Recovering the Politics of Lincoln
“. . . all we need to do is think seriously, deeply, and regularly about the fact that none of us are, in any intrinsic or objective way, better than the people whose politics we loathe.
In spite of our polarized politics, seems that there has long been bipartisan respect for Abraham Lincoln.
Theodore Roosevelt (R) kept a portrait of Lincoln behind his desk and would turn to it in contemplation during difficult times. Franklin Roosevelt (D) made regular trips to the Lincoln memorial and once wrote to a friend, “I think it is time for us Democrats to claim Lincoln as one of our own.” Ronald Reagan & John McCain, accepted their party’s nomination for the presidency highlighting their allegiance to “The Party of Lincoln.” And Barack Obama cited Lincoln in his 2008 victory speech, taking his oath of office on the same Bible Lincoln used. But to claim Lincoln, one must follow his example.
In a recent issue of the National Review, Cameron Hilditch offers this advice to those who wish to practice the politics of Lincoln:
To recover it (the politics of Lincoln), all we need to do is think seriously, deeply, and regularly about the fact that none of us are, in any intrinsic or objective way, better than the people whose politics we loathe. If you’re interested in practicing the politics of Lincoln, try to bring to mind the person in public life whose views you find the most appalling, and meditate long and hard on the fact that they are your unalterable and inalienable equal. Our sixteenth president was quite adept at this. On the night that Robert E. Lee surrendered, Lincoln, after four years of being cursed, warred against, and burned in effigy by the soldiers of the South, turned to the White House band and asked them to play “Dixie.”
Key Texts
Genesis 50:15
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!”
1 Samuel 24:17-18
He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands.
Matthew 5:39
But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Luke 6:33
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Romans 12:20-21
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Key Topics
love your enemies, forgiveness, kindness, respect
Source
Hilditch, Cameron. “Self-interest is not enough: Lincoln’s Classical Revision Of the Founding.” National Review, Sept 2020. Retrieved from https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/09/abraham-lincoln-american-founding-self-interest-not-enough/#slide-1. SEP 18, 2020
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