Essay About The Leaders of the Abolition

📌Category: Civil War, Death Penalty, History, History of the United States, Social Issues, War
📌Words: 1057
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 25 June 2021

The American Civil War was a nationwide quarrel between the Northern states and the Southern states regarding state’s rights and the ethics of slavery. As this conflict raged on, one abolitionist by the name of Frederick Douglass, patiently waited to see President Abraham Lincoln to discuss with him Black inequality within the army. In the historical novel, Waiting for Mr. Lincoln, by Russel Freedman, and the autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass exhibit exceptional qualities as leaders. Moreover, the leadership of these two men would greatly further the progression of abolition within the United States.  

 In Waiting for Mr. Lincoln, by Russel Freedman, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln was shown to be an effective leader. First, Abraham Lincoln shows that he is a fine leader through his ability to be a great listener. During Lincoln’s meeting with Frederick Douglass, Lincoln patiently listened to Douglass’ concerns about African American treatment in the Army. Lincoln did not interrupt nor reply to Douglass while he was speaking. Frederick Douglass had described, “Mr. Lincoln listened with patience and silence to all I had to say. He was serious and even troubled by what I had said and by what he himself had evidently before thought upon the same points. He, by his silent listening, not less than by his earnest reply to my words, impressed me with the solid gravity of his character” (Douglass, Paragraph 2). This shows that Abraham Lincoln was an exceptional leader because of his ability to listen patiently. Lincoln’s capacity to sympathize with a person in this way makes them feel understood. As a result of this, they gain more trust in him as a leader because they feel like their concerns are heard and properly addressed. Secondly, Abraham Lincoln conveys that he is a good leader when he shows compassion for his people. In Lincoln’s presidency, he often allowed his office to be open to visitation. He enjoyed meeting with as many citizens as he could and hearing their issues out. The text states, “Lincoln tried to meet with as many callers as he possibly could each day. He said he enjoyed his ‘public opinion baths’ and found them a useful way to find out what people were thinking. When first elected, he had refused to limit his visiting hours. ‘They do not want much, he said of the throngs of citizens waiting to see him one day, and they get very little... I know how I would feel in their place” (Freedman, Paragraph 4). This shows that Abraham Lincoln was a remarkable leader because of his overall empathy for his fellow Americans. His willingness to assist the average citizen helps him understand many of the underlying issues that they may face. Subsequently, he is able to aid a wider variety of people during his presidency, thus making him an astounding leader. To conclude, Abraham Lincoln was an exceptional leader because of his great listening skills and compassion for his people. 

In, Waiting for Mr. Lincoln, by Russel Freedman, and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass displays many characteristics that make him a notable leader. To begin, Douglass showed that he was a good leader due to his determination. During the Civil War, Frederick Douglass had visited President Lincoln to converse about the wrongful treatment of Black Soldiers in the Union. It is said that he did so knowing that the odds of meeting with him were low especially because he was a Black man. The passage reaffirms, “The distance between the black man and the white American citizen was immeasurable,” Douglass later recalled. ‘I was an ex-slave, identified with a despised race, and yet I was to meet the most exalted person in this great republic. . . . I could not know what kind of reception would be accorded me. I might be told to go home and mind my business. . . . Or I might be refused an interview altogether.’ He was determined to wait” (Freedman, Paragraphs 13-14). This demonstrates the effective leadership of Frederick Douglass because of his persistence to achieve his goals. His drive to meet with Abraham Lincoln regardless of the low probability of meeting with him and the discrimination he faced because of the present racial bias demonstrates that he is committed to his cause. Furthermore, a leader who is determined to achieve a certain goal is more likely to achieve said goal because they have a stronger will to get through certain challenges. Next, Frederick Douglass shows that he is a marvelous leader because of his inspirational prowess. Frederick spent most of his life battling slavery as an author, editor, and former slave. Eventually, he would travel all the way to Washington D.C. to try to get a chance to meet with President Lincoln. The passage reiterates, “Douglass had come to Washington to ‘lay the complaints of my people before President Lincoln.’ At forty-five, formally dressed for his visit, he was a commanding figure, taller than most men, with a powerful athlete’s build, graying hair, penetrating brown eyes, and a carefully trimmed beard. A former slave, he had escaped to freedom and become a famous author, newspaper editor, and abolitionist. He had spent his career as a free man demanding that slavery be abolished in America and equal rights extended to whites and blacks alike” (Freedman, Paragraph 9). This shows that Frederick Douglass is an adequate leader because of his accomplishments in life. Douglass’ achievements whether it be freeing himself from his owner, becoming a prominent author, or meeting with the President must have had a lasting impact on slaves. It inspires them to resist captivity, and it teaches them that they aren’t free labor for the White man, but a person capable of achieving wonderful things regardless of the racial and social norms present at the time. Moreover, a leader who can motivate his audience to act in ways that break the status quo is an efficient leader. In conclusion, Frederick Douglass was an effective leader because of his influence and his determination for abolition. 

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass both display attributes that make them coherent leaders. Abraham Lincoln exhibited efficient leadership through the compassion he showed his citizens and by his advantageous capability to be attentive to his guests. Frederick Douglass exhibited efficient leadership skills through his influence and determinate mindset. Consequently, it is quite essential that they be remembered for their valorous efforts as leaders. Lincoln for his progressive executive actions such as signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Douglass for his fierce abolition movement in addition to his articulate speeches such as "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Furthermore, it is beyond reasonable doubt to assert that the accomplishments of these two fine men hammered the final nail into slavery’s coffin.

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