Lincoln is getting quoted a lot, but selectively.
Everyone remembers "with malice towards none; with charity for all" from the 2d Inaugural.
Keep reading. Lincoln called as well for a "just, and a lasting peace."
Everyone remembers "with malice towards none; with charity for all" from the 2d Inaugural.
Keep reading. Lincoln called as well for a "just, and a lasting peace."
Lincoln had a genius for using the language of conciliation even as he refused to compromise.
He had done it 4 years earlier too.
In the 1st Inaugural, he appealed to the "mystic chords of memory" that united Americans—even as refused to compromise on the extension of slavery.
He had done it 4 years earlier too.
In the 1st Inaugural, he appealed to the "mystic chords of memory" that united Americans—even as refused to compromise on the extension of slavery.
And so, as Lincoln said in the 2d inaugural, "the war came."
That speech frustrated those who hoped he would lay out a vision of Reconstruction.
What would a "just…and lasting peace" entail?
Lincoln gave a hint 5 weeks later, in what would become his last public address.
That speech frustrated those who hoped he would lay out a vision of Reconstruction.
What would a "just…and lasting peace" entail?
Lincoln gave a hint 5 weeks later, in what would become his last public address.
On April 11, Lincoln called for the limited enfranchisement of black men.
This was hardly the most radical position of the day—he didn't call for *equal* suffrage.
And he stated it as a preference, not a requirement, for the new Louisiana government.
But make no mistake.
This was hardly the most radical position of the day—he didn't call for *equal* suffrage.
And he stated it as a preference, not a requirement, for the new Louisiana government.
But make no mistake.
Lincoln knew what he said would enrage ex-Confederates and northern Democrats.
He said it anyway.
Among those he enraged was John Wilkes Booth, who was in the audience on April 11—and who fatally shot Lincoln 3 days later.
The point being…
He said it anyway.
Among those he enraged was John Wilkes Booth, who was in the audience on April 11—and who fatally shot Lincoln 3 days later.
The point being…
If you're going to invoke Lincoln, remember that he didn't think conciliation meant surrender.
He didn't cave in to pro-slavery secessionists to avoid war.
And afterwards, he didn't plan to sacrifice the fruits of victory or the dictates of justice to placate a former foe. /x
He didn't cave in to pro-slavery secessionists to avoid war.
And afterwards, he didn't plan to sacrifice the fruits of victory or the dictates of justice to placate a former foe. /x
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