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According to historian Richard Hofstadter, Abraham Lincoln was the exemplar of the self-made man, having come from a humble background to rapidly ascend through the political ranks, gaining success and power but not forgetting humanity and moral responsibility. Hofstadter also contends that Lincoln was a very simple man and wished to keep it that way [i]t was precisely in his attainments as a common man that Lincoln felt himself to be remarkable, and in this light that he interpreted to the world the significance of his career. The conflict of Lincolns political career, states Hofstadter, is the incompatibility between his religious beliefs and his goal of becoming successful [t]he motivating force in the mythology of success is ambition, which is closely akin to the cardinal Christian sin of pride [H]ow can an earnest man, a public figure living in a time of crisis, gratify his aspirations and yet remain morally whole? Hofstadter's biggest criticism about Lincoln is that he was a follower and not a leader of public opinion. The clearest example was the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which contained no indictment of slavery, expressly omitted the loyal slave states from its terms [and] did not in fact free any slaves. Hofstadter also criticizes Lincolns embarrassing contradictions on the issue of slavery, as in a speech in Chicago Lincoln preached that all men are created equal while in Charleston he stated that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races.
Hofstadter conveys that Lincoln did not push his true feelings against slavery, and resorted to conservatism because the average sentiments of the time were not completely anti-slavery. This goes along with Hofstadter's assertion that [a]s a politician Lincoln was no maverick, as on issues like the bank, internal improvements, the Mexican War, and the tariff, Lincoln would not dissent, even at his own political expense. Of course, Hofstadter also approves of some of Lincolns doings. Primarily, Hofstadter applauds Lincoln and his constant efforts to preserve the Union Lincolns was the masterful diplomacy to hold such a coalition together, carry it into power, and with it win a war. While criticizing Lincolns contradictions on the issue of slavery, Hofstadter approves of Lincoln as a calculating politician, or one who considered all views on an issue. Hofstadter, while not necessarily approving of this inconsistency, claims that in politics, the premium was on strategy, not intellectual consistency and the effectiveness of Lincolns campaign is beyond dispute.
Similarly, its interesting that Hofstadter also affirms that [t]hroughout [Lincolns] political career he consistently held to his position. Lincoln was clearly opposed to slavery and his actions back up his view going back to his days as a Congressman in 1849, Lincoln gave support to a bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. In addition, Hofstadter approves of Lincolns view of democracy, citing that Lincoln saw the Declaration of Independence as not merely a formal theory of rights, but an instrument of democracy, and also that Lincoln was democratic in his economic thinking, emphasizing the traditional ideals of the Protestant ethic, including hard work, frugality, and temperance. In my opinion, Lincoln is the hero Americans make of him, for a few reasons. First off, he preserved the Union during the Civil War had it not been for him, things would have been different then, and things might be very different today, with the Confederacy being independent from the United States. Also, he was the Emancipator who began the process of ending slavery in America; while previous attempts to end slavery had proven unsuccessful, Lincoln was able to do so without separating the Union.
Lastly, Lincoln proved that, with enough determination and perseverance, even the most humble man could reach the nations highest office.
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Research essay sample on Issue Of Slavery Political Career
