Citizen LincolnIn modern times, some critics have belittled Abraham Lincoln's antislavery resolve as shallow. Some have portrayed him as a passive president, waiting upon the bold initiatives of others. 'Citizen Lincoln' regards him differently. First, it portrays Lincoln's animus against slavery as rooted in the highest ideals of the American Revolution, which he saw as being corrupted in his own time. Second, it analyses Lincoln's supposed 'passivity' as more aptly defined as wise caution. Lincoln learned as a legislator, first in Illinois and later in the United States Congress, that bold initiatives often backfire and fail to fulfil original intentions. In the state legislature, Lincoln supported a dramatic internal-improvements project that collapsed in the midst of a national depression. Lincoln also boldly opposed the Mexican War in Congress, only to see his cause evaporate as soon as a peace treaty was drafted with Mexico. In both instances, his timing was faulty. He had rushed into taking rigid policy positions when greater caution would have reaped better results. But in both instances, he learned lessons that would hold him in good stead later. Lincoln as president was wisely cautious, knowing that bold action could only disrupt the delicate coalition that kept the Union cause moving forward to victory. Harriet Beecher Stowe described Lincoln's unique strength as "swaying to every influence, yielding on this side and on that to popular needs, yet tenaciously and inflexibly bound to carry its great end". She wisely added that no other kind of strength could have seen the nation through the worst trial in its history. In filling this role, Abraham Lincoln fulfilled that which he had long regarded as his personal mission within the larger context of his nation's providential destiny. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 87
Page 33
... Lincoln remained a bachelor . In the presence of young women , he was ... Lincoln sunk into a deep depression that did not pass quickly . ' Adding to his misery ... ( New York : Alfred A. Knopf , 1998 ) , 106-107 , 114-18 ; David Herbert ...
... Lincoln remained a bachelor . In the presence of young women , he was ... Lincoln sunk into a deep depression that did not pass quickly . ' Adding to his misery ... ( New York : Alfred A. Knopf , 1998 ) , 106-107 , 114-18 ; David Herbert ...
Page 215
... New York : Alfred A. Knopf , 1970 . Donald , David Herbert . Lincoln . New York : Simon & Schuster , 1995 . Donald , David Herbert . Lincoln at Home : Two Glimpses of Abraham Lincoln's Family Life . New York : Simon & Schuster , 1999 ...
... New York : Alfred A. Knopf , 1970 . Donald , David Herbert . Lincoln . New York : Simon & Schuster , 1995 . Donald , David Herbert . Lincoln at Home : Two Glimpses of Abraham Lincoln's Family Life . New York : Simon & Schuster , 1999 ...
Page 219
... York : Oxford University Press , 1990 . Stampp , Kenneth M. " Lincoln and the Strategy of Defense in the Crisis of 1861. " Journal of Southern History 3 ( August 1945 ) : 297-323 . Strozier , Charles B. Lincoln's ... New York : Basic Books ...
... York : Oxford University Press , 1990 . Stampp , Kenneth M. " Lincoln and the Strategy of Defense in the Crisis of 1861. " Journal of Southern History 3 ( August 1945 ) : 297-323 . Strozier , Charles B. Lincoln's ... New York : Basic Books ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Lincoln allowed American antislavery army became become Calhoun called campaign cause Civil claimed Clay comp completely Compromise concerning Confederate Congress constitutional continued Court debate decision Democrats Donald Douglas Douglas's early economic election emancipation emphasized equal eventually existed fact federal Fehrenbacher and Fehrenbacher forces friends given helped Henry hope House human Illinois immediate interest issue John keep knew later lawyer letter lived majority Malice Mary matter Michigan mind Missouri months move needed never North northern noted Oates Office once Party peace political popular position possible practical president presidential principle Publishers question Recollected Words regarding remained Republican result Senate served slave slaveholding slavery South southern sovereignty Speeches and Writings Springfield Stephen territories told Union United University Press votes wanted Washington Whig wrote York young