The story of Lincoln
Harold holzer
Except George Washington, who said "I can't lie", no American hero is more shrouded in myth than abraham lincoln. Lincoln did have a virtue that needed no embellishment. He rose from obscurity through hard work, self-study and honesty. He endured vicious criticism to save the Union and end slavery. He died at the hands of an assassin shortly after his greatest victory. But storytellers never hesitate to rewrite Lincoln's biography. On President's Day, it is necessary to clear up some long-standing misunderstandings about the people on the five-dollar bill.
1. Lincoln is an ordinary country lawyer.
This enduring legend, represented by the concise henry fonda in john ford's film Young Mr. Lincoln, is hard to die out. In order to improve his reputation, William H. Herndon, Lincoln's legal partner, spread rumors that Lincoln didn't care about his legal practice, did little research, joked with juries and judges, and sometimes even charged no fees. Lincoln himself may have damaged his legal reputation because of his often quoted warning "stop the lawsuit"
Indeed, politics became the main ambition of lawyer Lincoln. Nevertheless, in the1850s, he represented Illinois Central Railway Company and Shidao Bridge Company, which built the first railway bridge on the Mississippi River, and won the reputation of the top appellate lawyer in his state.
Lincoln's legal documents proved a diversified and profitable practice. In his words, if he hadn't been "aroused" before seeking the Senate seat and openly opposed pro-slavery kansas-nebraska act in 1854, he would probably become a full-time lawyer and win fame and wealth in the legal profession.
2. Lincoln is gay.
Larry Kramer, a gay rights activist, has long speculated that Lincoln is gay. In 1999, he claimed that he found Lincoln's love letter to his former roommate Joshua Speed. It is reported that Kramer mentioned this statement in Ford Cumming's gay history "The American People", but historian Gabor Brett called Kramer's statement "almost certain". . . A scam. "
Nevertheless, this idea still exists. In 2005, queer theory professor C.A. Tripp, a colleague of sexologist Alfred Kinsey, wrote "The Intimate World of abraham lincoln" to prove that Lincoln was an active homosexual. He married only to observe the customs of the19th century and continued to flirt and sleep with young men during his presidency. Tripp even hinted that Lincoln's frigidity caused his wife's mental illness.
Is it true?/You don't say. If so, does it matter? According to Herndon, Lincoln showed a "strong" attraction to women. Before he got married at the age of 33, he was a frequent visitor to grassland brothels. His first son was born nine months after marriage, which showed enthusiasm, if not experience. On the other hand, proving that a man loves women does not mean proving that he doesn't love men. Maybe we'd better give up-remember that Lincoln's sexual orientation is only a small part of his historical legacy.
3. Lincoln was depressed.
Four generations of biographers have proved that Lincoln was often depressed, but Joshua Wolfe Schenk of Washington College pointed out in his new book "Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness" that the16th President suffered from clinical depression. Lincoln certainly had moments that he called "high waves", most obviously when his first love Ann rutledge died in 1835, and when he broke up with his fiance? Mary Todd is on the eve of their wedding. They made up the next year. )
Although Schenk and I jointly edited a Lincoln anthology, we have differences on this point. In the19th century, real depression was incurable, and its victims often went crazy or ended their lives. This debilitating disease cannot be compared with Lincoln, who worked tirelessly and effectively during his difficult presidency. Patients with clinical depression are often unable to get out of bed, let alone command the army.
Is Lincoln sad? Of course-his son Willie died of fever at the White House in 1862, and the president himself led a war that killed 600,000 other young people. It will be even more noticeable if Lincoln keeps a happy mood.
Lincoln is too compassionate.
Carl sandburg, a poet and biographer of Lincoln, and other historians have done a lot of research on the concept of Lincoln as a serial pardoner. This is untrue. e-Lincoln not only approved the execution of deserters, but also ordered 38 so-called Indian attackers to hang in Mankato, Minnesota on February 26th 1862, which is still the largest mass execution on American soil.
At the same time, Lincoln fought the bloodiest war in American history to defend the Union, authorized the deployment of deadly new weapons, such as mines, armored warships and saltpeter (19th century version of napalm), and accepted unprecedented casualties for his chosen cause.
The recent scandal about amending the pardon order of the National Archives-it is said that the historian Thomas P. Laurie revised a document in 1998 to make it look like Lincoln pardoned a soldier who deserted in the last few hours-gives us an opportunity to reconsider the problem that Lincoln's gentle approach has long been too simplistic. In view of this file scuffle, historians should re-examine the thousands of pardons issued by Lincoln to weigh their authenticity and the death penalty he did allow.
Lincoln is very ill.
After Lincoln's death 150 years, there are many armchair doctors ready to diagnose his illness. Some people say that he suffers from cardiovascular disease. Or he has a rare genetic disease, Marfan syndrome. Or he has fatal cancer. Medical historians like John sotos suggest that if Lincoln had not been assassinated on April 6th, 14, 1865, and without the help of John Wilkes Booth, he might have died soon.
If any of these diseases damaged Lincoln's health during his presidency, how can we explain his endless physique? Or was it his rare disease in wartime, limited to mild smallpox, which led to the death of his valet? How can we explain that a few days before his death, the 56-year-old man easily demonstrated his favorite frontier feat of strength-holding a heavy axe at an arm's length between his fingers?
Like many presidents, Lincoln became obviously gaunt during his tenure. He lost weight, too. But the doctor who cared for him on his deathbed marveled at his muscular arms and chest. They came to the conclusion that if he was a weak person, he would die at the moment he was hit. Lincoln struggled with death for nine hours, which is almost impossible for a person with congenital diseases.
Five myths about Lincoln
Anaska/translator
Among American heroes, who can do "I never lie" except George? Who can't be trusted outside Washington? Was taken to the shrine? Abraham? Lincoln. Lincoln boasted of his unabridged virtue. Through hard work and self-study, he rose from a humble position to an honest quality. In order to defend the union and end slavery, he endured vicious attacks. After winning the most important victory in his life, he died of assassination. But the authors of exaggerated narratives never hesitate to rewrite Lincoln's biography. President's day, get rid of some This man's head is printed on a five-dollar bill? Gossip is a very meaningful thing.
Rumor 1, Lincoln is just a country lawyer.
Smart and agile Henry? Fonda is in John? Ford's performance in the film "Young Lincoln" made the rumor alive, so it was deeply rooted in people's hearts. William Lincoln's partner lawyer? h？ In order to brag about himself, Hu Tang made a rumor that Lincoln didn't care about his lawyer affairs: the investigation was sloppy; Joking with jurors and judges; Sometimes, I still can't get an account. Lincoln often accused himself of "indifference to litigation", so he may also ruin his lawyer's reputation.
Of course, Lincoln's first pursuit is politics. However, it was not until 1980s (19) that he successfully represented Illinois Central Railway and Rock Island Bridge Company and built the first railway bridge across the Mississippi River. This fact confirms that he is in this state? Among the top lawyers? A firm stand.
Lincoln's legal documents prove that he has many businesses and rich profits. Before 1854 ran for the Senate, if he hadn't "stood up" and strongly opposed slave-holding kansas-nebraska act, he could still be a full-time lawyer and gain fame and fortune in court. ("kansas-nebraska act" enabled slavery to expand northward, which triggered the Kansas Civil War and further civil war broke out. ? Translator's note).
2. Lincoln is gay
For a long time, gay rights activist Larry? Kramer thought Lincoln was gay. 1999, he claimed to have found Lincoln's letter to his former roommate? Alfred. Tucao? Some love letters. This argument will be emphasized in kramer's forthcoming book The American People, A History of Homosexuality. But historian Gaby? Barrett said that kramer's statement "is basically certain? Nonsense. "
However, this statement has been circulating. In 2005, a queer theory professor C? Answer? Tripp published Abraham? Lincoln's secret world. Professor and sexologist Alfred? Kinsey's colleague. In the book, he solemnly declared that Lincoln was an active homosexual. He married just to conform to the custom of19th century, and continued to flirt and sleep with young men during his presidency. Tripp further believes that Lincoln's wife is mentally ill because of his sexual neglect. Queer theory: the earliest theory and statement related to homosexuality, then extended to the study of eroticism and men and women, and further referred to the avant-garde point of view. ? Translator's note)
Really? Even if it is true, so what? According to Hu Tang, Lincoln has a "strong" attraction to women; Before he got married at the age of 33, he was a frequent visitor to the ranch brothel. Nine months after marriage, his eldest son was born, which shows that he is enthusiastic even if he has no experience. Of course, proving that a man loves women doesn't prove that he doesn't love men. Maybe the best way is to let go of this question? Remember, Lincoln's sexual orientation has little to do with his historical achievements.
3. Lincoln is very depressed.
Four generations of biographers believe that Lincoln is often depressed. However, Joshua of the University of Washington? Wolf? In the recently published "Lincoln's Sorrow: How Depression Challenged the President and Inspired His Greatness", Shen Ke listed the evidence that the 16 th President was diagnosed with depression. Lincoln himself said that he was "crazy" many times, especially when he suffered the first serious blow: Annie? Rutreggie died in1836; Then in 184 1 year, on the eve of the wedding, he and his fiancee Mary? Todd broke up. (The next year, they got back together. )
Although Shen Ke and I worked together to sort out Lincoln materials, we have different views on this issue. In the19th century, real depression is an incurable disease, and patients often go crazy or commit suicide. The president had a great responsibility, and Lincoln worked tirelessly and efficiently. It's really impossible to connect a devastating disease with Lincoln. People diagnosed with depression can hardly get out of bed, let alone command the army.
Was Lincoln depressed? Are you sure? 1862, my son had a high fever and died in the White House. At that time, he was the president, commanding a war that also claimed the lives of 600,000 young people. If you want to keep Lincoln happy, that's too much.
Lincoln is very kind.
This statement is largely from Carl? Thunberg (poet, Lincoln biographer) and other historians believe that Lincoln has always been kind. Isn't that true? Lincoln not only agreed to execute deserters; And signed it? 1862 65438+On February 26th, 38 Indian attackers were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota? So far, this order is the biggest massacre on American soil. ("Maximum" means after the founding of the United States, excluding the colonial era. ? Translator's note. )
At the same time, Lincoln fought the bloodiest war in American history to defend the Union, and approved the use of some deadly weapons, such as mines, armored warships and saltpeter (19th century napalm); And for his beliefs, regardless of heavy casualties.
There was a scandal recently: the Amnesty order of the National Archives was distorted? 1998, historian Thomas? p？ Laurie deliberately distorted the contents of the document to show that Lincoln pardoned a deserter at the last minute. This scandal gives people a chance to reflect: Lincoln's soft side has been oversimplified for a long time. With the publication of various miscellaneous files, historians should re-examine the tens of thousands of pardons signed by Lincoln, and how many are true; Moreover, it is necessary to compare the death penalty he signed.
Lincoln was very ill.
After his death 150 years, many great doctors prepared to diagnose Lincoln. Some people say Lincoln had a heart attack. It is also said that he suffers from a rare Marfan syndrome (a congenital and hereditary connective tissue disease). ? Translator's note). Others say that he has a fatal m *? B cancer (m:? B is medullary thyroid carcinoma, mucosal neurofibroma, pheochromocytoma). ? Translator's note). Medical historians, like John? Sotos concluded that without John, he wouldn't have died of assassination? Wilkes? Booth helped. He's dying. (John? Wilkes? The man who assassinated Lincoln. ? Translator's note)
If Lincoln really suffered from this disease during his presidency, how can he explain his infinite strength? How to explain that during the war, he seldom got sick except for a slight smallpox? Smallpox killed the footman beside me. A few days before his death, at the age of 56, he showed his strength in his favorite frontier way. Hold a heavy axe with your fingers and stretch out an arm's length. He did it easily. How to explain it?
Lincoln, like many presidents, became more and more haggard during his tenure. He has lost weight, too. But before his death, the doctors who came to his bed were surprised by his strong arms and chest. They say that people who are slightly weaker will die within minutes after being shot. Lincoln struggled with death for nine hours? If people are sick before, they can't do it at all.