407 Comments

Beautiful essay on Lincoln and democracy, Heather. Guess I have to bring Abigail Adams into this and say "Remember the ladies" which was in a letter she wrote on March 31, 1776, to her husband. In response, John concludes his letter to Abigail's plea to 'Remember the Ladies. ' Although his tone is playful, John dismisses Abigail's request, saying, “I cannot but laugh,” and “you are so saucy.” I like to remind people that the opposite of patriarchy is not matriarchy, it is egalitarianism. We the People, all of us this time! Please.

Expand full comment
Feb 13, 2022·edited Feb 13, 2022

I'm struck by a contrast in this illuminating commentary about equality and race: how openly the enslavers of Lincoln's day articulated their views about white supremacy compared to today's bigots. Now they communicate their bigotry via a veiled language of hints and vague innuendo. And by silently flashing white-power hand signals while smiling broadly, as if to say, "I'm declaring my racism oh so cleverly without saying a word." Of course there are slip-ups when they're caught in recordings using the N-word and other racial slurs. When confronted later they invariably knit their brows in faux distress and issue apologies everyone knows are insincere.

Trump summoned these cowards from the shadows. They attract like-minded people with whom they can share their hatred of others as long as none of those damn liberals are in earshot. You can be sure they'll never express and explain their bigotry publicly because they fear the harsh backlash that would follow. Or in unusual displays of "courage" they'll march around in matching polo shirts and khaki pants which fit much better than white hoods and sheets. But they're still cowards.

It's too bad they will never find themselves shipwrecked on the African coast and enslaved by dark-skinned people and, hopefully, have an epiphany.

Expand full comment

Tonight I must join the chorus thanking you for one of the best "Letters" you have written. Why have I never seen or heard of Lincoln's philosophical arguments for equality? Something seriously lacking in my US History text and the way I was taught? -- I agree with those previous comments proclaiming Lincoln as our best President. He saved this nation. We can't begin to honor him enough.

Expand full comment

Honest Abe is by far my favorite President. On the ever less frequent occasions when I can spend a few days in my hometown, Washington DC, I make a point of visiting the Lincoln Memorial and re-reading his second Inaugural Address. Reminds me of what a worthy endeavor our country is.

Expand full comment

To paraphrase Justice Brandeis: We can have a super-wealthy class or we can have democracy, but not both.

Expand full comment

It would be a great contribution to our nation if scholars of American history were to question US Supreme Court justices about their historical knowledge of the ideals established in our Founding documents rather than politicians vetting judicial nominees about their positions on current issues.

Clearly, we have judges who have positions without regard for our founding ideals and purpose, which Abraham Lincoln was quite dedicated to deep thought, which he articulated for everyone to consider and act upon accordingly.

Expand full comment

What an amazing and valuable issue. Thank you for this fine piece of scholarship!

Expand full comment

At last - Heather finds cause - and touches the suppressed feeling in every decent American tonight.

Is it enough? No. It’s not. But it’s a damn good start.

Reading this post - brings tears. If only today’s leaders of the party of Lincoln could find Lincoln’s mirror. If only they could read Abraham Lincoln’s speeches and feel what he felt.

If only they could feel what I do, every time I think of my sick racist country - and cry.

If only my fellow Americans could ask what matters: was the white milk from the Black breast that raised your family just right? Did the love that child felt for that mothering not teach the white child something important? It goes from there… why did the Negro mothers submit so willingly to the white sons of the plantation enslavers? Why? Ask why.. ask what the lighter skin bought those poor enslaved Black mothers… it’s called passing, abd it’s not good. And so, economic slavery emerges - as good much stronger and more able Black men were often ignored in favor of the young insipid son of an evil white man.

It’s time America.

Get them off their knees.

Mighty NFL enslavers: Hear me. Feel them.

Act.

It’s time.

Expand full comment

This is one of the best essays you've done. I have no doubt that I'll find myself quoting from it.

Nicely done, Dr. H !!

Expand full comment

Lincoln is one of those beings I would have loved to walk and talk with. Your post gives me the sensation that you have done exactly that, dear Heather

Expand full comment

Perfect logic. All of it should have been clear to me from grade school onward. Now it is. Thank you.

And thank you, Abraham Lincoln.

Expand full comment

We are still trying to prove that people can govern themselves. The problem this time is irrational belief in cults and conspiracy theories. If large numbers of voters believe that the elections are all rigged and that everything Donald Trump says is true and that Hillary Clinton is running a child prostitution ring out of the basement of a pizza restaurant in Washington D.C. - then how can they (and us) be governed? If we cannot agree on which facts are true, how can we govern ourselves?

Expand full comment

Magnificent column. Thank you. The only other President that I rank in Lincoln’s stature was FDR. He guided the country through the Depression, changed the social and economic structure - albeit today it is being undermined and reversed - for the better and while imperfect in his handling, managed to lead us to fight Hitler, Japan and Mussolini in a time when isolationism was very dominant. When one sees how powerful the plutocratic forces of fascism and autocracy remain in this country today, it is even more remarkable to ponder how much FDR accomplished and contributed.

Expand full comment

Slavery is mentioned in the Constitution only in the 13th amendment (to abolish it).

New York Avenue Presbyterian Church always sends a wreath to display at the Lincoln Memorial in honor of their Sunday School teacher.

I am older than Ruby Bridges. I recall being assigned Lincoln's debates for extra credit reading in high school. When the press became media, we lost many of the skills to explain debates to the masses.

Expand full comment

This took my breath away. Thank you, Heather Cox Richardson!

Expand full comment

This is, quite simply, what it's all about.

Expand full comment