Americas' Greatest Hero

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Americas' Greatest Hero When you hear the word 'integrity', who or what do you think of? A celebrity? A historical figure? A family member? A friend? What does integrity even mean? Integrity means having good morals; being honest, courageous and fair. Integrity means standing up for what you believe in and not just standing around waiting for someone else to do it. Abraham Lincoln exhibited many of these characteristics when he was just a simple man, a lawyer, a politician, and the President of the United States. As many people know, Abraham "Abe" Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States. He was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. In his time as President, he did many great things; such as passing the Emancipation Proclamation that declared the freedom of slaves within the Confederacy, which led to the Thirteenth Amendment. Also, in becoming President, he swore an oath to have integrity and use it to make the Unites States better. Honesty is a huge part of integrity and Abraham Lincoln is a very honest man. He even had a nickname: "Honest Abe". He was first recognized by this name when he was working as a clerk in a local shop. According to one account, whenever he accidentally gave a person the wrong amount of change, he would momentarily close up the shop to find the person and give them the correct amount of change, no matter how far the walk. Even his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln commented on his honesty: "Mr. Lincoln… is almost monomaniac on the subject of honesty." (2) His honesty also played a big part in his career as a politician. People would ask him to judge a competition or mediate a fight or argument. According Mr. Robert Rutledge of New Salem, "Lincoln's judgment was final in all that region of country. People relied implicitly (subtly) upon his honesty, integrity, and
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