More handpicked essays just for you.
Abraham Lincoln on slavery and freedom
Abraham Lincoln on slavery and freedom
Lincoln: First Inaugural speech
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
As one of America’s most prominent presidential figures, Abraham Lincoln is cemented in many people’s minds as the man who saved our country after a bloody civil war and eradicated the institution of slavery. While Lincoln was an extremely important figure in American history, there was also a man before this hero that all Americans know; there was a man concerned with the idea of social disruption and its threat to America during the mid-1800s. In looking at Lincoln’s address to the Young Men’s Lyceum in Springfield, one is able to detect a similar pattern in the type of conflicts with which Lincoln chose to concern himself both before and during the Civil War. While it is not uncommon for the average American to have a vision of Abraham …show more content…
Lincoln as the “Man of the Civil War”, by looking at Lincoln solely through this perspective we fail to see the young man before presidency who was concerned with additional socially disruptive conflicts. In the first half of Lincoln’s Lyceum Address, he calls attention to the problems facing the United States in 1838.
A strong concern for a current state of disobedience towards the law in America is a prevalent theme throughout the speech. Lincoln observes “[an] increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgement of the Courts” (Lincoln 14). Lincoln tries to remedy this by painting a picture of the America that existed over fifty years ago. To Lincoln, it is the citizens’ duty to abide by the government that the Fathers created. They should engage in “[a] task of gratitude to our fathers, justice to ourselves, duty to posterity, and love for our species in general” (Lincoln 13). Lincoln appeals to his audience’s sense of patriotism by reminding them of the America for which the Founding Fathers fought a revolution and worked tirelessly to create. Prior to dealing with a civil war as well as a divided nation, Lincoln was able to foresee the turmoil that can ensue within a society of disobedient citizens and urges Americans to respect the laws in order to prevent …show more content…
conflict. In addition to the major theme of disregard for law, Lincoln’s Lyceum Address demonstrates his strong concern for the growing “mobocracy” in America. Lincoln observes a disruptive pattern in which people’s emotions take precedence over their logical thinking, leading to mobs and violence. To author David Donald, in the Lyceum Address “[Lincoln] had attacked hyperemotionalism in politics warning that the nation’s ‘proud fabric of freedom’ was endangered by the passions of the people’” (Donald 80). Lincoln delves into the violence materializing throughout the nation and stresses that the bloodshed is not particular to any location, race, or angle toward slavery. He asserts that this is a social disruption pertaining to the entire country. Lincoln cites two examples of recent violence in detail, appealing to the audience’s emotions and sense of compassion. He utilizes the specific examples of the execution of a group of gamblers in Mississippi and the burning to death of a mulatto man in St. Louis in order to lead into his next claim regarding his growing concern of mobocracy endangering the law-abiding citizens as well. According to Lincoln “when men take it in their heads to day, to hang gamblers, or burn murderers, they should recollect, that, in the confusion usually attending such transactions, they will be as to likely to hang or burn someone, who is neither a gambler nor a murderer as one who is” (Lincoln 16). The overwhelming chaos that can result from mob rule can also lead the innocent to fall prey to acts of violence. Even before his presidency, Lincoln had a growing sense of uneasiness toward the nation’s future as he detected signs of rebellion aside from the war that was to come. Alongside his observations concerning a disregard for laws and the growing mob sentiment in America, Lincoln articulates his fear that both of these issues can result in a distrust in government among the law-abiding citizens.
Lincoln affirms that not all people have been engaging in behavior that is socially disruptive to the nation. However, he notes that “good men, men who love tranquility, who desire to abide by the laws, and enjoy their benefits… become tired of, and disgusted with, a Government that offers them no protection” (Lincoln 16). As a country who, in theory, is run by the people, America’s government becomes extremely weak when its citizens begin resisting its rule. As Lincoln sees it, the compliant citizens will only begin conceding to the views of the disobedient citizens as they watch their government struggle to maintain
power. In the second half of Lincoln’s Lyceum Address, he responds to the problems he observes in America by offering specific solutions that each American should employ in order to save the nation from socially disruptive issues. Lincoln’s first remedy is very explicit in that he encourages an obedience to government and believes that adherence to laws should “be breathed by every American mother… let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges… and in short, let it become the political religion of the nation” (Lincoln 17). Instead of painting a picture of a flawless government, which most Americans would find to be very unrealistic, Lincoln establishes his credibility by admitting that not all laws are ideal. Lincoln’s practical attitude towards the law eliminates a perception the audience may have of him as the closed-minded politician who is ignorant towards the weaknesses in government. He offers a solution by urging citizens to challenge the laws that they find to be unsatisfactory. The laws, according to Lincoln “should be repealed as soon as possible, still while they continue in force, for the sake of example, they should be religiously observed” (Lincoln 18). Lincoln emphasizes that a democracy does imply that the people have a say in their government; however, the exchange is that they must abide by the existing laws as to preserve order. Lincoln again appeals to his audience’s sense of patriotism by urging Americans to honor the legacy left by the Founding Fathers. In referring to America’s first president, Lincoln asserts “that, during his long sleep, we permitted no hostile foot to pass over or desecrate his resting place; shall be that which to learn the last trump shall awaken our Washington” (Lincoln 21). Lincoln speaks metaphorically as he compares desecrating Washington’s grave to dishonoring the nation in order to illustrate the citizens’ duty to preserve the integrity of American values. Another solution to the social disruption in America that Lincoln offers in his Lyceum Address is the reliance on one’s own ability to make decisions based on logic and reason. According to David Donald “in all such matters what [Lincoln] feared was uncontrolled emotion. Passion, he remarked in the conclusion of his lyceum lecture, ‘will in future be our enemy’” (Donald 82). Lincoln’s alternative is to instead rely on “reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason” (Lincoln 21). Relative to the mobocracy that is discussed earlier in the speech, Lincoln fears that mob rule stems from a growing sense of insurrection among the citizens and he is gravely concerned with the social disruption such rebellious fervor may cause. By examining a speech such as the Lyceum Address that took place before Lincoln was elected, the types of conflicts with which Lincoln was concerned prior to becoming president become transparent. In reality, while the problems stated in the Lyceum Address were not nearly as severe as the task of mending a nation during his presidency, they elicit a pattern of types of conflicts in which Lincoln involved himself. Lincoln was concerned with issues involving social disruption in America, whether they be slavery or disregard for the law. It may seem ironic that the man who was president during the secession of eleven states so strongly advocated for compliance towards the law; however, Lincoln’s dedication toward remedying the nation prior to the Civil War epitomizes the young man with a strong awareness of the conflicts that threaten our nation and is ready to articulate their resolutions.
leading up to and surrounding President Abraham Lincoln’s death. The purpose of this book is to
Disapproval, the Confederacy, and slavery were amongst the many crises Abraham Lincoln faced when addressing his First Inaugural speech (Lincoln, First Inaugural, p.37). Above all, Lincoln’s speech was stepping on the boundaries of the southern slave states. Once states began to secede, new territories formed and the disapproval of Lincoln grew. Despite Lincoln’s attempts of unifying the antislavery and confederate views, many whites refused to follow his untraditional beliefs. Lincoln encountered hostile and admirable emotions from the people of the Union and the Confederacy. However, despite his representation of the Union, not everyone agreed with his views.
The American Civil War not only proved to be the country’s deadliest war but also precipitated one of the greatest constitutional crises in the history of the United States. President Lincoln is revered by many Americans today as a man of great moral principle who was responsible for both preventing the Union’s dissolution as well as helping to trigger the movement to abolish slavery. In retrospect, modern historians find it difficult to question the legitimacy of Lincoln’s actions as President. A more precise review of President Lincoln’s actions during the Civil War, however, reveals that many, if not the majority, of his actions were far from legitimate on constitutional and legal grounds. Moreover, his true political motives reveal his
In “The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln,” Phillip Shaw Paludan argues that even though Abraham Lincoln faced unparalleled challenges, Lincoln was America’s greatest president as he preserved the Union and freed the slaves. According to Paludan, Lincoln’s greatness exceeds that of all other American presidents as Lincoln’s presidential service was remarkable in both the obstacles he faced as well as the ways in which he overcame them. Before accepting the distinguished chair in Lincoln studies at the University of Illinois, Springfield, Paludan was a professor of history at the University of Kansas for over 30 years. Paludan has authored several books including Victims: A True Story of the Civil War and A People’s Contest: The Union and Civil
James Oakes gave a brilliant and unique perspective to a relationship between two well known historical figures of their time. Abraham Lincoln is a well-admired president for the United States because as Americans culture teaches that he was an honest and well-respected man. He heard about a young African American man, who had high aspirations for his life and the blossoming United States. This man’s name was Frederick Douglass. James Oakes demonstrates how both Douglass and Lincoln worked towards the abolishment of slavery and effectively producing better outcomes within antislavery politics.
Lincoln secondarily accused slavery for chaos in the United States. He concluded that there needed to be a “political religion” emphasizing laws in the US, including citizenship. Lincoln’s speech was one of the earliest speeches of its time to be published. The Lyceum Address was published in the Sangamon Journal. The speech helped to establish Lincoln’s reputation as an orator.
Abraham Lincoln’s original views on slavery were formed through the way he was raised and the American customs of the period. Throughout Lincoln’s influential years, slavery was a recognized and a legal institution in the United States of America. Even though Lincoln began his career by declaring that he was “anti-slavery,” he was not likely to agree to instant emancipation. However, although Lincoln did not begin as a radical anti-slavery Republican, he eventually issued his Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves and in his last speech, even recommended extending voting to blacks. Although Lincoln’s feeling about blacks and slavery was quite constant over time, the evidence found between his debate with Stephen A. Douglas and his Gettysburg Address, proves that his political position and actions towards slavery have changed profoundly.
Thomas DiLorenzo’s purpose in writing The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War is to portray the idea of a different side of one of America’s greatest presidents. Abraham Lincoln is indeed one of the most written about “American political figure[s]” (1). However, The Real Lincoln is devoted to revealing the true mindset and agenda of Abraham Lincoln during his time of presidency. DiLorenzo, in one single book, undermines the political choices and strategies of Abraham Lincoln. He challenges the decisions Lincoln made; specifically stating that Lincoln “could have ended slavery just as dozens of other countries in the world did” (4).
One of Lincoln’s most famous quotes is “A House divided against itself cannot stand.” This describes his presidency well- focusing on maintaining the Union. In the beginning, Lincoln tried to stay out of sensitive affairs involving the North and South in an attempt to keep them together, promising the South little interference. Despite this, he played a key role in passing the Thirteenth Amendment, doing whatever it takes to end slavery for good and ending the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln deserves the accolade “The Great Emancipator”. The title “Great Emancipator” has been the subject of many controversies. Some people have argued that the slaves themselves are the central story in the achievement of their own freedom. Others demonstrate that emancipation could result from both a slave’s own extraordinary heroism and the liberating actions of the Union forces. However, my stance is to agree that Abraham Lincoln deserves to be regarded as “The Great Emancipator” for his actions during and following the Civil War.
During the Abraham Lincoln’s short time as president, he managed not only to save a nation deeply divided and at war with itself, but to solidify the United States of America as a nation dedicated to the progress of civil rights. Years after his death, he was awarded the title of ‘The Great Emancipator.’ In this paper, I will examine many different aspects of Lincoln’s presidency in order to come to a conclusion: whether this title bestowed unto Lincoln was deserved, or not. In order to fully understand Lincoln, it is necessary to understand the motives that drove this man to action. While some of his intentions may not have been for the welfare of slaves, but for the preservation of the Union, the actions still stand. Abraham Lincoln, though motivated by his devotion to his nation, made the first blows against the institution of slavery and rightfully earned his title of ‘The Great Emancipator.’
Lincoln’s optimistic tone encourages all Americans to put behind them the Civil War and progress forward as a united nation once more. President Lincoln calls to action all the peoples of America with sentences such as, “let us strive on to finish the work we are in” and “ to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace”. The tone that President Lincoln capitalizes on is purposefully optimistic because he hopes to end the war and move past the issue of slavery, among others, which has divided the nation, and he wishes to safeguard the nations reunification. Lincoln’s tone also has hortative sentences such as asking the American people to “strive”. President Lincoln also wishes to rid both sides of any grudges or rancor they may feel towards one another for the war by reflecting that “all sought to avert it” and by articulating, “Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it…attained”. And towards the end of his speech, Lincoln calls the nation to be unified “with malice towards none, with charity for all” so that their minds and souls may be cleared of any ill will in order for the nation’s reunification to be permanent and not just superficial. President Lincoln evokes the nation as a whole to a higher degree in hop...
Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as “The Great Emancipator,” His legacy as the man who freed the slaves, and the savior of the Union is one that fails to be forgotten. He is thought of as a hero, and one of the few to tackle slavery, a problem that has existed in many parts of the world at one time or another. Although Lincoln is credited with ending slavery, his political motives for confronting this issue and his personal views do not make him worthy of all the recognition he receives; the driven abolitionists and daring slaves deserve a much greater portion of the credit.
Abraham Lincoln and Slavery Many Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln was the “Great Emancipator,” the sole individual who ended slavery, and the man who epitomizes freedom. In his brief presidential term, Lincoln dealt with an unstable nation, with the South seceding from the country and in brink of leaving permanently.
Abraham Lincoln, an autodidactic early American, grew up amidst the unlikely setting of the American frontier to an impoverished and undistinguished family (Donald n.p.). Lincoln built himself up in a world built to bring him down, and rose “from [these] humble origins in Kentucky, to prominent positions in legal and political circles of Illinois, and then to the pinnacle of presidency” (Donald n.p.). Within two months of gaining presidency, in contempt of Lincoln’s noble efforts, the American Civil War broke out amongst the country, and Abraham Lincoln, undeterred by the considerable amount of stress he was under, managed to keep together and ultimately strengthen the broken nation (Gienapp). Lincoln boldly proceeded to denounce and even completely abolish slavery in America when he instituted the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War, and adeptly convinced the Senate to pass the Thirteenth Amendment (Hamilton). Abraham Lincoln, America’s sixteenth president, left a significant impact on the country when he left an admirable legacy for future Americans to appreciate despite his difficult upbringing and personal life, when he consolidated the Union despite a civil war, and when he led the revolutionary movement to abolish slavery despite the controversy.