Reading Assignment
I went to Wheeler Basin Library in Decatur and found the biography named The Real Lincoln, by Thomas J. DiLorenz. I’ve always had a fascination with Abraham Lincoln. His personal qualities and love for others are characteristics that every human being should want to obtain. I have always viewed Lincoln as being a kind hearted man who wanted equality and peace among the states in our nation. In school, my teachers and history books discussed what a great man he was, but after reading this book, my view on him has changed.
DiLorenzo took the time to research on his political career. Lincoln was a master politician, which means he was a skilled manipulator and liar. I never thought to put all of that together. Now, I really wonder what he thought about in his spare time. When he would make speeches, he often supported both sides, but no one ever realized it. I was really shocked at how many citations are in this book proving that Lincoln didn’t really care about equality. All Lincoln seemed to care about were the Whig and Republican parties. In fact, research shows that he looked up to a slave owner that wasn’t for equality and was a “great parent of Whig principles.”
Lincoln was criticized by abolitionists for failing to take the opportunity to free some slaves. Historians say that many slaves were not set free but were doing the most unpleasant tasks for the army. I think it’s unfair that Lincoln has been put on a pedestal for being a liar. Most presidents are liars because of politics, but for Lincoln to be given credit for “changing our country” because of his selfishness and state of mind on the government showed a lack of integrity on his part.
Lincoln weakened the Constitution which put a strain on states’ rights. This mistake caused the Civil War. We could have prevented the Civil War if Lincoln wouldn’t have messed with the government and the Constitution. He then issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In my...