoln lived in a time of changing history, a history in which he made change, by remaining true, faithful and strong, to his beliefs, to his people and to his country. History does make us who we are and we in turn can make history.
Works Cited
“Abraham Lincoln’s Farewell Address.” 11 Nov. 2006.
<>.
Arnold, Isaac. Speaking About Abraham Lincoln, “Lincoln and Douglas as Lawyers.” 11 Nov.
2006.
Cain, William E., Ed. American Literature Volume One. New York: Penguin Academics and
Pearson Education, Inc., 2004.
“Proclamation of Thanksgiving by Abraham Lincoln.” 12 Nov. 2006.
<>.
Stoddard William O. Speaking About Abraham Lincoln,“White House Sketches.” 11 Nov.
2006. <>.