Honest Abe...The Way Home, Part I

Driving to Chicago, we passed through Springfield Illinois, which is steeped in American history (specifically with regards to Abraham Lincoln). On the way home, we stopped at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the experience was truly amazing. Neither Karen or I had ever been to a Presidential Library or Museum, so we jumped on the chance. Nicholas & Caroline weren't so motivated, but humored us nonetheless...

I've always wondered what it must have been like for Lincoln, as our president in perhaps the most difficult era in our history...truly the fate of a nation rested on his shoulders. What I never realized was that Lincoln was essentially hated by both sides...even his historic Emancipation Proclamation (which was intend to abolish slavery) was refuted by Abolitionists because it didn't free anyone at the time (only those who were enslaved in Confederate States, over which he had no power or jurisdiction). And yet, because of Lincoln's strength, our country survived that dreadful period. I wonder what he would think about our country today...