Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln PresidentWinner of the Lincoln Prize Lincoln at Cooper Union explores Lincoln's most influential and widely reported pre-presidential address -- an extraordinary appeal by the western politician to the eastern elite that propelled him toward the Republican nomination for president. Delivered in New York in February 1860, the Cooper Union speech dispelled doubts about Lincoln's suitability for the presidency and reassured conservatives of his moderation while reaffirming his opposition to slavery to Republican progressives. Award-winning Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer places Lincoln and his speech in the context of the times -- an era of racism, politicized journalism, and public oratory as entertainment -- and shows how the candidate framed the speech as an opportunity to continue his famous "debates" with his archrival Democrat Stephen A. Douglas on the question of slavery. Holzer describes the enormous risk Lincoln took by appearing in New York, where he exposed himself to the country's most critical audience and took on Republican Senator William Henry Seward of New York, the front runner, in his own backyard. Then he recounts a brilliant and innovative public relations campaign, as Lincoln took the speech "on the road" in his successful quest for the presidency. |
From inside the book
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... Journal “Holzer gives readers the chance to travel alongside Lincoln as he negotiated one of the most important speeches of his life. Anyone who chooses to do so will never forget the story behind 'right makes might,' and why it was ...
... Journal “Holzer gives readers the chance to travel alongside Lincoln as he negotiated one of the most important speeches of his life. Anyone who chooses to do so will never forget the story behind 'right makes might,' and why it was ...
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... Journal “Through meticulous study of historical sources, Holzer portrays a vivid picture of Lincoln's triumph at Cooper Union. He conveys the enormity of what Lincoln had at stake, and how he prepared for the night that ultimately ...
... Journal “Through meticulous study of historical sources, Holzer portrays a vivid picture of Lincoln's triumph at Cooper Union. He conveys the enormity of what Lincoln had at stake, and how he prepared for the night that ultimately ...
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... earlier, a Pennsylvania Republican journal had boldly proposed an 1860 national slate of Chase for president and Lincoln for vice president. “We think this ticket would suit the Republicans of Illinois better,” came the quick and earnest.
... earlier, a Pennsylvania Republican journal had boldly proposed an 1860 national slate of Chase for president and Lincoln for vice president. “We think this ticket would suit the Republicans of Illinois better,” came the quick and earnest.
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... William H. Bailhache, editor of the Illinois State Journal, to describe the lecture series at Beecher's Church, and lobby Lincoln's home-town supporter about the November 29 invitation. “Abe Lincoln . . . must come,” Pettengill.
... William H. Bailhache, editor of the Illinois State Journal, to describe the lecture series at Beecher's Church, and lobby Lincoln's home-town supporter about the November 29 invitation. “Abe Lincoln . . . must come,” Pettengill.
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... journal of the day, Harper's New Monthly Magazine. The initiative was the senator's. After weighing the idea, publisher Fletcher Harper concluded that “the subject was of such paramount interest that our readers would be glad” to have ...
... journal of the day, Harper's New Monthly Magazine. The initiative was the senator's. After weighing the idea, publisher Fletcher Harper concluded that “the subject was of such paramount interest that our readers would be glad” to have ...
Contents
Chapter Three Some Confusion in the Arrangements | |
Chapter Four Much the Best Portrait | |
Chapter Five Nothing Impressive About Him | |
Chapter Six The Strength of Absolute Simplicity | |
Epilogue | |
Acknowledgments | |
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Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech that Made Abraham Lincoln President Harold Holzer Limited preview - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Lincoln Papers antislavery appearance applause Astor House audience Beecher believed Bowen Brady Brady’s Briggs Brooklyn campaign candidate Charles Chicago Collected Constitution convention Cooper Institute Cooper Union address Cooper Union speech copy crowd declared deliver Democrats Douglas Douglas’s East editor election Exeter fathers who framed February 27 federal territories framed the Government Frémont friends George George Haven Putnam Hall Hampshire Harper’s Harper’s Ferry Haven Henry Herndon Herndon’s Lincoln Ibid Illinois insisted invitation James John Brown Journal later lecture letter Library of Congress Lincoln-Douglas debates Lincoln’s Cooper Union Lincoln’s speech March Mason Brayman Mathew Brady McCormick never New-York newspaper nomination Nott orator original pamphlet photograph political popular sovereignty president presidential Press and Tribune printed prohibition published reported reprints Republican party Republican Union Robert Senate Seward slavery slaves South Southern speak speaker Springfield trip votes Ward Hill Lamon Washington White William H words York Tribune