While watching "Gore Vidal's Abraham Lincoln" last night I was inspired to do this quick sketch.

Lincoln was sorely tried on nearly every side during his presidency. By the war being fought by "brother against brother", by political advisors who should have been advising him but who were in fact jealous of him and actively working at undermining him. By a private life razored by the loss of two sons to disease and a wife who was deeply troubled. Yet despite all of that Lincoln rose above it to continue his sworn course of preserving the Union. With compassion, wisdom and patience he rose above it all.

I think those personal characteristics come through in the words of his second Inaugural Address.