The Best President in American History: Abraham Lincoln
What defines a great President and what do we mean when we say someone is “the greatest”?
Firstly a great President must be viewed as person who has achieved success in the office they hold. That includes effective implementation of policies which are clearly expressed prior to election and that are in the interests of the people who elected them. This is the very foundation of Democracy within the United States and was defined by Abraham Lincoln as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
Throughout his presidency Lincoln never wavered in adherence to the principles he firmly believed in though he adapted and changed policies in the face of changing circumstances and experience to obtain his goals.
It can truly be said that Lincoln was directly responsible for the maintenance of the Union of the States which he passionately believed was essential to the continuance of the American nation. He left the nation a more perfect Union by ensuring that Federal authority superceded State sovereignty. But he also changed the course of American history, being remembered best for his introduction of the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves within the Confederacy and changed the civil war from a battle to preserve the Union into a battle for freedom. He is also remembered for his great ability at oratory and the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
However, to be “the greatest” President requires a depth of measurement not possible from the achievements of office alone. Naturally it requires subjective review and reasoning and I shall elucidate my thoughts on the personal man behind the role of Presidential leader also.
“If any personal description of me is thought, it may be said, I am in height six feet, four inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing, on an average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark complexion, with course black hair, and grey eyes – no other marks or brands recollected.”
So Abraham Lincoln wrote of himself in a brief
Firstly a great President must be viewed as person who has achieved success in the office they hold. That includes effective implementation of policies which are clearly expressed prior to election and that are in the interests of the people who elected them. This is the very foundation of Democracy within the United States and was defined by Abraham Lincoln as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
Throughout his presidency Lincoln never wavered in adherence to the principles he firmly believed in though he adapted and changed policies in the face of changing circumstances and experience to obtain his goals.
It can truly be said that Lincoln was directly responsible for the maintenance of the Union of the States which he passionately believed was essential to the continuance of the American nation. He left the nation a more perfect Union by ensuring that Federal authority superceded State sovereignty. But he also changed the course of American history, being remembered best for his introduction of the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves within the Confederacy and changed the civil war from a battle to preserve the Union into a battle for freedom. He is also remembered for his great ability at oratory and the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
However, to be “the greatest” President requires a depth of measurement not possible from the achievements of office alone. Naturally it requires subjective review and reasoning and I shall elucidate my thoughts on the personal man behind the role of Presidential leader also.
“If any personal description of me is thought, it may be said, I am in height six feet, four inches, nearly, lean in flesh, weighing, on an average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark complexion, with course black hair, and grey eyes – no other marks or brands recollected.”
So Abraham Lincoln wrote of himself in a brief
Bibliography: • www.abrahamlincoln.org • www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org • Wikipedia encyclopedia • “Lincoln’s Melancholy – How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness” by Joshua Wolf Shenk – Mariner Books 2005 • 101 Things You Didn’t Know About Lincoln, Loves and Losses, Political Power Plays. Whitehouse Hauntings. – By Brian Thornton – Adams Media 2006 • PBS Home Video – “A House Divided” – Film directed by David Grubin 2001 • CBS News Series – “You are there” – “Abraham Lincoln’s Great Moments” -Hosted by Walter Cronkite 2004