Abraham Lincoln
Blog 7
Today I am going to give you information about a man that most people know as the 16th president of the United States of America Abraham Lincoln. I am also going to give you information about a man that most people don’t know, one of the greatest public speakers of all times Abraham Lincoln.
MR. Lincoln was born on 2-12-1809 to a poor family in Laurue Kentucky. In 1816 his family relocated to southern Indiana, which at that time was a harsh, desolate, frontier. In 1830 they relocated again to Illinois just south of Decatur. In 1831 at the age of 21 MR. Lincoln had grown to be a tall man 6’4” to be exact, and very powerful in upper body, but also very awkward. At this time he set out to live his own life in New Salem, Illinois. In 1834 he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly. IN 1836 he received his license to practice law.In 1842 he married Mary Todd. In 1846 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. On November 6th 1860 he was electected the 16th President of the United States of America.
Now this is regarded by millions of people including me as proof that Democracy offers all men the best hope for a full , and free life.
This brings us to President Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest public speakers of all times. On 4-12-1861 the civil war started, and lasted until 4-9-1865. Thus President Lincoln had to hold this Country, and our Democracy together through public speeches, and letters of which he wrote all of personally. Through roughly four years of war between what was now a country split in two parts ,the Union, and the Confederacy. In doing so he proved to the world that Democracy could be a lasting form of Government through the worst of times.
The Gettysberg Address ,and many of his other speeches, and writings are still classic statements of Democratic beliefs, and goals.
One part of his success was his character he was a noble man with great merits, and insight. President Lincoln’s insight on the civil war was that at any cost the Union must be saved, and that Democracy would not be destroyed by a minority of the American people. The other factor of his success was his ability to express his convictions so clearly, and with such force. He simply wanted to be convincing, and understood. He didn’t realize that he was writing words that would set the frame of the U.S. Government , and the Americans beliefs for years to come.
So let’s talk about the Gettysberg address as an example shall we. A two minute speech in which he defined his beliefs, and remorse for the fallen lives of both side of the great battle, and that they had not died in vein. But and I quote “THAT THIS NATION UNDER GOD SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM, AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE,FOR THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THIS EARTH”. This two minute speech given at Gettysberg, Pennsylvania on 11-19-1863 is now carved on a stone plaque in the Lincoln Memorial. There were five copies of this speech written only one of which President Lincoln signed, and according to THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA were I got all of this information none were written on an old brown envelope with a pencil on the train ride to Gettysberg.
Some of President Lincoln’s speeches, and writings have come to be honored as great pieces of literature. Wouldn’t he be amazed?
On 1-1-1863 he issued the Emancipation Proclamation another great writing by President Lincoln. On 11-8-1864 he was re-elected as President of the United States of America.
So in closing Abraham Lincoln was not only the 16th president , who held this country, and democracy together through one of the nations’ worst moments. He was also one of this countries greatest public speakers, and writers. So this young boy who grew up in worse than what we now consider poverty stricken conditions, and rose to fulfill one of the most powerful, and responsible positions in the world. Had his extraordinary live shortened by John Wilkes Booth at forde’s theatre on 4-14-1865. When Booth shot him in the head with a pistol. President Lincoln died on 4-15 1865 at 7:22 AM in Washington D.C. with his family, and high Government officials watching over him. Not to leave you in suspense MR. Booth was hunted down ,and killed by the U.S. army on 4-26-1865 near Port Royal Virginia. President Lincoln was buried on 5-4-1865 at Springfield, Illinois the monument on his grave is a place of universal pilgrimage.