Why was Lincoln "great?"

[Rob Wick]

Look forward to your Tarbell book, Rob.

Don't forget the cautions of Alphonso Taft, future U.S. secretary of war (1876), U.S. attorney general (1876-1877), and nineteenth century progenitor of the family that produced a slew of noted Ohio Republican politicians, who understood what had to come.
Taft wrote about the necessities of future history in a letter to his home-state U.S. solon, Senator pro tem Benjamin Wade, on September 8, 1864: “It is to be regretted that history should have to tell so many lies as it will tell, when it shall declare Lincoln’s intrigues and foolishness models of integrity and wisdom, his weakened and wavering indecision and delay far-sighted statesmanship, and his blundering usurpation of legislative power Jacksonian courage and Roman patriotism, but one cannot help it. History goes with the powers that be.”

I am not alone!

Bill,

First, thanks for the kind words on my Tarbell book.

I am curious as to the context of Taft's comments. That is a much different Taft than the one who, according to his biographer, Lewis Alexander Leonard, was a strong supporter of Lincoln during the 1860 convention. In the 1920 biography Leonard wrote "Besides this he greatly admired Mr. Lincoln, the nominee. He had carefully read the Lincoln-Douglas debates and admired Mr. Lincoln's very able arguments and the beautiful but simple English in which they were clothed. He felt that this man was destined to make a great impress on the world, and that he would be elected this time." (pg. 135)

His supposed dislike of Lincoln evidently had no effect on his son, who not only made the dedication speech at Lincoln's birthplace but also spearheaded the committee that created the Lincoln Memorial. Alphonso Taft was a very strong influence on his son, whom he knew was destined to be on the Supreme Court.

Nor did it effect his grandson, who was a strong admirer of Lincoln and who would be aghast to see how so many conservatives are turning against Lincoln's memory.

Best
Rob