One of Lincoln’s best known speeches was his brief speech at Gettysburg, which gave a purpose for why 360,000 northern soldiers died for their country. Abraham Lincoln's way with words and brilliant service to the country were because his skills as a politician. Perhaps Lincoln’s lasting accomplishments are the preservation of the Union, the clearing of democracy, and the abolition of slavery. All these accomplishments were handled excellently. The crisis that Lincoln went through would have ended differently with any lesser man in office. His greatest achievement was probably his ability to stir up and rally the nation by appealing to the counties ideals, while showing ill will towards none, in the pursuit of a more enduring Union.