The House Dividing, 1857-1860: The Rise of Abraham Lincoln

The rise of Abraham Lincoln reflects one of the myths of American history: that it is possible for a person to rise from the humblest of origins to the highest office in the land. That myth is rooted in considerable truth, for a number of American presidents have come from very modest backgrounds. On the other hand, that Lincoln would become president of the United States was somewhat unlikely in that in addition to his humble beginnings, Lincoln also suffered numerous failures in the course of his political life. He managed to overcome them, however, for which the nation can be grateful.

Despite the negative influences that might have prevented Abraham Lincoln from succeeding in life, he possessed many qualities that were bound to lead him upwards. Lincoln was a humble man who always understood his place in the scheme of things. He had a brilliant mind— he was a fine constitutional lawyer, an eloquent speaker, a more than competent historian, and a sensitive man who seldom held grudges or wished ill to others, even when they might have deserved it. He was a working man—the "rail splitter" who was not afraid to pick up a shovel or an axe when there was work to be done. He could be tough when necessary, but was never petty or mean. He was a kind and gentle man, a good husband and father, and on top of everything else he had a well-developed if somewhat earthy sense of humor.

Lincoln arrived on the national political scene in 1846, when he was elected to Congress. A political Whig, he opposed Democratic president James K. Polk's Mexican-American War. Polk's justification for his incursion into Mexico was his claim that American blood had been shed on American soil. Lincoln introduced what were known as his "spot resolutions," demanding to know from the president the exact spot on which blood had been shed; for American blood being shed on American soil was one thing, but American blood being shed on Mexican soil was something else. In the end the Mexican War was seen as a success, and Lincoln retired to Illinois with no chance of reelection.