“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

You really have to think about this quote. What we do affects our reputation, just as Lincoln's actions would either please or displease his people. Even though he wants to think of the shadow, he goes with the tree instead because he knows that his actions will benefit the people.

Describes Mike Huckabee. Well said, Abe.

I like it, a lot !

So where was his character on the Dred Scott Case? No one really knows but he was no champion for constitutional law. The Constitution was undermine by the SC at the time, it was not up to activist's to decide the case and should have never been heard. It would've have taken a 2/3's vote to change Chattel Slave laws within in Congress, that's why we had this social contract, which from the beginning the revolution warned of activist judges. His character is tarnished, and this quote should be scrapped. We stayed a great nation despite of him.