What Are Lincolns Jefferson's Qualities
Lincoln is willing to accept the risk of Hooker trying to set himself up as dictator because Lincoln recognized Hooker's skill as a general. Up to this point, Lincoln had dealt with so many other contentious or outright incompetent military commanders that Hooker's ambition was an acceptable flaw. From McClellan's tendency to freeze and avoid the offensive, as well as his belief in a "limited war" to Burnsides' massive failure at Antietam to Bragg's indecisiveness, Lincoln was in desperate need of a reliable general to lead the army and change the course of the war. The Confederacy had the leadership of the legendary Robert E. Lee, who I don't believe even Grant could compare to. Lincoln saw that Hooker had all the qualities of an exceptional
general that had either been missing or stifled by other imperfections. In the letter, Lincoln calls Hooker, "...a brave and skilful soldier..." and considers his confidence and ability to ..."not mix politics with your profession..." to be valuable qualities (p.123). This is what made the risk acceptable.
What was more important to Lincoln than Hooker's chances of dictatorship was his need to win the war. But this wasn't short-sightedness on his part, because Lincoln was a man who thought well-ahead. Since the beginning, Lincoln's focus had been fully on the reunification of the Union, which would all but require the North's victory. At this time, when the Union's prospects weren't looking good, Lincoln was using everything in his arsenal. As mentioned previously, the Emancipation Proclamation had been a double-edged sword that he considered a necessity to gain advantage, and Hooker was a similar circumstance. Two very different tools that had risks and possible consequences associated with them which Lincoln nevertheless believed he needed to achieve his ultimate goal.
general that had either been missing or stifled by other imperfections. In the letter, Lincoln calls Hooker, "...a brave and skilful soldier..." and considers his confidence and ability to ..."not mix politics with your profession..." to be valuable qualities (p.123). This is what made the risk acceptable.
What was more important to Lincoln than Hooker's chances of dictatorship was his need to win the war. But this wasn't short-sightedness on his part, because Lincoln was a man who thought well-ahead. Since the beginning, Lincoln's focus had been fully on the reunification of the Union, which would all but require the North's victory. At this time, when the Union's prospects weren't looking good, Lincoln was using everything in his arsenal. As mentioned previously, the Emancipation Proclamation had been a double-edged sword that he considered a necessity to gain advantage, and Hooker was a similar circumstance. Two very different tools that had risks and possible consequences associated with them which Lincoln nevertheless believed he needed to achieve his ultimate goal.