The Great Liberator Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865 Part 5 of 5: Conclusion

Send us Fan MailPresident Lincoln stayed true to himself till his assassination leaving the grandest legacy by any leader in not only the 19th century but perhaps all of the modern era. Through his leadership and moral example, he gave a renewed meaning to democracy and social justice for America and the world watched America during their time of challenge, evaluating whether America, the first democracy's experiment in self government would endure. President Lincoln outlines not only this challenge in his Gettysburg Address, but reassures the American people that American democracy by the people and for the people shall not perish from this earth. President Lincoln was not the greatest general in history though he taught himself the rules of war and he certainly was not the greatest statesman though he was a practicing politicians, but he indeed was the greatest humanitarian of the modern era, who through his leadership of the Union and emancipation of slaves, was an impeccable icon of freedom. He played the central and most pivotal role in Americas darkest hour and in doing so made justice triumphant to so many who have been exploited and marginalized. Every generation must give renewed meaning to freedom and justice and in doing so President Lincoln gave America the room to breathe again opening the door to a whole new generation of activists and leaders. Thats why he mattered.