STORIES
Peacemakers
DONATE

Abraham Lincoln

by Cristina from village Taraclia

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." • Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He preserved the Union during the U.S. Civil War and brought about the emancipation of slaves. He is one of America's greatest heroes due to both his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal. "Honest Abe.The Great Emancipator."

These are two nicknames that he deserved much more than anyone for his actions, sayings and character. I'm fascinated by his life and the way he never obeyed those who always confronted him on everything he was doing. He turned into life the ideas of millions, he was brave enough to do what was right for his nation, for the world. I know he believed in reason. He was a politician, but still honest...an unbelievable thing for today's political terms, isn't? Lincoln lost five separate elections before being elected president.That's one more thing to admire him.He didn't give up,even when he lost those five elections.He believed he was doing the right thing,and he was very right. His death was tragical. Abraham died when his people needed him the most,but there was none of his fault.He was assassinated.He deserved a better way to end his life.But that didn't change the fact that he remains one of the great presidents of United States. He changed the way his nation was thinking,'cause that nation was in a hard need of freedom and rights. If he isn't a hero,then who is?

Also,he was for sure a smart man,I would even say,a genius.In my everyday life,I use his quotes a lot,he had a lot or great and true sayings."I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have." That's just one of the many,but just think...just stop for a second,read it again and think of how true was this person,true but never weak or defended.He never lost,even if people said so,he would always give up and try again if he was firmly believing that he was living up to what light he had.

He had his faults, but there was no better man appointed to handle the task at hand better than Lincoln! Even Fredrick Douglas, a man that time and time again, was blown away by Lincoln...made this very same claim when writing about Lincoln after Lincoln's death. Lincoln did what he had to do, to keep this Union together. You must also remember, that times were a lot different then, than they are now. Even Robert E. Lee said that his efforts to do his best to ensure peace between the North and the South after the war, was partly because of Lincoln's good heart and Lincoln's plans not to punish the South after the war, but to simply welcome them back to the Union. No court materials, no hangings, no firing squads, etc. Lincoln's actions of a peaceful resolution after the war, and to start reconciliation and rebuilding enemy territory/U.S. territory after having conquered that enemy, was unheard of up until his decision to do so. No one in history had ever done the same. There's so much more, but to say that Lincoln was even close to being the worst president ever, is a very ignorant statement...based on historical facts. Lincoln even allowed an election, that he was convinced he would lose, yet the people started to realize that what they had in Lincoln in the office and won the election by a long shot! Can you imagine taking on the Presidential office with what he was facing? Think about it, learn more and then you too will see what made Lincoln so great...not perfect, but great! His re-election speech, and Gettysburg speech alone, are proofs of his greatness.

Page created on 1/15/2016 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 9/24/2018 1:43:01 PM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links