Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln
Birth and Early Years
I, Abraham Lincoln, was brought into this world on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin located in Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. My dear parents, Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, were humble and diligent folk who eked out a living from the unforgiving frontier. My formative years were fashioned amidst hardship and toil, instilling within me an unyielding spirit of determination and an unflappable work ethic.
In the year of 1816, my family ventured to Indiana when I was just a lad of seven. We made a living in the wilderness, bearing the weight of myriad challenges and bouts of illness. Two years later, my beloved mother was taken by the cruel hands of ‘milk sickness’, a loss which deeply stirred my young heart. The following year, my father brought Sarah Bush Johnston, a widow, into our home as a new mother. Sarah was a woman of virtue, and I held her in such high regard that I referred to her as ‘Mother.’
A Self-made Education
The schools of my youth were sparse and rudimentary. They were not a mainstay of frontier life, and I was only able to attend for short intervals. Yet, I held a fervent passion for reading, a flame which my dear stepmother Sarah kept alive. Whenever an opportunity to learn presented itself, I would seize it without a moment’s hesitation, often embarking on lengthy treks merely to borrow a book.
In 1830, the winds of change swept me to Illinois. My occupations varied greatly; I was a shopkeeper, a postmaster, and eventually, a land surveyor. My voracious appetite for knowledge and a budding sense of public duty led me to the world of law. I committed myself to learning the craft, consuming every legal text within my reach. By 1836, I had earned my license to practice law, and the next year, I moved to Springfield, Illinois, to ply my newfound trade.
Honest Abe, The Lawyer
As a lawyer, I gained a reputation for my comprehensive understanding of the law and my knack for storytelling. The townsfolk often referred to me as ‘Honest Abe’, a moniker which I held in the highest regard. I saw the practice of law as more than just a profession; it was a vehicle for change, a medium through which justice could be served.
A Political Journey
I stepped onto the political stage as a member of the Whig Party in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1834. I served four terms, during which my political views took shape. My beliefs were galvanized during my tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, to which I was elected in 1846. Here, I took a firm stand against the practice of slavery, despite the risk this posed to my political future.
In 1854, my political compass started to veer. I voiced my opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which threatened to bring the heinous practice of slavery into the territories. The Act shook me to my core, leading me to leave the Whigs and join the newly formed Republican Party.
A House Divided
In 1858, I found myself in a spirited race against Stephen Douglas for the U.S. Senate. Although I did not secure victory, the debates we held placed me firmly on the national stage. It was during these debates that I uttered the words that still echo in my heart: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
In 1860, I secured the Republican Presidential nomination and won the election, marking the first time a Republican had ever held the presidency. My victory sowed seeds of discontent in the Southern slave states, who perceived it as a threat to their way of life. This discord eventually sparked the secession of seven Southern states and ignited the flames of the Civil War.
The Civil War and The Emancipation Proclamation
My tenure as President during the Civil War was a test of my resolve. I was firm in my belief that secession was unconstitutional, and that the federal government had the authority to reunite these rebellious states. The war was harsh, and the pain and suffering on both sides were immense. However, in 1862, I saw an opportunity to reshape the course of our nation’s history. I issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in the rebelling states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”
I stood firm on the Emancipation Proclamation, despite the storm of controversy it incited. I viewed it as a necessary war measure and a moral imperative. In 1864, I was re-elected, a sign that my course was backed by the American people.
My Untimely End
The Civil War came to an end in 1865 with a victory for the Union. It was a moment of immense relief, yet the joy was fleeting. On April 14, 1865, I was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a man who sympathized with the Confederacy, while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C.
Legacy
I am remembered as the Great Emancipator, the president who weathered the nation’s most profound crisis to preserve the Union and put an end to the scourge of slavery. From my humble beginnings and limited formal education, I held fast to the belief in the potential of every individual and my unwavering commitment to justice. My spirit, unyielding in the face of adversity, continues to inspire generations, standing as a testament to the power of resilience, integrity, and the unending pursuit of justice.
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