Thomas: The value of Lincoln
Presidents Day is Feb. 16 this year. We celebrate the greatness of two former Presidents of the United States of America, namely: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. What is it about someone that makes them great?
Saturday (Feb. 14) is not only Valentine's Day but, this year, it also happens to be the day of our annual Lincoln Day Breakfast, hosted by the Washington County Republican Party. President Lincoln is the "guest of honor" so to speak. We remember him and the great things he accomplished, and we try to emulate his good name in the things we do. We host a breakfast event where many of our elected officials, both on the national level as well as the state, county and local levels, join us for breakfast, speak to us and report on their various stewardships.
But why do we honor President Lincoln? What was it that made him great and worthy of emulating?
Lincoln was not raised in wealth or abundance, nor was he born to a family of prominence or high status in the community; although they were honorable and respectable people of reputation. He lost his mother at age nine. He learned from a young age to work hard. He didn't have a lot of opportunity to attend school but did so whenever the chance came to him. He loved to read and became knowledgeable about many things simply by what he read. A lot of what he learned was through life's experiences which, for him, included a lot of hard knocks.
He worked at times on flatboats running goods down the Sangamon River, hauling a cargo of produce from Illinois to New Orleans. At the young age of 19, he gave his first political speech in favor of improving navigation on the river. At the age of 24, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly as a member of the Whig Party. He began to study law, and at the age of 26, received his license to practice.
He was no stranger to loss and failure as well as depression. He suffered many difficulties, and yet kept going and eventually found himself, not only a part of, but also the reason for many successes. One of the reasons for his successes was his reputation of being impeccably honest. Thus, his nickname of "Honest Abe." He was not pretentious, and he was trusted by everyone around him, including those who disagreed with him and who were considered his opponents, either in law or in politics. They had a profound respect for him. His reputation for honesty and integrity yielded trust.
When someone runs for political office they have to gain the trust of the voters. Lincoln had no problem doing this as it had become his trademark. He had honesty in spades. Because of this, he was a credible source of information, and people believed what he said was true, and if he said he would do something, they knew that he would do it.
Today, I am a Republican because I agree with the principles outlined in the Republican Party Platform. I am active in politics because I want to find those who are honest and trustworthy of my support and I want to have an influence in sending those individuals to represent me in the political arena. I want to believe and trust those I vote for — that they will do the right thing.
Kevin Thomas is the Legislative Chair for District 71 for the Washington County Republican Party.