Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union Address

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A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2014 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

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Abraham Lincoln’s Cooper Union Address

By Richard Brookhiser gines, are greater than anything that was available to Lincoln. Yet two of Lincoln’s mistakes are little known today—which sug- gests a narrowness of modern scholarship.

The first half of the Cooper Union Address was a response to a speech by Stephen Douglas. Campaigning for a fellow Democ- rat in Ohio in September 1859, Douglas had

said, “our fathers, when they framed the government under which we live, under- stood this question just as well, and even Richard Brookhiser is a biographer of the Found- better, than we do now.” “This question” ing Fathers (most recently author of James Madi- was whether the federal government could son, from Basic Books). His next book, also from restrict the expansion of slavery into the Basic, is Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lin- territories. Douglas argued that federal con- coln, due out in October. It tells Lincoln’s story trol would violate the principle of self- as a lifelong engagement with the founders— government; each territory’s inhabitants Washington, Paine, Jefferson and their great — should decide for themselves whether to documents—the Declaration of Independence, the allow slavery or not. Lincoln at Cooper Un- Photograph of Abraham Lincoln taken in New Northwest Ordinance, the Constitution—and York City by Mathew Brady on February 27, shows how America’s greatest generation made ion agreed with Douglas that “our fathers” 1860, the day of Lincoln’s Cooper Union Address its greatest man. In the course of his writing he knew best what America’s founding princi- found that Lincoln made three mistakes in the ples were, but he proposed to show that they members of Congress were also delegates to Cooper Union Address in his discussion of the agreed with him—that the federal govern- the Convention and shuttled between New signers of the Constitution and their views of ment could, and should, limit slavery’s ex- York and Philadelphia to tend to both duties. slavery. One mistake is known, from his corre- pansion. Lincoln said that three of them, William spondence, and was corrected when the Address Blount, William Few, and Abraham Bald- was printed as a pamphlet. But two seem to be Lincoln defined “our fathers [who] framed win, had supported the Ordinance and signed unknown—he put one framer in Congress after he had retired, and he quoted a bogus letter by the government under which we live” as the the Constitution—“thus showing that, in George Washington. 39 men who signed the Constitution. He their understanding, no line dividing local ______examined their careers for occasions when from federal authority…forbade the Federal as lawmakers they had to decide “this ques- Government to control as to slavery in fed- In the Cooper Union Address, February 27, tion.” He concluded that 23 of the 39 had eral territory.” But Lincoln was wrong 1860, Lincoln gave the most elaborate state- been in a position to vote or act on the ex- about Abraham Baldwin. When Baldwin, a ment of his conviction that the Republican pansion of slavery, and that 21—“a clear Georgian, got to Philadelphia in June he policy of considering slavery an evil that majority”—had chosen to restrict it, either stayed put and thus was absent when Con- should be contained and ultimately extin- by forbidding it or placing limits on it. “As gress passed the Northwest Ordinance. guished was also the policy of the founding those fathers marked it, so let it be again When the Cooper Union Address was pub- fathers. Lincoln spent half of his ninety marked, as an evil not to be extended….” lished as a campaign pamphlet in September minute oration laying out this case, and 1860, this mistake was corrected. when the Address was published in Septem- His first mistake came in his discussion of ber it was accompanied by more than two the Northwest Ordinance, which organized Two other mistakes slipped through, how- dozen footnotes buttressing it. the territory that would become Ohio, Indi- ever. The first concerned the law establish- ana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin (plus ing the Mississippi Territory in 1798. The But Lincoln made three mistakes about the a slice of Minnesota). The Northwest Ordi- original Mississippi Territory covered what founding fathers when he gave his speech. nance was older than the Constitution: the is now southern Mississippi and Alabama, They did not weaken his argument, but they one-house Congress of the Articles of Con- minus the Gulf Coast (then still owned by show how hard it was—especially for a busy federation, meeting at Fraunces’ Tavern in Spain). The settlements that existed there politician—to do research in the 1850s. Our New York, passed it in July 1787, as the had slavery since colonial times, and Con- historical resources, from the published pa- Constitutional Convention was meeting in pers of the founders to internet search en- Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Several (continued on page 2)

2 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

(continued from page 1) bull’s speech, or from his own reading in the anti-slavery press. Interestingly, Dr. gress did nothing to change that status Seary also found articles in two anti- quo. It did, however, forbid the importa- Lincoln newspapers, the Boston Post and tion of slaves from abroad (this was at a the Columbian Register (New Haven), time when the slave trade was still legal). which questioned the letter’s authenticity after Lincoln had been elected president. Lincoln said that three “fathers” serving in Congress approved this bill, with that re- Lincoln’s mistakes in the Cooper Union striction—John Langdon, Abraham Bald- Address were minor and did not under- win, and George Read. He was right about mine his argument. Abraham Baldwin Baldwin this time, but George Read was spent eighteen years in the new post- not in Congress in 1798. After serving as Constitution Congress (ten in the House, The Great Hall of The Cooper Union Institute (now a senator from Delaware beginning in eight in the Senate), during which he voted the Cooper Union) has stood for more than a cen- 1789, he had gone home to be chief justice to restrict slavery three times. George tury as a bastion of free speech and a witness to the

of the state supreme court in 1793 and died Read was a senator in 1789, and thus one flow of American history and ideas. five years later. of the “fathers” who confirmed the North- west Ordinance that George Washington expenditure of time which I can not be- Lincoln’s second mistake concerned signed into law. And Washington, besides stow upon it,” he wrote (Lincoln to George Washington. Washington ap- signing that historic bill, wrote several Charles C. Nott 5/31/60). So Charles C. peared in Lincoln’s list of the 21 “fathers” authentic letters deploring slavery. The Nott and Cephas Brainerd, two young Re- because of an act he took in his first year footnotes to the Cooper Union Address publican lawyers in New York, had to do as president: in August 1789 he signed a quoted one of them: “there is no man liv- his research over again to compile the bill unanimously passed by the new Con- ing who wishes more sincerely than I do to pamphlet’s footnotes (Lincoln looked over gress confirming the Northwest Ordi- see a plan adopted for the abolition of their work and approved it). Nott and nance. But at Cooper Union Lincoln also it” (Washington to Robert Morris, April Brainerd caught the Baldwin error, but let cited a letter Washington wrote Lafayette 12, 1786). Washington put his convictions the wrong Read and the bogus Washington in 1798 that praised the Northwest Ordi- into practice in 1799 when he freed his letter through. nance as “a wise measure.” slaves in his will. We have less excuse. Lincoln’s correspon- But the letter is bogus. Washington did These fly-specks on one of the rhetorical dence with Nott about publishing the ad- write Lafayette in 1798, congratulating and political monuments of Lincoln’s ca- dress is in the Collected Works of Abra- him on his release from an Austrian jail reer highlight the difficulty of doing re- ham Lincoln, and in it the two men hash where he had been held as a prisoner of search in one’s spare time, especially with out the Baldwin problem but the Collected war. In this letter Washington made some the spottier records and cruder facilities of Works makes no mention of the other mis- comments on current American politics the mid-nineteenth century. Lincoln takes. I discovered them almost by but said nothing about the Northwest Ordi- owned a set of Elliot’s Debates, an 1836 chance. I found that George Read had not nance. collection of documents concerning the been in Congress in 1798 by looking him writing and ratifying of the Constitution. up to see which house of Congress he sat How did Lincoln go astray? There was a The state library in Springfield owned a in. I was suspicious of the Washington Read in Congress in 1798, who approved copy of James Madison’s Papers, pub- letter because I had written three books the bill organizing the Mississippi Terri- lished in 1840, which included his copious about him and I did not recognize it. I did tory—Jacob Read, senator from South notes on the Constitutional Convention. It a few online searches, and I contacted Carolina. Lincoln, probably checking for also owned copies of the debates and pro- Theodore J. Crackel, former editor-in- surnames against a list of the 39 “fathers,” ceedings of early Congresses and early chief of the University of Virginia’s Pa- evidently assumed he was George Read. biographies of the more famous founding pers of George Washington, who con- fathers. Lincoln had to page through these firmed that the letter was inauthentic. I The false Washington letter was quoted by volumes himself, in moments stolen from then sought the help of Dr. Seary. Lyman Trumbull in a speech in the Senate legal work and politicking, to find the nug- on December 8, 1859 (Trumbull was the gets he needed; he may have sent his law Interest and affection make specialists of Illinois Republican who had nosed Lincoln partner William Herndon to the state li- us all. As a result, Founders World and out of a Senate seat in 1855 but who later brary to look for him. Lincoln World are rather like different become an ally). However, Trumbull was planets; explorers make occasional visits not the first person to quote it. Dr. Nicole When the Cooper Union Address was pub- back and forth, but there is not much regu- Seary of the Gilder Lehrman Institute has lished in September 1860, it was meant lar communication. They ought to pay found nine earlier citations of the false both to help Lincoln’s presidential cam- more attention to each other. Washington letter in northern newspapers, paign and to serve as an arsenal of histori- going back to 1855 (one was in Frederick cal information for Republicans. By the With less time and fewer resources, Abra- Douglass’ Paper, published in Rochester, time the pamphlet was being prepared for ham Lincoln tried to do just that. New York). So the letter was fairly com- the press, Lincoln had disposed of what- mon knowledge in anti-slavery circles; ever notes he had taken: “I could not now Lincoln could have gotten it from Trum- re-examine, and make notes, without an

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 3

Harold Holzer Describes Lincoln’s Process of Writing the Cooper Union Address

I asked our good friend and author of Where Cooper Union was concerned, first tion as Recommended by the General Lincoln at Cooper Union to comment came the research—more than he had Constitution at Philadelphia, in 1787, his on Richard Brookhiser’s article. Har- ever undertaken to write a political ad- own sheepskin-bound two-volume set of old cited pages 50 through 54 of his dress. the original multivolume edition pub- award-winning book Lincoln at Coo- lished in 1836. (He eventually gave his per Union. Those pages are repro- “My father, of course, had some books at copy to his law partner Herndon, who duced below without footnotes. Hol- home. I remember well a large bookcase years later sold it at auction.) zer explains the historical resources full of them,” Robert Lincoln testified as available to Lincoln with regard to the an old man. “... After my mother’s death, Conveniently, the Lincoln-Herndon law Founders and his process of writing when I rounded up such things as well as firm owned the four volumes of James the Cooper Union Address. Thank I could, I found myself in possession of Kent’s Commentaries on the Constitu- you Harold for providing these pages twenty odd books, which I now have … tion. Page by page in these and other of very helpful background. among them … a book called ‘Lives of books, Lincoln studied the words of the the Signers,’ which I have no doubt my men whose names were now “transferred father used in preparing his Cooper Insti- to counties and cities, and rivers and tute speech.” mountains,” as he had noted in his ly- ceum lecture twenty-four years earlier, The book to which Robert referred was “revered and sung, and toasted through undoubtedly John Sanderson’s Biography all time.” of the Signers to the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Although Lincoln did not own Patrick Henry, for example, he found had the original five-volume edition, he did once declared that “it would rejoice my possess the one-volume abridged version very soul that everyone of my fellow- edited by Robert Taylor Conrad in 1847. beings was emancipated.” Unfortunately, Lincoln turned to it now for further in- Henry also thought, as Douglas now did, sight into the lives and opinions of the that slavery was “a local matter, and I can Harold Holzer—former founders. Douglas had insisted in see no propriety in subjecting it to Con- ALA Board Member and Harper’s that the heroes of the Revolu- gress.” But here in Elliott was evidence author of the award- winning book Lincoln at tion had reserved to the states the right to that at least two signers of the Constitu- Cooper Union decide the future of slavery. Now Lin- tion, William Blount and William Few, coln sought an avenue for rebuttal. What had later voted to prohibit slavery in the Lincoln composed his speeches slowly, did these founders really think—both Northwest Territories. Others had cast meticulously, laboriously. Over the before and after the constitutional con- similar votes. The more Lincoln years, a contemporary noticed, he grew vention? Did they ever publish their later searched, the more framers he discovered “more and more in the habit of revising views? More to the point, did they ever to have been opposed to the extension of all he had written down to the latest hour have the opportunity, the responsibility, slavery, or at least aware of federal au- possible before delivery” of his formal to vote on the issue? And if so, how did thority to govern extension. By the time talks. Striving for simplicity, his they come down? he finished, he had determined that of the speeches became “more eloquent,” ob- thirty-nine signers of the Constitution served Herndon, as Lincoln worked to Here Lincoln found his opening theme: who had gone on to express themselves forgo “gaudy ornamentation ... dropping How had the framers voted on subsequent on the issue, twenty-three had registered gradually the alliteration and rosy meta- matters related to the slavery question? If votes that showed that they believed the phor of youth.” they had sided with federal authority, as federal government had the power to Lincoln increasingly suspected, he would regulate slavery. Ward Hill Lamon remembered, “When have the perfect antidote to Douglas’s Mr. Lincoln had a speech to write ... he own arguments in Harper’s New Monthly For up-to-date statistics he used his 1859 would put down each thought, as it oc- Magazine. edition of Charles Lanman’s Dictionary curred to him, on a small strip of paper, of the United States Congress. He had and, having accumulated a number of As Lincoln knew, “the scenes of the revo- purchased it new, he later told its author, these, generally carried them in his hat or lution … like every thing else ... must and found it “both interesting and valu- his pockets until he had the whole speech fade upon the memory of the world, and able.” Lincoln also read Hinton Rowan composed in this odd way.” Only then grow more and more dim by the lapse of Helper’s new book, The Impending Crisis would he “sit down at his table, connect time.” To refresh his recollection, Lin- of The South, to which his Cooper Union the fragments, and then write out the coln began with Jonathan Elliot’s The speech would refer. The explosive vol- whole speech on consecutive sheets in a Debates in the Several State Conventions ume, which infuriated Southerners, called plain, legible handwriting.” on the Adoption of the Federal Constitu- (continued on page 4)

4 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

(continued from page 3) gress two years later: “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” slavery “a great moral, social, civil, and political evil—a dire enemy to true ... With no researchers to assist him, no pro- national greatness.” fessional scholars to feed him documents, no secretary to take dictation, Lincoln The law library at the state capitol sought his own “access to history,” and, boasted a number of crucial books that amidst the pressures of law and politics, Lincoln did not own: copies of Jeffer- the “leisure to study it.” And now, armed son’s autobiography, The Letters of with history, he was ready to answer George Washington, The Papers of Stephen A. Douglas one last time. James Madison, and the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787. In these Although he apparently, inexplicably told volumes he found more evidence for his sculptor Leonard Wells Volk a few theory, as well as powerful, agonized months later a fantastic story—that he denunciations of slavery from the leaders “arranged and composed this speech in of the previous century. As Washington along with the weekly national editions his mind while going on the cars from himself had convincingly admitted, of the New York Tribune, in search of Camden to Jersey City” on the final leg “There is no man living who wishes more fresh evidence of Douglas’s moral indif- of his journey to New York—the truth sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted ference to slavery. He read and reread was that never in his life did Lincoln la- for the abolition of it.” What was more, Douglas’s Harper’s article, and reviewed bor over an address so diligently, over Washington had foreseen that slavery the newspaper reprints of his own such an extended period of time, and in could indeed be controlled “by legislative speeches, including the 1858 debates. the face of such wrenching distractions. authority,” just as Lincoln would argue now. Working to develop arguments that As one of the young men who invited would connect this newly assembled him would later observe, Lincoln pro- Lincoln searched scrupulously, too, mountain of facts into a coherent narra- duced “the most carefully prepared, the through the dust-filled annals of Con- tive, Lincoln hit upon a novel device. The most elaborately investigated and demon- gress and Congressional Globe—the best way to record the fruits of his re- strated and verified of all the work of his early versions of what today is called the search was to make the facts themselves life.” Yet notwithstanding all his labors, Congressional Record—for the texts of the core of his speech. A political dema- “When at last he left for New York,” every relevant slavery debate and vote. gogue like Douglas, he believed, might Herndon remembered, “we had many try to convince the public that the federal misgivings—and he not a few himself— He probably consulted, too, a life of the government had no right to control slav- of his success in the great metropolis.” Marquis de Lafayette, and likely exam- ery in the federal territories. “But he has ined the works of Alexander Hamilton. no right,” Lincoln now wrote in his draft, “What effect the unpretentious western He reread Benjamin Franklin’s petition “to mislead others” who have less access lawyer would have on the wealthy and against slavery. He looked through ac- to history, and less leisure to study it, into fashionable society of the great city,” counts of the great slave uprisings, in- the false belief that the founders believed admitted Herndon, “could only be con- cluding Nat Turner’s insurrection in any such thing. He would incorporate jectured.” 1831. And he studied back issues of the that sentiment into his manuscript. It was Chicago and Springfield newspapers, prelude to his famous comment to Con-

ALA PROJECTS COMPLETED Restored Courting Old State Capitol Couch Unveiled New Sound System

On the evening of February 11, 2014, ALA Dedicated

members and Board members gathered at Ed- The 2014 Benjamin P. Thomas wards Place, home of the Springfield Art As- Symposium was the occasion sociation, to unveil and rededicate the couch for the first use of the new where Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd sat sound system in the House of while courting. The ALA contributed to the Representatives of the Old restoration cost. The couch has its original State Capitol. The ALA initi- fabric. ated this project and contributed financially.

For The People (ISSN 1527-2710) is published four times a year and is a benefit of membership of The Abraham Lincoln Association. Richard E. Hart, Editor. James M. Cornelius and Robert Willard, Assistant Editors.

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 5

The Abraham Lincoln Association

Robert A. Stuart, Jr. PRESIDENT ROBERT A. STUART’S GREETING President

Kathryn M. Harris Fellow members of the Abraham Lincoln Association, Vice President

th James M. Cornelius After the celebration of the 100 anniversary of our Association in 2009, we Secretary immediately became involved with the commemoration of the sesquicenten- Douglas M. Barringer Treasurer nial of the Civil War.

Robert J. Lenz Immediate Past-President The Association continues to exemplify the highest standards in the promo- Mary F. Shepherd Executive Manager tion of Lincoln scholarship in academic and literary circles in our Journal and For the People. We further enhance the study by providing our annual Board of Directors Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium to the public. Our essay contests, our Kenneth L. Anderson William E. Bartelt Watch Night and the United Colored Troops activities, our partnerships and J. Steven Beckett Roger D. Billings, Jr. funding for the Lincoln Legacy Lecture at UIS and the Colloquium, and our Justin A. Blandford Roger D. Bridges press conferences with Lincoln—all of these programs emphasize our com- Michael Burlingame mitment to making Lincoln relevant to today’s society. Nancy L. Chapin James M. Cornelius Brooks Davis Robert J. Davis The Board is cognizant that we need to take a long look at who we are, what our mission is, and the Jim Edgar paths that are available to achieve our mission. The purpose and goals remain the same, but is there a Guy C. Fraker Joseph E. Garrera better method of delivering our ultimate product of reverence for Lincoln and his continuing place as W. Joseph Gibbs Donald R. Graham relevant to us today? Allen C. Guelzo Kathryn M. Harris Earl W. Henderson, Jr. We have indeed been fortunate to have so many outstanding individuals involved in the past. We hope Fred B. Hoffmann Matthew Holden that we can count on each of you to continue your support. As we move forward, we hope you will Barbara Hughett David Joens share with the Board and its officers your thoughts on exactly what steps we can take to make the ALA Thomas S. Johnson Ron J. Keller even more of a force in keeping Lincoln’s legacy strong and relevant today and in the future. Richard W. Maroc Lucas E. Morel Edna Greene Medford Robert A. Stuart, President James W. Patton III Mark A. Plummer William G. Shepherd Brooks D. Simpson Kay Smith Ronald D. Spears Daniel W. Stowell Louise Taper N. Ron Thunman Donald R. Tracy Andy Van Meter Lincoln Heritage Museum Daniel R. Weinberg Robert Willard Grand Opening Stewart L. Winger Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 1115 Nicholson Road, Lincoln Illinois

Honorary Directors Saturday, April 26, 2014

President Barack Obama 10 a.m. Opening Ceremony and Ribbon Cutting Governor Pat Quinn —featuring original music composed and performed for this event— Lt. Governor Sheila Simon Senator Richard Durbin Light refreshments will be available in the atrium following the Opening Ceremony. Senator Mark Kirk Congressman Aaron Schock 10:30 a.m. Museum open and free to the public for walk-throughs Congressman John Shimkus Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride 12:30 p.m.—5 p.m. Timed tours for the upstairs A/V Experience: Admission $2.00 Mayor Michael J. Houston Museum tour times may vary depending on the number of visitors

Emeritus Directors Carriage rides and food available through the late morning and early afternoon Molly M. Becker Cullom Davis

Distinguished Directors

Mario M. Cuomo 6 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

Abraham Lincoln Poet John Knoepfle Meets Mr. Lincoln on Sixth Street Walks in the Morning

He is a professor emeritus of literature at by John Knoepfle University of Illinois Springfield. His awards include the 2012 Mayor’s Award Meeting Mr. Lincoln for the Arts, given by the Springfield Area Arts Council. here in springfield that is to say the one in illinois A Pacific theater veteran of World War not a massachusetts town II, Knoepfle began writing in the 1940s. on the eastern seaboard John Knoepfle is the author of 17 books His poetry focuses on what he sees no the one in illinois of poetry, as well as an autobiography around him in the Midwest. He favors where vachel lindsay imagined and other prose works. His most recent the poetry of ordinary speech, storytel- the president walked at midnight book, Shadows and Starlight, was pub- ling, and local history. At 91, he says he lished by Indian Paintbrush Poets in is preoccupied with being 91. Knoepfle well he does as I can witness 2012. has four children and four grandchildren only a week ago as I remember and lives with his wife, Peggy, in the vil- yes early in april – I met him John likes to begin the day by striking lage of Jerome, Illinois. on sixth street just to the south lines on his fractious computer. These where the old capitol is sometimes become poems. it was in the morning though

will mrs lincoln be having

her strawberry levee soon NEW MEMBERS OF THE ALA I said just to say something

he said why yes but you know We welcome our 22 new members from seven states. you have to wait on the season Dr. Tofig Arjmand Michael McCuskey yes you have to know Springfield, Illinois Champaign, Illinois where the strawberries are growing Cliff Berg Mike Newmeister and when it is time for picking them Sacramento, California Springfield, Illinois John Coady David Pruitt yes he said thoughtfully Taylorville, Illinois Haverhill, New Hampshire you have to know when they are ready Chris DeRose Daniel Reigle Phoenix, Arizona West Chester, Ohio and when they are not Robert Govier Julian Rogus Mission Viejo, California Glen Ellyn, Illinois I wished him the best of times Trey Holland Francie Staggs this one moment and forever Indianapolis, Indiana Springfield, Illinois he touched the brim of his hat then Sarah Jennings Traci Stahl and said goodbye with a smile Springfield, Illinois San Jose, California Bill and Julie Kellner Dr. Michael Alan Stutz Springfield, Illinois River Forest, Illinois I thought he might be going William King Ryan Lincoln Stutz for a roll call or a vote Bellevue, Ohio River Forest, Illinois sequestered in the state house Walter Kubon Mark Trapp or perhaps to tell country stories Wheaton, Illinois Glenview, Illinois all afternoon in his law office Brent McGucken David Wiegers Charleston, West Virginia Gurnee, Illinois but when I turned to wave goodbye to this great man JOIN THE ALA Mail this application (or a copy) and a I knew would be president one day check to: no one walked the streets Your membership is essential to the The Abraham Lincoln Association that cold morning in springfield ALA’s success. It allows the ALA to 1 Old State Capitol Plaza provide you with the For The People Springfield, Illinois 62701 newsletter and the Journal of the Abra- ham Lincoln Association and to spon- Name: ______sor many worthwhile programs related to the life of Abraham Lincoln. Please Address: ______join. William G. Shepherd, City: ______

Membership Chairman FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 7

Robert A. Stuart, Jr.

Elected President of The Abraham Lincoln Association

Robert A. Stuart, Jr. was elected to serve the current president of the Sangamon livered wheelchairs, dedicated new as President of the Abraham Lincoln As- Valley Estate Planning Council. He also schools following the 2004 tsunami, and sociation at the annual meeting of its serves as an advisor to the Leading Law- worked with clubs along the Gulf Coast Board of Directors held on February 11, yers Network. in post-Katrina relief efforts and with 2014, in Springfield, Illinois. While most Haiti Earthquake Relief. The Rotary of our members know Bob, it will be of Bob has had a generous record of public Foundation has given him its Citation for interest to all to know a little about his service to his community, his nation, and Meritorious Service and Distinguished outstanding professional career and gen- the world. In Springfield, he serves as an Service Award. erous public service. elder in his church and has chaired the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Bob has served as President of the Abra- In 1970, Bob received the B.A. from Campaign, and the United Way Founda- ham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. tion. For his service in masonry, he has and as a Trustee of its endowment. He In 1973, he received his J.D. from the been awarded the 33rd degree. has served as Area President, assisting 12 University of Illinois at Champaign. councils in four states. For two years, he The Illinois Association of Park Districts was presented with the outstanding area Bob is a partner in the Springfield law presented him its lifetime appreciation trophy out of seven areas. He is currently firm of Brown Hay & Stephens, the old- award. He is the First Vice President of a member of the Boy Scouts of America est law firm in the State of Illinois. The the National Recreation Foundation. national committee for Alumni Relations/ firm was founded by Bob’s great-great- NESA and its Central Region chair. He grandfather John Todd Stuart in 1828. Bob has been Rotary Club president, dis- has been awarded the Distinguished Ea- The firm was once titled Stuart and Lin- trict governor, and one of 17 directors on gle, the Silver Beaver, and the Silver An- coln. the international board of Rotary Interna- telope. tional. He chaired Rotary International’s Bob’s professional specialty has been in Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Bob’s daughter Cori received a Master’s the field of estate and succession plan- raised funds for Rotary’s 7 global Peace in public history from the University of ning. He is a fellow of the American Centers, and sits as chair of the Opera- Illinois Springfield under Phil Paludan College of Trust and Estate Counsel and tions Review Committee. He has immu- and was an intern at the Lincoln Legal of the American Bar Foundation. He has nized children in Rotary’s campaign to Papers. His son Todd is a landscape ar- served as chair of Illinois State Bar Asso- eradicate polio, opened water wells, de- chitect outside of Northampton, Massa- ciation Estate Planning Section and he is chusetts. Kathryn M. Harris Elected Vice President of The Abraham Lincoln Association

ence and Technical Services and was “Elizabeth Keckly” in The Last of Mrs. named ISHL Director in 1996. With the Lincoln. Both performances have been opening of the ALPL in 2004, Kathryn presented in the Union Theater at the assumed her current title. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. In addition, she performs as “Harriet Kathryn’s previous library experience Tubman,” Underground Railroad conduc- includes positions at the Illinois State tor, for school and community groups. Library, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Library, Florida In- In September 2012, Kathryn was honored ternational University, and the Lincoln and humbled to introduce “Harriet” to Library, Springfield’s public library. participants at the Annual Leadership Kathryn M. Harris was elected to serve as Conference sponsored by the Congres- Vice President of the Abraham Lincoln She has served on various boards includ- sional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. Association at the annual meeting of its ing: the Rolling Prairie Library System, In September 2013, “Harriet” participated Board of Directors held on February 11, the Illinois Library Association, the Illi- in the Mentoring Summit sponsored by 2014, in Springfield, Illinois. nois Humanities Council, the Sangamon the National Alliance of Faith and Justice County Historical Society, CARLI in Washington, D.C. Kathryn serves as Library Services Direc- (Consortium of Academic and Research tor at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libraries in Illinois), and The Abraham A native of Carbondale, Illinois, Kathryn Library (ALPL), formerly the Illinois Lincoln Association. is a graduate of Southern Illinois Univer- State Historical Library (ISHL), in sityThe Carbondale ALA Board and of Directorsof the University held its annual of meeting Kathryn has appeared on stage as “Sadie Illinoison the Urbana afternoon Graduate of February School 11, 2012 of Li- in the lower Springfield, Illinois. She joined the ISHL level of the Old State Capitol in Springfield. staff in 1990 as the Supervisor of Refer- Delany” in local productions of Having brary and Information Science. Our Say. She has also portrayed 8 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

Lincoln Essay Contest Revived: 2014 Winners Announced in House of Representatives of Old State Capitol Farrell and Ann Gay are the benefactors field. We have patterned the contest as of the Museum of Springfield History in closely as possible according to the com- the Elijah Iles House. The Museum is pany’s original essay booklet. home to Farrell’s world class collection of watches manufactured by the Illinois It was a little difficult getting this contest Watch Company in Springfield from 1870 started. I can’t believe how hard it was to to 1932. The company was founded by a give away scholarships and Illinois wrist- number of prominent Springfield citizens watches for writing an essay. It took a including John T. Stuart, the first presi- while, but I finally got it moving. dent, and John Whitfield Bunn. The company made some of the finest watches in The essays are hand written in the class- the world and was once Springfield’s larg- room under teacher supervision and on est employer, employing 1,250 at its peak. Illinois Watch Company reproduced sta- tionery. Students must be seniors in hon- In 2009, Farrell revived the Lincoln Essay ors classes or advanced placement. Contest originally sponsored by the Illi- nois Watch Company in the 1920s. For The contest of February 2014 produced the last several years, the first place win- 196 essays. All essays are coded by ner of that contest has led the Pledge of school and student for complete anonym- Allegiance at the ALA annual banquet on ity. We have two sets of judges. Prelimi- Joseph W. Mocharnuk University of Chicago Student February 12. What follows is Farrell’s nary judges will normally be former Eng- 2013 Winner of Lincoln Essay Contest account of the revival the Lincoln Essay lish or history school teachers. Their spe- Leading the Pledge of Allegiance Contest. cific task is to select the three best essays at the 2014 ALA Lincoln Day Banquet from each of the six high schools. Those on February 12, 2014 By Farrell Gay 18 essays go to the final judges. with each sale of the Abraham Lincoln In 1924 the Lincoln Essay Contest was The final judges are from Springfield’s pocket watch. It is hung on a plaque with inaugurated by the Illinois Watch Com- Lincoln historic sites, including the Abra- a red, white, and blue ribbon with the pany on a nationwide basis with Amer- ham Lincoln Presidential Library and Mu- name of student and his or her school. ica’s high schools. In the first year of the seum. The first place winner from each of contest about 5,000 essays were judged. the six high schools gets to pick an Illinois The first place winner receives a scholar- Unfortunately, the contest ended a few wrist watch of the 1920s from extras in my ship of $1,500. The second place winner years later with the sale of the watch com- collection. In addition, the first place win- receives a scholarship of $750. The third pany (1928) to Hamilton Watch Company, ner from each high school will receive an place winner receives a scholarship of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. original 3-inch bronze Lincoln medallion $500. Knowing how difficult school that was minted for the original Lincoln budgets are these days, each participating In a way, what I do with the Lincoln Essay essay contests of the 1920s. Most of the essay teacher receives a $50 gift certificate Contest is sort of a giveback for something medallions still bear the name of the origi- to be used for their classroom’s supplies. a man from my church did for me back in nal winner from the 1920s and the date 1951 — a scholarship to college. I have engraved on the reverse. In 2014, the I’ve had a lot of encouragement from two never forgotten that. name of the winner, Sarah Struck of former teachers, and without the voluntary Springfield High School, was engraved support of these two great friends, Linda Of course, having known the history of the next to that of the 1920s contest winner. Denk, our contest coordinator, and her Illinois Watch Company, I also knew of husband, Mike, there probably would not the Lincoln Essay Contest and I decided to The twelve runners-up receive an original be a Lincoln Essay Contest. They get revive it for the six high schools of Spring- Abraham Lincoln watch fob that came things done.

CALL FOR ARTICLES

Do you have an article that would be suitable for publication in the newsletter? Don’t be shy as this newsletter is a forum for the exchange of new material and viewpoints. Also, if you have a student who has written a particu- larly fine paper, consider submitting that paper. All are invited to make a submission to:

Richard E. Hart Editor, For The People 217-553-0055 [email protected]

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 9

Vermilion County Museum Society Exhibit of “Lincoln in Illinois”

By Susan Richter Curator of the Vermilion County Museum Society

The Vermilion County Museum Society has been ex- cited to have the “Lincoln in Illinois” photographic exhibit on display during February and March of this year. It has been warmly received by visitors, who have found the many images of Lincoln sculpture, from traditional to modern, very interesting. Students from school groups, who have toured the facility while the exhibit has been on display, have even pointed out to the docents the sculptures they have seen while traveling in the state.

Because the exhibit was set up as a “road trip” starting from Danville, guests have been encouraged to travel the state and see the sculptures first hand this summer. It has been a great tool for showing Lincoln’s influence across Illinois, and how he has been defined in different locations.

Soon after the exhibit opened, the Society was able to host an evening reception for First Midwest Bank, the area sponsor who supported the exhibit coming to Danville. Having the Abraham Lincoln Association President, Robert Lenz, present to give inside information on some of the sculptures, and to talk with guests, made for an interesting and informative program.

EXHIBITS AVAILABLE The Vermilion County Museum If you or your organization would like to participate in the Danville, Illinois Traveling Exhibits Program of the Abraham Lincoln Asso- ciation/Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The exterior of the Vermilion County Museum was contact Mary Shepherd. Exhibits available are: “Lincoln in designed to resemble the old Vermilion County Illinois,” “Lincoln and Juarez,” and “To Kill and to Heal.” Courthouse of 1833. The main building is located [email protected] Toll free: 866-865-8500 directly behind the Fithian Home, which is a Lincoln Site on the National Register of Historic Places.

10 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

Lincoln Day Events

The Evening Reception and Banquet

Longstanding Springfield members of the ALA The head table, left to right: Kathryn M. Harris, ALA Board Member N. Ron Thunman, Owsley and loyal attendees of the Lincoln Day Banquet are Thomas Schwartz, Robert J. Lenz, Brooks D. Brown Thunman, and Sarah Thomas, benefactor Judith Stephens, Jeanne Pittman, Betty Kay, and Simpson, Roger D. Bridges, and Robert A. Stuart. of the Benjamin P. Thomas Symposium. Mary Ann Singleton.

Robert Willard, Cori Stuart, daughter of President ALA Board Members James M. Cornelius and Judy Flickinger, Ted Flickinger, IHPA Director Robert A. Stuart, and Fred J. Martin, Jr. Thomas Schwartz. Amy Martin, and Tony Leone.

Karen Gietl, Jessie Helm and Elizabeth Simpson ALA Board Members J. Steven Beckett and Guy C. Fraker at the ALA Banquet.

Outgoing President Robert Lenz

Mary Patton and newly elected ALA Vice President 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Reacti- Kathryn M. Harris at the ALA Lincoln Day Banquet. vated. Left to right: Corporal Ron Clark, Regi- mental Q.M. Sgt. Troy Gilmore, Sgt. Richard 1911 Lincoln Banquet at State Armory Schachtsiek, Pvt. Ricky Reed, Cpl. Lee Shafer, 1st Sgt. Duane Carrell, Lt. Col. Jim Patton.

The photograph of Abraham Lincoln on page 12 was takenBrooks betwe Simpson,en mid-February James Oakes and and late March 1864, by Wenderoth and Taylor, in Washington, D.C. Lincoln had changed the part in his hair in late January 1864; Ethanit had Rafuse always been combed from left to right; but he switched it over to right to left; and then put it back to normal by early April. WorriedLieutenant abo utGovernor his campaign? Sheila Simon Looking nice to meet Grant on March 8th? Mary's idea? —James M. Cornelius, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 11

The head table at the ALA Banquet. Left to right: banquet speaker Thomas Schwartz, outgoing President Robert J. Lenz, newly elected Vice President Kathryn M. Harris, Newly elected President Robert A. Stuart Brooks D. Simpson, and Roger D. Bridges. Thomas Schwartz giving the principal presents a photograph of Abraham Lincoln address to the 2014 ALA Lincoln Day to outgoing President Robert J. Lenz. banquet.

Sunderine and Dr. Wayne C. Temple. Dr. Tem- ple is an ALA Distinguished Director. ALA Directors Thomas S. Johnson and Professor Mark Susan Harris leading ALA Banquet A. Plummer. Tom is also the President of the Lincoln attendees in singing The Star- Academy. Spangled Banner.

Ryan Ross and Bob Lenz, ALA outgoing President, Kathryn and William E. Bartelt and Richard W. Maroc Incoming President Robert and Roland Spies. enjoy the reception preceding the Banquet. William and A. Stuart addresses the Richard are ALA Directors. Lincoln Day Banquet.

Professor Kate Mazur speaking at the Schwartz ALA Directors Judge Kenneth L. Anderson and Luncheon on February 12, 2014 Dr. Brooks D. Simpson. Dr. Simpson is the Ted Grossnickle and ALA Director Roger Billings Chairman of the ALA Speakers Committee.

12 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

FOR THE PEOPLE Non-Profit Organization The Abraham Lincoln Associa- U.S. Postage tion PAID 1 Old State Capitol Plaza Springfield, Illinois

Springfield, Illinois 62701-1512 Permit No. 263

For a description of this photograph, see page 10. Courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund of the Abraham Lincoln Association was established in 2004. From a small seed it has grown to a young tree, and with your assistance, will one day be a mighty oak.

The Fund now pays for the Benjamin P. Thomas Lectures given on February 12 of each year. It has allowed the ALA to expand its support for a number of programs of outreach. Perhaps the most important of the new programs has been the commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation in 2013. More are planned for the future.

As the ALA moves forward and expands its outreach to a larger community of the young and those not otherwise engaged in the traditional ALA programs, we will need financial assistance. A growing endowment will allow these new efforts and assist the ALA in fulfilling its mission in the 21st century.

Won’t you plan now to make a gift to the Endowment Fund in 2014?

Send your check made payable to the Abraham Lincoln Association Endowment Fund to:

The Abraham Lincoln Association, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, Illinois 62701

Thank you. The Endowment Committee

Richard E. Hart, Chair Nancy L. Chapin Douglas M. Barringer Robert Lenz Robert A. Stuart, Jr.