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Message from the JMC President
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Dear Friends,
We are a decidedly non-political organization. But I'd like to mention something Senator Tim Scott said that resonates with me, "Original sin is never the end of the story."
Our history shows we did not always live up to our founding ideals. But the way forward is for our citizens to appreciate those ideals that are enshrined in our founding documents, recognize our failures and successes in upholding them, and continue to carry those principles forward. And that is why we believe education is so important.
I'd like to introduce you to our new historical series on Lincoln. In this very divided and divisive climate surrounding issues of race and racism, Abraham LIncoln's leadership is especially relevant.
Lincoln led our nation in its first major step toward realizing America's foundational principle that "all men are created equal."
You can read more below. Be on the lookout for future pieces in our series. And do let us know what else you would like to see. Thank you for your support.
Mike
Michael L. Andrews, PhD
JMC President
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JMC Historical Series on Abraham Lincoln
Part I: Lincoln's Leadership in the Face of Defiance, Secession, and His Constitutional Oath
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But what was Lincoln's role? Did Lincoln push the nation to war, as some at the time suggested? Or was it an unavoidable consequence of persistent southern defiance and the deepening threat of the Union dissolving?
A House Sharply Divided
Decades of American disagreement erupted in the election of 1860. Four candidates squared off: Stephen Douglas, John Breckenridge, John Bell, and Abraham Lincoln.
Each candidate had very different opinions on how to preserve the Union. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was a significant point of contention.
Spearheaded by Stephen Douglas, the Kansas-Nebraska Act fueled national tensions by effectively nullifying the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which prohibited slavery north of the 36° 30' parallel (with the exception of Missouri). Under the principle of popular sovereignty, the Act allowed the introduction of slavery on the other side of the line and set a dangerous precedent for future territories.
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Lincoln's Polarizing Arguments
Lincoln's objections to slavery scared slaveholders. During his first debate with Stephen Douglas in 1858, Lincoln rose to national attention largely for arguing that the popular sovereignty claim politicians were using really only meant protecting slavery for people who wanted it. People against slavery had no legal avenue to prohibit it.
Lincoln also made known his moral opposition to slavery.
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In his September 1859 speech at Cincinnati, he proclaimed, "I think slavery is wrong, morally, and politically. I desire that it should be no further spread in these United States, and I should not object if it should gradually terminate in the whole Union.”
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In spite of his personal objections to slavery, his First Inaugural Address attempted to reassure slaveholding states that he did not wish to interfere. Lincoln's primary concern was to preserve the Union and uphold his constitutional oath.
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Secession and Civil War
The South already considered Lincoln to be an emboldened abolitionist. After he won the election, South Carolina seceded on December 20, 1860. Six additional states followed suit before Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861.
Tensions finally erupted when the Confederacy attacked the federal base at Ft. Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina as the federal government attempted to resupply the base. Lincoln, identifying no remaining options toward reconciliation. made the difficult decision to declare war on the South.
We know now that the long and arduous path through the Civil War would ultimately lead the nation to its first major step in realizing our founding principles of freedom and equality. For Lincoln, however, the struggle was just beginning...
Keep an eye out for Part II in our Lincoln Series. We'll look at the Emancipation Proclamation, its lack of effect toward its intended purpose, and its unexpected impact on the war and the nation itself.
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The battle for the soul of our nation will be won or lost in our classrooms ™ — Jack Miller
The Jack Miller Center works to revitalize education in America’s history and its founding principles. Our goal is that every student learns the ideas that informed the founding of our nation so that they may preserve our freedoms for future generations.
Consider a tax-deductible gift to the Jack Miller Center. Your donation, large or small, is an investment in the future of our country—for you, for your children, for your grandchildren.
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About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.
We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.
www.jackmillercenter.org
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