Abraham Lincoln

The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done.
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won.
Exult O' Shores! And Ring, O' Bells!
But I with mournful tread
Walk the deck my Captain lies
Fallen cold and dead.

Walt Whitman, "O Captain, My Captain"

Abe Lincoln, our greatest American President. Guiding us through the crucible of the Civil War, Lincoln's pragmatism, foresight, compassion, and oratory forged a Nation from out a disparate, fragmented Union. A man of the people who believed in rule of the people, he did everything he could to preserve our Constitutional government (even if, occasionally, it meant subverting that constitution, as when he suspended habeas corpus in Maryland).

Throughout the war years, Lincoln manifested brilliance on many fronts. Until late in 1863, he was the only high-ranking Union military commander to understand the importance of the Western theater and the necessity of Clausewitzian ("Total War") strategy. He managed not only to preside over a fractured Union but was able to assuage the many personality conflicts in his Cabinet. He was eloquent in adversity and magnanimous in victory. No other American leader has so richly articulated the great promise and purpose of democratic government.

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