With Malice Toward None - The Life of Abraham Lincoln

"With Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Stephen B. Oates, publisher: Harper and Row, copyright 1977.

This book takes the reader from birth to death in the life of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's biography goes beyond the textbook and brings even greater respect and deeper honor to this well known president. The first half of the book is spent detailing his career as a lawyer and politician, which reveals the character and determination of Lincoln as well as the development of his personal and political convictions.

The reader actually senses a climax as the presidential election of 1860 takes place with the Southern States seceding from the Union before Abraham Lincoln is even inaugurated. The book is thorough in its recount of Lincoln's supporters and detractors; including those men he surrounded himself with on a daily basis. For Civil War buffs this biography takes a different perspective; what the war looked like from the President's office. President Lincoln was a somber man of deep thought and concern for the responsibility he bore.

He stood firm on the principles he was elected on even amidst great pressure to compromise. Politics then were not that much different from politics now. In fact I was surprised to learn that there was a "Peace Movement" with demonstrations in the North, as well as "race riots" (white people were rioting.) It sounded very much like the tumultuous times of the Vietnam War. He anguished over the progress of the war with its casualties and his decision to emancipate the slaves at risk of further dividing our nation. I couldn't help but be impressed with the recounting of Gettysburg and the subsequent speech the President gave at the battlefield. His second inaugural speech was also moving, anticipating the end of the war; he sets forth the tone of reconciliation:

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

President Abraham Lincoln was a man of great character. He had experienced tragedy on the personal as well as the national level, and yet had great compassion and sympathy for those around him. This book is well worth reading.

Terri Marks is a baby boomer wife, mother and grandmother in Madison, Wisconsin. She has a life full of colorful events and observations. Her hobbies are bird-watching, gardening and serving at her church. She publishes her own ezine at http://www.calicowoman.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_Marks http://www.pippoproducts.com/education/index.html

US Presidents Sites - Visiting the Home of America's 17th President

America's 17th president, Andrew Johnson, took office under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Faced with healing the wounds of civil war and a divided government, Johnson faced insurmountable odds. Let's learn more about his life and presidency with a visit to his home in Greeneville, Tennessee...

President Andrew Johnson: An Overview

America's 17th president, Andrew Johnson, was thrust into the presidency by the tragic assassination of President Lincoln in April, 1865. Lincoln had just begun his second term. Amidst the transition of power, the final battles of the Civil War were being waged in western states, with news of Lee's surrender to Grant not having reached the western frontier.

Johnson, born in North Carolina but from Tennessee, knew his primary order of business was to reunite the states. He inherited Lincoln's cabinet members, many of whom were hostile to Johnson's ideas and approach.

In an effort to heal political and social wounds from the Civil War, Johnson granted amnesty to Confederates, which angered many in Congress and Johnson's Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. Congress continually battled Johnson on his level of authority, with the president referring to the Constitution as the basis of his stance.

Ultimately, articles of impeachment were drawn to attempt to remove Johnson from the presidency. The required majority of votes was not achieved, and Johnson served the remainder of his term.

In retrospect, history has been much kinder to Johnson than during his tumultuous presidency. His actions surrounding acceptance of southern states back into the union are still felt in a positive way today. His administration was instrumental in the purchase of Alaska, which was acquired by the United States in 1867.

After his term ended, Johnson returned to Tennessee, where he had served as senator and governor before becoming vice president. He made two unsuccessful attempts to continue his political career as a representative and senator, finally winning a senate seat from Tennessee just before his death in 1875.

Touring Andrew Johnson's Home In Greeneville, Tennessee

Today, visitors can learn about Andrew Johnson by visiting the home he lived in for 24 years in Greeneville, Tennessee. Greeneville is located in the far eastern part of the state, about 100 miles east of Knoxville and a short drive from the North Carolina border.

Visitors should start at the visitor center, located downtown. Here you can obtain information about Johnson, his home, grave site, and other attractions in the area. A short film is available which chronicles his career and administration. It is here that you should obtain a required free ticket and tour time to tour the Johnson Homestead.

National Park Service Rangers lead daily tours of the Johnson home. The home has been restored to its 1875 appearance and includes numerous original furnishings donated by the Johnson family, who owned the home through 1958. Nearby, you can visit Johnson's grave site, high atop a hill overlooking the town and surrounding area.

While in the area, be sure to take time to stroll historic downtown Greeneville. This is a Main Street America community, with many examples of preserved architecture, independent shops, and welcoming restaurants. Outdoor activities abound in this part of Tennessee, and the setting in the midst of the Appalachians is scenic and invigorating.

Anyone interested in American history should seek out and visit the many U.S. Presidents sites across the country. These unique and fascinating historical sites chronicle the lives and times of America's presidents and offer an insiders perspective into the presidency. To learn more about the presidents and the historic sites dedicated to them, visit our travelogue site at: http://www.presidentialtravelusa.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hofman

US Presidents Sites - America's Three Most Forgotten Presidents

America has had 43 men hold the office of President of the United States, and many are well known by everyone from school children to senior citizens. However, as time passes, a few presidents have all but been forgotten. Let's look at America's three most forgotten presidents and the historic sites dedicated to their memory...

Quick, recite the names of ten men who have held the office of President of the United States. Chances are, if 100 people were asked this question, most of the answers would be the same. In addition to our current and most recent presidents, several familiar presidents would make the list. Undoubtedly, you would hear names like Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, and Kennedy.

But what about a few others like Fillmore, Arthur, and Harding? These are a few of America's presidents who are all but forgotten, except by scholars and presidential historians. And yet, each of these men made important contributions to the United States, and the legacies of each can be visited today at their respective historic sites.

Millard Fillmore: 13th President

America's 13th president, Millard Fillmore, ascended to office when Zachary Taylor died after a brief illness just 16 months into his term. Fillmore held office during a tumultuous time, as the Civil War was less than ten years away and political and social divisions were deepening.

During the Fillmore administration, California was added as a state and the first official White House library was established. Today, you can visit President Fillmore's home in the quaint shopping town of East Aurora, New York, just outside of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Chester Arthur: 21st President

Much like Fillmore, Chester Arthur ascended to the presidency due to the death of his predecessor. When James Garfield was felled by an assassin and died six months into his term, Arthur assumed the office.

President Arthur is credited with modernizing the U.S. Navy and passing many legislative acts designed to limit patronage hiring in government. He was also instrumental in a remodeling effort of the White House.

Visitors can see a replica of his birthplace in upstate Vermont, not far from the Canadian border.

Warren G. Harding: 29th President

Depending on which historian you ask, Harding was either America's worst president or unfairly maligned by history. We are not here to judge either way, but Harding also served an abbreviated term. He took office in 1921 and passed away in 1923.

His administration is probably best remembered for several scandals, but new biographies have come out that paint Harding in a more favorable light. Few people know that President Harding was one of the first outspoken proponents of civil rights in America.

Today, you can see the home where Harding conducted his front porch presidential campaign. It is located in Marion, Ohio, about 45 minutes north of Columbus. The home is restored with many original furnishings and Harding mementos and is open for tours during the summer months.

Summary

While several of America's presidents have all but faded into obscurity, they should be remembered for holding the nations highest office. You can trace the lives and careers of these and other presidents at numerous historic sites located across the country.

Are you interested in exploring American presidents historic sites? These historical locations chronicle the lives and careers of the men who have held America's highest political office. For more information, visit our travelogue website dedicated to the discovery and appreciation of U.S. presidential historic sites. You'll find us at: http://www.presidentialtravelusa.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hofman

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