Daily Times

The United States of America emerged on the map of the world with some feathers in her cap that were quite unique to this world. The world was subjugated by imperialism and monarchy when America introduced the principles of self-determination, self-government, equality and republicanism.

Thomas Jefferson was one of the founding fathers of America and later he had served on various crucial governmental positions, i.e. Secretary of the State, Vice President and third President of the United States. He played an important role in defining and shaping the American dream. He introduced one of the two influential political movements of late 18th century – “Jeffersonian democracy”.

Although Jefferson was in France serving as United States minister at the time when the text of the Constitution was adopted in 1787, he was able to influence the written constitution through his perpetual input and correspondence. His political ideology revolved around republicanism, weak centre, strong provinces, individual freedom, rule of law, subservience of judiciary to the elected branches of the government and separation of church and state.

They took immense pride in the westward territorial expansion of America, as it would yield more farms and lands to the yeoman farmers. The Jeffersonian political ideology was more inclined to depend on agriculture rather than on industry for the growth of economy. They were more triumphant than Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, in shaping American ideals.

One important aspect of Jefferson’s political ideology was his opposition to the abolition of slavery.

Nearly half a century later, Lincoln arose on the national arena. His ubiquitous influence was felt immediately. But his election to the office of President proved to be an impetus for the initiation of the Civil War (1861-65). Unlike most of the American political elite, Lincoln rose from obscurity to prove that anyone could make it in America. He did not essentially belong to the American elite, he was not a military hero, but he proved through his words and actions that he was going to be the one who would leave his mark to redefine American dreams and ideals.

Lincoln’s Presidency was dominated by the period of the American Civil War. During the 16 weeks between the Election Day and the inauguration day, the seven slave States declared their secession from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. After being sworn in as President, Abraham Lincoln refused to acknowledge any declaration that would result in the secession of the southern states from the Union. Lincoln had to look into both military and political aspects of the war. He immediately ordered to suspend the right to habeas corpus in Maryland to vanquish the Confederate backers.

Lincoln rose from obscurity to prove that anyone could make it in America. He did not essentially belong to the American elite, nor was he a military hero, and only had his willpower for help

Lincoln was the wartime President. The unification of America was the main goal of his presidency. He took measures to calm the rebels. In 1863, he freed millions of slaves under the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln played an instrumental role in the passage of the historical Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery and declared it unconstitutional. This had a historical significance, as Lincoln had always opposed the expansion of slavery to the sub national administrative divisions. Lincoln shall always be remembered as the liberator, saviour and emancipator of slaves, the saviour of the union and a leader who died for his nation’s sins.

If Lincoln had lived longer, he would have contributed better to the reconstruction of the states than his successors did. He was the greatest of all the men to translate and interpret American ideals. The saving of the union — that his predecessors and founding fathers had founded — is one of his greatest achievements, and this is the reason, many scholars would say, that this present America is Lincoln’s America. Lincoln was the last victim of the violence that was necessary to retain a bond between the States — this makes him Herculean.

Having said all this, the truth that these two were the leaders for different times. Both had the similar agendas — to unify the States in the best possible way; but both had to confront different magnanimous obstacles. Jefferson chose to introduce Jeffersonian democracy that laid the foundation of republicanism.

Lincoln had to confront secession of the South, and thus it all culminated into the bloodiest civil war. He emerged as a maverick person who took revolutionary steps to unify America by strictly adhering to human rights principles, i.e. introduction of Lieber Code and 13th amendment.

Thus, success is for those who keep themselves busy looking for it.

The author is a permanent faculty member at TILS and can be reached at hiraaf89@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, October 8^th 2018.