ucanefan

I'm sure he probably would, but I'm wondering if he was more humble than that. Would he have rather lived out his term and gone down as 'just' a great president even though he hinted at knowing he would be assassinated or would he like being such a martyr and American icon? It's probably an easy answer though

Mroto1017

I'd say that going down in history as one of the finest U.S presidents ever is a pretty good legacy, though I'm sure if he had his choice, he'd have rather not been assassinated They say that he was a hell of a boxer and wrestler.

Jake10

Nobody wants do die, but the thought of being remembered throughout history appeals to all. If we think of our families and nations, then being remembered like Lincoln is priceless, so I think he would.

Rongo

I'm pretty sure he could have done without being assassinated. I think he would be proud of his legacy, although he might be a bit annoyed or embarrassed when it gets over-the-top, like the "Great Emancipator" epithet.

tjadams

As much as I critique Lincoln the president, and I always will and I don't
see my opinion of him changing, he is still a top five president of mine.
I see Lincoln through a different prism than 99.9% of the board here, so
here' my honest thinking on the question.
Lincoln, like any human, had an ego ,otherwise he never would have wanted
to get so involved in politics and would have never wanted to be president.
He would have wanted to be remembered for doing his job and fondly remembered.
Wanting to be president is a sure sign that you think you're a tad brighter
and have a better vision than the next guy.
I can see Lincoln being proud of his wartime accomplishment of holding the
nation together despite almost a million people having to die. Once serving
two terms in office and stepping down, I can easily see Reconstruction not
ending up the way he planned it and his being confused by that.
He probably would have squirmed at how Reconstruction went, but would have stepped back and go on that European vacation he planned on taking.
Once out of office, I can see him not wanting
to attack the new president's plans and would have been happy to get away
from politics and fame for awhile.
But, here's another question for the thread:
"Would Lincoln have ran for a third term?"

Rongo

I'd answer that one with an emphatic No. He was utterly exhausted from the first term. And I agree with much of your assessment of Reconstruction - I thnk the battles with the Radical Republicans would have made it a second war for him to fight, perhaps even tougher than the first one. In fact, I think there's a good chance Lincoln wouldn't have survived a second term even without JWB.

ucanefan

Man great posts by everyone. Great question from tj. And to tj- what is this different perspective you view Lincoln on? Just curious

The Amyclae

He was, at the end of the day, a politician. He never really did anything else 'well' and one has to ask 'what kept him going?' Amibition, it seems, for one and probably a good sense of divine purpose. His ego was, like many politically minded men, virtually unparelled (there's a few fantastically sarcastic speeches he delivered on the 'Young American' Stephen Douglas after his defeat that gives us a strong, hard look at Lincoln's less delectable side). His legacy, if you asked his contemporaries would be something like 'outsized compared to his character and actions.' If you asked him, I wager, he'd probably respond 'Well, duh because I'm amazing and directed by God's will."

tjadams

Wow, you sure picked the highest berry on the vine to ask me.
I cannot go into detail here, it would derail the thread and attract all kinds of
flies. Lets just say I don't worship every thought or plan Lincoln had
that so many do. I can respect the man as a father and as a leader who
was faced with difficult decisions, but decisions that he surely knew he
had to face being president.

tjadams

I agree that Lincoln was drained down to the cellular level as a man. The war years
took a lot out of him that not many could have muscled through, but I just tossed
out that question. Also, I am one of those who do not believe all the speculation about
Lincoln's health based on photographs. I know stress can cause all kinds of health
issues, but I just don't see him dying of natural causes in his second term or even
right afterwards.