Abraham Lincoln:

The role model for world leaders

By Premasara Epasinghe

As a great leader and a fine human being, who emancipated the slaves the 16th President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), succumbed to gunshot injuries and passed away at 7.22 a.m. on April 15, 1865.

January 1, 1863 was undoubtedly a red letter day in the history of the United States of America. It was on this day, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipator Proclamation, which officially freed all the slaves in the Southern States. When the Secretary of State put the Emancipation Proclamation for his signature, officials waited in hushed anticipation.

Lincoln paused, took up his pen, paused, put it down again. Abraham Lincoln, witty as ever addressed his colleagues. “Friends, I have been shaking my hand. My right hand is almost paralysed.

If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this Act. Believe me, my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles when I sign the Proclamation, all who examine the document here after will say - “He hesitated”.

Abraham Lincoln then picked his pen for the third time, slowly and deliberately placed his signature.

Born in a log cabin in Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln was entirely self educated. He had a dream.

Lincoln's family lived in a tiny log cabin. His father was Thomas Lincoln. Mother was Nancy, a housewife. They were blessed with a son on February 12, 1809. In the Old Testament, Abraham was progenitor or ancestor of the Hebrews and the founder of Judaism. Lincoln was named Abraham.

The Lincolns – Thomas and Nancy, faced challenges in life. They went in search of new pastures when things were difficult. They settled in Pigeon Creek in Indiana. The little Abraham was called by his per name Abe. When he was nine, he lost his beloved mother. She was the guiding light of the family. She always encouraged Abraham to study. After one year of Nancy's death, Thomas merried again. The step-mother was very kind to Abraham and his 11year old sister Sarah.

Change of residence

In 1830, the Lincolns changed their residence again. They resided in Illinois, a state North Central USA. At that time Abraham was 22 years old. He started working under a wealthy landowner James Century as a boatman.

Abraham Lincoln joined the Army in 1832. He was interested in law. He passed his law examinations and started practising in Springfield, Illinois. In one of his famous cases, Abraham Lincoln defended a Black girl named Nancy. She was sold as a slave several times by a white man. Abraham Lincoln was a kind – hearted man. He was a fine human being fond of animals and birds.

Politics

He entered the political field. From 1847-1849, he served the House of Representatives and unsuccessfully ran for the Senate, for the Republican Party, against Stephen A Douglas. In 1860, he was the Presidential candidate. Lincoln's victory made southern slave owning states inevitable and his determination to defend the Fort Gunter and thus the civil war broke out. The Confederate General Beau opened fire on April 12 and Gunter surrendered on April 13.

In September 1862, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. In November 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address.

The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1-3, 1863. This was the decisive campaign of the American Civil War, faught over three days near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by Confederate forces of Robert E Lee. The battle was a turning point. The heavy casualties numbering about 40,000 prompted Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

President Abraham Lincoln, at the dedication of the national cemetery on the Battle field of Gettysburg, delivered has famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. He ended his brilliant speech on democracy as “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.

He was a friendly, charming and humble statesman who began his career and rose up to be the President of the US.

Abraham Lincoln married Miss Mary Todd, and their wedding took place on November 4, 1842. They were blessed with four sons – Robert, Eddie Baker, Willie and Thomas.

The great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness and morality of a nation can be judged by the way it treats animals. The kind hearted Abraham was fond of animals. They had turkeys, rabbits, cats, dogs and horses. A mixed breed dog – Fido was his favourite.

He loved children. Once he sent a kind letter to his son's teacher. It was a good message for the teaching fraternity.

“Teach him the wonder of books. Also give him a quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, flowers on the green. Teach him to listen to all he hears, but teach him to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through. Teach him gently. Do not cuddle him, because only the fire makes steel. Let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always the sublime faith in himself. Then, he will have faith in mankind. Teach him to serve the humanity”.

Like Sir Winston Churchill and our own Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, President, Abraham Lincoln was a witty statesman.

During the height of the civil war, a Lincoln sympathiser said, “God is on our side”.

Promptly came the reply.” I am not at all concerned about the role of God. I am 100 percent sure, the Lord is always on the side of right. My constant faith and anxiety and prayer is that this beloved nation United States of America, may be on the Lord's side.” He was a President who valued honesty and integrity. Once he said, “If you forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens. You can never regain their honour, and respect.

You may fool all the people all the time; you can fool some of the people all the time; but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

Abraham Lincoln loved literature and arts. On April 14, 1865, he and Lady Mary Lincoln were enjoying the play “Our American Cousins” at a theatre in Washington D.C. Suddenly, one of the actors, a confederate sympathiser John Wilkes Booth (1838-1865) entered the enclosure of the President and at close range, shot Abraham Lincoln on the back of his head.

This colourful six feet four President Abraham Lincoln, died on April 15, 1865.

He was buried in Oak-ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, USA. Abraham Lincoln was regarded as both a martyr and a hero.