ideas around which america is built, it was abraham lincoln. politicians recognized the power that his name still has and use it. and that vision of lincoln s of a generous, inclusive america has driven this country for more than 200 years. president lincoln not only understood the heartbreak of his country, he also understood the cost of sacrifice. abraham lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation. the president said, and i quote, if my name ever goes down into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it. my whole soul is in it. generations of black people named their children lincoln, because lincoln freed the slaves. but it s a lot more complicated than that. a lot of people think lincoln was a fiery opponent of slavery from the day he was born, and that s not quite true. turns out that a great way to put down the rebellion is to yank the enslaved africans out from under his enemies. and the guy really was freeing the slaves, hope thanks