The sacrifice Abraham Lincoln made to the country involved not only his time, but also his life. Before his death, Lincoln became known as a leader, an orator, and a martyr. There is extensive research into his life into the kind of man he was and was to become during the war. He had to transform himself from a lawyer into a man willing to go further for his country. Many argue that he was a God-fearing man, others that he didn't even have a God to believe in. The main idea that remained constant throughout the war was his great desire to keep the Union together. Other views had to grow and progress just as Lincoln did until his death. Lincoln's call for a strong union was noted in his works well before the Cooper Union speech that launched him to the presidency, and particularly in his "House Divided." speech (Witt). Within this speech it was also discovered that the argument that Lincoln was an atheist could be quickly dismissed. In his speech, Lincoln used popular biblical quotes and was known for calling on his countrymen to keep the nation united. He knew that the nation would not be able to remain strong despite the division between those who had slaves and those who did not. Nationalism was seen as an important attribute of Lincoln because he was able to see what was best for the American people, a trait that helped others see him as a potential presidential candidate. Moving forward to March 1860, a war had not even crossed the minds of many, although secession was becoming an option for Southern states. The Republican Party was still new, but it was looking for someone to be its candidate. Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught lawyer, needed a good speech to get close to the c...... middle of paper...... seen as a man of true character, even at the end of the war he pleaded that Northerners take the destroyed south into their arms and help them rebuild (Anonymous). All due to the fact that he wanted so badly that they could become a stronger American people, growing from their mistakes as many before them had done. Throughout his life, never once could it be doubted that Lincoln desired to form a more perfect union as men before him had desired. Anonymous works cited. "http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/abraham-lincoln." 2nd historical channel. February 17, 2013.Lincoln, Abraham. “Address of Cooper Union.” 27 February 1860.-. "Gettysberg Address." November 19, 1863.-. "Second Inaugural Address." March 4, 1865.Witt, John Fabian. "Lincoln changes the rules of war." American History Vol. 47 Issue 6 (2013): 60-65. Academic Research Premiere.