"Whoever would understand in his heart the meaning of America will find it in the life of Abraham Lincoln."
The whole world recognizes the greatness of Abraham Lincoln except for a very few who lament the crushing of the slaveowners' evil empire.
The real birth of bloated government came under Woodrow Wilson. a typical Southern Democrat.
Hitler recognized Lincoln's 'greatness'.
I think that Reagan was referred more to Lincoln's rise to the Presidency from a poor (*some allege illegitimate since his father had been castrated) birth, than to some specious/mythological divine attribution that Lincoln cultists are want to ascribe.
* William Herndon - Linoln's longtime friend and law partner, wrote in 'The Hidden Lincoln' that Lincoln himself stated that Lincoln was illegimate. The Abbeville Courthouse in Greenville SC has a affidavit witnessed by Thomas Lincoln, making $100 per year 'to be paid to Nancy Hanks, for the support of an illegitimate son born February 12, 1809.' Guess what Lincoln's birthday is? Now guess who the PAYOR (father) of the child was - John C. Calhoun.
President Reagan also stated that Jefferson Davis was a 'hero of mine.'