When we think of Abraham Lincoln, we think of a man who is idolized not only by Americans but by people from all around the world. Because we idolize him so, it seems easy to visualize everyone during the Civil War (well, okay, everyone in the North) idolizing him. In fact, though, few things could be further from the truth. Abraham Lincoln, after barely winning the Presidency in 1860, was in fact despised and ridiculed by most people he encountered.
How can a man whom so few admire evolve into one of the most beloved historical figures in the world? Circumstance is certainly one aid. Would Lincoln have been such a great President if he had not encountered all of the events of the Civil War? Would he have been remembered as such a great man if the war had not forced him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation?
But there is another side to this man’s long-lasting fame too, I think. It can be summed up by a short line that appears in Team of Rivals.
Lincoln never wrote a letter while angry.
The temptation of intrigue
It should be kept in mind that if Abraham Lincoln had wanted to write angry letters, he certainly had a ton of opportunities. General George McClellan battled with General Winfield Scott, eventually forcing Scott to retire. General Henry W. Halleck gave in to his own envy and fired U.S. Grant after the battle of Shiloh, which Grant won (although at a terrible cost). Lincoln himself was often driven nuts by General McClellan’s claims that more men were needed, even though the Army of the Potomac almost always far outnumbered the Confederate Army in battle. Lincoln’s cabinet members tried to out-maneuver each other and Lincoln himself.
Yes indeed. Lincoln could have written many many many angry letters. But he did not.
Compassion with Smarts
When I see 2 friends of mine fighting, I always want to make peace. I want to get to the root of the problem and help both of them see each other as I see them. This means that often, when there is a battle raging, I run towards rather than away. This is at my own peril.
Abraham Lincoln was an extraordinarily compassionate man, but he knew that he could not insert himself in the middle of two warring parties, including the North and the South. He did not have the time or the desire to play petty games with people. He did not feel the urge to complain openly about anyone, at least so far as history shows us. While I’m sure that Lincoln would have loved to burn McClellan and many other people in effigy, he did not. He kept his eyes focused on his goals, which were to preserve the Union and somehow keep the Northern part of that Union together. That was it.
While Washington and the whole nation was filled with rancor, Lincoln did not bet his destiny by taking sides except in one instance – he took the side of the Union and never left it. Turned out to be a pretty good bet in the end.
What can we learn?
Would Abraham Lincoln be thought of as a less decent man today if we had some letters cussing out McClellan or remarking how Clement Vallandigham, leader of the Northern opposition to Lincoln, looked kind of stupid? I don’t know. Maybe his successes would have still overshadowed the all too human trait of getting involved in people stuff.
But why risk it?
In the online world, there is intrigue around every corner. There are always people disagreeing with each other. There are always people doing things and saying things you disagree with. Why risk getting involved? Why risk hurting your own reputation? Why let others control your destiny?
Why write a letter when angry?
What do you think?
This is post #63 in The Engagement Series and marks the final post in the Team of Rivals sub-series. I highly recommend the book to you – I’d love to talk with you about it if you get it!
Image by Mark Anderson. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/4score