"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."
"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day."
"...I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."
Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin (now Larue) County, Ky. In 1830 the Lincolns left Indiana for Illinois. By the time of Lincoln's inauguration in March 1861, seven states had seceded from the Union. His conciliatory inaugural address had no effect on the South, and, against the advice of a majority of his cabinet, Lincoln decided to send provisions to Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. The fort was a symbol of federal authority--conspicuous in the state that had led secession, South Carolina--and it would soon have had to be evacuated for lack of supplies. On Apr. 12, 1861, South Carolina fired on the fort, and the Civil War began.
Lincoln's endorsed the 13TH Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery.
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| Lincoln at Gettsburg |
Lincoln's victory in the election changed the racial future of the United States. Lincoln's achievements--saving the Union and freeing the slaves--and his martyrdom just at the war's end assured his continuing fame. No small contribution was made by his eloquence as exemplified in the Gettysburg Address (Nov. 19, 1863), in which he defined the war as a rededication to the egalitarian ideals of the Declaration of Independence, and in his second inaugural address (Mar. 4, 1865), in which he urged "malice toward none" and "charity for all" in the peace to come. What a great country this would be if we all lived by this motto.
He will always be known as the greatest of them all.
ReplyDeleteIn history books, I agree...he has to be one of the most rewarding leaders of our country. And having him as president was our reward.
ReplyDeleteWell done post.
A shining example of what we could, and should, be.
ReplyDeleteI am the Director of a Historical Museum during the summer. We have an extensive Civil War Collection. One of the things that impressed me the most is a real photograph of President Lincoln. ( I am not sure if it is a Daguerrotype or an Ambrotype ) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! We could certainly use another Lincoln right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat post! I just recently bought a book on American History and can't wait to start reading it. I missed out on a lot of it in school and now want to reread it. I wasn't interested back then..but boy have I changed! :)
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