Anyway, I had no real intention of spending an extended period of time in Springfield, but my car needed its alignment adjusted, so while that was being done, I decided to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. And wow, I'm so glad I did.
"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues."
- Abraham Lincoln
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is a very, very extensive and thorough journey through the life of our 16th President. His life is presented in two stages; his early life through his young political career in Springfield, and his Presidency, which was of course, cut tragically short and marred by Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln lived an incredibly difficult and depressing life, a fact that isn't realized until it is closely studied. The museum extensively investigates the hardships, disappointments, and tragedies that marred Lincoln's life.
Through each exhibit are wax figures of the President and prominent figures of his life, and you can see the toll that life takes on the man as you visit each figure, until the assassination scene in a life-size replica of the booth at Ford's Theater.
What I love most about the museum is that it doesn't just celebrate Lincoln, but also showcases some of his faults and mistakes. I particularly enjoyed two exhibits; one showcasing anti-Lincoln propoganda, editorials, and cartoons, something that reminds us that irrational and hateful opposition to change is nothing new in this country. I also enjoyed an exhibit that presented the Electoral College race of 1860 as if it were happening today, using the late Tim Russert as the political commentator for the race. Its amazing how much more strategy there was involving the electoral college in those days. One of the four candidates' game plan was to simply win enough states to deadlock the electoral college, and throw the vote to the House of Representatives. I know alot of people don't like the way the two party system works now, but could you imagine if someone like Ralph Nader won simply because nobody won 270 votes and the House of Representatives elected him?
I also visited Lincoln's tomb, a few miles away. It is a very, very humbling experience to be in the presence of his remains.
The museum is powerful and interesting, and gives you a new perspective and respect for Lincoln. He was a man who did what he felt was right, regardless of the political pressure, and for that, I admire him. If President Obama wants to live up to those comparisons to Lincoln, he will do the same.
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