Jun
28
The neoCon Delusion
June 28, 2010 | 11 Comments
With the title, some of you may have no doubt rolled your eyes, while several others may have uttered, “Finally!” It’s not what you think. The neoCons I speak of are not those nefarious (joooooooooish) conservatives who seek to take over the world through military might and by their ability to dupe Americans with their mind control [...]
Nov
19
Almost Chosen People
November 19, 2009 | 1 Comment
I am proud to announce the formation of a new blog, dedicated to American History up to the time of Reconstruction. It is called Almost Chosen People, and features Don McClarey of the American Catholic, Dale Price of Dyspeptic Mutterings, frequent commenters Mouldfan and G-Veg, and former Political Spectrum co-blogger GipperClone. I will be mainly [...]
Feb
12
Second Inaugural Address – March 4, 1865
February 12, 2009 | 2 Comments
I can think of no better way to cap off my Lincoln recollections than with the greatest speech in American history. Every time I visit the Lincoln Memorial – and I have been there many times – I am compelled to read this masterpiece. Again, there is nothing I can add that has not been [...]
Feb
12
Gettysburg Address – November 19, 1863
February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
There is really nothing I can add that hasn’t been said before. One thing I would point out is just to pay special attention to the construction of the speech. Lincoln truly was a master at rhythm and style. Just note the repeated used of “here” and how it affects the emphasis of the address. [...]
Feb
12
Letter to Erastus Corning and Others – June 12, 1863
February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
Lincoln was a lawyer, and his finest work may have been the defense of his wartime actions that he penned in this letter to a group of New York Democrats critical of him. I agree with Lincoln completely. One line summarizes it all: “Must I shoot a simple-minded soldier boy who deserts, while I must [...]
Feb
12
Letter to General Joseph Hooker – January 26, 1863
February 12, 2009 | 2 Comments
In 1863, President Lincoln ran through generals at roughly the same rate as George Steinbrenner ran through managers during the 1980s. He replaced McClellan with Burnside, and soon after Burnside’s catastrophe at Fredericksburg, he placed Joseph Hooker at the head of the army of the Potomac. Hooker was a brash young man who undermined his [...]
Feb
12
Final Emancipation Proclamation – January 1, 1863
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
I already shared my thoughts on the proclamation in my initial post. Critics like to underplay the significance of this act, but that is a great disservice to Lincoln and to history. —- By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation. Whereas, on the twentysecond day of September, in the year of [...]
Feb
12
Telegram to General McClellan – October 24, 1862
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
By the end of 1862 Abraham Lincoln was completely exasperated with McClellan. McClellan repeatedly defied Lincoln’s suggestions that McClellan advance his army against Lee. This terse telegram reveals that Lincoln had just about lost all patience. ——– Washington City, D.C. Oct. 24. 1862 Majr. Genl. McClellan I have just read your despatch about sore tongued [...]
Feb
12
Letter to Horace Greeley – August 22, 1862
February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
In this letter Lincoln lays out his basic philosophy – he is here to preserve to union, nothing more. Interestingly, Lincoln wrote this a month before issuing the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and he knew while he was writing this letter that he would be issuing the proclamation just as soon as the Union won a [...]
Feb
12
Letter to O.H. Browning – September 22, 1861
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
Lincoln caught grief from both the radicals and moderates in his party. The radicals wanted Lincoln to take a more active approach regarding slavery. And when Lincoln countermanded General Fremont’s order freeing slaves in conquered areas, the radicals grew even more frustrated. This letter to a friend of Lincoln’s explains why he did what he [...]
Feb
12
First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1861
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
Other than the closing lines, this address often gets overlooked, but it is in fact a masterpiece. Lincoln lays out the case against secession and for union. It is conciliatory in some regards, but firm in its resolve. It is doubtful that Lincoln could have done anything but completly capitulate to the South in order [...]
Feb
12
Letter to Lyman Trumbull April 29, 1860
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
As I said before, Abraham Lincoln was not a saint. He may have been a humble trial lawyer from Illinois, but he was also incredibly ambitious – not that there’s anything wrong with that. As Lincon’s law partner Bill Herndon said of him, his ambition was “a little engine that knew no rest.” In this [...]
Feb
12
Cooper Union Address – February 27, 1860
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
At this point Lincoln had become a darkhorse candidate for the presidency. In the winter of 1860 he embarked on a tour of the northeast that helped spread his name outside of the midwest. The Cooper Union Address was Lincoln’s introduction to the northeast elite, and while they were intitially taken aback by his folksy [...]
Feb
12
Peoria Speech – October 16, 1854
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
This speech arguably marks Lincoln’s entrance into the national spotlight. It was a response to a speech delivered in Peoria by Senator Douglas defending his role in the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise was just one of the many events that led to the Civil War, and is another [...]
Feb
12
Letter to the Editor of the Illinois Gazette – August 11, 1846
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
Lincoln’s religious views have always been a matter of some controversy. Was he a religious man? Yes, he was, and Donald McClarey has an excellent post about Lincoln’s faith. He was not an orthodox man, but there is no doubt that his faith had a crucial role in shaping his beliefs. Like his hero Jefferson [...]
Feb
12
Address Before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois – January 27, 1838
February 12, 2009 | Comments Off
One of the myths surrounding Lincoln was that he was basically a failed politician until he was elected President. While he only served on term as a Congressman, Lincoln was very active in Illinois politics from a relatively early age, and was a prominent Whig and then Republican. One of his earliest political addresses came [...]
Feb
12
Letter to Mary Owens, August 16, 1837
February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
I think it is appropriate that the first thing I link to is a personal letter. People know a lot about the historical Lincoln, but may forget about the person. Lincoln was not exactly smooth with the ladies. He was not gay, contrary to the fevered rantings of certain “scholars,” but I am inclined to [...]
Feb
12
Lincoln Turns 200
February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
Today is the 200th birthday of the man who is one of the two greatest Presidents in American history (I refuse to choose between Washington and Lincoln). I intend to let Abe’s own words do most of the talking for me, but I would be remiss if I did not share a few of my [...]
Feb
11
Essays on Lincoln
February 11, 2009 | 2 Comments
Unless events alter my plans, I intend on celebrating Lincoln’s 200th birthday tomorrow with a series of posts on the great man. In the meantime, you can go to the Claremont Institute as they have re-published a number of essays today. And of course there is Don McClarey’s excellent continuing series at the American Catholic.
Jan
17
Paying tribute to Lincoln
January 17, 2009 | Comments Off
Donald McClarey has the first of what will be a series of posts that will commemorate Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Stay tuned to the American Catholic for more. I was planning on having a massive series of posts on the 12th, but I might be just a bit busy on that day.