Book Review: President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman

President Lincoln: The Duty of a Statesman By: William Lee Miller

For anyone interested in the importance of principles and values in public service, this is a must read. The book looks deeply into the moral character of Abraham Lincoln during the period of his presidency. It’s not your typical biography. There is no chronological description of the events of his life. Instead, what Mr. Miller sets out to accomplish is a broad look at Lincoln’s character from the period of his first inauguration until his assassination. The presentation is how Lincoln’s moral convictions drove his actions through the examination of events both large and small of his administration.

Values and principles are only as powerful as the truths they are built on. In this case, we have a man who believed that this nation was the world’s great hope for self-government and that all men were created equal or should at least be treated that way. What Lincoln was, was the great defender of the Founder’s greatest successes in authoring a divinely inspired Constitution and the key individual that corrected the greatest defect in the same document. He lived an honest life. He was duty bound as President of the United States and his sworn oath of office took precedence over personal ambition. He saw his most important duty was to defend the Constitution—that the preservation of the Union was the key to that duty and Emancipation key to the Union.

Lincoln was not a man that put his political ambition above his public duty. Playing politics was not in his nature. While he recognized the importance of winning a second term in office, he kept his eye firmly on a principled goal rather than making compromising decisions to appeal to polling numbers. In August of 1864, he had become resigned to the fact that he would not be re-elected. Even in his disappointment, he continued to devote himself to an ideal that he saw as the great purpose and promise of this nation.

I am also impressed by Lincoln’s resolve after the early setbacks of the Civil War, in particular the defeat at Bull Run. He learned from the experience, and immediately re-doubled his efforts as chief executive to set policy. He replaced disappointment with renewed energy and clear direction to his cabinet and officers in the field. He provided real leadership that charted a course out of the chaos.

I came away from reading this book so impressed by Abraham Lincoln--the man and the statesman. Of him, we can truly say that he said what he meant and meant what he said. In a world today that lacks virtue, honesty, humility, and duty, we should hold Lincoln’s life as a great example. Here is a man that lived by principles and values that were tested at nearly every point of his service—and I use that word specifically. He knew he was a servant of the people and of the Constitution. A steward for a brief time. He is a remarkable man whose wisdom and foresight maintained and forever changed this great nation.

Interesting coincidences this week:

• A newly examined photograph is determined to be of Lincoln outside of the White House and may be the last known photo before his assassination. The image isn't much to look at but reading this story led me to the site of the owner of the largest collection of known Lincoln photographs.


• At the request of a watch maker's great-great-grandson, the National Museum of American History opened a gold watch owned by Lincoln and found a secret message inscribed inside. Apparently, watchmaker Jonathon Dillon inscribed a message marking the attack of Confederate troops on Fort Sumter that began the American Civil War. The inscription is date April 13, 1861, one day after rebels opened fire on the fort in Charleston, South Carolina.