Presidents' Day

I cannot think of any job more difficult or demanding than that of being President of the United States of America.

To honor our presidents we have established President’s Day. Specifically the holiday was to honor our first president, George Washington, but it then included Abraham Lincoln who was also born in February. Now it seems, in the minds of some, to include all 43 men who have served in that capacity.

In recent years I have read full biographies of a number of our former presidents, and partial biographies of several others, but no president has impressed me or influenced me more than our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln (no surprise to any regular reader of Omnium –Gatherum).

To pay our respect to this great man or to learn why I think Mr. Lincoln is so deserving of our honor I would direct the reader go to Abraham Lincoln Online.org for his speeches and writings. Certainly George Washington is also worthy of our highest respect as are a number of others who rose to the occasion when circumstances demanded it.

None of our greatest leaders, however, claimed to perform their great work on the strength of their own ability.

Abraham Lincoln:

“Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”

Farewell Address on February 11, 1861 (CWAL IV:190)