I have been interested in the progression of Lincoln’s views and slavery. He started by being okay with slavery in existing states as long as it didn’t spread to new states to being totally committed to the 13 amendment. He was a smart and wise man and he held to his convictions, yet at the same time he learned and listened and changed when he believed it was the right thing to do.
I was really struck by Blair’s quote to Ben Butler, “If we allow the military to invade the rights of of private property on any other grounds than those recognized by civilized warfare, there will soon cease to be any security whatever for the rights of civilians in either side.” We are seeing this outcome in our world today.
Intriguing question. I wonder if he wasn't staunchly against slavery all along; taking a long view of politics. As a senator, he was mentored by John Quincy Adams, who was so vocally anti-slavery that the Senate enacted a gag-rule against Adams. I get the feeling that Lincoln may have looked for small victories where he thought he could get them, while keeping the ultimate goal of abolishing slavery all together in view.
Assassination attempt and parallels to the current political climate aside, I was happy to see Chase depart, but was impressed by how he came out to campaign for Lincoln. Another thing that stood out for me this week was his ability to not hold a grudge. “A man has not time to spend half his life in quarrels. If any man ceases to attack me, I never remember the past against him.” Current day politicians would be wise to follow suit.
I’m really enjoying this book, I’ve been wanting to read something by DKG for a while and now I’m looking forward to reading her other books. I like that she is able to go into some detail without losing the forward motion of the story. The similarities to today’s political environment, as pointed out by Jeremy, are uncanny…
I have been interested in the progression of Lincoln’s views and slavery. He started by being okay with slavery in existing states as long as it didn’t spread to new states to being totally committed to the 13 amendment. He was a smart and wise man and he held to his convictions, yet at the same time he learned and listened and changed when he believed it was the right thing to do.
I was really struck by Blair’s quote to Ben Butler, “If we allow the military to invade the rights of of private property on any other grounds than those recognized by civilized warfare, there will soon cease to be any security whatever for the rights of civilians in either side.” We are seeing this outcome in our world today.
Intriguing question. I wonder if he wasn't staunchly against slavery all along; taking a long view of politics. As a senator, he was mentored by John Quincy Adams, who was so vocally anti-slavery that the Senate enacted a gag-rule against Adams. I get the feeling that Lincoln may have looked for small victories where he thought he could get them, while keeping the ultimate goal of abolishing slavery all together in view.
Assassination attempt and parallels to the current political climate aside, I was happy to see Chase depart, but was impressed by how he came out to campaign for Lincoln. Another thing that stood out for me this week was his ability to not hold a grudge. “A man has not time to spend half his life in quarrels. If any man ceases to attack me, I never remember the past against him.” Current day politicians would be wise to follow suit.
I’m really enjoying this book, I’ve been wanting to read something by DKG for a while and now I’m looking forward to reading her other books. I like that she is able to go into some detail without losing the forward motion of the story. The similarities to today’s political environment, as pointed out by Jeremy, are uncanny…