A Man Who Casts A Shadow

For modern Americans, April 15 is tax day, which may or may not be a personal tragedy. One hundred and fifty-four years ago, April 15 was a day of national tragedy. On April 15, 1865, Abraham Lincoln died.

It's no secret that I love Abraham Lincoln. He is the central character of my debut novel, In the Shadow of Mr. Lincoln. If I can have a moment of your time, I'll tell you why.

Great words of a Great Man

Lincoln was a man of integrity. He did what was right, even when no one was watching. Even when no one agreed. The southern states threatened secession if he was elected, like toddlers throwing a temper tantrum. He could have walked away, let a fellow Republican run instead. He didn't. I personally believed God put him in the White House to reunite our torn, scarred nation; if he had walked away, what would have happened?

He didn't shy from responsibility. He understood consequences. He knew what was at stake.

He was also a man of mercy. He was considered a moderate Republican. Radical Republicans wanted to grind the South to dust under their boots; Lincoln encouraged moderation in Reconstruction. The South were the North's brothers. His goal, always, was to restore the wayward South back to the Union.

Being a moderate sometimes breeds compromise. Sometimes it pleases no one and angers everyone. Radical Republicans despised him; Confederates abhorred him. It was a Confederate spy, John Wilkes Booth, who entered his box at the theater and shot him in the back of the head. Lincoln died the following morning, April 15, 1865.

Would we be a different country if he had been able to finish his second term as president?

He didn't have that chance, but we can still look to his example as a way to interact with each other. Integrity. Responsibility. Mercy.