The whole world seems to be in total unrest with invisible enemies like unemployment, hyper-commercialism, corporate greed and government overspending.

But Gleaves Whitney, director of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies at Grand Valley State University, gave a speech that reminded audience members of the inner strength needed to rise above society’s current challenges. His Thursday presentation, “Democracy’s Greatest Leaders: Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill,” compared the character traits of each great leader.

The orator started the presentation at Gerald Ford Presidential Museum by contrasting Winston Churchill with Abraham Lincoln.

“If we were to compare two modern-day statesman – it’s not a natural pairing, but it shows the range of leadership under stress,” Whitney said.

He compared their ancestry, education and social and political status.

“Lincoln would be considered ‘white trash’ by today’s standards, while Churchill was born from an upper-class pedigree,” Whitney said. “Churchill was raised in a palace versus Lincoln’s childhood life in the colonies.”

Their educational background also showed their economic disparity. Lincoln had only one year of basic reading, writing and arithmetic, while Churchill attended boarding school and the best universities.

“Considering social backgrounds, Lincoln was a dirt farmer who loved to read and resisted the colony life, which consisted of hunting, trapping, and fighting,” Whitney said. “Churchill enjoyed the life of an aristocrat, lavish parties and an international travel.”

However, both politicians had strained relationships with their parents. Lincoln’s resistance to colony life brought shame to his father, and Churchill’s prestigious father refused to visit him during his boarding school, even though the school was located in the same town.

Whitney brought home the points that their shared traits of English mastery, loss of young children, strained parental relationships, and tenderheartedness.

“Both were out of the limelight until their nations suffered a national crisis. Their personal suffering gave them the capacity to make tough decisions,” Whitney said. “Lincoln led this nation through the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves, while Churchill led his nation to victory against the Nazi regime.”

The speaker said both the president and the prime minister shared the ability to articulate their emotional and inner strengths to their countries during national crises.

“The presidents were distinguished because they pulled the nation through tough times when others weren’t willing to step up to the plate,” said Brian Flanagan, associate director of the Hauenstein Center. “Students will be able to take those lessons with them as they continue to go through tough times.”

Flanagan said the opportunity to house the event at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum welcomed community members interested in reaching out to young leaders.

However, audience member, Sharon Yentsh of Cascade Township, wondered where the young folks were. Most people in attendance were members of the community.

“While I know much about Abe, I know little about Winston. This will help make my involvement in politics more meaningful,” Yentsh said. “Citizens must be as strong as their leaders. Sadly, we don’t see much of this today.”

Even though Yentsh pondered the whereabouts of the young and the state of leadership today, Whitney said he thinks we can learn from our forefathers.

“I think the young will be all right if we tell the stories of Lincoln and Churchill to our young,” Whitney said. “Democracy requires citizens to be as strong as their leaders.”

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