[Clintonfatigued]

It's interesting that some Lincoln detractors include conservatives, including Charley Reese (who says the nation would have been much, much better if The Confederacy had won the war).

I don't buy the Lincoln-bashing. While it's true he wasn't perfect, he came to power at the most difficult time in American history, and rose to the occasion with intelligence, modesty, and faith that's inspiring.

[jocon307]

"And ultimately it was because of Lincoln that slavery came to an end. That is why the right wing can never forgive him."

WOAH! I thought this was a very good article, very informative, etc. until I came to this stunner at the end. What is D'Souza saying? That those on the "right" would like to re-introduce slavery?

What the f......!?!?!?!

Oy vey, and we were mad at Peggy Noonan!

[JohnCliftn]

Always strange to read of Lincoln's statesmanship without reference to Charles Francis Adams, Ambassador to Britain.

[A Jovial Cad]

Good article, but it's guaranteed to bring out the tiny brigade of loons who still believe in the "Lost Cause" around here.

I've been to the Lincoln Memorial twice, and it moved me deeply both times. His leadership truly saved this great nation, and ultimately the world.

[MRMEAN]

Whether or not Lincoln's unconstitutional actions to "save the Union" were justified, the reality is that if he had never been elected, there would have been no Southern secession, and no Civil War. Slavery in the South would have continued somewhat longer, but within a few decades of the historical Emancipation would no doubt have been abolished, as it was in every civilized nation. American Negroes may well have been better off if there had been no Reconstruction, and the Southern White KKK reaction. Even a victorious CSA would no doubt have eventually abolished slavery.

Interestingly in the early Republic even slave owners acknowledged the evil of slavery, views hardened in the face of Abolitionist agitation. See Spreading the News.

[goldstategop]

A good read of our greatest President, whose consummate statesmanship both preserved the Union and brought about the end of slavery. Abraham Lincoln's central achievements were to preserve constitutional government bequeathed by the Framers and in managing and deflecting popular racist prejudice in the Free North in the cause of bringing about the extirpation of that "peculiar institution." The fact critics on both his right and his left misunderstand him, only testifies to place he has secured in history. And he would appreciate the sight of a Southerner - a Republican President no less! - paying tribute to making possible freedom in an America built on the rule of law and justice for all. Such is wheel on which history turns.

Denny Crane: There are two places to find the truth. First God and then Fox News."

[KC_Conspirator]

Lincoln was a giant of a man.

[stainlessbanner]

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[harrym]

I once read in a Lincoln biography that every man in his cabinet was more qualified academically and socially to be president than he was but the one thing he brought to the game was that he could address problems without bringing his ego into the mix. A talent that has been sadly lacking in many successors to his office.

[x]

Though you wouldn't know it from the discussion, D'Souza's article is worth a look. I'm not a big fan of his, but he does a fine job outlining the various accusations against Lincoln and countering them. Of course it's too short to go into detail, but he's got the essentials down.

It's understandable why some people might have it in for Lincoln. He's been built up into an icon, rather than a man. Considering that the country was caught up in a Civil War it's natural the some would blame Lincoln or object to the veneration many have had for him.

But judge the critics by as severe a standard as they judge what they take to be the "official story," and not much is left of many of their arguments. Bradford's version of Lincoln is as far from the reality as anything that he objected to. It's something people tend to accept for emotional reasons more than other grounds. Tear down the icon and you still have a remarkable statesman who's worth learing about, not the one dimensional schemer of neo-Confederate propaganda.

[winker]

A statesman is concerned with future Generations and a "POLITICIAN" is only concerned with the next election. We have too many people ascribed "Statesman" in our "Republic" who are not worthy but are viewed favorably by ignorant masses of humanity who won't wait for history to evaluate them on the merrits of the "potential character involved". A number of years must pass to fully evaluate decisions, policies, and eventual outcomes. "Statesmen" are never self promoting-egotistical-populist bores; the people ultimately make that decision.

[M. Espinola]

December 21st, 2004 — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2), underway in the waters of Western Pacific Ocean. Abraham Lincoln's Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) was the first to be used in the Surge Role in support of the Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Patrick M. Bonafede (041221-N-1229B-066).