In 1861 Lincoln took office. President Buchanan, his predecessor had done nothing to heal the growing split in culture in America. There were two America's. One a rural, long term resident, heroic, agricultural America that depended on slaves. The other, a more urban, immigrant, methodical, industrial America where the strong immigrant forces pushed for liberty - after all that is why they had left the old country
The election of a strong leader for the Industrial Immigrant America tipped the Agricultural America into rebellion.
My point?
I have a dreadful feeling that the divisions in America are as real today as they were in 1861. There are two countries inhabiting the same space. They are evenly split in numbers. In a way they represent many of the old divisions though the geography is different now. There is an America that looks back and an America that looks forward.
On November the 5th, nearly half of America will be beside themselves with grief and concern. Their America lost. The other half will be beside themselves with joy.
So here then is the job day 1 for the next president. You have to make healing the wounds your priority. Lincoln shows us the way - if the president fails to do this - I fear that the divisions we see now, have the power to rend the union as they did in 1861.
Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God;
and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange
that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing
their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge
not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be
answered; that of neither has been answered fully......
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
