Dining with Abraham Lincoln by Celisse

Dining with Abraham Lincoln by Celisse - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

Celisse Rivera

Essay Question: “If you could have dinner with one U.S. President, who would it be and why?”

It’s fair to say that many individuals would dine with more recent presidents, such as Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or even George Bush. However, if I could have dinner with one president of the United States, I would have dinner with Abraham Lincoln. To dine with this man would be nothing short of great pleasure- I have read much about his life (before and during his reign as president) and his greatest passions. For that reason, it would be a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to speak to him and learn more about his thoughts and aspirations before his passing.
Now for the next question: Why? My answer: why not? I wholeheartedly believe that Lincoln was undeniably one of the greatest presidents in U.S history. Furthermore, the beliefs and ideologies of Lincoln is what I find to be most inspirational- he was an intelligent, determined, and persistent man, for that, it won him great victory during his position in office, even after his assassination in April, 1865. To begin, Lincoln had a difficult life. Having lost his mother, sister, and some of his extended family to nature’s elements, he was a dedicated man. Lincoln was a self- inspired educated man who grew up on a farm. His tasks as a young man included cutting down trees to build homes, hunt for food, and to learn the ways of becoming an American man of that time. Often is his free time, Lincoln read books to keep his mind stimulated- books on law and agriculture. For this, I believe his self-knowledge weighed heavily on his decision to run for president.
As President, Lincoln’s gained several accomplishments: Not only did he win by a landslide and became the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862. This proclamation would free millions of slaves in Confederate States, but excluded Border States. The proclamation also allowed black men to serve in Union Forces, which allowed great victory in the Civil War. His insisting of the antislavery amendment to the United States Constitution made the proclamation come to light, and was passed in 1865. To continue, he established the United States banking system by instituting the first general income tax and paper money. This establishment allowed for a national currency system and allowed bank credit to help with U.S citizens. As agriculture played a major role in his early life, Lincoln established the U.S Department of Agriculture to help expand agriculture in the states. In 1862, Lincoln signed the Morrill Act which promoted greater and higher education for Americans. Last but certainly not least, Lincoln was the first president to fully establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday (Thanksgiving Proclamation), which we still celebrate today! It is important to remember those from the past who were willing to give so much of themselves to instill a better, richer, stronger, and more integrated union which we happily call the United States of America. Considering today we struggle with racial equality, Lincoln was an abolitionist- he did not see color as a barrier. Lincoln worked hard to ensure that all men could be equal & free, regardless of the color of skin. Though his beliefs to create a better America led to his assassination (many people disagreed with his proposals), he will always stand as a man who went through great struggle, yet, came out with nothing short of victory. So for this, he would be my first choice of individuals I would gladly dine with.