Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths - Essay Example

Farzeela Faisal Standard Academia Research Nov-25-2005 Abraham Lincoln: "The Man Behind the Myths" Introduction The presidency of Abraham Lincoln has conferred his importance not only as a political symbol in the pages of history but also as a devoted leader who advocated and deposited slavery to an end. Lincoln, as an antislavery freed all slaves in revolutionizing states. Lincoln possessed a unique perception towards Blacks and Whites of America, according to which blacks and whites were two different characteristics of the same America, possessing equal right to live their life their way. Their identities were different from each other, their races were dissimilar and even their color were unlike due to which both the races were living in inferiority and superiority complexes. In order to get rid of those complexes it was better for the Blacks of America to settle their lives and families somewhere else. These complexes seemed unable to resolve the conflicts of the racial dilemma. Emergence From Poverty Lincoln, born to a family who belonged to Frontier, was not aware of the principles of cultural sophistication and lacked in several skills, which later escorted him to the political lack of ignorance. Living on a frontier side had a great impact on his personality, as he was not sharp-tongued but possessed a good moral and individual warm-hearted behavior. His childhood and mostly youth was affected from the threshold of poverty. He was a self-educated and a self made man, who started practicing education by barely scrawling his name. Just after his father's death, he could not even get a job but of carpentry and farming. Later he discovered as a misfit to such occupation and found within him an eager desire to learn which later escorted him towards leadership. Lincoln worked for sometime as a fairy man but was unable to find satisfaction and at nineteen moved to New Orleans where he was surprised to discover new ways of living and finally when his entire family moved to Illinois, he found a new life ahead of him. He eventually started making his reputation in such a community where people of nearly all occupation lived. By showing kind, honest and sincere attitude to all the community people he won their hearts and accepted their invitation of becoming a member of the debating society, he then started educating himself with the help of a local schoolteacher. While Lincoln was performing as a Captain in his volunteer campaign, the Black Hawk war broke out in Illinois. He then was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and reelected again and again in 1836, 1838, and 1840. Later he studied law, and by applying to his political life, he was ruled by victory. As he was an anti slavery and was aware of the fact that Blacks do not possess or they are not known to the social rights and privileges. Oates has written in his book: "It was his belief in the purity of the white race. In Dixon's hands, Lincoln is a fine Southern gentleman ... And Senator James K. Vardaman of Mississippi, the dramatic "White Chief" who dressed in white, wore his dark hair to his shoulders, and mesmerized White Mississippians". (p 22) Americans have often thought of Lincoln as a human, rather than as the President who tried from all his heart and soul for the freedom of slaves, as he was against black slavery and possess the conception that blacks should also have to survive with the equal rights and opportunities, they also have a right to live their life but, but somewhere outside the country. They should never be given any opportunity to mix with whites as they are of no match to the white community. That was Lincoln's view regarding blacks of America that gave him opportunity to free the slaves and was ultimately declared as a 'champion of Black freedom' and even fought for the blacks in the form of 'American Civil War'. "Yes, we were winning our own freedom, were forging a black radical consensus" (p29) As Lincoln was a man of human values and morals and was against any kind of slavery, he considered it as such an evil organization that has captured the freedom of blacks within America. That was the most taunting thing for Lincoln for he believed blacks must utilize their right to live at some other place outside America or they should be resettled abroad. Lincoln possessed the view that whites and blacks have their own personal identities, which should not be involved with each other's consent. We can think it in this way that Lincoln considered white as pure societal values and blacks should have not right to merge in them by any means. He was against social equality of races. He took certain measures to resettle blacks in Africa and according to the Anti-Slave Trading Act of March 1819 helped in the transportation of thousands of black slaves to Africa. "Lincoln coordinated his armies and translated his ideas into language his field commanders could understand. He therefore made Henry Halleck General-in-Chief, thus relieving Lincoln of the harrowing responsibilities of that job, ... by seizing the rebel capital." (p 131) He was considered to be a super genius in the game of politics, he knew where to utter words, where to show actions and where to be silent, which is by far the most important quality of a politician which is deficient in today's politicians. He was a man of strength and as Military Policy he fulfilled the responsibility on his part to act against the war in the Confederate States. It was at that time America suffered heavy financial and military crises due to the lack of trained armed men, militaries and the shortage of well-trained officers. Lincoln implemented military solutions as a strategic planner. What Lincoln did most was for black slaves, he was a modern racist and after making his effort in the resettlement of blacks abroad, he was in a fear for the Southern people, which at that time expected the newly freed Blacks could do anything to harm them. It was due to his speeches encompassing gallantry and motivation that the people realized to be free from any fear. For issuing his Emancipation Proclamation, he felt with an urgent need of military and even then he was unable to succeed in breaking the South. Later he realized the part of blacks in every field in America like cultivation, farming, butchering, etc so in December 1862, he proposed five elements in his proposal: 1. As he considered slavery to be the "domestic institution", States were to emancipate the slaves. 2. Slaveholders would be equally compensated for their losses. 3. The federal Government would assist the States so that they could meet with the burden of financial, social and economical compensation. 4. There would not be any kind of hurry as emancipation would gradually make its way and till 1900 it would be free from all the slaves. 5. The freed blacks would be resettled somewhere else but outside the United States. Besides being a President he was also a husband and a father of two lads, and despite of all the political dilemmas and military consequences, he always tried his best to keep his personal life aloof from the State affairs. Despite the arrogance of Washington society and facing several criticisms from those who wanted all social affairs suspended because of the war, Lincoln carried on with its receptions in the White House. But Lincoln had to disburse a price for these affairs as he would trip away late at night after a White House party to visit the telegraph room of the war department to read the latest mail. He was such a true President to his profession that he hardly took a vacation, but in summer he used to move his family to the cooler and quiet Soldier's Home in Washington. No doubt, Lincoln was living a hard life, which acquired his time, efforts and all the hard work, which exhausted him by 1865, and finally he was shot on April 15, 1865 and all his efforts came to an end. Conclusion We can conclude from his philosophy that he was a man of diversity. Diversity in the sense that he possessed and believed a bi-cultural perception based on two races and generations which according to him were unable to merge as both of them should lead their lives in accordance with liberal freedom policies. Lincoln is today America's most famous and beloved President, which is still remembered not by the Americans alone but is acknowledgeable to the entire world for his good deeds and actions and for what he did especially for the black Americans. He was a man with one unique perception, unique identity, and altruistic approach. He was against terrorism, slavery and corruption and believed in freedom and "live and let live" slogan. Work Cited Stephen B.Oates, Abraham Lincoln, Man Behind the myths Read More