Lincoln, other presidents—Republican and Democrat—helped define America’s greatness

Editor:

Clearly, America was made great again in large part by a Republican President from Illinois. President Lincoln’s crusade for social justice ended when the Union Army defeated the Confederates and ended the Civil War. About a dozen states had attempted to secede from the Union to protect the “freedom” of slaveholders to maintain slavery. Lincoln was assassinated for his commitment to American ideals.

In the approximately 160 years since then, the United States has moved steadily forward. It confronted much of its’ shameful past and became arguably the greatest country on the planet. Coming to grips with that past is one of the things that defines America’s greatness. But it is not the only one.

Others include our leadership roles in two world wars, standing up to totalitarian regimes in the Soviet Union, North Korea, Cuba and communist China, and being instrumental in creating the United Nations. The list is a long one.

Whether the tyrants were fascists such as Hitler, or Mussolini, or communists such as Stalin, Mao or Castro, the United States has been there regardless of the party our President belonged to.

The Presidents of the later 20th century responded affirmatively to calls from leaders such as Martin Luther King. Jr. and Gloria Steinem for desegregation, equal rights under the law, and greater rights for females. They acted in a manner consistent with our history generally, and the 14th and 19th amendments, in particular, as well as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I suspect Presidents Washington, John Adams and Jefferson might have applauded them.

Reagan, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, McKinley, Truman, Roosevelt and others have answered the call. Being there for a nation such as Ukraine has plenty of historical precedent.

While we have made our share of mistakes, America has slowly—but surely—moved toward greater heights with the passage of time regardless of the political party our President came from.

Hopefully, we won’t “pull the plug” on a major thorn in Russian dictator Putin’s side after the Ukrainian people have sacrificed so much already.

As far as I can tell, America has never needed to be made “great again” as it never ceased to be great after Lincoln led us through the Civil War.

Sincerely yours,

Gary F. Kent

Albion