how did abraham lincoln get the nickname honest abe
[277][additional citation(s) needed] Shortly after, a Mille Lacs Band Chief offered the same at St. [5] His children, including eight-year-old Thomas, Abraham's father, witnessed the attack. [312], Two weeks later, Booth, refusing to surrender, was tracked to a farm in Virginia, and was mortally shot by Sergeant Boston Corbett and died on April 26. Less than a week after people celebrated the end the Civil War, the country was mourning yet again. He first entered national politics in 1847 while serving a single term in Congress. Belz. [41] Rutledge died on August 25, 1835, most likely of typhoid fever; saying that he couldn't bear the idea of rain falling on Ann's grave, Lincoln sunk into a serious episode of depression, and this gave rise to speculation that he had been in love with her. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns. There were no takers. Alternate titles: Honest Abe, The Great Emancipator, The Rail-splitter, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History, University of North Carolina, Greensboro. [66] He voted to expand suffrage beyond white landowners to all white males, but adopted a "free soil" stance opposing both slavery and abolition. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's 250 years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said 3,000 years ago, so still it must be said, "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether". But when the votes in three Southern states seemed too close to call, a Congressional committee was convened and just days before inauguration day, Hayes was declared the winner. His family even said he was lazy, for all his "reading, scribbling, writing, ciphering, writing Poetry, etc.". Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in a backwoods cabin in Kentucky. Like George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, the idea of "Honest Abe" Lincoln is one of our most important presidential stories. . Harold Holzer His relevance endures and grows especially because of his eloquence as a spokesman for democracy. The party did the leg work that produced majorities across the North and produced an abundance of campaign posters, leaflets, and newspaper editorials. He was successful after indicating to London and Paris that Washington would declare war on them if they supported Richmond. When the state of Illinois set about reconstructing New Salem in 1932, no original buildings remained. Suddenly, a hand reached out and pulled the presidents son to safety by the coat collar. Lincoln attacked the media for such behavior, and ordered a military seizure of the two papers which lasted for two days. Noah Haynes Swayne was an anti-slavery lawyer who was committed to the Union. Republican-led effort to secure the rights of African Americans in the former Confederacy, known as Reconstruction, was more than a decade old, and much of the country, both North and South, was growing weary of federal occupation of several Southern states. The Honest Abe Log Homes family expresses our condolences to his wife, Joy Emery, three sons, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Hoover established a volunteer relief effort to send food to Belgium and France. [37] In 1831, as Thomas and other family prepared to move to a new homestead in Coles County, Illinois, Abraham struck out on his own. John Wilkes Booths brother saved the life of Lincolns son. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. While voting irregularities and outright stealing werent uncommon in Texas and elsewhere, the actions of Johnsons team raised eyebrows. [332], This spirituality can best be seen in his second inaugural address, considered by some scholars[333] as the greatest such address in American history, and by Lincoln himself as his own greatest speech, or one of them at the very least. [366] He had long been known as the Great Emancipator,[369] but, by the late 1960s, some African American intellectuals, led by Lerone Bennett Jr., denied that Lincoln deserved that title. This message will appear once per week These included Parson Weemss Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington (with its story of the little hatchet and the cherry tree), Daniel Defoes Robinson Crusoe, John Bunyans Pilgrims Progress, and Aesops Fables. [241] When Lincoln asked what Grant's plans were, the persistent general replied, "I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer. As a young man, Lincoln was a religious skeptic. At the moment of death some observers said his face seemed to relax into a smile. He was the first Republican president and his victory was entirely due to his support in the North and West. He spoke with a backwoods twang and walked in the long-striding, flat-footed, cautious manner of a plowman. He became county wrestling champion at the age of 21. [278][additional citation(s) needed] In it the Chippewa specified that they wanted to use the indigenous rules of warfare. Democrat Stephen Johnson Field, a previous California Supreme Court justice, provided geographic and political balance. Pennsylvania put him over the top, led by the state's iron interests who were reassured by his tariff support. logged you out. Taft once again lost weight after leaving the White House, but the damage had been done and he died of heart disease in 1930. Seven years later, Johnson made a second Senate run, only to be embroiled in another voting scandal during a Democratic primary runoff against popular Texas Governor Coke Stevenson. ", Lincoln lost his Senate bid to Douglas. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. [338] He took blue mass pills, which contained mercury,[339] to treat constipation. But just a month after being sworn in, Harrison was dead, after contracting a cold-turned-pneumonia while delivering a long inaugural speech in a cold rain. [359] A 2004 study found that scholars in the fields of history and politics ranked Lincoln number one, while legal scholars placed him second after George Washington. Two years after LBJ won his Senate seat, Richard Nixon was running a brutal campaign of his own in California. [391] The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited monuments in the nation's capital[392] and is one of the top five most visited National Park Service sites in the country. I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the army and the government needed a dictator. [137] Many in the audience thought he appeared awkward and even ugly. Lincoln also had to reinforce Union sympathies in the border slave states and keep the war from becoming an international conflict. From 1834 to 1840, Abraham Lincoln occupied a seat in the Illinois state legislature. [366], Schwartz argues that in the 1930s and 1940s the memory of Abraham Lincoln was practically sacred and provided the nation with "a moral symbol inspiring and guiding American life." [239] Authorization for such a promotion "with the advice and consent of the Senate" was provided by a new bill which Lincoln signed the same day he submitted Grant's name to the Senate. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States at the time he was shot. [35][e] Abraham then became increasingly distant from Thomas, in part due to his father's lack of education. Omissions? [206] But Pope was then soundly defeated at the Second Battle of Bull Run in the summer of 1862, forcing the Army of the Potomac back to defend Washington. "[139], Historian David Herbert Donald described the speech as "a superb political move for an unannounced presidential aspirant. Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was an abuser. Matthew Patterson, a ranger at New Salem whose family has lived in these parts for more than 160 years, points out that the log dwellings with fireplaces on either end suggest the inhabitants were southern uplanders from Kentucky, while a fireplace in the center of the dwelling indicates a family that migrated from the north. [110], In 1854, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois legislature but declined to take his seat. improve functionality and performance. Lincolns primary goal as president was to hold the country together. [157][158] Lincoln received 1,866,452 votes, or 39.8% of the total in a four-way race, carrying the free Northern states, as well as California and Oregon. Finally, Lincoln's Treasury Secretary, Salmon P. Chase, became Chief Justice. [204], In 1862, Lincoln removed McClellan for the general's continued inaction. Afterward he joked that he had seen no live, fighting Indians during the war but had had a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes. Meanwhile, aspiring to be a legislator, he was defeated in his first try and then repeatedly reelected to the state assembly. But Berry became an alcoholic, was often too drunk to work, and Lincoln ended up running the store by himself. Enjoy this reimagined American folktale about young Abraham Lincoln. Watch more PragerU Kids shows HERE https://l.pr. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 2, 1864. The left-leaning Douglas was accused of having communist ties (no small fear at the height of the Red Scare), and her Democratic primary opponent had dubbed her the Pink Lady. Nixon capitalized on the accusations, but also made sure he covered his political bases. Upon his return to Illinois he settled in New Salem, a village of about 25 families on the Sangamon River. During July and August, there's an excellent outdoor repertory theater inside the park called ``The Great American People Show.'' Lincoln ran for president in 1860, sweeping the North to gain victory. As a flatboatman, he made a voyage down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana. I do not expect the Union to be dissolvedI do not expect the house to fallbut I do expect it will cease to be divided. When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Irelands Freedom, Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan. When he occupied the White House, the 16th president used the current Lincoln Bedroom as his personal office. He lobbied hard for a military appointment, and despite his reputation for brashness and his fierce temper, he was named major general of the Tennessee militia. [322] He was private about his position on organized religion and respected the beliefs of others. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, in a log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. As a member of the Illinois legislature and later in his law practice, he took advantage of his reputation for honesty and fairness to help broaden his constituency. Connect-Points Web Content & Design is a web development and hosting company that specializes in web design and copy writing for maximum usability and accessiblity. By the spring of 1863, Lincoln was ready to recruit black troops in more than token numbers. [17] At various times, he owned farms, livestock, and town lots, paid taxes, sat on juries, appraised estates, and served on county patrols. [205] Pope satisfied Lincoln's desire to advance on Richmond from the north, thus protecting Washington from counterattack. The caskets containing Lincoln's body and the body of his son Willie traveled for three weeks on the Lincoln Special funeral train. On April 9, Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, officially ending the war. Lincoln gave the final speech of the convention supporting the party platform and called for the preservation of the Union. Then I had no right to deprive the country of their services. Abraham Lincoln was said to be one of the most honest presidents who has ever served our country, that's where he was given the nickname . His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and National Geographic Traveler. [97], Leading up to his presidential campaign, Lincoln elevated his profile in an 1859 murder case, with his defense of Simeon Quinn "Peachy" Harrison who was a third cousin;[g] Harrison was also the grandson of Lincoln's political opponent, Rev. [18], Overcoming financial challenges, Thomas in 1827 obtained clear title to 80 acres (32ha) in Indiana, an area which became the Little Pigeon Creek Community. [318] Historians emphasized the widespread shock and sorrow, but noted that some Lincoln haters celebrated his death. How did Abraham Lincoln get into politics? The Civil War was a significant force in the eventual dominance of the singular usage by the end of the 19th century. Lincoln argued that the testimony involved a dying declaration and was not subject to the hearsay rule. All Rights Reserved. Lincoln was a descendant of the Harrisons through his grandmother, Bathsheba Herring. [20] Ten years later, on January 20, 1828, Sarah died while giving birth to a stillborn son, devastating Lincoln. Grant then assumed command of Meade's army. After a brief interview, Stanton declared him a patriot and dismissed the charge. [6], The heritage of Lincoln's mother Nancy remains unclear, but it is widely assumed that she was the daughter of Lucy Hanks. [25], Lincoln was largely self-educated. In July, the Confiscation Act of 1862 was enacted, providing court procedures to free the slaves of those convicted of aiding the rebellion; Lincoln approved the bill despite his belief that it was unconstitutional. Secret Service did come to Lincolns protection, but only in death. [301] When Booth learned of the Lincolns' intent to attend a play with General Grant, he planned to assassinate Lincoln and Grant at Ford's Theatre. [342] It is also suspected that he might have had a rare genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. McClellan, in turn, blamed the failure of the campaign on Lincoln's reservation of troops for the capital. "[227] He spent the next 100 days preparing the army and the nation for emancipation, while Democrats rallied their voters by warning of the threat that freed slaves posed to northern whites. [284] The passage of the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Acts was enabled by the absence of Southern congressmen and senators who had opposed the measures in the 1850s. [273] Lincoln ordered thousands of Confederate prisoners of war sent by railroad to put down the uprising. Lincoln responded, "I could not afford to hang men for votes. His advice to potential lawyers was: "Resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer. He placed 263 cases into the first group and commuted their sentences for the largest mass commutation in history. [387] While he is usually portrayed bearded, he did not grow a beard until 1860 at the suggestion of 11-year-old Grace Bedell. [77][78], On foreign and military policy, Lincoln spoke against the MexicanAmerican War, which he imputed to President James K. Polk's desire for "military glorythat attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood". Lincoln is the only president to have obtained a patent. [329] The death of his son Willie in February 1862 may have caused him to look toward religion for solace. The Lincoln family ate at the White House dinner table with their cat. Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. Lincoln is enshrined in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The groups could be identified by their transcripts, the first group were all just three pages in length while the second group had more pages, some up to twelve. Another judge who had worked with Lincoln agreed, saying "Such was the transparent candor and integrity of his nature that he could not well or strongly argue a side or a cause he thought wrong.". Your subscription to We needed to hold our own people together. The National Banking Act created the system of national banks. Still, somehow, I could read, write, and cipher to the rule of three; but that was all. Apparently the young Lincoln did not read a large number of books but thoroughly absorbed the few that he did read. [193] In the 1861 Trent Affair which threatened war with Great Britain, the U.S. Navy illegally intercepted a British mail ship, the Trent, on the high seas and seized two Confederate envoys; Britain protested vehemently while the U.S. cheered. Abraham helped to clear the fields and to take care of the crops but early acquired a dislike for hunting and fishing. [49] While anxiously preparing for the nuptials, he was asked where he was going and replied, "To hell, I suppose. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was dedicated to him on May 30, 1922. [153], As Douglas and the other candidates campaigned, Lincoln gave no speeches, relying on the enthusiasm of the Republican Party. Meade's failure to capture Lee's army after Gettysburg and the continued passivity of the Army of the Potomac persuaded Lincoln to promote Grant to supreme commander. [336] On the day Lincoln was assassinated, he reportedly told his wife he desired to visit the Holy Land. [i] In his opinion, Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote that black people were not citizens and derived no rights from the Constitution, and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional for infringing upon slave owners' "property" rights. [134], Over the coming months, Lincoln was tireless, making nearly fifty speeches along the campaign trail. Research Guide, Editor: Matthew Pinsker The 2007 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee was born March 10, 1933, in McEwen . [313], The late President lay in state, first in the East Room of the White House, and then in the Capitol Rotunda from April 19 through April 21. It is entirely plausible to imagine Lincoln and Congress agreeing on a Reconstruction policy that encompassed federal protection for basic civil rights plus limited black suffrage, along the lines Lincoln proposed just before his death. Roosevelt, of course, ran and won, and the sphinx remains on display at his presidential museum. Dickinson College Most were log dwellings -- not to be confused with log cabins, which settlers used only until they could erect log houses, which were chinked and tightly sealed with a mud-and-wheat straw cement daubing. Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky on February 12, 1809, to parents who could neither read nor write. [138] But Lincoln demonstrated intellectual leadership that brought him into contention. [228], With the abolition of slavery in the rebel states now a military objective, Union armies advancing south liberated all three million slaves in the Confederacy. In Lincoln's early political years, he wrote "I want in all cases to do right, and most particularly so in all cases with women." I cannot but hate it. The lawyer in Lincoln saw issues. Now a congressman, Alexander Ramsey told Lincoln, in 1864, that he would have gotten more re-election support in Minnesota had he executed all 303 of the Mdewakanton. What were Abraham Lincolns chief goals in the American Civil War? [198] For his edification Lincoln relied upon a book by his chief of staff General Henry Halleck entitled Elements of Military Art and Science; Halleck was a disciple of the European strategist Antoine-Henri Jomini. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [179], William Tecumseh Sherman talked to Lincoln during inauguration week and was "sadly disappointed" at his failure to realize that "the country was sleeping on a volcano" and that the South was preparing for war. Yet the contest began. [143] Exploiting his embellished frontier legend (clearing land and splitting fence rails), Lincoln's supporters adopted the label of "The Rail Candidate". [14][d] In 1860, Lincoln noted that the family's move to Indiana was "partly on account of slavery", but mainly due to land title difficulties. [355], In his company, I was never reminded of my humble origin, or of my unpopular color. His main goal was to keep the union together, so he proceeded by focusing not on whom to blame, but on how to rebuild the nation as one. Secretary of War Stanton had issued orders that Booth be taken alive, so Corbett was initially arrested to be court martialed. It was a time of great unease in American politics. By April 1906, Taft had lost nearly 60 pounds. By March 1861, no leaders of the insurrection had proposed rejoining the Union on any terms. [281] Sibley thought he had 16 to 20 of men he wanted for trial while Gen. Pope ordered that all detained warriors be tried. [295], Lincoln's philosophy on court nominations was that "we cannot ask a man what he will do, and if we should, and he should answer us, we should despise him for it. In 1836, having passed the bar examination, he began to practice law. "[141], On May 910, 1860, the Illinois Republican State Convention was held in Decatur. [214], Hooker was routed by Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May, then resigned and was replaced by George Meade. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. [257], Reconstruction preceded the war's end, as Lincoln and his associates considered the reintegration of the nation, and the fates of Confederate leaders and freed slaves. From his earliest days he must have had some familiarity with the Bible, for it doubtless was the only book his family owned. [368], In the Cold War years, Lincoln's image shifted to a symbol of freedom who brought hope to those oppressed by Communist regimes. As a rail-splitter, he helped to clear and fence his fathers new farm. [174] Lincoln directed his inaugural address to the South, proclaiming once again that he had no inclination to abolish slavery in the Southern states: Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States, that by the accession of a Republican Administration, their property, and their peace, and personal security, are to be endangered. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Lincoln commented on his thought process, "We need the strongest men of the party in the Cabinet. Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. After his arrival in Illinois, having no desire to be a farmer, Lincoln tried his hand at a variety of occupations. He could draw crowds as a raconteur, but lacked the requisite formal education, powerful friends, and money, and lost the election. [52][f] Lincoln "was remarkably fond of children"[54] and the Lincolns were not considered to be strict with their own. And James Rutledge, who came from South Carolina, opened the ``town tavern,'' which in those days meant a hotel -- a place to sleep, eat, and get your horse cared for at 37 cents a day. The Confederate government evacuated Richmond and Lincoln visited the conquered capital. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! But he soon came into conflict with fellow Whigs, and his growing list of political enemies quickly dubbed him His Accidency. A man without a party, he briefly ran for election in 1844 before withdrawing his candidacy for lack of support. Sibley dismissed another when overwhelming proof surfaced exonerating the man. [350] Nevertheless, Lincoln admired Andrew Jackson's steeliness as well as his patriotism. [311] President Johnson was sworn in later that same day. Lincoln Sought the Republican Nomination in 1860 Finally, in search for the reason Lincoln was so adamant about honesty, a quote by one of his closest friends, Leonard Swett, is revealing: "He believed in the great laws of truth, the right discharge of duty, his accountability to God, the ultimate triumph of the right, and the overthrow of wrong. Please be respectful of copyright. Journalist Noah Brooks reported, "No man ever before made such an impression on his first appeal to a New York audience. His nicknames were "Honest Abe"and "Illinois Rail- Splitter". [62] He later said of his legal education that "I studied with nobody. Once there, he taught himself law, opened a law practice, and earned the nickname "Honest Abe.". When a general asked Lincoln how the defeated Confederates were to be treated, Lincoln replied, "Let 'em up easy. [126] When informed of Lincoln's nomination, Douglas stated, "[Lincoln] is the strong man of the party and if I beat him, my victory will be hardly won. 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Historian Allan Nevins argued that the newly inaugurated Lincoln made three miscalculations: underestimating the gravity of the crisis, exaggerating the strength of Unionist sentiment in the South, and overlooking Southern Unionist opposition to an invasion. Lincoln managed his own successful re-election campaign.