The following letter by Jet Beckum was published in the Aiken Standard a few days ago. Jet is a frequent contributor of letters to the Aiken Standard and often appears at City Council meetings to comment on matters under consideration.
“With the election of Lincoln in 1860 the Southern states decided it was time to break away from the union and start a new nation. Of course. we know the story and its consequences. Lincoln's position was to preserve the union at all costs ‑ a huge cost of 650.000 Americans.
More important the war's devastation to the South would be felt over a hundred years and many think it has not completely recovered today. History has judged Lincoln as one of our greatest presidents.
Lincoln had very, little support from Congress for the war. Most Democrats wanted a compromise, and military leaders had little desire to fight their own countrymen. The press in many Northern cities was totally against the war and said so with such ferocity that Lincoln shut down their dissent by closing the newspapers. Lincoln was no Rock Star. It is said that Lincoln prayed on his knees every night for God to help him through each day.
I think the point of this letter is many things change but many things remain the same. Hopefully, we have in the future, men that will have the character to lead this nation because if history is any indication it will be a lonely and unappreciative job. The press, politicians and people in general revel in Monday morning quarterbacking. Leadership is not afforded this luxury.”
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