Column: Lincoln's flaws

I mentioned briefly on Reason yesterday that Abe Lincoln might not have been as great a president as he's believed to be. I decided to make the topic my column for the week.

It may make you look at "Honest Abe" in a new light.

Here's an excerpt:

Our history books teach us that Lincoln ran for office repeatedly, losing over and over. He opposed slavery and won the presidency. The south hated him and seceeded. We had a civil war to bring them back into the fold. The north won and everything was clear sailing after that.

Our history books leave out a lot of details. And fudge some facts.

Feel free to agree ... or disagree. I just hope it makes you think.