On this day in 1865, President Lincoln was inaugurated to his second term in office, thus sealing his fate, his death at the hands of John Wilkes Booth. I have often wondered how long Mr. Lincoln would have lived had he left office after only one term. On the other hand, from what I have read about this great and determined man, it was obvious that he would never dream of leaving the office while the War Between The States raged on. President Lincoln, often seen by many, including many historians, as a champion of the anti-slavery movement, said that if he could preserve the Union by freeing all the slaves he would do so. What is downplayed by many is that Lincoln, in the same sentence, said that if he could only preserve the Union by maintaining slavery as an institution, he would do so. Ultimately, President Lincoln said he would rather die than see the Union torn apart. In this sentiment, the President would later be joined by other great leaders, especially John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I believe that President Lincoln, like the future President Kennedy and the preacher Martin Luther King, Jr., may have had some inclination, some premonition, if you will, that his great mission would only be accomplished at the cost of his own life. Like John Kennedy and Dr. King, President Lincoln was warned by his friends and staff that many people were angry with him because of his policies and his actions as President. And some of his enemies were angry to the point that they would be satisfied with nothing less than his death. But President Lincoln stayed straight in his course, followed his plan of action, and saw this nation through the most tragic and trying events of its short existence. As the winter of 1864 turned into the spring of 1865, it was clear to all that the Confederacy was beaten and the war was all but over. And the President, tired from the strain of four long years of war, but satisfied in the knowledge that the fighting would soon be ended, decided to go to Ford's Theatre on that fateful evening in April. Before the play was half over, the President was slain and one of the largest manhunts in US history was organized. John Wilkes Booth was later arrested and hanged for the President's murder.
So today in 1865, President Lincoln assumed the presidency for a second time and began his short walk into immortality. Would there have been war in 1861 if President Lincoln had not been elected in 1860? Would the war have been shorter, or longer, under a different president? If the President had lived, would there have been a Reconstruction? Would it have been as severe? We will never know the answers to those questions, but we can appreciate the trials and the pains President Lincoln faced. And we can be grateful that President Lincoln took the course he did...at the cost of his life, he saved this nation. His blood fell on top of that shed by other Americans, both Union and Confederate soldiers, he and they sacrificing all to save our America.
I believe that President Lincoln, like the future President Kennedy and the preacher Martin Luther King, Jr., may have had some inclination, some premonition, if you will, that his great mission would only be accomplished at the cost of his own life. Like John Kennedy and Dr. King, President Lincoln was warned by his friends and staff that many people were angry with him because of his policies and his actions as President. And some of his enemies were angry to the point that they would be satisfied with nothing less than his death. But President Lincoln stayed straight in his course, followed his plan of action, and saw this nation through the most tragic and trying events of its short existence. As the winter of 1864 turned into the spring of 1865, it was clear to all that the Confederacy was beaten and the war was all but over. And the President, tired from the strain of four long years of war, but satisfied in the knowledge that the fighting would soon be ended, decided to go to Ford's Theatre on that fateful evening in April. Before the play was half over, the President was slain and one of the largest manhunts in US history was organized. John Wilkes Booth was later arrested and hanged for the President's murder.
So today in 1865, President Lincoln assumed the presidency for a second time and began his short walk into immortality. Would there have been war in 1861 if President Lincoln had not been elected in 1860? Would the war have been shorter, or longer, under a different president? If the President had lived, would there have been a Reconstruction? Would it have been as severe? We will never know the answers to those questions, but we can appreciate the trials and the pains President Lincoln faced. And we can be grateful that President Lincoln took the course he did...at the cost of his life, he saved this nation. His blood fell on top of that shed by other Americans, both Union and Confederate soldiers, he and they sacrificing all to save our America.
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