There's a reason why I used the word "Prophet" in the title of this blog post. I bought this book with the thought that it was an autobiographical compilation of Abraham Lincoln. However, it turned out to be an extensive collection of facts and assumptions to prove that Lincoln believed in God and the Church. Though there had been a time when he had prejudices and scepticism in his beliefs in the existence of a supreme power, once he attained leadership, his trust and faith in God strengthened. In his speeches on various occasions, he quoted and alluded to scriptures and verses from The Holy Bible. This also gives us a glimpse of the events that took place during the Civil War. The Missouri Compromise, Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Battle in Fort Sumpter, Fighting the Confederate army led by Robert Lee, recedence of various states to consecrate the practice of slavery, are some notable information. Lincoln's greatest strengths are his oratorical skills and his unwillingness to compromise or get distracted.
His letters to the press, colleagues and political opponents give us a conspicuous account of his responsiveness to anything that involves him or his deeds. This book would have been a consummate piece of work if Lincoln's assassination part and an unfolded report of his personal life had also been included. However, through the narratives, paintings, poems and articles created by the renowned people around him, this book supplies us with lots of information on how much leverage the war had had on the President's emotions. Despite his personal losses, the political unrest that surrounded him and the huge responsibility that had come with the privilege of being the President, Lincoln never ceased to see the light at the end of the Tunnel. There is this beautiful sentence that talks about how important it is to sanctify freedom and democracy through the Constitution. "The words were fitly spoken as apples of gold in pictures of silver".
Those intercourses, dissertations at Whistle stops, sermons delivered in Churches, presidential debates, the historical House divided speech and numerous letters to the people of the nation represent the dutifulness of Lincoln towards the people who elected him. More light could have been shed on the constitutionalization of the 13th Amendment as well. All in all, this is surely an interesting write-up about Honest Abe Lincoln, his life, principles and beliefs. Finally, my favourite lines from his inaugural address,
"If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority of government must cease."
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