Lincoln at 200
President still inspires, intrigues
Javi Hansen
Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News
Lincoln had to make tough decisions during the war, some which reflected negatively on his presidency. For example, he curtailed civil liberties when he suspended the right of habeas corpus, spent money before Congress approved of it, and imprisoned 15,000 Confederate sympathizers without trail.
Many complained Lincoln did not move quickly to free the slaves, and Henig explained how he did not meet the expectations of the radical abolitionists who initially supported him. But while abolitionists wanted the federal government to free the slaves, the decision was ultimately up to the states.
Henig explained that because of Lincoln's eloquent speaking abilities that awed bystanders, it was not obvious that he had received only a year of formal education.
He worked between the aisles, picking cabinet members from the rival Democrat party. His cabinet members represented some of the greatest minds of the age, and Lincoln proved that "experience is far less important than intellect."
Many complained Lincoln did not move quickly to free the slaves, and Henig explained how he did not meet the expectations of the radical abolitionists who initially supported him. But while abolitionists wanted the federal government to free the slaves, the decision was ultimately up to the states.
Henig explained that because of Lincoln's eloquent speaking abilities that awed bystanders, it was not obvious that he had received only a year of formal education.
He worked between the aisles, picking cabinet members from the rival Democrat party. His cabinet members represented some of the greatest minds of the age, and Lincoln proved that "experience is far less important than intellect."