Perhaps cited as one of the greatest American presidents ever to live, the life of Abraham Lincoln as a young man probably did not reflect his great potential. He failed in business. He lost the election in the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House, the election of Congress, the appointment of a land official, the U.S. Senate. twice with the appointment of the Deputy President. After eight major tragedies, Lincoln was elected President of the United States. How many of us could go on like Lincoln did?
Many of the problems we think about today are nothing compared to what happened in the late 1850's and mid-1860's. Lincoln faced eleven southern states that had seceded from the Union. Eleven states make up the Confederate States of America during his presidency.
Americans may think that there is a division within our country today. There were major divisions during the Civil War. The Americans literally died on both sides of the war: North and South.
There were a number of important challenges Lincoln faced as President of the U.S.
1. Lincoln was president during the American Civil War, which lasted for four years
About five weeks after Lincoln was inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States, the American Civil War began. Lincoln was president when the country literally split.
Divisions may exist between families. Unfortunately, some family members may not be able to communicate for years. Are family problems really worse when compared with the turmoil during the Civil War? Some families were so divided by war that one son could have fought for the North and another son for the South.
2. Many American victims occurred during Lincoln's administration
Some 600,000 Americans to 700,000 died in the Civil War. Victims of the American Civil War surpass the loss of the United States in all its other wars from the American Revolution to the present.
Do any of you think that you have a lot of responsibility? Lincoln had an invincible responsibility to have more American victims during his time as president. More Americans were killed in the war during Lincoln's presidency than any other American president combined.
3. Lincoln suffered from depression
Lincoln, who lived in the nineteenth century, could not find antidepressants, such as Prozac, to take as a prescription and could not go to the drugstore and buy St. John’s Wort over the counter.
Lincoln has never had the luxury of access to modern medicine. Lincoln's job was to deal with a war-torn country. At times, your problems may seem as overwhelming as Lincoln's struggles, especially since you are the one enduring a particular problem right now. We all have common and unique problems. Can you imagine if you were so unlucky and had limited access to treatment like Lincoln? Fortunately, we have the luxury of modern medicine.
4. Lincoln was killed
The North, the Union, defeated the South, the Confederacy. The South surrendered to the North on April 9, 1865. Lincoln was assassinated five days after the end of the Civil War and died the morning after his shooting.
Do you think you feel unappreciated for the work you have done? Lincoln united his country as president, issued the Declaration of Independence to End Slavery, encouraged the masses during the ordeal, was one of the most kind-hearted presidents our nation has ever had and what gratitude did he receive? He was killed.
Many times, Lincoln was the leader. He kept America united so we could still be called the "United States of America." He led by example. In his second speech, Lincoln stated that he did not want to be “mistreated” and wanted to “bind up the wounds of the nation.” Unfortunately, Lincoln did not see any of his efforts and results used. The United States owes Lincoln a huge debt of gratitude.
Like Lincoln, each of us has overcome adversity and gained greatness in our own way. You may not remember certain obstacles you have overcome, such as learning to walk or to talk. There are challenges you have overcome that you may well remember, such as finishing a job, winning a race, finishing school, or starting a career. Everyone has a chance to be great like Abe Lincoln. It is up to you to determine your inner self.
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