The more things change…
I found this quote recently, and I think it puts a lot of things in perspective.
“The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat, and dishwatery utterances of the man who has to be pointed out to intelligent foreigners as the President of the United States.”
Was it a recent editorial in the NYT? Some article on huffpo? A particularly virulent criticism in the Guardian?
None. In fact it was written in the Chicago Times the day after Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Some things never, ever change and partisan criticism of a sitting leader by partial journalists is almost as old as the printing press. Today Lincoln is revered as one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America, but when he was in office he was routinely criticised by the democrat party as stupid, backwards, simplistic and war-mongering. He was seen as a great betrayer of peace. A man bent on domination by war. An imperialist, even.
Shortly before Clinton left office, a concerted effort to redefine Lincoln’s character started. He was again smeared. HIs comments on the nature of slavery were taken and, shorn of context, used as a stick to beat Lincoln in to the mould of a racist. There are a great many valid criticisms of Lincoln but racism wouldn’t be one of them, as he truly saw no need to put african slaves on a pedestal, but merely sought to give them the same chance as everyone else. HIs first priority was the Union, which is where genuine criticism of his policies can be levelled.
It is interesting that many of the accusations levelled at Lincoln were resurrected for Bush. He is also called racist, war-monger. Simpleton. Idiot. ‘Educated’ Americans sneer and snipe, claiming that the world hates Bush. They sit and peer across the atlantic to the shores of Europe, wanting to emulate the culturally superior socialism, and take solace in the presence of people similar to themselves, people who hurl insults from the safety of cloistered towers in the media and academia. People who believe themselves to be above reproach. ‘Educated foreigners’ who have to be reminded who the President is.
Truly the world never changes.
“Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.”
Abraham Lincoln
Source: December 1, 1862 - Lincoln’s Second Annual Message to Congress
