The U.S. Presidency has often been held by men of great humility. As a country, we have consistently settled upon our two favorite presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who rise to the top in survey after survey. The singular trait that these men shared was a sincere rather than a false humility. I think it would be a terrible thing for us to lose what was once a relatively common virtue in our leaders.

Like other politicians, Barack Obama has borrowed heavily from Lincoln in style. He has been very effective at copying one of Lincoln's simplest but most effective techniques, delivering his speeches at a slow cadence that allows the audience to comprehend the words being spoken. It is such a simple and effective technique that it is a wonder that it is not employed by all politicians. But speaking like Lincoln and being like Lincoln are not the same thing. You might re-read Lincoln's words above before you witness the following proclamation from Barack Obama, delivered in a June 3, 2008 speech given in Minnesota.

For me, those remarks betray a false humility that rankles the heart and the mind. It's a wound whose depth strikes deepest in those that know and treasure Lincoln and the original material that inspired the copy.

I think it begs a historical question, of whether or not we continue to allow the modern Presidency to continue to grow in scope and power, while the very great men that held a smaller office, felt that even that limited scope was beyond them and none of them ever possessed the ability to keep from making awful mistakes. Do we really wish to put so much unchecked power at the disposal of the imperfect people that have and will continue to inhabit the office? The potential to do great harm, even while attempting to do great good, has never been higher than it is today.

Enjoy American Literature's American History collection of presidential speeches, essays, and declarations.