Abe Lincoln

     Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American presidents, remembered for his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War and his efforts to end slavery through the passage of the 13th Amendment. However, like any historical figure, Lincoln had both strengths and weaknesses.

     One of Lincoln's most significant accomplishments was his work to end slavery in the United States. In 1862, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be freed. The Proclamation did not actually free any slaves, as it only applied to territory that was outside of Union control at the time. However, it was a crucial step towards the eventual abolition of slavery.

     Lincoln's commitment to ending slavery was further demonstrated by his push for the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States. In a speech given in April 1864, Lincoln said, "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong." His persistence in pursuing the amendment despite significant opposition ultimately led to its passage in December 1865, several months after his death.

    However, Lincoln's views on race were not always progressive. He believed that African Americans were not equal to white Americans, and at times spoke in derogatory terms about them. In a debate with Stephen Douglas in 1858, Lincoln said, "I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races."

     Lincoln was also criticized for his handling of the Civil War. Many felt that he was too slow to act and was overly cautious in his military strategy. He was also criticized for his suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, which allowed for the imprisonment of individuals without trial. In defending his actions, Lincoln said, "Are all the laws but one to go unexecuted, and the government itself go to pieces, lest that one be violated?"

     Despite these criticisms, Lincoln is remembered as a unifier and a leader who worked to bring peace to a divided nation. In his second inaugural address, delivered just weeks before his assassination, he said, "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 up the nation's wounds."

     Lincoln's relationship with Thaddeus Stevens, a former United States Representative, was complicated. While the two men shared a commitment to ending slavery, Stevens was more radical in his views and was a vocal critic of Lincoln's policies. Stevens once said of Lincoln,  "The President is now a dictator. He can do anything he pleases." Despite their differences, however, the two men ultimately worked together to achieve their shared goal of ending slavery.

     In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln was a complex and multifaceted figure in American history. He is remembered for his commitment to ending slavery, his efforts to preserve the Union during the Civil War, and his vision of a united and peaceful nation. However, he was not without his flaws and his actions and beliefs have been the subject of criticism and debate. Nevertheless, his legacy as one of America's greatest presidents remains secure.

Sources:

• "Abraham Lincoln and Emancipation" from the National Park Service
• "Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address" from the Library of Congress
• "Abraham Lincoln: Life, Presidency, and Legacy" from the History Channel
• "Abraham Lincoln on the 13th Amendment" from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum