Abraham Lincoln in 1863
Happy Birthday Abe! From the Heritage Foundation:
Representative Joe Courtney (D–CT) recently penned an open letter to the man who wrote the movie Lincoln. The film depicts a divided Connecticut state congressional delegation, with three members voting to uphold slavery. Courtney declares that cannot stand. He clarifies that, in 1865, Connecticut’s representatives voted unanimously to abolish slavery.
Lincoln writer Tony Kushner doesn’t apologize for the error. Lincoln is a work of fiction, he says, and real events were exaggerated to add to the drama. (The writer of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has yet to clarify that his portrayal of the 16th President as a vampire slayer is also fictional.)
Historical accuracy is crucial. So as we celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 204th birthday this week, let’s separate the fact from fiction about Honest Abe:
1. Lincoln was a tyrant.
Fiction.
2. Lincoln didn’t really care about slavery. He was only interested in preserving the Union.
Fiction.
3. Lincoln was the father of big government.
Fiction.
4. Lincoln’s greatest legacy was preserving the Constitution.
Fact.
