As I think I mentioned in an earlier entry, I was blown away by Lincoln's ability to rise above personal affronts to do what was best for the country. Salmon Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury, was constantly scheming against Lincoln, up to and including keeping his seat on the Cabinet while trying to swipe the Presidential nomination away from Abe for a second term. He frequently excoriated Lincoln in speeches and letters to both private citizens and public newspapers. And yet, Lincoln let Chase stay on because he was doing a brilliant job at the Treasury. Only when his poisonous ambition and pettiness finally outweighed the public good did Lincoln accept his resignation. It was Chase's fourth offer in five years, each resignation letter submitted when he felt Lincoln needed to be reminded of who was in charge, each one increasingly arrogant.

I have to admit, I actually shed a few tears toward the end when Ms. Kearns was describing Lincoln's assassination and the reaction around the country. Other than the school textbook version, I'd never really studied much about Lincoln. One thing I'm sure I never heard -- that his assassination was one of three planned for the day. Secretary of State Seward was attacked and nearly killed and the plotter assigned to assassinate the Vice President only changed his mind at the last second. On a side note, the VP gave such an incomprehensible speech at Lincoln's second inauguration that it was reported he was inebriated.

Lincoln was the man for his time, that's for sure. I have no doubt in my mind that God arranged the timing, along with the unusual <and improbable> circumstances surrounding his election. It was a good reminder to me that God is not silent, nor impotent, regarding the political machinations of our leaders and the spiraling moral decay in our culture. He acts in His perfect timing...and not a moment sooner.