The Picture of Health

Poor Abe. He looks like I feel.

This is a man who saw the Civil War up close and personal. What a toll that must have taken!

I'm intrigued with this photograph. Lincoln had a tough life. It shows. Here's the black and white version of the same photo. An artist added the color.

These were taken in 1865. Below is a photo taken just two years earlier, 1863.

As you can tell, Abe never could keep that tie straight. But notice how 2 years of Civil War has aged him. Lincoln was murdered in 1865. He was 56. He had just been re-elected as President. He delivered his second inaugural speech on March 4, 1865. It was his favorite speech.

"Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."

On April 9, 1865 the war ended when Confederate General Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. By April 15th - Lincoln was dead, shot by an assassin the day before while attending a play without his main bodyguard present.

My how politicians have changed! In the early years of our country - some of society's best minds were our country's leaders. No more. And we're not better for it.

He was never the picture of health. Whatever fragility plagued him physically was made small due to his incredible mental strength. I think it's time to read some biographies on a man of conviction, courage and stamina.