S. Smith Article - What Sort of Leader Was Lincoln

Response paper

S. Smith in his article «What Sort of Leader was Lincoln» states that Lincoln’s leadership is a feature of constitutional government. Also, the author cites Doris Kearns Goodwin, who enumerated the main leadership idiosyncrasies of Lincoln, which lead him to success were: “an ability to learn on the job”, “the capacity to listen to different points of view” and “knowing how to relax and replenish”. I completely support author in opinion that present chief executives are required the same features. However, that time Lincoln possessed another one - self-restraint, the most considerable feature of constitutional leadership.

One of the evidences was his issue of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. When he responded to Salmon Chase, Lincoln’s secretary of the Treasury, with words: “If I take the step must I not do so, without the argument of military necessity, and so, without any argument, except the one that I think the measure politically expedient and morally right?” It proves that he followed constitutional restraint.

Another example was connected with the principal election. He decided to provide a minority with a permanent veto over the majority. It was introduced because Lincoln deemed that unlimited majority rule will destruct the principle of constitutional government and gradually will drive to anarchy. If I am not mistaken, such the elections in the United States still work according this principle. I mean, not the amount of voices play essential role, but a proportion according to states.

In the beginning of the article the author ask a question whether Abraham Lincoln was a person with features like moral grandeur and heroism or was he an aspiring tyrant? In my opinion, Abraham Lincoln is a legendary figure, which is inherent in moral grandeur, a man who preached the equality of all people everywhere. He has a strong character