Lincoln's legacy Obama's obligation
What Illinois resident can't proudly recite some key nugget of Abraham Lincoln's history? Be it his date of birth, that tall stovepipe hat or the location of that Lincoln boyhood log cabin, most Illinois students know more about Honest Abe than any other president ... except, perhaps, the newest one.
The spotlight will be on both today as across our state - indeed across a nation once so divided by bloodshed and hate - people will gather to honor Lincoln, a president history has judged one of the best after his strong leadership during one of this country's most tumultuous and challenging times.
Another of Illinois' favorite sons, Barack Obama, will return to his home turf today to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of our 16th president. It is fitting the nation's first black president's first trip home will be to honor a man known for the Emancipation Proclamation that ended the horrific practice of slavery and open a door to equality now embodied in the White House.
Like Lincoln, Obama takes the nation's helm as we face national difficulties of overwhelming magnitude. That which divides us today is far different from those brutal days of a Civil War when states seceded and sons and brothers killed one another on battlefields soon soaked with blood. The toll tore at the very fabric of a nation built on the promise of freedom.
The challenges may differ, but, once again, we face a threat to our core and are sharply divided on how to proceed. The beginning days of his administration a bit choppy, perhaps Obama will find guidance on his visit to Springfield to honor the birth of a man known for his work to heal the country after deadly division. After all, in addition to that Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln is also known for the creation of the national banking system, the birth of the Republican Party, strong leadership during trying times and for welcoming enemies back into the fold "... with malice toward none, with charity toward all." But he was also likened to the devil during the darker days.
As we honor Lincoln's birth and legacy here in his home state, Library of Congress Lincoln Curator Paul Sellers notes there are many ties crossing history between Lincoln and Obama. Though some may be solely the current president's attempt to find connections to his well-known Illinois predecessor - the inaugural train trip and use of the Lincoln Bible at his swearing-in - the need to follow that Lincoln footprint seems clear. Though we face far different difficulties than the heart-rending bloodshed of Lincoln's tenure, Seller notes the need for strong leadership, inspiration, and the ability to move forward without vindictiveness is the same.
Regardless of how Obama ultimately fares as president, the bottom line, the Lincoln expert notes, is the newest Illinois president is the "personification of Lincoln's legend and ideals and is the fulfillment of his dream." And that is truly something to celebrate.