markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Most historians and opinion polls rank him as our greatest president.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

He was definitely the President during the absolutely most difficult time in the history of our nation and brought it through.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks. I totally agree with you!
Mark

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

Years ago when taking history I had occasion to read in detail about his decision processes regarding strategic and logistical decisions on the conduct of the war effort. I recall, having idealized him like most of us, that he was quite capable of cold analysis of the situation. Based upon industrial capacity and transport/logistical capabilities he reasoned the Union could not loose if they kept up the effort. His dilema was the consequential loss of life that would result from the continued effort. Hence he concluded his priority was to ensure the public supported continuing the war effort. He used math to work out the probabilities of success. So in one sense he was coldly analytical about his predicament but went forward with his ultimate conclusions. A most interesting man who found himself in a horrible position. My father is named after a Union officer who died of wounds a POW in Virginia a few days after the battle of Hanover Courthouse, north of Richmand. I have stood, certainly within a few feet of where he fell between a house and barn. The house is still standing. The barn is gone.

ricardo7 Loc: Washington, DC - Santiago, Chile

A president the nation could be proud of.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Mark

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

Mr. Lincoln made some of the most difficult decisions of his time in order to save the union. Those who fought the battles and paid the ultimate sacrifice either loved or hated him. During the American Civil War 600,000 American lives were lost more that the Spanish American war, the 1st WW, the 2nd WW, Korea and Viet Nam. all together. Mr. Lincoln himself paid the ultimate sacrifice. So many gave their lives over the issue of states rights. And today there are americans that burn the flag, americans that kneel at sporting events and even americans that go fight for the enemy. I am not sure where we are going at this point in our journey, but I think if all those patriots had a say, they would say did we die in vain?

Happy Birthday President Lincoln and thank you for your sacrifice.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Quinn 4

"So many gave their lives over the issue of state rights." It time we stop gloried "state rights" it was a code word for slave and way of life base on it. One of Lincoln's war aims was to total destroy that way of life. Which war are you writing about, die in vain ? Civil War no, Viet Nam yes.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Unless you use, "quote reply", no one knows the person/comment you are addressing.
Mark

Quinn 4

I am answering blue-ultra's quote. Could not put his quote and my reply in the same quick reply.

Amtrain

You really need to read a book on the South and realize that it was not just we southerners who depended on slavery as a means of economic existence. Businessmen/factory owners above the Mason Dixon line depended as much on the cotton as did the South. The division between the stance taken between the states did not start in 1861 it had been going on since the 1600's. Obsessive export taxes on the produces produced in the South was the straw that broke the uneasy peace.
If the North was so set on freeing the slaves, they sure should have bought them. That process would have been 10x cheaper on the country than the cost of the War and that does not begin to touch the cost of the 100's of thousands of deaths of America's finest youth.
It was truly states right that caused the War. Slavery was only a subset to that fact.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Use copy & paste.
Mark

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Old Abe lost a son at an early age. I cant think of anything worse than loosing a child.

Quinn 4

It end 150 years ago and you Southerners still hold on to the idea it was all about states rights. What was states rights any way?