Kristen Keller’s recent column, “Lincoln provides model of hands-on, compromising skills for Obama” in the Dec. 3, 2012 edition of The Daily Illini, suggesting Obama follow Lincoln’s approach to “compromise” and “hands-on” politics misses the boat completely. 

Lincoln and his political allies secured passage of the 13th amendment by purchasing representatives’ votes with promises of patronage. More bluntly: Lincoln used bribery, as a tool of “hands-on” political persuasion to advance his legislative agenda. Are these truly the tactics we desire of our modern-day politicians? 

More to the point: Passage of the 13th Amendment was not won in the halls of Congress. Passage of the 13th Amendment was the result of a prolonged and sustained effort on the part of women’s groups, religious groups, freethinkers and former slaves to change social attitudes towards slavery. Only after these shifts began did the tectonic plates of politics begin to move. When we suggest modern-day politicians follow the examples of our heroes of the past, we must first examine history with more nuance and caution.

Joshua Shelly, graduate student in library science