Week 3 Day 1

---

How to Win Over an Enemy

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

Oh may these heavenly pages be

My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,

And still increasing light.

Lincoln gives an example of how to best beat your enemy: make him your friend. The editor of the New York Herald, an influential and powerful man named James Gordon Bennett, was very critical of Lincoln as president and commander in chief and he wrote disparaging articles about him. This disturbed Lincoln. At the time, the Herald was as prominent as the New York Times. What did Lincoln do? He wrote Bennett a letter, offering him the position of French Mission.

Bennett declined the offer, but from that day until the day of the president’s death, he was one of Lincoln’s most appreciative friends and hearty supporters. Instead of taking revenge or retribution, Lincoln knew the way to best beat his enemy was to make him a friend.