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Dr. Denton Cheney says Lincoln’s presidential legacy is blown out of proportion.
Dr. Cheney is a poorly dressed Proffesor of History, with a mind for historical narratives.
In the course of his studies he has written books on the American Revolution and on the Texas Revolution. His latest book Lincoln – Man or Myth is about the historical narratives surrounding Lincoln’s life, and their often less then truthful nature.
“Biographers often fall in love with their subjects. Some of Lincoln’s seem to have tried to outdo each other in giving him special qualities,” said Dr. Cheney. “Writers have attributed innumerable jokes to him in order to show his wit. Why if he cracked half the jokes he’s credited with he’d have no time for serious contemplation.”
Dr. Cheney also says that Lincoln had much less to do with freeing the slaves then has been historically reported, “He made little to do over the slavery issue until late in the war…besides his Emancipation Proclamation did not free all the slaves.”
Dr. Cheney believes Lincoln’s execution of the constitution leaves much to be desired.
“He suspended habeas corpus by executive order and many Northerners, estimated as high as 38,000 were imprisoned without charges or bail.”
He even goes so far as to suggest that Lincoln’s presidency started the Civil War
“His election and subsequent acts were responsible for the Union’s being nearly broken up. The Southern states seceded as a protest against his election.” Said Dr. Cheney.

Dr. Cheney stipulates that historians have trouble being objective. “Many find contradictory facts and use those that fit their preconceived bias, The best are puzzled by the existence of conflicting evidence.”