Dilemma

Great Leaders

motivate change, and rise to the challenge when followers won’t change.

Abraham Lincoln was such a person… a great leader.

Lincoln was a unique man for a dangerous & precarious time.

Consider the challenges he faced in the 4+ years of his Presidency…

In the 1850s, decisions meant to compromise on slavery, only splintered the nation.
Lincoln was committed to preserve the Union; he became called to eradicate slavery.
Through the Dred Scott decision, a Supreme Court was set on promoting slavery.
Territorial openness to slavery was not in concert with the intent of the founding fathers.
The electorate, allured by popular sovereignty, was willing to give up its principles.
Extremists on both sides, like John Brown and John Wilkes Booth were eager to act.
States in the South would not even have Lincoln’s name on the ballot.
Third party candidates that could easily have affected the election.
Popular Generals, Fremont and McClellan, would later ran for president against him.
Seven Southern States seceded prior to his taking office.
The constant threat of Border States Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri to secede.
International intrigue… a possible war with England, the Trent affair & France/ Mexico.
The inflammatory leadership from the Confederate States of America.
Jealous cabinet members, with their own agendas, like a Salmon Chase presidency.
Abolitionists, like Charles Sumner, well-intentioned, but accepting no compromise.
Racial prejudice rampant, even among those wanting emancipation.
Know-Nothings, political aspirants who hated immigrants and Catholics.
Former Whigs, who had similar political impulses but lacked the required courage.
Peace Democrats, like Vallandigham, who challenged the draft and will to fight.
Political riots, like the draft riots in New York.
Newspaper editors, like Horace Greeley, never satisfied, wanting a pound of flesh.
Radical Republicans, like Benjamin Wade, punishing the South in reconstruction.
Office seekers, seeking patronage and all of his time.
Family situations, from the death of his son, to attention to his insecure wife.
Maverick generals like Hunter and Fremont, who acted out their own abolitionism.
Lack of courage or incompetence in Generals, like McClellan and Burnside.
Successful Southern Generals, like the exceptional Lee and Jackson
The weight of war… with over 600,000 killed on both sides.
Former slaves, like Frederick Douglass, who never seemed satisfied with what was done.
Potential and real Assassins, like those in Baltimore and John Wilkes Booth.
And the ever-present slaves…unrepresented, thought sub-human, yet he saw as equals.
For all of these challenges, and more, Lincoln was equal to the task.

Great Leaders

motivate change, and rise to the challenge when followers won’t change.

Abraham Lincoln was such a person… a great leader.

Lincoln was a unique man for a dangerous & precarious time.

Consider the challenges he faced in the 4+ years of his Presidency…

In the 1850s, decisions meant to compromise on slavery, only splintered the nation.

Lincoln was committed to preserve the Union; he became called to eradicate slavery.

Through the Dred Scott decision, a Supreme Court was set on promoting slavery.

Territorial openness to slavery was not in concert with the intent of the founding fathers.

The electorate, allured by popular sovereignty, was willing to give up its principles.

Extremists on both sides, like John Brown and John Wilkes Booth were eager to act.

States in the South would not even have Lincoln’s name on the ballot.

Third party candidates that could easily have affected the election.

Popular Generals, Fremont and McClellan, would later ran for president against him.

Seven Southern States seceded prior to his taking office.

The constant threat of Border States Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri to secede.

International intrigue… a possible war with England, the Trent affair & France/ Mexico.

The inflammatory leadership from the Confederate States of America.

Jealous cabinet members, with their own agendas, like a Salmon Chase presidency.

Abolitionists, like Charles Sumner, well-intentioned, but accepting no compromise.

Racial prejudice rampant, even among those wanting emancipation.

Know-Nothings, political aspirants who hated immigrants and Catholics.

Former Whigs, who had similar political impulses but lacked the required courage.

Peace Democrats, like Vallandigham, who challenged the draft and will to fight.

Political riots, like the draft riots in New York.

Newspaper editors, like Horace Greeley, never satisfied, wanting a pound of flesh.

Radical Republicans, like Benjamin Wade, punishing the South in reconstruction.

Office seekers, seeking patronage and all of his time.

Family situations, from the death of his son, to attention to his insecure wife.

Maverick generals like Hunter and Fremont, who acted out their own abolitionism.

Lack of courage or incompetence in Generals, like McClellan and Burnside.

Successful Southern Generals, like the exceptional Lee and Jackson

The weight of war… with over 600,000 killed on both sides.

Former slaves, like Frederick Douglass, who never seemed satisfied with what was done.

Potential and real Assassins, like those in Baltimore and John Wilkes Booth.

And the ever-present slaves…unrepresented, thought sub-human, yet he saw as equals.

For all of these challenges, and more, Lincoln was equal to the task.