The long walk from Log Cabin to White House
The story of Abraham Lincoln:
Premasara Epasinghe
The sixteenth (16) President of United States of America, President
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest Presidents of America. He was
born, 204 years ago, on February 12, 1809 in a farm in Hodgenville,
Kentucky.
He proved to the world, if you work tirelessly, with determination
and commitment, nothing is impossible. His father, Thomas Lincoln was a
farmer cum carpenter, while his mother Nancy was a housewife. Thomas was
illiterate, but, Nancy was able to read and write. Abraham was called
Abe by his family. They lived in a tiny log cabin, deep inside the
forest. They were poor. In search of better living conditions, they
moved to Pigeon Creek in Indiana. Lincoln helped his father. Abe became
an expert as a wood-cutter, but not farming. His mother Nancy died when
Abraham was nine.
Her sister's name was Sarah. In this background, Abraham Lincoln's
father Thomas remarried. She was a kind-hearted lady. She encouraged and
motivated Abraham - his step son to study. In the year 1816, he attended
school for a short period. Among the books he liked was Robinson Crusoe,
and Aesop's Fables.
Slave trade
At
the age of 22, Lincoln's once again moved to Illinois. From here, they
went to Coles country. As his first job, Abraham Lincoln took upto
navigating boats, sailing down Mississippi. He served under a land owner
James Gentry. He used to sell goods that were taken in the boat.
One day, Abraham Lincoln saw "Blacks" were treated in an inhuman
fashion. They were sold in "Black Auction" - Slave Trade.
These incidents set the young man Abraham to think about slave trade.
These incidents prompted him to declare Emancipation Proclamation, after
Abraham Lincoln was elected President.
While staying in New Orlean, Abraham Lincoln associated the educated
class. He studied books. He became a fairly decent speaker due to
reading. He worked in a store. In 1832, Lincoln enlisted himself in the
Army. He fought in the 'Black Hawk War" and was promoted as a captain.
Law studies
From his childhood day's Abraham Lincoln was interested in Law
studies. He used to walk 17 miles to watch sessions in the court. His
favourite lawyer was John A Breckenridge. Abraham Lincoln read many Law
books. He passed the Law Examination and on September 9, 1836, he
obtained his licence and practiced at Springfield, Illinois. The great
leader had seen "Slave Labour" in many places and made him miserable. In
a court case, he defended an innocent black girl Nancy, which became
famous as a landmark judgement. He was a criminal lawyer too. He
defended William Armstrong who was charged with murder. Due to his
brilliant address, Armstrong was acquitted.
Abraham Lincoln's baptism to politics took place when he contested
for a seat in state legislature in 1832. It was an inauspicious start.
Lincoln lost his seat. He never gave up. He won in 1834 and 1836.
Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd on 4th November 1842. They were
blessed with sons, Robert, Eddie, William and Thomas. Robert lived upto
80's, was a lawyer and a successful businessman.
Another great quality of this leader was that he was an animal lover.
He had cats, dogs and horses. His favourite pet dog was called Fido.
Abraham Lincoln loved education. Once, he wrote an interesting letter
to his son's class teacher and requested the teacher to teach the child
the wonder of books and the value of environment. He stated in his
letter "Teach them honesty and to be compassionate to human beings and
animals."
Abraham Lincoln joined the Whig Party. In 1860, Lincoln won the Party
Presidential nomination, and on 11th February 1861, Abraham Lincoln left
Springfield to assume duties as President.
Abraham Lincoln was a People's President. He was a brilliant Orator.
One of the first acts of Lincoln was to keep the union intact, was to
plan the waging of a successful war against confederate states. This led
to American civil war.
Slavery abolition
On September 22, 1862, Abrahaman Lincoln as President issued his
first announcement stating that after 100 days all slaves in states
would be free. This was followed by Emancipation Proclamation of 1st
January 1863. The great leader, Abraham Lincoln was re-elected President
of United States of America on November 4, 1864. He took oath on March
4, 1865. He was best remembered for abolishing the cruel, inhuman,
practice of Slavery.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth US President
(1861-1865). Lincoln's victory made succession of the Southern,
Slave-owning states inevitable, and his determination to defend Fort
Summer began the civil war. He was a strong commandeering-in-chief
played a leading role in military planning. In September 1862, Lincoln
issued the Emancipation Proclamation and on November 19, 1863, delivered
the famous Gettysburg Address - speech by US President Abraham Lincoln
at the dedication of the national cemetery on the Battlefield of
Gettysburg. It ended by describing Democracy, as Government of the
people, by the people and for the people.
Tragedy struck on Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. Abraham Lincoln
was the tallest president. He was 6 ft 4 inches tall. With his wife Mary
Todd, shoe size 14", he was witnessing a drama titled "Our American
Cousins," at the Ford Theatre. The play was in progress. An actor John
Wilkes Booth, while the play, was on, rushed into the enclosure of the
President, shot him.
On the following day, on April 15, 1865 at 7.22 am the 16th President
of the United States of America passed away. He was buried in Oakridge
Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
The assassin Booth, held Abraham Lincoln responsible for the defeat
of the Southern States civil war. Further, Booth was enraged by
Lincoln's proposal to extend the right to vote to the freed slaves.
After shooting Abraham Lincoln, assassin Booth was hiding at Bowling
Green, Virginia. Booth was shot and captured. He died on 26th April
1865.
Abraham Lincoln was the first President of USA to be assassinated.
Power of Republics
In 1858 Lincoln ran against Stephen A Douglas to obtain a seat in the
senate, but lost the election. This dynamic personality, as President,
built the Republican Party into a very powerful organization.
He issued the Emancipation Proclamation, on 1st January 1863 that
freed the slaves of the confederacy. After being re-elected in 1864, in
his address to the nation he said. His philosophy was
"With malice towards none; with charity for all; with firmness in the
right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the
work we are in; to bind up the nations' wounds."
Abraham Lincoln's assassination was a preplanned one. John William
Booth was the man who shot Lincoln. The other conspirators were Atzerodt,
Powell. At about 10.15 pm Booth opened the state box door, shot in the
back of his head point blank.
In the meantime Booth's co-conspirators were arrested. They were
tried by a military tribunal. Mrs Surrat, Powell, Atzerodt and Herold
were hanged on July 7, 1865. Dr Mudd, O'Laughlen and Arnold were given
life sentences.
Ned Spangler received 6 years imprisonment. He helped Booth to
escape. Dr Mudd, Arnold and Spangler were pardoned by President Andrew
Johnson.
Abraham Lincoln was a firm believer in the virtue of honesty. He was
a superb orator. His long walk to the Presidential Seat can be aptly
called from Log Cabin to White House. |