As the 2016 Presidential election draws to an end, it is fitting to search back a century and a half and, maybe, learn from the past.

As the Civil war was winding down, President Lincoln concluded his Second Inaugural Address with the sentence that includes, “With malice toward none, with charity for all… let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds…”.   After the most severe testing our nation has ever endured, Lincoln fixed his sights on the future as his thoughts turned to restoring , rebuilding, and healing.  I will not insult the sacrifices and losses of that generation by saying the current division of our nation is comparable to the four bloody years that cost America 620,000 lives; however I am wondering , how we can today, keep the polarizing ideals that we cling to from once again threatening our national unity.

In this election, which  offers us the two most unfavorable candidates in U.S. history, we find an exception to the old adage, and discover dross rising to the top instead of  cream.   Post election, one thing is almost certain—an overwhelming majority of our people will experience emotions somewhere between disappointment and despair.   To most of us, even if the one we vote for wins, we will wonder if we still lost.   How we got here will be  an unpleasant tidbit for the historians to chew on  for generations to come. But that is not my concern.   A more important question to consider is this:  “What are we to do now?” (especially if our candidate loses).  Let me offer three suggestions:

  1. Be a good sport

If your candidate loses, that’s it.  No crying about fixed elections or a biased press.  No decrying the electoral college or sobbing about early poll closings, the full moon, or the rigged system.   Your  guy(or gal)  lost.  That’s it.  Period.

Good sportsmanship doesn’t mean changing your principles or no longer fighting for what you think is best for the country.  It’s not compromising your convictions.  It is simply admitting that the opponent did a better job presenting their case and recognizing their right to the position to which they have been rightfully appointed.

2. Be as supportive as your principles allow

It does little good to sabotage the new President’s agenda if you can find some merit in it. Obstructionism for the sole purpose of trying to make the new Administration look bad usually backfires and makes you look and sound like a whiny-baby.   If we need an investment in infrastructure then let’s do it; even if the proposal came from the other side of the aisle. Small people are afraid to “give them an inch”; the  bigger person will give them the benefit of the doubt.

3. Judge words and actions, not motives

Exercise your right to free speech if you disagree with the new President.  If you can’t support their position on moral or practical grounds, make your voice heard.  Be cautious, however, not to assume that evil intentions are always at the core of their actions.  We can hear their words, we can see their actions,  but few of us are mind-readers.

The rules change as soon as the candidate is elected.  To complain, judge, and appraise personalities is appropriate until we  cast our ballot.  You run the numbers and pick your horse but when they are on the track, all that’s left is to root for them.  As hard as the task is, I’m going to try to find the good in our new President.  They may not be perfect and I’m sure they won’t follow my ideologies to the T, but as hard as it is to swallow—they are a reflection of —gulp—all of us.

 

Aftermath

The Civil War left the United States greatly weakened—over a million casualties and vast losses of property.  While the country eventually recovered, divisions continue to live on to this day; I think it’s our nature to divide and unless preventative measures are taken, we will be condemned to repeat our failures.  Abraham Lincoln’s words are as prescriptive today as when they were  first spoken. Maybe today we should try to commit them to memory and action.   “With malice toward none, with charity for all… let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds,…”