Lincoln at Peoria: The Turning Point : Getting Right with the Declaration of Independence- The pivotal speech that changed the course of Lincoln's career and America's history - Complete examination of the speech, including the full text delivered in 1854 in Peoria, Illinois To understand President Abraham Lincoln, one must understand the extraordinary antislavery speech Lincoln delivered at Peoria on October 16, 1854. This three-hour address marked the turning point in Lincoln's political pilgrimage, dramatically altering his political career and, as a result, the history of America.Lincoln opposed any further extension of slavery in the American republic, holding to the Declaration of Independence's universal principle that "all men are created equal." In response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Lincoln launched his antislavery campaign, delivering speeches in Springfield and Peoria.The Peoria address was rigorous, logical, and grounded in historical research. It marked Lincoln's reentry into politics and his preparation for the presidency in 1861. The speech catapulted Lincoln into the national debates over slavery and into national politics for the rest of his life.Though historians and biographers have noted its importance, Lincoln's speech at Peoria has not received the attention it deserves. Lincoln at Peoria offers a complete examination of the speech that changed the course of our nation. |
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Page 84
... tion . The introduction of this question here , and its discussion , will greatly hasten its advent . We , who insist upon the denationalization of slavery , and upon the absolute divorce of the General Government from all connec- tion ...
... tion . The introduction of this question here , and its discussion , will greatly hasten its advent . We , who insist upon the denationalization of slavery , and upon the absolute divorce of the General Government from all connec- tion ...
Page 195
... tion . ” His historical critique and homespun metaphors continued : “ I had thought the Declaration promised something better than the condition of British subjects ; but no , it only meant that we should be equal to them in their own ...
... tion . ” His historical critique and homespun metaphors continued : “ I had thought the Declaration promised something better than the condition of British subjects ; but no , it only meant that we should be equal to them in their own ...
Page 293
... tion to it : " The Missouri Compromise had been in practical operation for about a quarter of a century , and had ... tion of the United States , conceived in the same spirit of fraternal affec- tion , and calculated to remove forever ...
... tion to it : " The Missouri Compromise had been in practical operation for about a quarter of a century , and had ... tion of the United States , conceived in the same spirit of fraternal affec- tion , and calculated to remove forever ...
Contents
ON THE ROAD TO THE SPRINGFIELD SPEECH | 1 |
Preparation to Fight KansasNebraska | 12 |
Senator Douglas Returns to Illinois | 18 |
Copyright | |
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abolitionist Abraham Lincoln American history anti-Nebraska antislavery argued argument Bloomington campaign Chase Chicago Civil coln Compromise of 1850 Congressman Constitution convention court CWAL David Rice Atchison debate Declaration of Independence Democratic Party Douglas's Dred Scott election emancipation extension of slavery Fehrenbacher free-soil friends Gilder Lehrman Collection Herndon historian Historical Society House Ibid issue James Johannsen John Judge Douglas Kansas Kansas-Nebraska Act Know-Nothings legislation legislature Letter from Abraham liberty Lincoln's speech Lyman Trumbull Missouri Compromise moral Nebraska bill negro New-York Historical Society Nicolay and Hay North northern October 16 opponents Palmer Peoria speech Pierce political popular sovereignty President Lincoln presidential principle question recalled repeal reply Republican Party Richard Yates Senator Douglas Seward slave slaveholders slavery South southern speak Speech at Peoria Springfield Stephen Sumner Thomas tion Union University Press Volume vote Whig Party William H Wilmot Proviso wrote Yates York