NUMBER 1929 SPRING 2021 Table of Contents

Lincoln Lore is a publication of the Friends of Harold Holzer An Interview...... page 3 the Lincoln Collection of Indiana Jason Silverman The Hedgehog and the Fox...... page 7 Michael Burlingame Interview...... page 11 Allen Guelzo Lincoln & Democracy...... page 14 Burrus Carnahan Review: Lincoln, Philosopher Statesman...... page 21 Richard Etulain An Interview...... page 22 Accessing Lincoln Lore’s Archive Lincoln Update Visit www.FriendsoftheLincolnCollection.org/ lore-archive

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Sara Gabbard Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address 71.2009.081.1183

Sara Gabbard: As we face a make use of the space himself—invited sculpture at the nearby St. Nicholas new presidency in the United Lincoln to continue using the suite as Hotel. He writes his inaugural address States, it seems an appropriate his transition space. There, the visitors in a storeroom above his brother-in- time to discuss your 2009 book, began to include office-seekers, law’s nearby store. What are we to which focuses on the time important politicians auditioning make of this? Well, I suspect he wasn’t between Abraham Lincoln’s for influence, admirers bearing crazy about his second transition election in November 1860 and gifts, artists painting his portrait, office, maybe even a bit embarrassed his inauguration on March 4, and embedded journalists covering about it. Aside from reduced splendor, 1861. First of all, did he establish the transition. But by the end of the it offered reduced privacy, too. some sort of “transition office” in year, you might say, the lease ended. Springfield? SG: Please describe the process The State Legislature was scheduled during which Lincoln chose his Harold Holzer: He not only to go back into session on January 7, Cabinet. Did he rely on particular established a transition office—he had and a healthy new Illinois Governor, individuals for advice in the to establish two of them, because the Richard Yates, was to take over a week matter? Did potential Cabinet original office had to be abandoned later, and Yates intended to lay claim officers lobby for positions? after a few weeks. From the time of to his assigned space. So Lincoln was his nomination in May 1860, Lincoln obliged to vacate the suite and find HH: His process was both private and and his private secretary, John an office elsewhere. For the rest of public, in this regard, at least, very Nicolay, had occupied the two-room the transition, he occupied a hastily much like a modern transition: full Governor’s suite on the second floor re-decorated, 20-foot-square space of feelers, background discussions, of the Illinois State Capitol building in the nondescript Johnson Building lobbying, and calculated leaks to the in downtown Springfield—just across near the Springfield public square. press. The New York Herald reported the square from Lincoln’s law office, We seldom hear about that second, “a thousand conflicting rumors.” For as it happened. The suite featured a less ornate transition office, but sure, Lincoln had his share of advisors reception room as well as a private Lincoln spent more than five weeks on the subject, but as usual, kept most office, so Lincoln was able to greet there—a third of the entire transition. matters to himself. On the private side, visitors in one space, and focus on After January, we begin to see stories Lincoln corresponded confidentially correspondence in the other. After about his calling on his visitors at with Georgia Congressman Alexander the election, Governor John Wood—a their hotels, like the Chenery House H. Stephens, whom he had known fellow Republican who was too ill to across the street. He poses for a years earlier as a fellow Whig serving

LINCOLNHarold LORE .Holzer NUMBER 1929 3 AN INTERVIEW WITH HAROLD HOLZER

in the House of Representatives. From before finally offering him the War rewarded for their loyalty. I’ve read their letters we can infer that for a time, Department instead. When thinking all the original sources—among them Lincoln considered adding an additional about how Lincoln ultimately built out the on-the-scene reports of New York Southerner to his Cabinet as a way of his Cabinet, I come to the conclusion Herald correspondent Henry Villard, halting the momentum for secession, he was assembling more than a “team which attest sympathetically that the and even reversing it. Meanwhile, in of rivals.” He was building a team of overburdened president-elect had to full view, he welcomed Edward Bates regions, hewing closely to protocols devote far too much of his time and and Salmon Chase to Springfield, both of the day by making sure all areas of energy to the flood of office-seekers. of them Cabinet aspirants, and made the country that had voted for him, Well, I have a somewhat different take. sure to be seen in public with them. especially big states (New York, Ohio, Lincoln was slated to become the first- The press also reported that he met Pennsylvania), were represented. ever Republican president, and an with Republican kingmaker (and William Then he included the Upper South, essential part of his job was unmaking Seward confidant) Thurlow Weed. I was hoping its slave states would not the entrenched, Democratic federal particularly fascinated with the way follow South Carolina and six others bureaucracy and rewarding members Lincoln also boldly, if anonymously, into secession: Edward Bates of of his own party. Howell Cobb of used the power of the press to squelch Missouri and Montgomery Blair of Georgia understood this “threat” from his own idea about increasing the Maryland. Lincoln made sure to the start—nothing could protect the Southern representation in the Cabinet. include ex-Democrats and ex-Whigs. slaveocracy from “the patronage power It’s not how presidents approach of President Lincoln.” So let’s remember After floating the notion himself, and Cabinet-building today; now they it was Lincoln’s obligation—and I perhaps offering a job to his best friend, strive for ethnic and gender diversity. suspect, his great pleasure—to practice Joshua Speed of Kentucky, he wrote an the long-traditional, and politically editorial for December publication in SG: Was Lincoln inundated essential task of patronage. Time- the Republican Illinois State Journal— with requests from people consuming? Yes. Essential? Absolutely. unsigned, of course—dismissing the wishing to receive other federal Of course, some would-be patronage very notion. Now we have Lincoln appointments? Were most of dispensers were far too audacious. An asking: would a Southern Cabinet officer these people known to him in Indiana politician put it rather colorfully “surrender to Mr. Lincoln, or Mr. Lincoln some way? Were intermediaries when he observed of a visit to Springfield to him, on the political difference frequently used? that everyone who “Hurra[h]s strong between them? Or do they enter upon for Old Abe expects a teat at the crib.” the administration in open opposition HH: For sure, many office-seekers to each other?” Talk about puncturing were already well known to Lincoln. SG: What was the role of James a trial balloon! Above all, Lincoln These included newspaper supporters Buchanan during this period? Did he anguished over his political obligation who had backed him for years, offer any help at all? Did he and the to Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania, who politicians from neighboring Western President-Elect have any contact? wanted to be Treasury Secretary, but was states, and German-American dogged by rumors of corruption. Lincoln leaders. But there were strangers, HH: Lincoln and Buchanan exchanged wrote tortured memos to himself about too, among those who lined up for no meaningful communication during the pros and cons regarding Cameron the spoils, and quite a few got well- the transition. And while Lincoln hoped his predecessor’s final annual message to Congress in December 1860 would condemn secessionists and stress union-saving, the document disappointed the president-elect. Lincoln was angry that while Buchanan condemned disunion, he claimed that Northern extremists had fomented it, and insisted he had no power to stop it. There was no tradition at the time that obligated outgoing presidents to brief their replacements before they took office. So when he arrived in Washington, Lincoln, accompanied by Seward, simply walked up to the White House, knocked on the door, and asked to be announced to Buchanan.

I will say that Buchanan very generously invited Lincoln to head upstairs to his office, where a Cabinet meeting was in session, and he Reception of the President, Columbus, Ohio invited the new chief executive to 71.2009.081.1923

4 SPRING 2021 HOLZER

sit in and observe. It was probably a very useful experience; how else would Lincoln have known how to run Cabinet meetings of his own? Mary Lincoln soon made her own way to the mansion, and called on the exiting White House hostess, the unmarried Buchanan’s niece, Harriet Lane, who ungenerously recalled that Mary seemed “awfully western, loud & unrefined.” On March 4, Buchanan arrived in his carriage to pick Lincoln up at his hotel for the drive to the Capitol for the inaugural. Reportedly, Buchanan said something like, “My dear sir, if you are as happy in entering the White House as I feel in leaving it, you are a happy man indeed.” Lincoln replied that he hoped he would “maintain the high standards Lincoln and his Cabinet 71.2009.083.0390 set by my illustrious predecessors”— plural. Not the friendliest of replies, speaking out, but mostly to express that of power broker. As mentioned, but considering that a Doughface his faith in majority rule and Union. the editors of the two leading pro- Democrat was yielding to an anti-slavery When he tried saying, at one stop, that Republican dailies from New York, the Republican, let us praise both men there was no crisis that should worry Times and the Tribune, lined up to secure for getting through inauguration day anyone, he quickly got hammered political rewards for their friends. Henry with dignity and honor intact—despite by the pro-Democratic press. So Raymond and Horace Greeley each the looming threat of disruption and except for a banal speech on tariffs expected to be the chief patronage violence. To his credit, Buchanan never in Pennsylvania—hardly newsworthy dispenser in the Empire State. Greeley thought of skipping the inauguration. at the time, but reassuring to the showed up in both Springfield and on Republican base—he steered clear Lincoln’s inaugural journey to press SG: During the transition period, did of discussing evolving events. his case. I give some special credit to Lincoln make any public statements the anti-Lincoln editor James Gordon about policies he planned to pursue? Meanwhile he was privately Bennett of the New York Herald, himself advising—maybe warning would a disappointed office-seeker during HH: He tried his best not to do so. He be a better word—that his allies in the Jacksonian era. Bennett sent vowed to say nothing that might either Washington cede nothing on the issue correspondent Henry Villard to spend coerce or conciliate the secessionists. of slavery expansion. “Hold fast,” he weeks in Springfield filing stories about So he practiced a policy described at the told one of them, “as with a chain the president-elect, and to journey time as “Masterly Inactivity.” Even when of steel.” It must have been hard for with him toward Washington. Not one influential editors called on Lincoln to such a gifted orator to remain silent of Villard’s dispatches was politically restate his pledge not to interfere with for a year. Maybe that’s why he gave biased; in fact, they represent the best slavery where it already existed—as more than 100 talks and speeches account of the transition as it was he had stated at Cooper Union a year during his inaugural journey, some occurring. For not interfering with these earlier—Lincoln declined. He urged such of them, in Trenton and Philadelphia, reports, Bennett deserves much praise. correspondents to study and rely on quite extraordinarily beautiful. what he had previously said and written. SG: Please describe the process To say anything further, he told one SG: Did the national press assume during which Inauguration Day was journalist, would not only be cowardly, a role during the transition period? eventually changed from March 4 to but would encourage further questions. January 20. HH: I would say the newspapers Reportedly, when visitors to his transition continued in their longstanding roles HH: The four-month-long transition offices asked him for clarification on one as partisan advocates. The press of the had been designed in the infancy of policy point or another, Lincoln would day remained strictly aligned with the the Republic to accommodate the present them with copies of the Lincoln- political parties, so little that Lincoln challenges of travel, not only for the Douglas Debates, whose publication said or did during the interregnum incoming chief executive, but for in book form he had arranged. Lincoln was cheered by Democratic editors, the Congressmen who had to get to even held his silence when a bevy of or criticized by Republican ones. Washington to certify the electoral elder statesmen gathered in Washington Lincoln was of course accustomed vote. Lincoln required “only” 13 days to for a so-called “Peace Convention,” to this disparity in coverage; he travel from Springfield to Washington, determined to forge compromises that had faced it throughout his political still a long haul, to be sure, but he did would bind Lincoln’s hands before he career in Illinois. It was the norm. The make many stops along the way for got to the capital. Later, during his trip one new role the Republican press speeches and receptions. The tradition east to his inauguration, he did begin assumed after Lincoln’s election was was long overdue for modernization

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 5 AN INTERVIEW WITH HAROLD HOLZER

made nearly all the alternations Seward suggested, most famously adopting the New Yorker’s proposal for an inspiring finish. Lincoln had planned to end his speech by darkly warning: “With you, and not with me, is the solemn question of ‘Shall it be peace or a sword?’” Seward suggested something clever but cumbersome about relying instead on “the better angels of the nation.” As we know, Lincoln massaged that suggestion into “the better angels of our nature,” showing he was not only a great writer, but a great editor; not only a master of prose, but of prose so sublime it approached poetry. Predictably, Old State House, Springfield, Illinois reaction to the speech broke along party and reform—if anything, what Henry 71.2009.081.1789 Adams called “The Great Secession lines. Senator Charles Sumner detected the greatest inaugural addresses ever Winter” of 1860-61 lasted too long, and delivered. Think of the pressure and “a hand of iron in a velvet glove.” encouraged too much mischief. Yet not suspense: Lincoln had said nothing until 1932 was the 20th amendment new on policy issues for a full year (ever (shifting the date) circulated to the But a Democratic paper in South since Cooper Union). Seven states had states. It was ratified on January 23, Carolina denounced it as an example of now seceded. A new, rogue nation 1933—ironically, just three days after “impotence and perversity of thought.” Franklin D., Roosevelt would have been had been organized, and an alternate And Frederick Douglass lambasted sworn in under the new rules (instead President sworn in. No president he had to wait until March 4, while the ever faced such a momentous Lincoln for including a “revolting” vow Depression worsened and the banking crisis. Lincoln desperately needed to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. No to calm extremists on both sides— crisis almost ruined us). Not for four one was completely satisfied, though I more years, in 1937, did FDR get to be the abolitionists as well as secessionists— suspect Lincoln thought he’d done all first president inaugurated on January to show he represented no real threat 20. After living through the 2020-2021 to slaveholders while reaffirming he could—we don’t know for sure; he transition, which seemed endless yet his insistence that slavery could not left no self-assessment, as he did for spread; to promise he would not saw so little cooperation between the second inaugural four years later. outgoing and incoming administrations, menace the South militarily, but we may want to consider shortening wouldn’t abandon federal installations But the New York Times reported that the interregnum even further. Maybe there, either; that husbands and his final passage “broke the watering something closer to the British system, wives could be divorced, but not pot”—made people cry—and I suspect states, not within a union that was under which a new prime minister is Lincoln was very pleased. That ending chosen and the old one vacates 10 even older than the Constitution. Downing Street within hours! Well, Talk about threading the needle! is still being quoted today by people on not really, but I wonder whether we both sides of the party divide. They’re shouldn’t swear in our new presidents Lincoln drafted the speech entirely on right: we must not be enemies. But I right after Congress reconvenes— his own, then had his manuscript set in would recommend that partisans of say the first few days of the year? type at the Illinois Journal, so he could carry copies with him on his journey all stripes pay attention as well to one SG: Please comment on Lincoln’s to Washington. And once underway, of the greatest, but most neglected, First Inaugural Address. What was he started showing the draft to others, passages in the speech: “Why should his goal? Did he solicit help when soliciting advice. I am convinced he there not be a patient confidence in the he wrote it? Did he comment on its even shared it with his lifetime rival, ultimate justice of the people? Is there reception later? Stephen A. Douglas, once he arrived in Washington. But most memorably, he any better, or equal, hope in the world?” HH: I’ve long argued that the First invited input from Secretary of State- Inaugural deserves to be ranked as one designate William Seward, who made Harold Holzer is the Jonathan F. Fanton of Lincoln’s all-time greatest speeches, dozens of suggestions in red pen, Director of Roosevelt House Public and, along with his own second and almost all of them calculated to tone John Kennedy’s one and only, as one of down any hints of bellicosity. Lincoln Policy Institute at Hunter College.

6 SPRING 2021 The Hedgehog and the Fox:

Lincoln’s Lyceum Speech for the Ages

Jason Silverman

The Sangamo Journal, on Saturday, Jan- of this group. Indeed, the wording of dismissing the potential of attack from uary 27, 1838, advertised a lecture for the notice in the Journal, which stat- abroad and instead focusing on insid- that evening by the local lawyer “A. Lin- ed that Lincoln would speak “in com- ious domestic threats, especially the coln, Esq.” Lincoln was little more than pliance with the request of the Lyce- murderous violence of “savage mobs.” two weeks shy of his twenty-ninth birth- um,” was indicative that he was an day. He was single, sharing living quar- invited guest rather than a member. In Lincoln’s view, the particular danger ters with Joshua Speed, practicing law in from mob violence and a disregard of partnership with John T. Stuart, and es- Lincoln’s lecture was entitled “The the law was that the people eventual- tablishing his reputation as a Whig poli- Perpetuation of Our Political Insti- ly would lose faith in the government’s tician. He had been admitted to the Illi- tutions.” As published, Lincoln’s lec- ability to offer basic protection. Then, nois bar only sixteen months previously ture began with a characterization of conditions would be ripe for an am- and had lived in Springfield for less than the inheritance bequeathed to the bitious and aggressive tyrant to arise. a year, but he had already been twice people of the United States by the In Lincoln’s opinion, this future tyrant elected to the state legislature and would recently deceased revolutionary gen- could assail the world like a colossus be re-elected a third time in August. eration. This inheritance comprised who “thirsts and burns for distinction.” a broad and fertile land as well as Lincoln warned that such a tyrant could As a legislator, he had proven his po- the unique “blessings” of “a political destroy the nation. “Distinction will be litical acumen by playing a pivotal edifice of liberty and equal rights.” his paramount object,” Lincoln fore- role in moving the state capital from saw, “and [with] nothing left to be done Vandalia to Springfield, an ongoing Lincoln asserted that the “duty” of in the way of building up, he would his contemporary Americans was to process that would be completed in set boldly to the task of pulling down.” protect, sustain, and transmit these 1839. Merely stating “A. Lincoln, Esq.” “blessings” to subsequent gener- Lincoln dismissed the threat of “some in the newspaper notice was presum- ations. Developing his argument transatlantic military giant” and ar- ably sufficient and well known enough through a number of questions he gued that “the approach of danger to among the readers of the Journal in asked and then answered, Lincoln be expected . . . if it ever reach us, it early 1838 to encourage attendance laid out his arguments for his in- must spring up amongst us. It can- at his lecture for the notice indicated tensely interested audience. Begin- not come from abroad.” He feared neither its title nor its topic. ning with the simple inquiries, “How, that “if destruction be our lot, we must

then, shall we perform [this task]? At ourselves be its author and finisher.” Lincoln’s lecture was sponsored by a what point shall we expect the ap- local voluntary association called the proach of danger? By what means Lincoln fretted about what “an Alex- Young Men’s Lyceum. And, there is no shall we fortify against it?” he envi- ander, a Caesar, or a Napoleon” might evidence that Lincoln was a member sioned dangers to the young republic, do to this country. “It is to deny, what

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 7 THE HEDGEHOG AND THE FOX: LINCOLN’S LYCEUM SPEECH FOR THE AGES

the history of little fanfare. Howev- the world tells us er owing to the fame is true,” Lincoln that Lincoln eventual- said, “to suppose ly attained, Americans that men of am- have returned to this bition and talents event time and again, will not contin- marking the Lyceum Ad- ue to spring up dress as Lincoln’s “first among us. And, speech of distinction” when they do, and examining every they will natural- word in it for its revela- ly seek the grat- tions and prophecies. ification of their ruling passion, as Readers of Lincoln others have done have exploited quota- so before them.” tions from the Lyce- um Address to justify The solution to myriad situations. The the problem of Old State House, Springfield, Illinois 71.2009.081.1789 law-and-order passag- domestic destruction, Lincoln said, lay es have had a partic- in increasing the people’s “attachment” were the pillars of the temple of liber- ularly long shelf life. to the government, through personal ty and now they have crumbled away, For instance, in 1915, Outlook quoted fealty to uphold the law, through efforts that temple must fall, unless we, their Lincoln’s warnings about mob rule to to emulate the nation’s founders, and descendants, supply their places with condemn the lynching of a Jewish man- through explicit education in American other pillars, hewn from the solid quarry ager in Atlanta. Then in 1948, Lincoln’s history and values. “Let reverence for of sober reason. Passion has helped us; “reverence for the laws” passages were the laws, be breathed by every American but can do so no more. It will in future used quite differently and ironically mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, when famed liberal United States Sen- on her lap,” encouraged Lincoln, “let it unimpassioned reason, must furnish all ator Wayne Morse of Oregon advised be taught in schools, in seminaries, and the materials for our future support and labor leader A. Phillip Randolph, not to in colleges; let it be written in Primers, defence.--Let those materials be mould- take up civil disobedience in response spelling books, and in Almanacs;--let it ed into general intelligence, sound mo- to segregation. Similarly, in 1966, Chi- be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed rality, and in particular, a reverence for cago Mayor Richard J. Daley quoted in legislative halls, and enforced in courts the constitution and laws: and, that we Lincoln on “reverence for the laws” in of justice. And, in short, let it become the improved to the last; that we remained an effort to quell civil rights protesters. political religion of the nation; and let free to the last; that we revered his the old and the young, the rich and the name to the last; that, during his long Other passages have also supplied am- poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes sleep, we permitted no hostile foot to munition for a multitude of causes. In and tongues, and colors and conditions, pass over or desecrate his resting place; a televised broadcast in 1953, Sena- sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.” shall be that which to learn the last tor Joseph McCarthy quoted Lincoln’s trump shall awaken our WASHINGTON.” commentary about domestic threats The connection of the people to the as authoritative evidence for his an- government would secure and pro- Offering a paradoxically passionate ti-Communist witch hunts. McCarthy’s tect “national freedom.” This bond defense of “unimpassioned reason,” quotation inspired published responses between government and its people Lincoln then concluded his version about Lincoln’s words. The Washington “shall universally, or even, very gen- of political religion with a quotation Post provided a lengthier quotation to erally prevail throughout the nation, that implicitly compared the nation temper McCarthy’s, and in the New York [then] vain will be every effort, and to the universal Christian church: Times, journalist James Reston offered fruitless every attempt, to subvert our “Upon these let the proud fabric of an alternative interpretation, writing national freedom.” At the conclusion freedom rest, as the rock of its ba- that “Lincoln, however, was not argu- of his lecture, he returned to the mem- sis; and as truly as has been said of ing in this speech that good ends justify ory of the founding generation, using the only greater institution, ‘the gates the adoption of any means in America.” familial and natural imagery to speak of hell shall not prevail against it.” of the “living history” now departed, A half century later, presidential histori- After printing Lincoln’s lecture, the an Doris Kearns Goodwin commented “They were a forest of giant oaks; but the Journal fell silent about it, publish- in the Times in the wake of September all-resistless hurricane has swept over ing no commentary on the speech in 11, 2001. She emphasized Lincoln’s dis- them, and left only, here and there, a lonely subsequent weeks. Apparently, this cussion in the Lyceum Address about trunk, despoiled of its verdure, shorn of its was a consistent practice and the the relationship between previous gen- foliage; unshading and unshaded, to mur- usual treatment of lyceum lectures erations and the current one, and she mur in a few gentle breezes, and to combat in nineteenth-century newspapers. expressed hope that “those who lead with its mutilated limbs, a few more ruder Ordinarily a local occasion such as us, will, like Lincoln, be inspired by the storms, then to sink, and be no more. They this came and went with apparently noble ambition to accomplish reputa-

8 SPRING 2021 SILVERMAN

ble deeds worthy of remembrance.” alized example of a mob that might the footsteps of any predecessor, how- “throw printing presses into rivers” ever illustrious. It thirsts and burns for Whether quoted to support or to sup- and “shoot editors,” but Lincoln did distinction; and, if possible, it will have press civil rights, to incite alarm or to not mention Lovejoy by name. Why? it, whether at the expense of emanci- inspire courage, to remember the past A plausible explanation would be the pating slaves, or enslaving freemen.” or fear for the future, the language of existence of strong anti-abolitionism the Lyceum Address has been recre- in central Illinois, while some scholars In considering the figure of the tyrant, ated and resurrected, but rarely ig- describe the absence of open con- scholars have expended much ener- nored. Years of public argument us- demnation in Lincoln’s text as political gy in their efforts to identify particular ing this speech have well established acumen, political pandering, or both. individuals to whom Lincoln may have the lecture’s significance as Lincoln’s been referring. Some note that the emergence as a political philosopher. The moral tone of Lincoln’s words language of tyranny was common in fell far short of supporting abolition- Whig denunciations of former Dem- As one of Lincoln’s earliest public texts, ism, an extreme political position to ocratic President Andrew Jackson or the Lyceum Address often serves as many in the 1830s. In the Lyceum Jackson’s successor, Martin Van Buren. a benchmark against which his sub- Address, Lincoln’s discussion of the Some looking more locally, have argued sequent words are measured. Not potential tyrant placed emancipa- that the imagined tyrant was Lincoln’s surprisingly, the Lyceum Address has tion and enslavement in terms of ex- thirty-year nemesis, Illinois Democrat been the subject of numerous studies. tremism. “Towering genius distdains Stephen A. Douglas, who was then Viewed primarily from the perspective a beaten path,” he said. “It seeks re- contending with Lincoln’s law partner, of later events such as increasing the gions hitherto unexplored.--It sees John T. Stuart, for a seat in Congress. sectional controversy and the Civil War, no distinction in adding story to sto- Perhaps some answer could be found in these studies attribute to the young ry, upon the monuments of fame, the nature of the speech itself. The ex- Lincoln almost prophetic powers of pectations of a Lyceum speech suggest erected to the memory of others. It one sort or another. Some even argue that the lecture was intended to provide denies that it is glory enough to serve that his ambition could be identified a well-thought, reflective commentary under any chief. It scorns to tread in with the Caesarian figure he of broad philosophical themes for predicted would arise. Oth- common public interest. A good er studies see Lincoln as the lecture was to spark thought rath- prophet of “political religion.” er than to proselytize specific -po During the controversy over litical actions. As whiggish in their the expansion of slavery in faith in progress as lyceums were, the 1850s he accordingly held speaking at the Young Men’s Lyce- up the principle of equality um was not equivalent to speaking to persuade a divided nation; at a Whig political meeting. Lyce- after war began he invoked ums were considered to be non- divine providence on behalf partisan and members often came of a new birth of freedom. from different political parties and maintained different ideological When scholars examine Lin- commitments. This was as true in coln’s Lyceum Address for its Springfield as it was elsewhere. The political tones, they typical- young men of the lyceum would ly focus on what Lincoln did not have invited Lincoln to speak not say. They note Lincoln’s so that he might defend his actions tangential allusion to the in the state legislature or make a death by mob violence of ab- case for his own forthcoming can- olitionist newspaper editor didacy for reelection or for Stuart’s and Minister Elijah P. Love- candidacy for a congressional seat. joy in Alton, Illinois, less than three months before Lincoln’s At the same time, the young men speech and they explore Lin- knew Lincoln to be a Whig politi- coln’s dramatic evocation cian, and he did not cease being of the unnamed tyrant who one when he entered the Baptist posed a threat to democracy. Church on that cold winter night in 1838, any more than he ceased Although some scholars claim being a lawyer. He was subtle in that the Lovejoy murder was speaking of abolitionism, careful a motivating force behind Lin- not to align himself with such an coln’s Lyceum Address, others extremist political position even question that interpretation. while criticizing the murder of Lincoln’s audience could hard- one of its adherents, and he did ly have missed the oblique ref- not specifically identify anyone erence to Lovejoy in his gener- who might become a “tyrant.” Al- The Martyrdom of Lovejoy 71.2009.084.07202

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 9 THE HEDGEHOG AND THE FOX: LINCOLN’S LYCEUM SPEECH FOR THE AGES

though efforts to name the tyrant have death; and all within a single hour from and an as yet unproven “proposition long occupied scholars, the fact that the time he had been a freeman, attend- that all men are created equal.” In his the tyrant is unnamed and unidenti- ing to his own business, and at peace Lyceum Address, “emancipating slaves” fied is itself a choice worthy of note. with the world.”) whose murder had and “enslaving freemen” alike were been reported by Lovejoy, established represented as the potential actions Speaking of abolitionism at all, even a moral argument that attentive lis- of an ambitious tyrant. Through time far short of any kind of endorsement, teners might discover for themselves. and experience Lincoln would slowly pressed the limits of what would be suit- find a moral distinction between them. able for an ostensibly apolitical speech, The Lincoln of the Lyceum Address and the allusions to Lovejoy, and the was certainly not an abolitionist, and Now, 183 years after a 28-year-old law- more explicit references to McIntosh, he assuredly spoke from his perspec- yer trudged through the muddy streets (“Turn, then, to that horror-striking scene tive as a white man, but he was pre- of Springfield to speak in the Baptist at St. Louis. A single victim was only sac- pared to go on record as one who Church, everything has long been re- rificed there. His story is very short; and did not hold abolitionists respon- placed by the “silent artillery of time . . . ; is, perhaps, the most highly tragic, if sible for the violence visited upon the leveling of its walls. They are gone.-- anything of its length, that has ever been them. In its own time and place, this They were a forest of giant oaks; but the witnessed in real life. A mulatto man, by was not an especially popular view. all-resistless hurricane has swept over them, and left only, here and there, a In many ways, Lincoln’s lonely trunk, despoiled of its verdure, Lyceum Address was shorn of its foliage; unshading and practice: practice in pub- unshaded, to murmur in a few gentle lic speaking, practice in breezes, and to combat with its muti- identifying and respond- lated limbs, a few more ruder storms, ing to contemporary then to sink, and be no more.” Gener- events, and practice in ation after generation have used and experimenting with the abused Lincoln, interpreting him for rhetorical traditions of their own time and purpose while find- the time. The lyceum was ing in his words what they consider to a good place to deliver be the best and the worst of the nation. a formal speech before Springfield’s profession- Anyone who has ever studied Lincoln al class, the lawyers and knows he is not easy to figure out. Two merchants, the doctors hundred and twelve years after his birth and skilled laborers, the on his parents’ farm in Kentucky, how we up-and-coming young remember Lincoln is largely a selfish en- men of ambition consti- deavor. Indeed, there are many Lincolns tuting the next genera- to remember: the precocious child, the tion of community lead- laborer, the surveyor, the storyteller, the ers, and perhaps even lawyer, the politician, the husband and some female spectators. father, the wordsmith, the president, and the martyr. However, in seeking a In Lincoln’s Lyceum Ad- fuller, more polished account of Lincoln dress, the practice of the and his life and times, on one January law received almost re- night in 1838, he was a lyceum lecturer. ligious veneration, with nary a flicker of doubt for Emerging from his own anxieties, inse- him. Nineteen years lat- curities, and ambitions and responding er, after the Dred Scott to the expectations of Springfield’s anx- decision, the question ious, ambitious residents, he appeared of “bad laws” for him before his neighbors and constituents would become more invoking their passions and their preju- immediate. In his Lyce- dices, testing and trying his ideas, weigh- um Address, his current ing words adopted from the language generation was meant of the day, and exhibiting the skills of simply to “transmit” the formal public speaking. At an ordinary legacy of the founders, event, a young lawyer sought to be ex- manifest in a “proposi- traordinary by explaining the state of The Dred Scott Case in the United States Supreme Court 71.2009.084.09941 tion” that they had already the nation and offering bromides for its articulated. On a cold win- ills. But also at that moment, he exer- ter’s day in Gettysburg in cised a voice that ever so faintly glim- the name of McIntosh, was seized in the the middle of a dark war, his “task” mered with moral purpose and promise. street, dragged to the suburbs of the city, would become an emotional effort to chained to a tree, and actually burned to realize the founders’ hope, promise, Jason H. Silverman is the Ellison Capers, Jr. Professor of History at Winthrop University.

10 SPRING 2021 An Interview with Michael Burlingame regarding the Lincoln Cottage Project

Home of President Lincoln, Springfield, Ill. LN-2643; Lincoln Parlor ZPC-228 Sara Gabbard

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 11 AN INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL BURLINGAME

Sara Gabbard: What is the “Lincoln possibility of creating a replica of the stand the Lincolns’ life within that con- Cottage?” six-room cottage. The committee has text as well as within the 1860 twelve- been busy since then, making plans, room Home context, they would have Michael Burlingame: hiring an architect, raising money a much more complete picture of the Lincoln’s Springfield Cottage (not to (goal: $400,000), and procuring letters Lincolns’ actual life in Springfield.” The be confused with the Lincoln Cottage of endorsement from national leaders former tour guide added that a repli- at the Soldiers’ Home in Washing- like Senators Durbin and Duckworth ca of the modest cottage “would shed ton, D.C.) is a replica of the Lincoln as well as Congressmen LaHood and immense light for visitors on the Lin- Home that the family moved into in Davis, local governmental officials coln family as a whole, and its dynam- 1844 (namely, a six-room, one-and-a- like the mayor and city council, civ- ic. The Lincoln children were raised — half story cottage) and before a sec- ic organizations, and leading Lincoln and one died —in the small Cottage; ond story was added in 1856, trans- scholars from around the country, Mary Lincoln held teas and sewing cir- forming the modest cottage into the among them Allen Guelzo, Douglas cles there; Abraham Lincoln, a young twelve-room Home we know today. Wilson, and James Oakes. So far we’ve and relatively anonymous lawyer and raised over half of our $400,000 goal, politician came home from his office SG: When was it originally built? have obtained an option on a lot, em- or from politicking to his young family ployed an architect, and consulted in his small house and dreamed big, MB: 1839 the archeologist of the Lincoln Home mature dreams.” The “replica would (who is a member of the commit- immensely expand the teaching and SG: When did the Lincoln family tee) as well as landscape architects. learning about the most import- acquire it? From whom? We have good reason to believe that ant years of Abraham Lincoln’s life.” the National Park Service will incor- MB: They bought it in 1844 from the porate the Cottage into the Lincoln The replica of the Cottage could be Rev. Charles Dresser, who two years Home National Historic Site park. used for receptions, classes, lec- earlier had presided at the wedding tures, meetings, and a variety of oth- ceremony of Abraham and Mary. When I suggested the idea to a friend er functions, unlike the Home. It will who had worked as a tour guide at be located a few steps south of the SG: Please describe the interior. the home a generation ago, he wrote Lincoln Home National Historic Site, saying that “at least half of the peo- a little over a block from the Home. MB: A parlor, a sitting room, a kitch- ple who toured the Home entered en on the first floor and two- bed and immediately expressed their The National Park Service website for rooms in the sleeping loft above. shock (and a little dismay) that Lin- the Lincoln Home National Historic Site coln, whom they learned about as rightly notes that Abraham Lincoln be- SG: How long did the Lincoln fami- the simple prairie lawyer, actually was lieved that all Americans “should have ly live there? ‘so affluent’ and lived in such a grand the opportunity to improve their eco- MB: They lived there from from 1844 home.” My friend had “to explain that nomic and social condition. Lincoln’s to 1856, when it was expanded into a two-story, 12-room house, where they continued living until 1861.

SG: Please tell our readers about the project to reconstruct this home.

MB: The project got started last March, when I suggested to some friends in Springfield that visitors to the Lincoln Home received a mis- leading impression of the family’s domestic environment. The Lincoln's had lived in the modest six-room cottage initially. Later, they lived in a twelve-room house- the one that is open for visitors today to tour- even though the Lincoln's only lived in the newly expanded house for 5 years.

I thought it would be enlightening for visitors to enter a replica of the house people were seeing it as it looked in Robert Lincoln’s Bedroom, 71.2009.083.0753 before that second story was added. 1860 and to describe how the Lincoln My friends were enthusiastic about Cottage originally looked and was ex- life was the embodiment of that idea.” the idea, and so last spring an ad panded. I thought, even back then in hoc committee of the Abraham Lin- the 1990s, that if visitors could see the The Lincolns’ Springfield Cottage coln Association began exploring the original six-room Cottage and under- Project will illustrate vividly how Lin-

12 SPRING 2021 BURLINGAME

coln “improved his Americans trapped in a system economic and social that did not allow them to rise. condition.” The Cot- tage on the north- The National Park Service web- east corner of Eighth site further states: “We know and Jackson Streets Lincoln as the sixteenth presi- that he bought in dent but he was also a spouse, 1844 was much parent, and neighbor who ex- smaller than the perienced the same hopes, Home that is open dreams, and challenges of life to visitors today. In that are still experienced by 1856, the Cottage many people today.” Indeed, was expanded by the visitors to the Home are curi- addition of a second ous about Lincoln’s personal story, transforming life, which comes alive within a six-room abode the four walls of that house. into a commodious But to some extent, visitors twelve-room house are misled by what they see. that was, as contem- To be sure, they can observe poraries noted, “su- the domestic environment perior in appearance of Lincoln’s family during its to those in the im- final five years at Eighth and mediate vicinity,” for Jackson, but they cannot as it now rose “consid- easily appreciate what life was erably above the lev- like for that family during the el of the street” and preceding twelve years, when dwarfed “by its great their quarters were far more height and size, the cramped. It is well known adjoining dwellings.” that Lincoln’s marriage was troubled, and that he often That expansion sought refuge from scenes of symbolized the rise marital discord in his nearby of the forty-sev- office or out of town. It is dif- en-year-old man ficult for visitors in Springfield who had arrived in Entrance, Abraham Lincoln’s Home ZPC-225 to imagine how little space each Sangamon County a quar- while in Cincinnati en route to Wash- member of the family had within ter-century earlier as a self-described ington for his inauguration, he told a the narrow confines of the Cottage. “strange, friendless, uneducated, pen- group of German workingmen: “I hold The pressure-cooker atmosphere niless boy,” who worked as a jack-of- that while man exists, it is his duty to created by its tight quarters doubt- all-trades (boat hand, laborer, clerk, improve not only his own condition, less exacerbated family tensions. merchant, postmaster, surveyor, but to assist in ameliorating mankind.” farmhand), studied law on his own, Months later, he defined the Civil Visitors to the Cottage can better ap- passed the bar, worked at first for War’s international significance: “it is a preciate how difficult it was for Mrs. other attorneys, then established his struggle for maintaining in the world, Lincoln to adjust to life in such a small own firm, and ultimately prospered. that form, and substance of govern- domicile, so different from the large, The year before he was elected pres- ment, whose leading object is, to ele- comfortable Kentucky home she had ident, he told an audience in Wiscon- vate the condition of men---to lift ar- grown up in, or the elegant house of sin: “The prudent, penniless beginner tificial weights from all shoulders---to her older sister Elizabeth Todd Ed- in the world, labors for wages awhile, clear the paths of laudable pursuit for wards on Springfield’s “Aristocracy saves a surplus with which to buy all---to afford all, an unfettered start, Hill,” where Mary stayed from the tools or land for himself; then labors and a fair chance, in the race of life.” day she came to Illinois in 1839 to on his own account another while, the day she married Lincoln in 1842. and at length hires another new be- As an active member of the Whig Par- ginner to help him. This is free labor- ty in his twenties and thirties, Lincoln SG: Where can more information --the just and generous and prosper- championed policies designed to end be found? ous system, which opens the way for rural isolation and poverty, thus allow- all---gives hope to all, and energy, and ing people like those with whom he MB: On the website of the Abraham progress, and improvement of condi- had grown up to ascend the social and Lincoln Association, https://abraham- tion to all.” He knew whereof he spoke. economic ladder as far as their talent, lincolnassociation.org

industry, ability, and virtue would take At the heart of Lincoln’s political phi- them. As a Republican in his forties Historian Michael Burlingame currently losophy was his emphasis on what has and fifties, he expanded the scope serves as President of the Abraham been called “the right to rise.” In 1861, of his sympathies to include African Lincoln Association.

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 13 Lincoln & Democracy

Lincoln’s First Inauguration LN-0060

Allen C. Guelzo

14 SPRING 2021 GUELZO

The word democracy occurs only The French Revolution did not give “the delegation of the government 137 times in the collected writings democracy a better reputation, espe- to a small number of citizens elect- of Abraham Lincoln. But no oth- cially after it descended into the Reign ed by the rest.” Madison understood er word described what he saw as of Terror and revealed what Ruth this “delegation” as a kind of purify- the most natural, the most just, Scurr has called “the uneasy coinci- ing process, “to refine and enlarge and the most progressive form of dence of democracy and fanaticism.” the public views, by passing them human government in existence. The restored European monarchies of through the medium of a chosen Nothing, he said, could be “as clear- Lincoln’s day, having learnt the hard body of citizens, whose wisdom may ly true as the truth of democracy.” lesson of the guillotine, had scant use best discern the true interest of their for democracy, and even the least mo- country.” In other words, republics Of course, being “clearly true” (or, as narchical of all the monarchies – that mistrust democracy, or at least the Thomas Jefferson might have put it, of Great Britain – was nevertheless run-of-the-mill of the people who self-evident) did not mean that every- governed by a deeply-entrenched compose democracies. Republics en- one applauded it, or assented to it, aristocracy whose members would vision a role for a more elevated elite, in Lincoln’s lifetime. Democracy had continue to constitute a majority of who can do for the people what the a long history, and not all of it was every ministerial cabinet until 1906. admirable. Classical Athens may be Nevertheless, for Lincoln, democracy said to have been the pilot program was what Hans Kelsen called “a gener- for democracy, beginning in the sixth ally recognized value,” and his loyalty century B.C., when the ordinary cit- to democracy was what armed him izens of Athens saved their city from to combat the spread of human slav- occupation by the forces of Spar- ery in the United States. Even though ta and lodged political power in the democracy is a political system, and hands of the city Assembly. But many slavery an economic system, Lincoln of the shrewdest of Athenian thinkers believed that they were at death’s grip – Thucydides the historian, Plato the with each other. “As I would not be a Philosopher – were skeptical about slave, so I would not be a master,” he turning over control of the city to what wrote in 1858, “This expresses my idea often behaved like a mob. Plato never of democracy. Whatever differs from allowed Athenians to be forgiven for this, to the extent of the difference, is executing his teacher, Socrates, and no democracy.” So, when the thunder- he was convinced that most people ous cloud of Civil War broke over his have “no knowledge of true being, presidency, Lincoln had no hesitation Alexis de Tocqueville LC-DIG-ds-08055 and have no clear patterns in their in portraying the struggle as a contest, minds of justice, beauty and truth.” not over constitutional people ought to do, but often don’t. niceties, or even over slav- ery itself, but over the ba- The American founders understood sic principle of democracy. themselves as creating a republic. Even the most rousing of the Revo- The fundamental notion lutionary rabble-rousers, Tom Paine, of any democracy is that never even uses the term democracy political sovereignty re- in his famous broadside against mon- sides in the people; strictly archy, Common Sense, in 1776. Yet, it speaking, this differs from was clear during the Revolution that a republic, where sover- the line between a democracy and a eignty also is understood republic was a porous one. In 1777, to rest, ultimately, in the Alexander Hamilton praised the new hands of the people, but revolutionary constitution of New York which is deployed through as a “representative democracy” (thus their representatives. “A mingling the two concepts) because pure democracy,” wrote “the right of election is well secured James Madison in the and regulated & the exercise of the tenth of the Federalist legislature, executive and judiciary au- Papers, can only be “a so- thorities, is vested in select persons,” ciety consisting of a small but persons “chosen really and not number of persons, who nominally by the people.” Half-a-cen- assemble and adminis- tury later, republicanism and democ- ter the government in racy had fused: the 1787 Constitution person.” A republic is “a had created a system of delegated government in which the representation that captured per- scheme of representation fectly the ideal of a republic, but no takes place” and involves class of natural elites emerged whom Lincoln Hymn of Democracy 71.2009.083.0125

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 15 LINCOLN & DEMOCRACY

the mass of the people would oblig- ever they need to have done, but can ingly vote as their representatives. not do, at all, or can not, so well do, In such a “community” – such a de- for themselves in their separate, and mocratized republic -- two rules And no wonder: the freedom Ameri- individual capacities. In all that the must be obeyed as with iron rods: cans enjoyed from entanglement in people can individually do as well for European wars eliminated any possi- themselves, government ought not 1. The rule of the majority. bility of the formation of a profession- to interfere.” The purpose of govern- al military elite, and the prevalence of ment, Lincoln said, was not to orga- Whatever principles and policies are evangelical Protestant religion under- nize, stratify or mobilize the people, endorsed by the majority of that peo- mined any notions of social hierarchy. but simply to level the playing field, ple must become the principles and By the time Alexis de Tocqueville ar- in order to guarantee “an unfettered policies of their government; other- rived in America to begin his analysis start, and a fair chance, in the race of wise, the sovereignty of ‘the people’ of American political society, republi- life” by securing equality before the means nothing. “If the majority does can was still the noun, but democratic laws. Thus government’s principal util- not control, the minority, would that had become the adjective, and the be right?” Lincoln asked. “Would adjective so controlled the noun that that be just or generous? Assur- it only made sense for Tocqueville to edly not!” By the same measure, entitle his inquiry, Democracy in Amer- the minority who have disagreed ica – Democracy, and not Republican- must acquiesce in the majori- ism. “A democratic republic subsists ty’s rule. “If the minority will not in the United States,” Tocqueville acquiesce,” Lincoln concluded, wrote: the country’s sheer size, and “the majority must, or the gov- the preference Americans had for ernment must cease.” What was commerce rather than politics, made worse, an unbowed minority an indirect system of representation would “make a precedent” for desirable, but the internal spirit of themselves “which, in turn, will that system would be highly demo- divide and ruin them; for a mi- cratic because the American people nority of their own will secede have “a taste for freedom and the art from them” whenever disagree- of being free,” and don’t need to have ment breaks out. The long-term their views refined and enlarged by result – and truth be told, it will others. It is those tastes – Tocqueville not be a very long term – will be called them mores – that make what either “anarchy or...despotism.” was designed as a republic work as Sovereignty will either evaporate a democracy in a “more or less reg- as each separate faction or indi- ulated and prosperous” fashion. vidual does what is right in their own eyes; or else, in desperation, So, when Lincoln spoke of democra- decent men will turn to a dictator cy, he was speaking of a republican to sort-out the chaos. “The rule system in which democratic habits of a minority, as a permanent had become so pervasive that they arrangement, is wholly inad- reversed the usual flow of republi- missible,” Lincoln said, “so that, canism. Instead of the representa- rejecting the majority principle, tives restraining the wildness of the anarchy, or despotism in some people, the people themselves set form, is all that is left.” That was the limits of what those represen- why the Civil War was what Lin- tatives may do. “By the frame of the coln called “essentially a People’s government under which we live, contest.” The Confederate rebel- this same people have wisely given lion was an assault by a minority their public servants but little power on the decision of the majority, for mischief,” Lincoln explained, “and as expressed in Lincoln’s own have, with equal wisdom, provided election, and in that way, it was for the return of that little to their really intended to question the own hands at very short intervals.” entire principle of democracy. Under the canopy of democracy, the people are judged competent to 2. The legitimacy of the minority. direct their own lives, public and pri- vate, without needing or wanting the No majority is perfect or infalli- paternal tyranny of aristocrats and National Union Nomination 71.2009.085.00017 ble simply for being a majority. monarchs, or the meddlesome over- In a democracy, the rule of sight of the wealthy or the learned. ity was to maximize personal trans- self-interest, persuasion, reason and “The legitimate object of govern- formation, “to lift artificial weights civility guarantee that a minority may ment,” Lincoln wrote in 1854, “is to from all shoulders” and “to clear the cling to its opinion, and use every do for a community of people, what- paths of laudable pursuit for all.” legitimate opportunity to convince

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proving that popular government is not constituency to universal suffrage.” an absurdity. We must settle this ques- tion now, whether in a free government Likewise, the Confederacy did not the minority have the right to break up permit full and free discussion of po- the government whenever they choose. If litical issues, because its political life we fail, it will go far to prove the incapa- was marked by nothing so much as bility of the people to govern themselves. the suppression of free speech and the control of the circulation of free Or, as he would put it more eloquent- political information. In 1835, the ly at Gettysburg in November, 1863, postmaster-general, Amos Kendall, the war was “testing whether this refused to protect the distribution of nation, or any nation so conceived anti-slavery materials through South- and so dedicated, can long endure.” ern post offices in terms eerily rem- iniscent of ‘cancel culture,’ because If those two rules are the basic op- (Kendall said) “we owe an obligation erating system of a democracy, then to the laws, but a higher one to the we should also notice that these two communities in which we live,” and Salmon P. Chase LN-0457 rules also require rules of their own those communities demanded cen- to operate rightly. First, democracy sorship to save them from offense. others that they are right. “We should operates best within the boundaries remember,” Lincoln cautioned his of a nation-state. This is not a con- In truth, the Confederacy had lost all own allies once he became president, cept that, in an increasingly globalized grip on democracy, and had become that “while we exercise our opinion... world economy, meets with much en- an oligarchy, managed by a handful others have also rights to the exer- thusiasm today, but the nation-state of slaveowning elites. “Society is a cise of their opinions, and we should actually provides the only effective pyramid,” explained the editor of the endeavor to allow these rights, and means of identifying who belongs to Nashville Daily Gazette late in 1860. “We act in such a manner as to create no a certain democratic entity (which is may sympathize with the stones at the bad feeling.” It is the mark of the dic- to say, its citizens) and who is an in- bottom of the pyramid of Cheops, but tator, not a democracy, to treat the terloper not subject to its restraints we know that some stones have to be minority as a social enemy, to be put and who could harm it with impuni- at the bottom, and that they must be up against the barn wall and shot, or ty. Second, within that nation-state, permanent in their place.” The stones, (in the case of the Confederate rebel- there should be a reasonably broad in this case, were slaves. No wonder lion) to engage in a “deliberate press- franchise – in other words, almost all James Madison feared slavery as the ing out of view, the rights of men, and adults within its boundaries should oligarchic snake in the republican the authority of the people.” There be entitled to vote and to hold office. garden, since the classical repub- was, in Lincoln’s ‘idea of democracy,’ Third, voting should be without co-er- lics whose vices he had studied had no need for firing squads to conclude cion or manipulation. Fourth, citizens demonstrated all too well that “in pro- arguments. “I do not deny the pos- may organize themselves into polit- sibility that the people may err in an ical associations of their own choos- election,” Lincoln admitted in 1861, ing. And fifth, political information is “but if they do, the true cure is in the permitted to circulate freely and with- next election.” out hindrance among the citizens.

To set aside those rules, whether out Having laid down these five second- of weakness or confusion, was to cast ary rules, it will not take much insight doubt on whether democracy really to see that the Confederacy formed had any legitimacy whatsoever. The as much a threat to these secondary challenge of the Confederate rebel- rules as it did to the two operating lion was not directed solely at him rules. To begin with: the Confederacy or his party or his administration; did not exhibit “a reasonably broad it presented “to the whole family of franchise,” and had not for years, even man, the question, whether a consti- for its white population. In the eleven tutional republic, or a democracy, a states which would form the Confed- government of the people, by the eracy, only one (Tennessee) showed same people can, or cannot” sur- voter participation higher than the na- vive the push-and-shove of its own tional average in the 1852 presidential people’s disagreements, or whether election; the rest showed voter par- democracies are doomed forever to ticipation 15 percentage points lower, fly off, by their own centrifugal force, and in some cases lower by 20 percent into fragments. “For my part,” he told than in the free states. A pro-seces- his secretary, John Hay, in May, 1861, sion propagandist like Edmund Ruffin frankly despised his own Virginia leg- I consider the central idea pervading this islature as “that despicable assembly” struggle is the necessity that is upon us of because of “the enlargement of the James Madison LC-DIG-pga-10283

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 17 LINCOLN & DEMOCRACY

Lincoln Douglas Debate 1858 ZPC-559 portion as slavery prevails in a State, Once installed, people tolerated dress ourselves, not to their humanity the Government, however, demo- the rule of Alexander and Caesar, not but to their self-love, and never talk cratic in name, must be aristocratic only because they promised law-and- to them of our own necessities but in fact.” At every point, the Confed- order, but because (and this Lincoln of their advantages.” By 1787, there eracy had failed the democratic test. did not explore in 1838) they dispensed were a good many sadder but wiser patronage and deployed favoritism. Americans who agreed: the only way Yet, the Confederacy is also a chill- This was not the prettiest glue a soci- to make the American republic work ing example, for us as much as for ety could use to hold itself together, was by appeals to self-interest. “In- Lincoln, of how easily a democrat- and it frequently descended into cor- dividuals of extended views and of ic republic can slide backwards into ruption, but patronage and favoritism national pride may bring the public coercion and hierarchy. For the re- worked, in their own oppressive way. alization that haunted Lincoln was proceedings to” the “standard” of vir- that democracies tend to be, like Democracies would need social glue tue, complained James Madison, “but Thomas Hobbes’s definition of life, as well; but the glue which the Ameri- the example will never be followed nasty, poor, mean, brutish and short. can founders hoped to apply was vir- by the multitude.” What was true in tue. If Americans could be persuaded economies was true in politics: the Especially short. Most human societ- to deny themselves, to place the pub- real governor of human behavior was ies had maintained order by either lic interest first, and to govern with a self-interest, not virtue. “If men were coercion or superstition, and the few view to truth, even to their own per- angels, no government would be which had not done so sooner or lat- sonal harm, then the United States necessary,” Madison conceded. But er succumbed to the fear of anarchy would prosper. Self-government in a they were not, and so “ambition must and welcomed the Alexanders and nation could only flourish in an atmo- be made to counteract ambition.” the Caesars to create order. At the sphere of personal self-government, very beginning of his political career, supported (as John Adams insisted But if virtue was difficult for democra- Lincoln had feared this was about to in 1776) “by pure Religion, or Austere cies to practice, was self-interest not overtake the American democracy. Morals. Public Virtue cannot exist toxic? And did that explain why de- In his first major political speech, the in a Nation without private...Virtue.” mocracies were so short-lived? Abra- Lyceum Address of January 1838, Lin- ham Lincoln believed as profoundly in coln was convinced that Americans The problem with virtue, however, was self-interest as Adam Smith. “We have were in real danger of political self-de- that it demanded more of people than been mistaken all our lives if we do not struction, since the tsunami of mob they might be willing to give. In the know” that “everybody you trade with actions in the previous year looked so same year that Americans declared makes something.” Lincoln “main- destabilizing that Americans might be their independence, Adam Smith de- tained that there was no conscious act tempted to look to some “Towering clared in The Wealth of Nations that of any man that was not moved by a genius” who “thirsts and burns for dis- “It is not from the benevolence of the motive, first, last, and always,” wrote tinction” to save them from “a Govern- butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that William Henry Herndon of his old law ment that offers them no protection.” we expect our dinner, but from their partner. Even when Lincoln was argu- regard to their own interest. We ad- ing for the recruitment of black men 18 SPRING 2021 GUELZO

as Union soldiers, he framed the argu- Douglas, democracy was really ment in terms of self-interest rather simple majoritarianism: what- than virtue. “Negroes, like other peo- ever 51% of the people wanted ple, act upon motives,” Lincoln rea- for the nation ought to be the soned. “Why should they do any thing rule. What mattered most in for us, if we will do nothing for them?” Douglas’s mind was process -- whether the rules of counting But he did not believe that self-inter- the majority had been properly est alone could sustain a democracy. observed. Once that require- Even Madison had constrained polit- ment was satisfied, Douglas ical self-interest by the Constitution’s cared not at all whether slav- separation of powers; Lincoln believed ery was “voted up or voted that there was a natural law in mor- down” in the territories. “Let als which restrained self-interest in the voice of the people rule.” democracy. In any question of policy, This was an example of what then, “let us be brought to believe it is Michael Sandel has called, the morally right”; but, at the same time, “procedural republic,” which he added, let us believe that it is “fa- treats its citizens strictly as in- vorable to, or, at least, not against, our dependent individuals who interest.” It was slavery, he believed, have rights. Since, in Douglas’s which insisted “that there is no right reasoning, slave-owning was principle of action but selfinterest.” a constitutionally-guaranteed Slavery was the instrument of men and morally-neutral right, it “bent only on temporary selfinterest.” was no business of anyone in So, as much as Lincoln believed that the free states to interfere with self-interest was too instinctive a rule the free exercise of that right. in human society to deny completely, he also believed that there was a cir- Lincoln represented an entirely On the Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin cle to be drawn around certain tenets different perspective. Democ- LC-USZ62-95224 of natural law which neither self-in- racy was not about helping people terest nor majorities could invade. exercise rights apart from doing what restraint and appeal for centuries was right, and even if slavery was legal before Lincoln, and the audiences Nothing showed this to better effect by certain state laws, it was neverthe- to which he appealed in 1858 un- than the series of debates Lincoln less a clear violation of natural law. No derstood what he was talking about held with Stephen A. Douglas during majority, of 51% or any other per cent, even if they balked at his application the campaign for the senior U.S. had the power to reverse natural law, of it to slavery. In 1859, all of that fell Senate seat from Illinois in 1858. For and certainly not the natural laws Lin- to pieces. Charles Darwin’s Origin of coln could find written in the Declara- Species, published in November of tion of Independence about life, liber- 1859, set out a vision of a world sys- ty and the pursuit of happiness, or in tem from which all laws except that physical nature and the instinctive re- of self-interest were fully and finally sistance of the humblest creatures to banished. Lincoln died before the full oppression and exploitation by mem- effect of Darwin’s ideas could draw bers of their own species. “The ant, any form of comment from him. But who has toiled and dragged a crumb to the democratic project that Lincoln his nest, will furiously defend the fruit felt was a full and satisfactory state- of his labor, against whatever robber ment of the truth of human nature assails him,” Lincoln declared, which could, after Darwin, no longer justify made the wrong of slavery “so plain, itself in any terms other than the sim- that the most dumb and stupid slave ple satisfaction of human demands that ever toiled for a master, does – and in that case, monarchies, oligar- constantly know that he is wronged.” In the face of Douglas’s belief that chies and dictatorships might serve democracy existed only to provide a those ends just as well as democracy. procedural framework for exercising rights, Lincoln insisted that democra- World War One’s aftermath saw Eu- cy had a higher purpose, which was ropeans plunge into an orgy of con- the realization of a morally-right po- stitution-making, seeking to replace litical order. For Douglas, democracy the dynasties toppled by the war – the was an end in itself; for Lincoln it was Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Roma- a means rather than an end, a means novs, and sultans – with a world made in political life of realizing the natu- safe for democracy -- only to see ral ends for which men were made. those democracies, bereft of any mor- al law, crumble and collapse before Charles Carlyle Darwin LC-DIG-ggbain-03485; On the Origin of the Natural law had been a source of more insidious but also more effec- Species by Charles Darwin LC-USZ62-95224 LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 19 LINCOLN AND DEMOCRACY

tive appeals to self-interest. And even “we don’t run anything important in tion!” But he did not want it to be the when, in 1989, democracy achieved its our lives by democratic vote other epitaph of democracy. “Let us hope it most notable victory in the collapse of than our government,” so “it’s illogical is not quite true,” he continued. “Let the Soviet Union and its empire, it still to think it would be permanent. It will us hope, rather, that by the best culti- managed (as Paul Berman wrote in fall apart at some point, and maybe vation of the physical world, beneath Terror and Liberalism) “in its pure ver- that isn’t now, but maybe it is.” These and around us; and the intellectual sion...to seem mediocre, corrupt, tired, are words we have not heard since and moral world within us, we shall and aimless, a middling compromise, 1860; and they appall us with the secure an individual, social, and polit- pale and unappealing–something thought that the ghosts of 1860 have ical prosperity and happiness, whose to settle for, in spirit of resignation.” reappeared on the stage of our public course shall be onward and upward, life to try us once again. Where, then, and which, while the earth endures, By contrast, Lincoln was not nearly shall we find an antidote to this pes- shall not pass away.” To which I, so limp in his embrace of democracy. simism about the democratic future? for one, can only say, let it be so. Self-interest has a role to play, but so does a confidence in the moral right. When he spoke to the Wisconsin Allen Guelzo is Director of The Ini- And yet even that confidence had to State Agricultural Fair in 1859, Lin- tiative on Politics and Statesman- obey the iron rod of democracy’s op- coln described “an Eastern monarch” ship in the James Madison Pro- erating rules. Right without law was who “once charged his wise men to gram at Princeton University. little better than Douglas’s law-with- invent him a sentence...which should out-right, or even lawlessness itself, be true...in all times and situations.” Editor’s note: all citations for ar- and he did not believe that democra- They came back with this formula: ticles will be included in the on- cy could survive without both a deter- And this, too, shall pass away. This was, line version of Lincoln Lore at www. mined advocacy of natural right and Lincoln acknowledged, a useful say- FriendsoftheLincolnCollection.org an equally determined acquiescence ing, “consoling in the depths of afflic- to the rule of law. When his earnest Treasury Secretary, Salmon Chase, urged him to step beyond the Eman- cipation Proclamation and unilateral- ly emancipate all slaves everywhere in the United States (rather than just the Confederacy), Lincoln replied with a sharp reminder that this unilater- alism, even in the name of freedom, was exactly what put democracy in danger. “If I take the step,” Lincoln ar- gued, “must I not do so, without the argument of military necessity, and so, without any argument, except the one that I think the measure politically expedient, and morally right? Would I not thus give up all footing upon con- stitution or law? Would I not thus be in the boundless field of absolutism?”

The question before us today is wheth- er the confidence Lincoln reposed in democracy is still possible. In our uni- versities, critical theory tells us that, just as all biological entities reduce to survival, all human relationships reduce to power, so that what calls it- self democracy is really only a linguistic cloak for the same power employed by dictatorships; in our streets, what Lincoln would have at once recog- nized as his old nemesis, “that lawless and mobocratic spirit...spreading with rapid and fearful impetuosity, to the ultimate overthrow of every institu- tion, or even moral principle,” insists that it, and not the laws, is the vehi- cle of justice; even in the halls of Con- gress, a sitting U.S. Senator announc- es that “democracy is unnatural,” that Young Lincoln Giving a Public Speech 71.2009.081.0773

20 SPRING 2021 Joseph R. Fornieri, Abraham Lincoln: Philosopher Statesman Reviewed by: Burrus M. Carnahan, Abraham Lincoln Philosopher Statesman, U.S. Department of State Southern Illinois Press, 2014

In the preface to Abraham Lincoln: Phi- Fornieri finds that a philosopher In the chapter on “duty,” the author losopher Statesman, Joseph Fornieri statesman must possess both theo- applies William Lee Miller’s insight recounts President Lincoln’s response retical wisdom, to “know rightly,” and that Lincoln found the duties of the to a group of serenaders after his 1864 practical wisdom, to “act rightly.” The presidency both empowering and reelection. Recalling the events of the author then analyzes the President’s constraining. To illustrate Lincoln’s bitter, divisive campaign, the president character and performance through exercise of duty as president, Forni- reflected that human nature did not the lens of six qualities – wisdom, pru- eri examines his response to seces- change. “In any future great national dence, duty, magnanimity, rhetoric, sion as president-elect, contrasting it trial,” he said, “we shall have as weak, and patriotism – devoting a chapter with President Buchanan’s dithering. and as strong; as silly and as wise; as to each. The heart of the book is its The author next cites Lincoln’s First bad and good,” citizens as in 1864. “Let discussion of wisdom, prudence, and Inaugural Address, where Lincoln ac- us, therefore study the incidents of this duty. While Lincoln never wrote a gen- knowledged his duty to respect slav- [election], as philosophy to learn wis- eral work on political philosophy, Forn- ery where it already existed but also dom from, and none of them as wrongs ieri attributes theoretical wisdom to rejected secession, called for reform to be avenged.” (Emphasis added.) him due to his “ability to articulate and of the Fugitive Slave Act to protect defend a vision of self-government, free African Americans, and declared Today, it is difficult to imagine any free labor, and free society on phil- his resolve to hold and protect federal national leader of either party ex- osophical and theological grounds.” property in the South. Finally, the au- pressly renouncing revenge in a simi- thor assesses Lincoln’s performance lar manner. More than anything else, Practical wisdom is equated to the of duty as war president. Rejecting this underlines America’s need to classical political virtue of prudence, frequent charges that Lincoln had study and understand Lincoln’s polit- which dictated that the philosopher become a dictator, Fornieri draws on ical thought and the greatness of his statesman harmonize “principle and the work of Herman Belz and Mark statesmanship. In this quest, Joseph practice … narrowing the gap between Neely to show that the President Fornieri’s work is a reliable guide. … the ideal and the real.” “For an act to based his actions on closely-reasoned be truly prudent,” Fornieri concludes, arguments from the Constitution, A professor of political science at “it must be good in its intent, its action and, unlike a true dictator, insist- Rochester Institute of Technology, the and its consequences.” In Lincoln’s ed on remaining accountable to the author’s goal is to demonstrate that case “prudence sought to harmo- people through the election of 1864. Abraham Lincoln was a philosopher nize … moral obligation to the princi- This work is important today for sever- statesman, as that term was under- ples on the Declaration [of Indepen- al reasons. In an iconoclastic age, we stood in the Western tradition of po- dence] with his legal obligation to the must remember Lincoln’s true “great- litical philosophy. The focus is on Lin- rule of law under the Constitution.” ness of soul” and why generations coln’s presidential years. As a young of Americans have seen him as our politician, Lincoln could use political Emancipation is the author’s prima- greatest president. We also need to be and personal invective so brutally that ry example of Lincoln’s practice of reminded that our country, whatever one of his opponents was reduced prudence. Respect for the Constitu- its defects, was and is capable of pro- to tears during debate, and another tion would not allow the emancipa- ducing such a leader. Finally, we need challenged him to duel. It was not un- tion orders of generals Fremont and to understand what makes a philoso- til the 1850s that he had matured to Hunter to stand in the fall of 1861 and pher statesman, as a standard, albeit become Professor Fornieri’s subject. the spring of 1862. By the summer a high one, for judging the politicians of 1862, however, the defeat of the and office holders of our own time. While drawing on the work of con- Peninsular Campaign to capture the While it deals with weighty sub- temporary authors, including Allen Confederate capital had so radically jects, the book is clearly writ- Guelzo, Mark Neely, and Gabor Boritt, changed the strategic situation that ten and no background in po- the book goes beyond them, also President Lincoln could, in good faith, litical philosophy is needed to drawing on the thought of the Amer- argue that emancipation had become appreciate the arguments. It would ican Founders and the great thinkers a military necessity for Union victory. be accessible to any general reader. of the ancient and medieval worlds.

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 21 An Interview with Richard Etulain

regarding his new book

Abraham Lincoln: A Western Legacy

Sara Gabbard 22 SPRING 2021 Head of Lincoln, Mt. Rushmore ZPC-520 ETULAINAUTHOR

Sara Gabbard: Please explain the pansionist. Historians have noted from the Midwest to the West Coast. series on South Dakota history that Lincoln agreed with the Re- Two years later, he backed greatly en- which this book represents. publicans in the no-expansionist larged land grants and funding for the stance but have failed to see how railroad. Since Lincoln’s days in the Il- Richard Etulain: This book is part these actions expanded Lincoln’s linois legislature and as a lawyer, he of the South Dakota Biography Se- interests in the West, as his state- had supported railroads. At the same ries published by the South Dakota ments in the Lincoln-Douglas de- time, he signed the bill establishing Historical Society Press. In 1997, the bates, his letters as a president-elect, the Morrill Land-Grant College Act ambitious and diligent editor, Nan- and his presidential actions proved. furnishing federal lands to support cy Tystad Koupal, helped establish the establishment of educational in- the Press. It was a valiant, success- A corrective to this oversight of the stitutions providing training in “agri- ful effort. Under Nancy’s efficient importance of the West to Lincoln and cultural and mechanical arts.” Here and energetic leadership, the Press others of the time is historian Elliott was another example of Lincoln’s quickly made itself known as a pub- West’s provocative new Greater Re- ongoing support of agriculturists. lisher of books about South Dakota construction thesis. Professor West and the American West. To expand argues that we must realize how the Lincoln’s decisions on slavery clearly its offerings, the Press launched its two most important subjects of the impacted the West. He supported the biographies series. Soon thereafter, mid-nineteenth century--the issues congressional legislation in May 1862 the biographies series was expand- leading to, through, and after the Civil ending slavery in the western terri- ed to include the subseries, Faces of War, and expansion into the West-- tories, and his Emancipation Procla- Mount Rushmore. This volume, Abra- must be viewed together to under- mations in 1862-63 ended slavery in ham Lincoln: A Western Legacy (2020), stand how much they are linked in the rebellious sections of the South launched the Mount Rushmore se- importance and mutual influence. and the western states of Texas, Mis- ries. Books on presidents George Following the Greater Reconstruc- souri, and Arkansas. In addition, Lin- Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and tion thesis will bring the West more coln made clear that illegal slavery in Theodore Roosevelt, as well as books thoroughly into the Civil War and Re- other areas of the West must stop. on other figures connected with construction stories, as it should be. Mount Rushmore, will soon follow. The western area where Lincoln was SG: One of your chapters is titled least successful was in handling In- SG: Why is Lincoln’s legacy in the “Lincoln Shapes the West.” Please dian affairs. Although he promised history of the West frequently giv- comment on his actions which you to address problems in Indian poli- en only a cursory glance? consider to be the most important. cy, he was unable to do so. Plus, his actions vis-à-vis the Sioux Uprising RE: Historians of the Civil War usu- RE: Lincoln’s strong links with the in Minnesota in 1862 were contro- ally depict the horrendous conflict American West are often lost in the versial--then and now. Lincoln coun- as one between two American re- understandably extensive emphases tered the military’s decision to hang gions, the North and the South. on the Civil War and events largely 303 Sioux men but allowed 38 to be That is a valid, helpful approach. east of the Mississippi River. But even hanged for the crimes of murder But most historians do not treat the during his nonstop wartime sched- and rape. Lincoln saved the lives American West as part of the dead- ule, Lincoln had time to deal with the of 265 Sioux warriors but his per- ly, fratricidal war. They should. West and encourage measures im- mitting the others to be hanged in portant to the history of the region. the country’s largest mass hanging During the 1840s and 1850s, the im- remains controversial to this day. portance of the West for the future of Lincoln’s most important connections the United States gradually emerged. with the West include those involv- One must conclude that during his Oregon Fever, the Mexican War, and ing homesteads, a transcontinental presidency, Lincoln kept his eye the California Gold Rush brought the railroad, and a land-grant college act. and hands on the West--as much West onto the scene for Abraham Of Whiggish political background, as his overloaded schedule al- Lincoln and other Americans. By the Lincoln believed that new legislation lowed. He was a Man of the West, mid-1850s, the North and South were was primarily the job of Congress, but before and during his presidency. already in an emotional argument he made clear his support for these about who would own and control notable congressional acts. In May SG: How did the Civil War affect his the West. The central point of the 1862, Lincoln signed the Homestead Western vision? argument was slavery. The new Re- Act granting 160 acres to a new own- publican Party in the North began its er who paid a small fee and resided RE: The Civil War both expanded Lin- emphasis on not expanding slavery on the land for five years. Lincoln was coln’s previous ideas about the West into the West. The so-called “Bleeding convinced the act would benefit the as well as introduced new subjects for Kansas” in the later 1850s demon- West and new settlers, veterans, and his consideration. Sandwiched among strated how fractious the no-ex- farmers--and the Republican Party. the nonstop demands of daily manag- pansion argument was becoming. The following July, Lincoln signed the ing an all-out war, Lincoln nonethe- Pacific Railroad Act, providing- gen less found time to deal with the West By the election of 1856, Lincoln had erous land grants and funding for a in a range of measures and activities. made clear his stance as an anti-ex- transcontinental railroad stretching

LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 23 AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD ETULAIN

Lincoln’s support for and signing of linois Whig Edward Baker, after whom RE: Although South Dakota historian the Homestead Act, the Pacific Rail- the Lincolns named their son Eddie, Doane Robinson was the first to con- road Act, and the Morrill Land-Grant moved to California and then Ore- sider a possible historical monument Act, all congressional legislation in gon, where he was elected to the U. S. in the Black Hills to draw many more 1862, were part of the president’s push into the West during the Civil War. This legislation, Lincoln thought, was important to Republican and national growth beyond the Missis- sippi. Equally important was Lincoln’s backing for the establishment of the Department of Agriculture. Congress followed Lincoln’s push for this new organiza- tion so important to a na- tion of farmers, and Lincoln signed the act in May 1862.

Even more time-consum- ing were Lincoln’s dealings with territories in the West. When Lincoln entered the White House, eight terri- tories existed in the West; during his presidency, three new territories were orga- nized: Arizona and Idaho Mount Rushmore National Memorial ZPC-518 in 1863, Montana in 1864. So, while president, Lincoln appoint- Senate. Lincoln’s physician, Dr. Anson tourists, sculptor Gutzon Borglum fa- ed governors, secretaries, judges, In- Henry; David Logan, son of Lincoln’s thered the idea of making it a presi- dian agents, and surveyors-general second law partner; and Simeon Fran- dential memorial. Where Robinson, in eleven territories. He may have cis, editor of a Springfield, Illinois, a western historian, wanted to cele- appointed as many as 100 men to newspaper--all moved to the new brate the historical West in a South these offices from 1861 to 1865. Usu- state of Oregon (1859). These friends Dakota setting, Borglum wished to ally, he selected friends of his, Cabinet kept Lincoln aware of political shifts in lionize national figures in a west- members, or members of Congress; California and the Pacific Northwest. ern location. Over time, the sculptor nearly all loyal Republicans. This Other political friends, including sev- came to view the Mount Rushmore power of appointment and his ad- eral appointed to territorial slots, also carvings as a “Shrine of Democracy.” vice to many of his appointees added kept Lincoln up-to-date on the West. up to Lincoln’s becoming something The next month after Robinson con- of a political founding father of the One needs to keep in mind that tacted Borglum about the sculpting American West, particularly for his throughout his life Abraham Lin- project in late summer 1924, Borglum party’s expansion into the region. coln was a forward-looking man. As visited the Black Hills, and almost a young man, as a rising politician, overnight announced his plans for the One of Lincoln’s western actions, and as president he often considered huge venture. It must be a presiden- often overlooked, was a pathbreak- his and the country’s future. For Lin- tial site, the sculptor asserted, starting ing environmental decision. In June coln, the American West was a large with George Washington and Abra- 1864, he signed into law the Yosem- part of the nation’s future. He want- ham Lincoln. Later, he added Thom- ite Valley Grant Act, setting aside ed to help shape that future--and did. as Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt nearly 40,000 acres of California’s to the presidential quartet. Borglum Yosemite Valley for “public use, re- No American president up to Lincoln’s grandiosely promised that his faces- sort and education.” The act was time, save perhaps for Thomas Jef- in-the-sky project would entice the something new in American history. ferson (via the Louisiana Purchase entire nation to Mount Rushmore. and the Lewis and Clark Expedition), Lincoln’s western interests were provided as much shaping power A patriotic man with a strong attach- not limited to the territories. Noah on the West as Abraham Lincoln. ment to conservative views of Amer- Brooks, the California journalist who ican history, Borglum was convinced became virtually a Lincoln advisor, SG: Please describe the concept of that the four presidents, towering enlarged the president’s attention creating a presidential monument over other American leaders, must about the state of California (1850). Il- in South Dakota. be memorialized. For Borglum. Lin-

24 SPRING 2021 ETULAIN

coln dwarfed all other presidents, cajawea, Buffalo Bill, and Red Cloud. and the Mares of Diomedes (gallop- and the sculptor set out to prove ing horses) gained national attention. his mountain-top regard for the But when the strong-minded sculp- sixteenth president. But the three tor Gutzon Borglum was invited to From his youth, Borglum was fascinat- other White House residents were consider the project and came to the ed with Abraham Lincoln. His Lincoln extraordinarily worthy too: George Hills for a look-see, he immediately was a westerner, a man of the peo- Washington as a Founding Father, expressed a very different opinion ple. In 1908, he carved a large head Thomas Jefferson as an expansionist, of the site and possible sculptures. of Lincoln that captured the interest and Theodore Roosevelt as a stur- For Borglum, the figures ought to be of President Theodore Roosevelt, was dy, dependable leader. For fourteen national characters--such as leading purchased, and placed in the Rotun- years, from 1927 to 1941, Borglum presidents--and the site set out to endow the presidential fac- should be on the granite es with his esteem for those leaders. face of Mount Rushmore, a mountain that crest- There is a danger in stressing too ed at nearly 6,000 feet. much the central role of Borglum in the Mount Rushmore story. True, his The Robinson and Bor- dreaming, energy, and never-stop ac- glum plans spawned more tions are in all ways notable. Still, oth- than a few emotional re- er important men stayed on the scene actions. Some academics and worked through several conflicts and journalists castigated with the contentious Borglum. The the memorial ideas as “a key figure as peacemaker and adjudi- desecration of the natu- cator was U.S. Senator Peter Norbeck ral beauty of the [Black] of South Dakota. A supporter of Do- Hills,” and other critics said ane Robinson, Norbeck was willing to the carvings would “ruin” swing his backing behind Borglum’s the scene. But Senator presidential project. Even more im- Peter Norbeck and U. S. portant, Norbeck, using his strong Congressman William Wil- congressional connections, success- liamson, both from South fully lobbied several times for govern- Dakota, supported the ment funds that saved the project and idea, thinking the monu- kept it moving. On a few occasions, ments would be beneficial he spoke strongly and correctively to for the state and its tour- Borglum but most often backed the ism. The support of the project, urged the congressional fi- state’s congressmen, and nancing, and worked out several vit- the congressional funding riolic contests between Borglum and they helped secure during the Coolidge, Hoover, and others working on Mount Rushmore. Roosevelt presidencies,

proved to be decisive. Mount Rushmore, now eighty years Without both the presiden- after its virtual completion, is em- tial support and congres- blematic of Gutzon Borglum’s dream sional funding, the Lincoln of a presidential monument drama- and other presidential fac- tizing four notable American pres- es are likely to have never idents. The crowds of American Gutzon Borglum and supt. inspecting work on the face appeared on Mount Rushmore. of Washington LC-USZ62-63648 and international travelers visiting the site most often view the place SG: Please give a brief description da of the Capitol. A few years later his as sacred to the American past. of the life and work of Gutzon seated Lincoln, tired but thoughtful, Borglum. How long did he work on was placed near the courthouse of SG: How was the site chosen? Mount Rushmore? Newark, New Jersey, where it became a favorite site for children and adults The selection of the Mount Rush- RE: RE: Gutzon Borglum (1867-1941) was to rest and reflect. Borglum also more monument site took a quick an extraordinary complex man. Born named his only son Lincoln. In 1915, turn early on. Doane Robinson, a into a polygamous Latter-day Saint Borglum had been hired to prepare a leading South Dakota historian and family, Borglum early on proved him- huge Confederate memorial spread promoter for expanding the state’s self by launching a notable career as across the rocky side of Stone Moun- tourism, wanted to place images of an artist and sculptor. He quickly es- tain in Georgia. Eventually, the ven- noted western figures in the “Nee- tablished an escalating reputation ture blew up, but as Borglum worked dles” area of spiked granite forma- with his artworks. Among many oth- on that project in the early 1920s, he tions in the Black Hills. He planned ers, his statues of Genl. Phil Sheridan, enjoyed an ongoing reputation as one to place sculptures of frontier char- labor activists Sacco and Vanzetti, of the country’s best-known sculptors. acters such as Lewis and Clark, Sa- LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 25 \

AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD ETULAIN

Each celebration, Borglum believed, After Borglum initially commenced proved the project’s ongoing success. Lincoln was Borglum’s favorite presi- carving on the George Washing- dent, and the sculptor set out to make ton and Thomas Jefferson faces The 1925 celebration launched the the Lincoln dedication special. He on Mount Rushmore, he began to idea that became the Mount Rush- considered Lincoln a “savior” and a block out Lincoln’s head in the late more monument. Borglum, now in “preserver of the Union” in Civil War 1920s. With much-needed con- charge, had hoped to attract Presi- times. Borglum worked long and ex- gressional funding, the carving on dent Calvin Coolidge to the dedica- tensively on Lincoln’s face, making the sixteenth president moved on tion. When that did not happen, Bor- the sixteenth president’s face and apace, with the Lincoln face official- glum launched a splashy gathering, eyes reflect his strength and- com ly dedicated on 17 September 1937. dramatically advertising the project plexity. More than five thousand and bringing in thousands of specta- visitors came the dedication of Lin- Working with Borglum was daily diffi- tors. South Dakotans had been am- coln on 17 September 1937. In Bor- cult. Believing he was always right and bivalent respondents thus far about glum’s bombastic dedicatory speech, could accomplish any task to which he Mount Rushmore; in 1925, Borglum he repeatedly praised Lincoln and set himself, he was stubborn, opinion- succeeded in turning public opinion the greatness of all the presidents. ated, and sometimes defiant. Still, he toward a more positive direction. was a top-notch sculptor, always en- Two years later, President Coolidge, On 2 July 1939, the presidential dedi- cations were completed with a cel- ebration of Theodore Roosevelt’s face. Roosevelt was a favorite of several Mount Rushmore man- agers. About 12,000 attendees came to the dedication. Borglum spoke of Roosevelt as the embodi- ment of the West and symbolizing the completion of the monument.

The series of dedication celebra- tions worked as the monument planners hoped. The gatherings sparked increased attention, ob- tained important verbal support of political leaders, and, most im- portant, gained financial support. Over time, federal government funding furnished $836,000 of the total cost of $989,000 for the memorial. Celebration gatherings and enthusiastic cheerleading led Model of Mount Rushmore National to needed and necessary dollars. ergetic and forceful. No Gutzon Bor- Memorial 71.2009.083.3055 glum, probably no Mount Rushmore. SG: What agency has responsibility while summering in the Black Hills, for Rushmore today? Is there any SG: Please describe the official ded- spoke at an August 1927 gathering, sign of deterioration? ication of Mount Rushmore. warmly supporting the monument and encouraging the project manag- RE: The National Park Service was RE: Completion dedications have ers to apply for government funding. put in charge of the Mount Rushmore always been important--and prag- Again, Borglum used the occasion project in 1933, and then after a gap in matic--celebrations for public-fund- well, gaining the president’s support its administration, was reassigned to ed projects. Such dedications sig- and applying for federal monies. the site in 1939. The Park Service has nal to funders and tax-payers that directed the project since that time. projects are moving forward and The George Washington dedication likely worthy of additional support. on 4 July 1930 was less dramatic. The The Park Service has done an admi- celebration illustrated the presidential rable job in keeping the Mount Rush- Mount Rushmore manager Gutzon emphases on Mount Rushmore and more National Memorial safe and Borglum acted on this belief, con- the near completion of the first presi- up to date. It has added needed fa- vinced that dedications would loos- dential face, but not much more. The cilities, greatly enlarged parking, and en additional purse strings. In fact, Thomas Jefferson celebration on 30 expanded walkways, eating areas, there were six dedications at Mount August 1936 gathered more attention and a museum section. They have Rushmore: for the site itself (1925), because President Franklin Roosevelt also carefully watched the physical the first carving (1927), George was present and spoke at the occasion. layout of the four faces, as well as the Washington (1930), Thomas Jeffer- The president expressed his backing tourist facilities below. Among these son (1936), Abraham Lincoln (1937), for the monument and urged another watch-cares are maintaining scrutiny and Theodore Roosevelt (1939). application for government funding. of the mountain rock formations to

26 SPRING 2021 \

ETULAIN

Mount Rushmore Memorial ZPC-514

check on any granite shifts, filling The most serious and ongoing chal- lar tourist site--and sight--for most developing cracks with the latest lenge for the National Park Service in Americans. The National Park Ser- sealants, and providing monitors to administrating Mount Rushmore is vice reports that between two and check on the impact of shifting tem- in handling the strong and continu- three million visitors come annu- peratures and other climate changes. ing complaints of Indian speakers ally to see the presidential faces. who claim Rushmore and the Black * * * * * Lacking needed finances, the Park Hills were stolen from them. Native Service has not been able to com- spokesmen point to the Hills as their Think of a few ways we have cele- plete all of Gutzon Borglum’s dream territory as a result of the Treaty of brated the greatness of Abraham Lin- for Rushmore. The sculptor had be- Fort Laramie (1869) but that their sa- coln. First, the nearly 17,000 books gun work on a Hall of Records be- cred lands were plundered following about him and the 60,000 volumes hind the Lincoln face and wanted a the gold rush to the Dakotas in the about the Civil War in which Lincoln finely carved staircase leading up to 1870s and beyond. Since the carvings is often a central character. Second, the faces. After Borglum’s death in were begun in 1927, Dakota (Teton the reconstructed historical Lincoln 1941, he son Lincoln took charge of Sioux) leaders have especially criti- homes in Kentucky, Indiana, and Il- the project, but World War II financial cized the desecration of their lands linois and other historical sites in needs blocked more funding to totally as evidences of racism and white su- Washington, D. C. Third, the muse- complete Mount Rushmore. Besides premacy. Over the years, Indian crit- ums and libraries dedicated to Lin- the incomplete Hall of Records and ics and protesters have continued to coln. Fourth, the monuments such staircase, the presidents’ bodies were speak out against Rushmore. In the as that in Springfield, Illinois, and the to have been carved down to their early 1970s, protestors invaded the Lincoln Memorial in the nation’s cap- waists. That too has not happened. park area. As late as 2020, the strong ital. The great Lincoln films such as protests continued. Some activists Robert E. Sherwood’s Abe Lincoln in go as far as to call for the destruction Illinois (1940) and Steven Spielberg’s Over time, several leaders and activ- of Mount Rushmore. In 1980, the Lincoln (2012). Gutzon Borglum’s gi- ists have spoken for an expansion of federal government, through a Su- gantic sixty-foot high Lincoln head on the monument. In the 1930s, women preme Court decision, offered more Mount Rushmore belongs with these leaders, including Eleanor Roosevelt, than $100 million in recompense for classic interpretations of Lincoln. It pushed for the head of Susan B. Antho- the Blacks Hills, but the Sioux Nation provides a unique view of Abraham ny to appear alongside the four pres- rejected the offer, stating that the Lincoln, including a reference to and idential faces, to illustrate women’s sacred Hills “could not be bought.” a celebration of his western legacies. valuable leadership and contributions The challenge of Indian rights con- * * * * * to American political life. Others have cerning Mount Rushmore continues, Richard W. Etulain is professor emeritus urged President Franklin Roosevelt as with no easy agreement in sight. of history at the University of New Mexi- a worthy fifth president on the moun- co. He is the author or editor of more tain. In 2020, when President Don- Yet despite all the challenges and than sixty books, including his earlier ald Trump spoke at Rushmore, some controversies, the Mount Rush- edited Lincoln Looks West (2010) and his of his strongest supporters called more memorial remains a popu- authored Lincoln and Oregon Country for placing his face next to Lincoln’s. Politics in the Civil War Era (2013). LINCOLN LORE . NUMBER 1929 27 ACPL.INFO LINCOLNCOLLECTION.ORG FRIENDSOFTHELINCOLNCOLLECTION.ORG