Lincoln's Enemies

By David Sylvester, Executive Pastor of Operations

 

Lanky Abraham Lincoln, or “Honest Abe” as some referred to him, was an amazing and striking figure whose persona and character are forever etched into the fabric of American culture!

 

An early critic was Edwin Stanton, who mercilessly tore into Lincoln both in public and the press, ridiculing his every move. Stanton referred to Lincoln as a “low cunning clown” and “the original gorilla.”  Stanton said to the effect, why go overseas to see a gorilla when you can see one in Springfield, IL. President Lincoln never responded to the slander, and when he later found himself in need of a Secretary of Defense, Lincoln appointed Stanton to the surprise of the nation. Stanton? Seriously?

 

Politicians quizzed the President as to why he chose the likes of tough-talking critic and foe like Edwin Stanton, to which Lincoln shot back, “Because he is the best man!”

 

As President Lincoln’s body lay in state after his murder, Stanton looked into the coffin with tears in his eyes and muttered, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen. “

 

Love is patient, love is kind…does not keep a record of wrongs suffered…let the same be true of each of us.