Figure 1.-- There is little doubt that Abraham Lincokln is one of the great American presidents. There is little serious controversy about Lincoln, although some revisionist authors question is racial beliefs. Lincolm's achievenents in saving the Union and emancipting the slaves are epic. And the amazing aspect of the Lincoln presidency is how he rose with virtully no formal education. The caption to this 1928 press photo read, "The ideal of American youth: Reverently dipping their flag and saluting, these Boy Scouts of Troop 65, Newark N.J. are paying their respect to the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, the ideal of American youth. The youthsarecleft to right, Russel Franck, Edwin Myers, and Richard Dhabble. This statue of Libclon is one of the most impressive ever errected to his menory." A reader tells us, "I always remember looking at this statue when I was a kid. It is located in front of the Essex County Court House, which is not visible from the angle of the picture."

Most presidential historians agree that the three greatest presidents were George washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt. In part the times in which they served preordained greatness if America was to survive. There is little controversy about Washington, although some historians raise the question of slavery. Washington's military leadership were critical as well as his staunch refusal to use the Army to seize control of the country. There is also little serious controversy about Lincoln, although some authors question is racial beliefs. Lincoln's achievenents in saving the Union and emancipting the slaves are epic. And the amazing aspect of the Lincoln presidency is how he rose with virtully no formal education. President Roosevelt is still the subject of considerable political conbtroversy, but it seems difficvult to deny his place as a major figure in the presidential pantheon. His role in fighting the Depression is now the subject of serious reconsideration. His role in fighting te Isolations and then as a war leader is without question a monumental presidentil schiecement. After these first three there is considerable debate about the various presidents. Some of the more important are surely Jefferson, Jackson, Polk, T. Roosevelt, Wilson, Truman, Eisenhower, and Reagan. There is also connsiderable debate as to the worst presidents were. Here some of the presidents leading up to the Civil War may fall in that category, not because of lack of character, but because of failed policies which failed to measure up with the enormity of the crisis. Many historians suggest Harding who thankfully served in less demanding times. Hoover should be considered here, although it is a complicated question. Hoover unlike Harding was a very competent statesman, having performed brilliantly during and after World War I to prevent starvation in Europe. The mistakes made in attempting to control a serious concession turned it into a depression. Other poor presidents include Filmore , Pierce, Bucanan and Carter. Some add Grant to the list.

Great Presidents

Most presidential historians agree that the three greatest presidents were George washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt. In part the times in which they served preordained greatness if America was to survive. There is little controversy about Washington, although some historians raise the question of slavery. Washington's military leadership were critical as well as his staunch refusal to use the Army to seize control of the country. There is also little serious controversy about Lincoln. A British reader writes, "Lincoln is a well respected fihgure in in England. There are statues to him in London and Manchester. Lancashire supported the north and thus Lincoln's polices--despite there being wide spread unemployment because Southern cotton supplies were not reaching Liverpool." Some authors in recent years hasce questioned his racial beliefs, by te ahistorical practice of using contemprary standards to assess historical figures. Lincoln's achievenents in saving the Union and emancipting the slaves are epic and easily withstand revisionist assessments. And the amazing aspect of the Lincoln presidency is how he rose with virtully no formal education. President Roosevelt is still the subject of considerable political conbtroversy, but it seems difficvult to deny his place as a major figure in the presidential pantheon. His role in fighting the Depression is now the subject of serious reconsideration. His role in fighting te Isolations and then as a war leader is without question a monumental presidentil schiecement. After these first three there is considerable debate about the various presidents. Some of the more important are surely Jefferson, Jackson, Polk, T. Roosevelt, Wilson, Truman, Eisenhower, and Reagan.

Worst Presidents

There is also connsiderable debate as to the worst presidents were. Here some of the presidents leading up to the Civil War may fall in that category, not because of lack of character, but because of failed policies which failed to measure up with the enormity of the crisis. Many historians suggest Harding who thankfully served in less demanding times. Hoover should be considered here, although it is a complicated question. Hoover unlike Harding was a very competent statesman, having performed brilliantly during and after World War I to prevent starvation in Europe. The mistakes made in attempting to control a serious concession turned it into a depression. Other poor presidents include Filmore , Pierce, Bucanan and Carter. Some add Grant to the list.