Tuesday, November 19, 2013

I'm afraid that I'm not a big fan of Mr. Lincoln

He gave a speech 150 years ago that has some degree of fame.  What gets lost in the sepia-hued hagiography is his ruthless bloodthirstiness.  You get a full measure of it in his second inaugural address:
Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
My opinion on his legacy may be found here.

3 comments:

Chris said...

I would agree with your selections. But possibly have an honorable mention for William Henry Harrison for having done the least harm.

Rev. Paul said...

Can't say I disagree with any of your conclusions - and personally believe that Lincoln may have done more harm to the country than any other, until the current administration.

Chickenmom said...

Lincoln was a very, very, shrewd politician and he was not the humble, honest backwoods lawyer most people thought he was. History is always re-written by the victors.