Today, February 12, is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, considered by many to have been the greatest President in our nation's history.
Born in meager conditions on this date in 1809 in a small log cabin in Illinois, Lincoln educated himself with borrowed books and went on to become a lawyer, a congressman, and in 1860 the first nominee for President from the newly formed Republican party.
An early outspoken opponent of slavery in America, Lincoln as President introduced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves, and precipitating the secession of the southern states.
Lincoln's life was often tortuous: losing a wife, losing a son, suffering the ridicule of his contemporaries, and agonizing over a bloody civil war. But with principles, faith, and grace, he persevered. Abraham Lincoln staked his presidency on holding the Union together throughout four years of war, eventually sacrificing his life for his cause.
Does a grateful nation have a national holiday for this great man? Not any more. Nor is there a celebration any longer of the birthday of the Father of our Nation, George Washington.
In our "wisdom", we have shelved an acknowledgment of the accomplishments of these great men, and substituted a tepid "Presidents' Day" in its place. What does Presidents' Day stand for? Nothing much - except for a Federal day off and sales at the shopping malls.
By supposedly celebrating all of our presidents, whether good or bad, competent or misguided, we have diluted the significance of the holiday into meaninglessness.
I for one, on this day salute the timeless words and deeds of a man who rose from humble beginnings to preserve the union of the American States.
Copyright2008BrianSchulman©
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Brian Schulman offers expert personalized real estate representation and services in Lancaster County, PA. To contact him, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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