Lincoln

       Doris Kearns writes in a style which draws one in, forcing you to experience a little snippet of the famous men's lives for yourself. In a very personal way, you understand what drove them, and their hopes, their dreams, and their sorrows. You feel the strong family love between Chase and his daughters Kate and Nettie, and you feel the pains of loneliness that Jackson felt apart from his beloved wife. You feel the peace that Seward felt when he was walking among the green gardens of his home, and you feel the awkward but warm earnesty of Lincoln's expression.

       Each of them were strong men in their own way, having weathered both the trials and the joys of the world, proving their integrity beyond the shadow of a doubt. It's possible that each and every one of them would have made a capable and influential president, pushing steadfastly forward in what they knew with their hearts to be true.

       I can say that perhaps I feel the closest identification with Henry Seward, who viewed a personal relationship and understanding with the people he was leading to be as integral as the leading itself. He was able to earn their trust by showing an honest concern for their lives and interests, dedicating a part of his own life to understanding theirs. No doubt this was taxing upon him, as he struggled to balance the proper time for that emotional investment alongside a busy politician's life. Probably the very reason his alone time with the nature was so important to him. I know in my daily business, I have to find a proper balance the same way he did, otherwise I can find that I've whiled away the hours talking and listening to people, without having accomplished anything personally. On the contrary, I can also fit myself up so much with my interests and projects that I neglect proper social nourishment for myself, and suffer as a result.

       As I move forward in my life and am called to gather people around me to work towards a common goal, I hope that I can harness a charisma similar to Lincoln's, to be able to be the one that connects people of differing backgrounds, so that we can achieve great things together. Though I may not ever find it my place to unite a team of flat out rivals like our good President did, I will need the discernment to understand when and if the conflicting differences of individuals can be set aside for the sake of a goal, or if the differences in ideals would compromise it in the long run anyways.

       If there was one thing that made Lincoln a more valid candidate than the others, it was his constancy. Not just constancy in and of itself, but friendly constancy. Never too hot nor too cold, Lincoln said and acted exactly how he felt, avoiding exaggerative extremes which would have incensed more temperate people groups. But if there was something which needed to be said (and certainly there was in this time of division and hurt feelings), Lincoln was not afraid to do so, firmly and steadfastly as he always had. Many great man fall from their glory in the fiery aftermath of hasty words.

       Abraham Lincoln, for as long as memory of this Earth exists, will remain in pictures and literature, a timeless reminder of the immense quantity of good that can be achieved when virtuous determination is tempered with moderation, good will, and understanding.