The Greatest Individual

Good ol’ Abe

Posted in Uncategorized on June 7th, 2009 by lfink102

Mini Biography…

Abraham Lincoln is by far the greatest individual in history. Born in a one room log cabin, Lincoln was the son of uneducated farmers. Despite his poor background, Abe was able to educate himself and become a very successful lawyer. It wasn’t long, however, until Lincoln made his way to politics where he first began in the Illinois House of Representatives. Even from his first term in office, Lincoln began protesting against slavery. Lincoln once exclaimed, “Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”

After 2 terms in office, Lincoln took a break from politics to work as a lawyer. When the Kansas-Nebraska Act took effect (which reversed the limits on slavery), Lincoln was inspired to return to government so he could speak out against slavery. In 1960, he ran for president and won; he was the first elected president from Illinois. As president, he established a national banking system which created a national currency. He also released the Emancipation proclamation which freed all slaves in the confederate states.

Lincoln’s presidency was difficult from the start, but it was made much more complicated when the Civil War began. Even in the midst of war, Abe continued to be amicable to the south. In one case, President Lincoln even wrote a letter of regret to a confederate women, Mrs. Lydia Bixby, who’s five sons were known to be killed in battle. (Read the letter here: http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/bixby.htm ) Unfortunately, Lincoln’s presidency was ended early when he was assassinated on April 14, 1865 in Ford’s Theatre.

Top 10 reasons why Abe is awesome…

He is the only president to ever receive a patent. He created a system to alter buoyancy of steamboats.
He created a standardized currency for the United States.
He was the first major leader in the US who supported Women’s suffrage.
His “Gettysburg Address” is one of the most well-known speeches made by a president and promotes equality for all.
He wasn’t afraid of a challenge and took on Stephen Douglas in the Lincoln-Douglas debates. At the time, Douglas was the most powerful man in the senate.
He was able to save the union and kept the country together.
He was a great role model while President as he was a family man and a patient leader.
He came from a poor family and was able to rise up to become President.
He suffered from depression and yet he overcame his difficulties to lead a successful life.

10. With his Emancipation Proclamation, he was able to free the slaves in the south.

Lincoln was also great because…

He was always in favor of equality for all people. He often stood up against slavery and attempted to promote voting rights for blacks. Lincoln even invited Fredrick Douglass, a well known abolitionist and former slave, to his inaugural reception (for his reelection). When Douglass was denied entrance by a policeman at the door, Lincoln came over and took Douglass by the hand and said, “Here comes my friend Douglass.”

Also known for his ability to inspire, Lincoln delivered speeches such as the Lyceum Address, House the Divided Speech, the Cooper Union Address, and the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln was most famous for saying, “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” (Read the whole Gettysburg Address here: http://blueandgraytrail.com/event/Gettysburg_Address_%5BFull_Text%5D )

And Finally…

Abraham Lincoln was a great man. He was kind, generous, and cared deeply about his family. But more importantly, he changed the face of America forever. He was able to prevent the confederate states from separating from the union and was able to free slaves in the south. Additionally, he became a huge role model. Lincoln was able to prove that no matter your circumstances, you can achieve whatever you desire. He encouraged others to reach for their goals, even when they seemed impossible. Lincoln is quoted as saying, “I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father’s child has.” His abilities to listen to different viewpoints, communicate well, and control his emotions made him a talented leader who many other presidents aspired to model themselves after.

“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.”