ForFor thethe PeoplePeople A N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e A b r a h a m L i n c o l n A s s o c i a t i o n Volume 4, Number 2 Summer 2002 Springfield,

Illinois Ideological Battleground of the Nation

by Daniel Willis * tion of the spread of slavery under any ties, largely in response to the growing conditions whatsoever.2 Douglas was a controversy over the slavery issue he -Douglas Debates believer in the theory of popular sov- sparked by the 1854 passage of the occupy a unique position in ereignty, which advocated that each Kansas-Nebraska Act, proposed by TIllinois history. For a short territory should make the slavery deci- none other than Stephen Douglas. time, the Prairie State represented and sion when it applied for statehood. The Kansas-Nebraska Act in effect highlighted the divisive forces affect- Douglas’s personal belief was that repealed the Missouri Compromise of ing the nation. In the aftermath of the slavery was unjust, but that the blacks 1820, which declared that all new debates, the positions held by were his intellectual and moral inferi- states north of 36°30’ north latitude and Stephen A. ors.3 Douglas argued that white voters would be free states (that is, slavery Douglas came to be seen as a direct in Illinois, Maine, and South Carolina would be forbidden within their conflict of two great principles. had the same right to enact their opin- boundaries) and all new states south of Lincoln is perceived as “the Great ions as law, no matter how different, as that line would be slave states. This Emancipator,” champion of a moral long as the Constitution did not forbid compromise was far from perfect, but absolute: the complete abolition of it.4 The most appealing feature of pop- it kept tempers cool on the slavery slavery. Douglas championed a differ- ular sovereignty was that it appeared topic for roughly thirty years, until the ent lofty principle: popular sovereign- to represent a workable compromise end of the Mexican War, when the ty, or the right of the people to decide on the volatile subject of slavery. In claimed a huge area of issues for themselves by popular vote comparison, Lincoln’s approach, the land as the spoils of war, much of it on a state-by-state basis. The conflict complete halt of the spread of slavery south of the compromise line. Debate between these two ideals is what and its gradual elimination, seemed to about whether the new territories makes the debates such an interesting be an inflammatory course of action, would be slave or free was sparked by and important part of history. perhaps leading to war. The fear of the the Wilmot Proviso, which stated that To understand the impact of these consequences of Lincoln’s plan, cou- slavery would be prohibited in any ter- debates on American history, one must pled with Douglas’s greater fame com- ritory won as a result of the war. examine the effects of these ideas on ing into the debates, certainly con- Congress was deadlocked until Henry subsequent historical events. In the tributed to Douglas’s election. Clay, the venerable statesman, and the case of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, The occasion for the debates was silver-tongued Daniel Webster were the short-term intentions and practical the election of 1858. able to work out a long, complex com- goals of the speakers were to secure a Neither candidate was a stranger to promise deal in 1850.6 seat in the . the political arena. Douglas, a Four years later, Douglas pro- However, the long-term significance Democrat, was the incumbent, and posed the fateful Kansas-Nebraska bill. and ideological implications of the one of the most well known, if not The measure would open the Kansas arguments put forth by the partici- universally liked, men in American Territory to popular sovereignty, pants were more far-reaching and pro- politics.5 Lincoln, a Republican, was a which meant that when the territory voked strong reactions that led to rev- former Illinois and United States had sufficient population to apply for olution and reform. Representative, and a respectable man, statehood, the legality of slavery Slavery, of course, was the major if not a famous one. Douglas’s would be decided by a majority of all issue in the nation at the time, and as Democratic party had been established voters in the area. Kansas would oth- such it dominated the debates.1 in the time of Thomas Jefferson, erwise have been a free state. Lincoln, as a member of the whereas the Republican party had sud- When Kansas applied for state- Republican party, had to run on its denly risen within only four years to hood as a slave state, both pro- and platform, which called for the preven- become one of the major national par- continued on page 5 2 For the People

President’s Column

by Robert S. Eckley The second item recalling the Civil National Committee, a key player in War in the old secretary was a small the Civil War political scene. How this he Civil War and Lincoln, that copy of the New Testament published volume ended up in my grandfather’s forever-linked and unsymmetri- in New York in 1861. Scratched inside desk remains a mystery because he Tcal couple, which began several the back cover in pencil is this mes- became an orphan in 1865 at age weeks after Lincoln’s first inauguration sage: “Found in the Rebel fort at New fifteen. and virtually ended in the same inter- Madrid after the Bombardment march The purpose of this recital is to val after his second, brought together 13th 1862 and signed G.W. Yates, Co. pose the question: What similar cache puzzling combinations of memories D, 10th Regt Ill Vol.” On that same of letters, books, or memorabilia do and memorabilia which filled me with day, Confederate General John P. you have in an attic, desk, chest, or just intrigue when I encountered these McCown ordered evacuation of his in boxes? And are you considering, as objects as a teenager. As we approach forces from New Madrid to avoid cap- I am, what is the best disposition of the opening of the new Lincoln ture, for which he was relieved of his those that may have historic value Library in November and construction command. George Yates was my beyond the confines of purely family of the co-joined museum, with their grandfather’s cousin. New Madrid is, traditions? Letters, manuscripts, and extensive conjunction of books, manu- of course, just downstream from documents, in particular, could be of scripts, and artifacts, perhaps family Island No. 10 in the Mississippi River interest to scholars in pursuit of collections have broader relevance. near where wise maneuvering of Lincoln and Civil War questions, and In the small drawer inside the top Union forces led to an almost blood- their accessibility in public libraries of the secretary, I found an envelope less surrender of several thousand could enhance their usefulness. The containing two wooden chips. Pasted Confederate troops on April 7 to those opening of the Abraham Lincoln around one was the following typed under the command of Union General Presidential Library on November 18 statement: “A piece of platform floor John Pope. I am reminded as I hold is a fitting occasion to be thinking from the historic ‘Lincoln Car’ saved the tiny book in my hand of Lincoln’s about such questions. while repairing the 1904, Worlds Fair, line from his second inaugural address: Stimulated to collect Lincoln St. Louis, MO,” signed W.O. (?) Siron. “Both [parties] read the same Bible, memorabilia by a son of Henry Clay The second label said: “A piece of and pray to the same god, and each Whitney, author of Life on the Circuit frame work from the historic ‘Lincoln invokes His aid against the other.” with Lincoln, Governor Henry Horner Car,’ etc.,” and signed as the first, The third and most significant (1932–1940) gathered together 5,500 except that Siron’s initials are indis- heirloom also is the most difficult to Lincoln items of varying description, tinct, causing me to doubt my first evaluate. Henry J. Raymond’s Life and which he left to the Illinois State reading of the initials. I would be less Public Services of Abraham Lincoln, was Historical Library in 1940. This added than candid if I did not indicate that I an early, if not the first, biography pub- meaningfully to the Library’s Lincoln have always thought the provenance of lished in 1865 after the assassination. Collection, which began with the the chips could be doubtful, that my Mark E. Neely, Jr., called it “an undis- Library in 1889. In 1953, the grandfather perhaps was taken in by a tinguished biography which mostly Abraham Lincoln Association donated side show entrepreneur at the St. stitched together Lincoln’s state its papers to the Collection, including Louis World’s Fair a century ago. That papers,” Paul Angle ignored it in his many letters written by Mary Todd is, until recently, when the Illinois 1946 selective bibliography, and Allen Lincoln. Later, more Lincoln family State Historical Library displayed C. Guelzo, in his introduction to the papers were obtained from Robert some of its Lincoln artifacts. 1998 republication of Holland’s 1866 Todd Lincoln Beckwith. These and Among the items displayed was a Life, comments on its lessor emphasis other increments have made the collection from , the on Lincoln’s early years. My chief Library’s holdings the largest prepresi- eleven-year-old girl who wrote to counter is that the presentation of dential collection in existence, as well Lincoln urging him to grow whiskers, speeches and state papers were a nec- as the largest assemblage of Lincoln and with whom he visited enroute to essary trove prior to the Nicolay and family writings. Beginning in 1958, Washington in February 1861. The Hay 1890 History, and that the assess- the collection has been under the lead- collection included a chip from the ments, although limited, are on target ership of three eminent scholars who “Lincoln Car” authenticated by the and reflect Raymond’s acquiescence in have served as Curator: James T. same person. Actually, the Lincoln Lincoln’s views on such issues as the Hickey, Thomas F. Schwartz, and Kim funeral car was on display at the border states and the timing of eman- M. Bauer. This could be the most World’s Fair. Do other remnants still cipation. Raymond was, after all, in his appropriate place for additional exist, and who was the enterprising positions as editor of the New York Lincoln materials to make them avail- Mr. Siron? Times and chairman of the Republican able for scholarly and educational use. For the People 3

THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION ROBERT S. ECKLEY President Summer Book Sales MOLLY M. BECKER RICHARD E. HART RICHARD MILLS he following books are being Vice-Presidents Benjamin Washburne. offered for sale for your sum- Daniel Stowell has edited a series THOMAS F. S CHWARTZ Secretary Tmer reading pleasure. Take one of important essays written by the or more with you to the beach, woods, JUDITH BARRINGER Lincoln Legal Papers’ staff. This col- Treasurer or on the boat. lection plumbs the magnificent collec- DONALD R. TRACY Wayne C. Temple, Deputy tion of legal documents to show how Immediate Past-President Director of the Illinois State Archives, Lincoln’s legal practice touched the Board of Directors has revised and expanded his detailed lives of everyday individuals in Dan W. Bannister history of the Lincoln Home. significant ways. R-Lou Barker Roger D. Bridges Mark Washburne provides the sec- Christopher A. Thomas provides Michael Burlingame ond volume of his study of the impor- an engaging study of the Lincoln John Daly tant Illinois political figure, Elihu Memorial and its changing meanings. Brooks Davis Rodney O. Davis Donald H. Funk Wayne C. Temple, By Square and Compass: Saga of the Lincoln Home Allen C. Guelzo Retail: $24.95 ALA: $18.00 IL Sales Tax: $1.31 Edith Lee Harris Kathryn M. Harris Norman D. Hellmers Mark Washburne, Elihu Benjamin Washburne, A Biography…Vol. II Earl W. Henderson, Jr. Retail: $22.94 ALA: $16.50 IL Sales Tax: $1.20 Fred B. Hoffmann Barbara Hughett Robert W. Johannsen Daniel Stowell, editor, In Tender Consideration: Women, Families, and the Law in Lewis E. Lehrman Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois Susan Mogerman Larry M. Newell Retail: $34.95 ALA: $25.25 IL Sales Tax: $1.83 Georgia Northrup Phillip S. Paludan Christopher A. Thomas, The and American Life James W. Patton III Mark Plummer Retail: $35.00 ALA: $25.25 IL Sales Tax: $1.83 Gerald Prokopowicz James A. Rawley Shipping costs are: Up to $49.99, add $7.50 Brooks D. Simpson Robert A. Stuart, Jr. $50 and over, add $12.00 Louise Taper John T. Trutter Andy VanMeter Margaret VanMeter Daniel R. Weinberg Robert Willard Lincoln Never Said That Douglas L. Wilson Kenneth J. Winkle Honorary Directors Governor George H. Ryan by Thomas F. Schwartz Zachary Taylor. In it, Lincoln said: Senator Richard Durbin “The fruits of his [Taylor’s] labor, his Senator Peter Fitzgerald Congressman Ray LaHood rinted inside the top flap of a name, his memory and example, are all Congressman John Shimkus multigrain cereal is found the that is left us—his example, verifying Mayor Karen Hasara following: “You can be anything the great truth, that ‘he that humbleth The Honorable Rita Garman P you want to be, do anything you set himself, shall be exalted’ teaching, that Emeritus Directors out to accomplish if you hold to that to serve one’s county with a singleness Willard Bunn, Jr. John R. Chapin desire with singleness of purpose.” of purpose, gives assurance of that Cullom Davis Abraham Lincoln is cited as the source country’s gratitude, secures its best Irving Dilliard of the sage advice. But did he say these honors, and makes ‘a dying bed, soft as Sally Schanbacher words? downy pillows are.’” Moreover, this is Distinguished Directors Mario M. Cuomo An examination of The Collected the only time that Lincoln used the David Herbert Donald Works of Abraham Lincoln reveals that word “singleness” in any of his writ- John Hope Franklin the quote is at best suspicious. The ings. A careful study of Fehrenbacher’s Harry V. Jaffa Garry Wills phrase “singleness of purpose” is Recollected Words of Abraham Lincoln found only in Lincoln’s eulogy of produces empty results. 4 For the People

First Abraham Lincoln Association Award Presented at the 2002 Illinois History Expo

ecent news reports once cannot devote space to the actual tran- discover the extent to which Lincoln again show that high school scripts of the debates, beyond a few was a man of his era. He was a man of Rstudents are woefully ignorant telling quotes, so I was curious about principle, to be sure, but he was capa- of basic historical facts. The Abraham their content. ble of compromise with those who Lincoln Association has often grap- opposed him. His rare blending of pled with the best way to encourage political finesse and moral principle, the study of Lincoln and his times his understanding of the opposition’s among students of all ages. The concerns, his humor—in sum, his Website of the Lincoln Legal Papers awareness of the emotional currents of (http://www.lincolnlegalpapers.org/) his day—made him a more effective now offers teacher curriculum materi- spokesperson than he would have been als (funded in part by the Association) if he was the unidimensional man so that teachers can incorporate the most people revere. documents into their lesson plans. I was born in 1985 in Cincinnati, Another initiative is to provide awards Ohio. I moved to Illinois in 1995 and to students using Lincoln as their topic attended Parkside Junior High School in the Illinois history fairs. The before going to University High in Association Board of Directors 1999. I am a member of the chess approved establishing two $500 prizes team, and I enjoy volunteering at chess for the best essay and the best media events and at the Children’s Discovery project on Abraham Lincoln presented Museum. I like to travel, especially if it at the Illinois History Expo, a provides a chance to use the French statewide competition of middle and language. My primary academic inter- high school history students. Many of ests, besides history, are chemistry, those receiving superior ratings at the math, French, and literature.” Expo advance to the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C. The winner of this year’s essay compe- Dr. Keith Sculle (l) presents the tition is Daniel Willis, a student at Abraham Lincoln Association Award Unless otherwise indicated, University High School in Normal, to Daniel Willis. photographs are courtesy of the Illinois. His teacher is Peggy Scott Illinois State Historical Library, who spent countless hours of her own The most significant thing I Springfield time to work with Daniel and other learned was probably not any single students, preparing them for the Expo. fact or group of facts, although I For the People (ISSN 1527–2710) is The Association extends its congratu- found out a great many things about published four times a year and is a lations to both Daniel and Ms. Scott Lincoln, and Douglas, as well, that I benefit of membership of the for their outstanding efforts. When did not know previously. What made Abraham Lincoln Association asked how he came to write about the the largest impression me was the way 1 Old State Capitol Plaza topic of his paper, the Lincoln- that Lincoln and Douglas debated— Springfield, Illinois Douglas Debates, Daniel provided the the language they used, the arguments 62701 following: “Initially, I did not intend they made, the way they behaved. The to write my paper on the Lincoln- newspaper accounts of the debates Newsletter design and layout Douglas Debates. After I rejected per- taught me more about who these men by William B. Tubbs haps a dozen topics, a friend suggested really were, and about life in general [email protected] the debates, which sounded like an just before the Civil War, than any text- excellent idea. Most history textbooks book ever could. I was surprised to For the People 5

Illinois Ideological Battleground of the Nation

continued from page 1 region thus became known as rather than voting on the constitution antislavery factions turned to violence “Bleeding Kansas.” In the end, as a whole. A provision elsewhere in to influence the vote. Proslavery proslavery supporters were able to take the document provided for the protec- raiders attacked the abolitionist settle- control and set up a capital at tion of slavery in either case.7 ment of Lawrence, burning part of it. Lecompton, where they produced a Disgusted by this maneuver, the anti- slavery voters boycotted the polls. The constitution passed easily “with slav- ery” and went to the for acceptance. Douglas, now asked to vote to ratify the consti- tution that was the end result of his plan, was enraged by this corruption of his ideals and reversed himself, lead- ing a successful effort to vote it down. Against this political backdrop, the Lincoln-Douglas Debates began in Springfield, Illinois, on the twenty- first of August 1858. Douglas, the Little Giant, came to Springfield for the first of seven debates with the “first and only choice” of the Republican party.8 That man, of course, was Abraham Lincoln. The format of the debates was such that Douglas would speak for an hour, then Lincoln for an hour and a half, and then Douglas for half an hour. Each subsequent contest would have them exchange speaking order. The eyes of the nation were upon the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. In the words of the New York Times, Illinois is from this time forward, until the sena- torial question shall be decided, “the most interesting political battle- ground in the Union.”9 The country wanted to know how the issues, each represented by a worthy man, would be set forth, weighed, and decided. Despite this attention, however, the two men did not deal exclusively with Photographer Calvin Jackson took this image of Lincoln the weighty matters concerning in Pittsfield, Illinois, on October 1, 1858, during the period of the Washington and New York. Much Lincoln-Douglas debate cycle. time was spent on more mundane sub- jects—arguments on the characters of The retaliation was led by the fanatic state constitution. Contrary to the idea the candidates themselves rather than abolitionist John Brown. He and his of popular sovereignty, the cunning their respective ideologies. Douglas, followers hacked five proslavery men Lecompton men allowed residents to for example, accused Lincoln of con- to pieces with broadswords at vote only on whether the constitution spiring with Republican leaders to take Potawatomie Creek in 1856. The would be with or without slavery, continued on page 6 6 For the People

Robert Marshall Root's artistic conception of the Lincoln-Douglas debate at Charleston, Illinois

Illinois Ideological Battleground of the Nation

continued from page 5 rect. Lincoln would not endorse every ter for Lincoln. The reason for the over Douglas’s seat in the Senate, and one of the tenants of the Republican inconsistency is that Lincoln was tied Lincoln and Douglas both accused party. to a double standard. If he professed to each other of leveling improbable con- It might surprise modern readers be wholeheartedly dedicated to the spiracy charges at third parties.10 to find the Great Emancipator saying, principle of universal abolition, he The heart and soul of the debates, as he did in the first debate, “I have no would alienate a large part of the pop- though, is that portion that deals with purpose directly or indirectly to inter- ulace, and he would be defeated for the issue of slavery. Lincoln was, of fere with the institution of slavery in election. On the other hand, if he course, running on the Republican the States where it exists. I believe I should disavow any association with platform, which stated the party’s have no lawful right to do so, and I the Republican ideals, his party would quite liberal goals. One of Douglas’s have no inclination to do so. I have no cast him out. Either he should be first thrusts was to read that antislavery purpose to introduce political and made powerless by not being elected, platform, which he did to cheering social equality between the white and or he might be elected and given no from the Republicans in the crowd. black races.”12 However, only several power. Thus, his speech was crafted so Having finished he stated: “Now, gen- breaths later, Lincoln said: “But in the that any listener could hear what he tlemen, your Black Republicans have right to eat the bread, without leave of wanted. cheered every one of those proposi- anybody else, which his [the black Douglas also included in his open- tions, . . . and yet I venture to say that man’s] own hand earns, he is my equal ing speech an attack on Lincoln’s you cannot get Mr. Lincoln to come and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the famous House Divided speech. out and say that he is now in favor of equal of every living man.”13 This last Douglas knew that the phrase was each one of them.”11 Douglas was cor- statement is somewhat more in charac- being repeated across the country, and For the People 7 he wanted to use its “all or nothing” the country was founded. Douglas tution, and Illinoisans of the day did stance to damage Lincoln’s credibility. said: “Mr. Lincoln, in the extract from not love the slave so much as to jump The portion that Douglas read from which I have read, says that this at the chance to die for him. They Lincoln’s earlier speech is as follows: Government cannot endure perma- heard the Republican idea of the com- “In my opinion it will not cease until a nently in the same condition in which plete abolition of slavery, even as crisis shall have been reached and it was made by its framers—divided Lincoln denied that was his aim. passed. ‘A house divided against itself into free and slave States.”16 Douglas Although Lincoln tried to keep aboli- cannot stand.’ I believe this Govern- then accused him of attempting to tion off center stage, it was a tremen- ment cannot endure permanently half force the laws of all the states into con- dously powerful idea; its presence Slave and half Free. I do not expect the formance. Lincoln denied the charges, caused many of the voters to shun Union to be dissolved—I do not saying, “It never occurred to me that I him. Just as Douglas desired to be seen expect the house to fall—but I do expect was doing anything or favoring any- as the spokesman for popular sover- it will cease to be divided. It will become thing to reduce to a dead uniformity eignty, Lincoln was identified as the all one thing, or all the other. Either all the local institutions of the various man most willing to be associated with the opponents of Slavery will arrest the States.”17 He deflected the charge with abolition. further spread of it, and place it where humor, saying that one would be as Interestingly enough, when war the public mind shall rest in the belief likely to force Northerners to grow did come—when South Carolina did that it is in the course of ultimate extinc- sugar cane, or prairie farmers to log secede, it was out of fear of what tion; or its advocates will push it for- where there are no forests just because Lincoln might do.19 In 1860, Lincoln ward till it shall become alike lawful in all that is the livelihood of those living in and Douglas were pitted against each the States—old as well as new, North as Maine.18 other once again, this time for the well as South.”14 Despite Lincoln’s attempt to win presidency. South Carolina vowed to Douglas calls Lincoln’s remarks over the voters, however, Douglas held secede if the “abolitionist” Lincoln was “revolutionary and destructive of the him off for reelection. Both men dis- elected. He was, and it did, and sever- existence of this Government.”15 played intelligence, humor, and a will- al other states followed shortly there- Lincoln responded later, asking ingness to grapple with both impor- after. All of this came to pass despite whether Douglas disagreed with the tant and lesser political issues. Lincoln Lincoln’s claims that he did not favor house-divided proverb (a Biblical quo- had tried to downplay his moral prin- the outright abolition of all slavery, tation). The difficulty in this subject ciples and those of his party in rela- only the arrest of its spread. for Lincoln is his obligation to sound tionship to the issue of slavery because Two years after the Lincoln- like a moderate, since his speech was to do otherwise would have been Douglas Debates, things had changed. somewhat inflammatory. The difficulty impolitic. Nonetheless, the people of In the first contest of popular sover- in this subject for Douglas is that he Illinois saw in Lincoln’s House eignty against the possibility of aboli- could not directly contradict Lincoln Divided speech the grim specter of a tion, Douglas won. However, in their without contradicting the Bible, which greater rift to come. The situation in second trial, Lincoln was elected. Once would be fatal. Douglas’s approach to Kansas seemed to indicate that the he was elected president, the southern this issue was to accuse Lincoln of Southerners would indeed fight to states’ perception of him as an aboli- abandoning the principles on which protect and nurture their peculiar insti- continued on page 8

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Please enroll me as a member of the Mail this application (or a photocopy) Abraham Lincoln Association in the and a check to: category indicated: The Abraham Lincoln Association Railsplitter $35 1 Old State Capitol Plaza ($25 Student) Springfield, Illinois Postmaster $75 62701 Lawyer $200 Congressman $500 Name President $1,000 Street Web site: www.alincolnassoc.com City Members residing outside the U.S. add State $3.00. Zip 8 For the People

Illinois Ideological Battleground of the Nation

continued from page 7 despite all Lincoln said to the contrary, amex/lincolns/politics/index.html, tionist meant popular sovereignty was a few ties between him and the ideas Feb. 5, 2002. doomed and compromise was dead. bound him to them inextricably in the 7Thomas A. Bailey et al., The Reform and revolution were public mind. Douglas died during the American Pageant, 11th ed. (Boston: inevitable. There was little or no hope war and Lincoln was assassinated Houghton, 1998), 423. that either side could be expected to shortly after its conclusion. In this way, 8Johannsen, 640. engage in any give and take other than the two men truly embodied the con- 9Donald, 214. that of bullets. flict between their principles: with the 10Lincoln, 548, 572, 594. Looking back on these events, end of the struggle between their 11Ibid., 498. Lincoln wrote in a letter to Albert G. ideas, Lincoln and Douglas ended as 12Ibid., 512. Hodges, “I claim not to have con- well. 13Ibid. trolled events, but confess plainly that 14Ibid., 502. events have controlled me.”20 While 1David Herbert Donald, Lincoln 15Ibid., 502–3. this may be an unnecessarily humble (New York: Simon, 1995), 133. 16Ibid., 503. expression of his remarkable achieve- 2Louis Filler, The Crusade Against 17Ibid., 515. ments up to that date, it is also true to Slavery, 1830–1860 (New York: 18Ibid., 515–16. a surprising degree. Lincoln set out to Harper, 1960), 249. 19Phillip B. Kunhardt, Jr., et al., be a politician, and he is surely among 3Abraham Lincoln, Speeches and Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography (New our best, but he did not set out to Writings, 1832–1858: Speeches, Letters, York: Knopf, 1992), 133. abolish slavery. It was not against his and Miscellaneous Writings, The 20Donald, 15. personal beliefs to do so, but it was not Lincoln-Douglas Debates, ed. Don E. his aim initially. He was so intimately Fehrenbacher (New York: Library of *Daniel Willis is a student at connected with this view in the public America, 1989), 504. University High School in Normal, perception, that even his public dis- 4Ibid., 506. Illinois, and is this year’s essay winner avowal of this intention did not 5Robert W. Johannsen, Stephen A. of the Abraham Lincoln Association’s change people’s opinion. Perhaps it Douglas (New York: Oxford award at the Illinois History Expo. was that the idea itself had such unde- University Press, 1973), 666. niable power. The strong moral force 6American Experience, “Partisan More on Willis and the award can of abolitionism was so great that Politics,” http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/ be found on page 4.

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