September 19, 2024 • 25 mins
What if the path to greatness begins in the most unassuming places? This episode of Double Helix Blueprint of Nations promises to reveal the extraordinary journey of Abraham Lincoln from a Kentucky log cabin to the highest office in the land. Join us as we explore how a self-taught lawyer, bolstered by his stepmother Sarah Bush Johnston's support and inspired by Henry Clay's American System, navigated early American politics. Discover the compelling stories behind Lincoln's formative years, early jobs, and notable courtroom triumphs that laid the foundation for his legal and political career. Plus, gain insights into his marriage to Mary Todd, a partnership uniquely combining social prowess with humble roots.
Lincoln's ascent to the presidency during the 1860 election became a story of strategy, division, and destiny as the nation stood on the precipice of disunion. Learn how the fractured Democratic Party and the burgeoning Republican Party set the stage for his unexpected victory, despite a lack of Southern support. We'll dissect Lincoln's cautious yet firm reactions to the secession of seven states and the formation of the Confederacy under Jefferson Davis. This episode unpacks the complexities of a nation on the brink of the Civil War, revealing how Lincoln's leadership began to shape the course of American history. Tune in for an episode rich with historical intrigue and profound lessons on resilience and leadership.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to Double Helix Blueprint of Nations,
season 2, episode 2.4, the RailSplitter.
Welcome back to Double HelixBlueprint of Nations.
(00:28):
When we last left off, thebloody decade had set the stage
for what was to come.
John Brown's raid on Harper'sFerry and his subsequent
execution brought the 1850s to aclose, leaving the nation
teetering on the brink of anall-out war.
Today, we shift our focus toone of the most pivotal figures
(00:48):
in American history AbrahamLincoln.
How did a relatively unknownlawyer from Illinois rise to the
presidency at such a criticaltime, and how did his election
trigger the secession of thesouthern states?
Before we dive into the eventsof 1860, let's take a step back
(01:12):
and get to know the man whowould become the 16th president
of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln's story beginsin the most humble of
circumstances.
Born on February 12, 1809, in asmall log cabin in Hardin
County, kentucky, lincoln'searly life was far from the
grandeur one might expect for afuture president.
His family lived on thefrontier, a rough and
(01:33):
unforgiving place that demandedhard work and perseverance.
The Lincolns were not wealthy.
They scratched out a livingthrough subsistence, farming and
odd jobs, moving frequently insearch of better opportunities.
The young Lincoln's formaleducation was sparse, amounting
to less than a year in total.
(01:53):
Schools were few and far inbetween, and his family could
not afford to send him away forschooling.
But what he lacked in formaleducation, lincoln made up for
in a relentless pursuit ofknowledge.
He was an avid reader, oftenwalking miles to borrow books.
He devoured works like theBible, aesop's Fables and
(02:14):
Shakespeare, forming thefoundation of his self-education
.
In 1816, when Lincoln was justseven years old, his family
moved to Indiana.
1816, when Lincoln was justseven years old, his family
moved to Indiana.
Here, tragedy struck early whenhis mother, nancy Hank Lincoln,
died of milk sickness in 1818.
This loss profoundly affectedyoung Abraham, but it also
(02:42):
marked the beginning of hislifelong resilience in the face
of hardships.
His father remarried thefollowing year to Sarah Bush
Johnston, a kind woman whoencouraged Lincoln's love for
reading and learning.
As Lincoln grew, so did hisambition.
At the age of 21, the familymoved again, this time to
Illinois.
It was here that Lincoln trulybegan to carve out his path.
(03:02):
He worked various jobssplitting rails for fences,
piloting a flatboat down theMississippi, running a general
store and serving even as apostmaster.
These early jobs, though humble, helped Lincoln develop a deep
understanding of the ordinarylife of Americans and their
struggles.
In 1832, lincoln took his firststeps into public life, running
(03:27):
for the Illinois StateLegislature.
He lost his first election butwon a seat two years later,
representing Sangamon County asa member of the Whig Party.
Lincoln's political philosophywas influenced heavily by our
old friend Henry Clay, the Whigleader who advocated for
economic modernization andinfrastructure improvements,
(03:50):
known as the American system.
During his time in the Illinoisstate legislature, lincoln
honed his skills in debate andlawmaking.
He became known for his logicalarguments and his ability to
connect with common people.
For his logical arguments andhis ability to connect with
common people.
Lincoln's commitment toself-improvement and public
service drove him to study lawon his own.
(04:10):
He obtained his law license in1836 and moved to Springfield,
illinois, to practice law as alawyer.
Lincoln's reputation grew.
He was known for his honesty,earning the nickname Honest Abe.
He handled a wide range ofcases, from property disputes to
criminal defense, and traveledthe circuit courts, gaining
(04:33):
valuable experience and makingconnections throughout the state
.
His legal career allowed him torefine his reasoning,
persuasion and public speakingskills, qualities that would
serve him well in his politicalcareer.
A good story that speaks ofLincoln's approach, which plays
common sense and humanity aheadof other considerations is the
(04:55):
story of the case of JackArmstrong in 1858.
In the mid-1830s, lincolnbecame friends with a man named
Jack Armstrong, the leader of alocal group of rowdy young men
known as the Clary's Grove Boys.
Despite their rough reputation,lincoln earned their respect
through his strength andintegrity.
It is here that it is reputedthat Lincoln got into wrestling
(05:17):
matches Years later.
This friendship would putLincoln in a position to pay it
forward.
This friendship would putLincoln in a position to pay it
forward.
In 1858, armstrong's son,william Duff Armstrong, was
accused of murdering a man namedJames Metzger during a drunken
brawl.
The evidence against Duff wasstrong and it seemed certain he
(05:42):
would be convicted and face thedeath penalty.
Jacques Armstrong had passedaway by this time and Dove's
mother, hannah Armstrong,desperate to save her son,
turned to Lincoln for help.
Lincoln agreed to defend DoveArmstrong pro bono, driven by
his loyalty to the Armstrongfamily and his belief in Dove's
innocence.
The trial took place inBeardstown, illinois, and it was
(06:03):
here that Lincoln's sharp mindand innovative approach to law
came to the forefront.
The prosecution's case hingedon the testimony of Charles
Allen, who claimed he had seenDuff strike Metzger, with his
lung shot by the light of themoon high in the sky,
(06:27):
cross-examined Allen and thenpresented an 1857 almanac to the
court, which showed that on thenight in question the moon was
low on the horizon and notproviding enough light for Allen
to have seen what he claimed.
This revelation dramaticallyundermined the prosecution's
case, and Lincoln's meticulouspreparation and clever use of
the almanac swayed the jury.
Duff Armstrong was acquittedand the courtroom erupted in
(06:47):
relief and gratitude.
Lincoln was, after all, apractical and reasonable man who
stuck to his convictions evenagainst insurmountable odds.
Lincoln's personal life alsotook shape during the period.
In 1842, he married Mary Todd,a well-educated woman from a
prominent Kentucky family.
(07:08):
Despite their differingbackgrounds and personalities,
the marriage was a pivotalpartnership in Lincoln's life.
Mary's social ambition andpolitical savvy complemented
Lincoln's humble roots and legalacumen, providing him with a
stable home life and a strongsupport system.
Lincoln's early politicalcareer included a single term in
(07:29):
the US House of Representativesfrom 1847 to 1849.
During this time in Congress,he opposed the Mexican-American
War, viewing it as an unjustconflict aimed at expanding
slave territories.
This stance was unpopular inhis home state and he decided
not to seek re-election.
After his term, lincolnreturned to Springfield to
(07:52):
resume his law practice,stepping away from the national
political scene but remainingactive in local and state
politics.
The 1850s brought a new urgencyto the issue of slavery, as
we've seen.
The 1850s brought a new urgencyto the issue of slavery, as
we've seen, and Lincoln foundhimself drawn back into the
political arena.
His moderate stance on slaveryevolved, driven by his belief in
(08:19):
the moral wrongness of theinstitution and the threat that
it posed to the Union.
Now you've heard in our lastepisode how the 1850s were a
period where it seemed as if thecountry was coming apart every
few weeks, and so, as the nationedged closer to division,
lincoln's dedication topreserving the Union and his
growing prominence in the newlyformed Republican Party would
chart his rise to the presidency.
Lincoln's rise wasn't overnight.
(08:41):
It was a testament toperseverance and strategic
thinking.
Picture it the rail splitterfrom the backwoods, a
self-taught lawyer, onto thenational stage.
It's the kind of storyAmericans love, a tale of grit
and determination.
Lincoln's national politicalcareer began to gain traction
(09:01):
with the Lincoln-Douglas debatesof 1858.
Began to gain traction with theLincoln-Douglas debates of 1858
.
These debates were a series ofseven face-offs between Lincoln
and Stephen A Douglas, theincumbent senator from Illinois.
As they campaigned for theIllinois Senate seat, douglas, a
formidable public speaker andproponent of popular sovereignty
, argued that territories shoulddecide for themselves whether
(09:28):
to allow slavery.
Lincoln, however, delivered hisnow-famous House Divided Speech
, declaring that the nationcould not endure permanently
half-slave and half-free.
He said, a house dividedagainst itself cannot stand.
The debates drew nationalattention and were extensively
covered in the press.
Although Lincoln lost theSenate race, he gained a
(09:49):
significant following for hisarticulate stance against the
expansion of slavery.
His performance in the debatespropelled him into the national
spotlight, making him a viablecandidate for the presidency in
1860.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates werea microcosm of the national
debate over slavery, held inseven different Illinois towns,
(10:11):
they attracted massive crowdsand transcripts were widely
published in newspapers acrossthe country.
The format was intense.
Each debate lasted three hours,with one candidate speaking for
60 minutes, the otherresponding for 90 minutes and
the first candidate getting a30-minute rebuttal.
This gave Lincoln a substantialplatform to present his ideas
(10:34):
and challenge Douglass directly.
In the first debate at Ottawa,lincoln attacked Douglass'
popular sovereignty doctrine,arguing that it could not
resolve the moral issue ofslavery.
He skillfully highlighted thecontradictions in Douglass'
stance, pointing out thatallowing territories to choose
slavery, essentially made it anational issue.
(10:56):
Douglass in turn paintedLincoln as a radical who
threatened the Union by opposingthe Dred Scott decision.
At the Freeport debate, lincolncornered Douglas with a
question that became known asthe Freeport Doctrine.
Lincoln asked whether thepeople of a territory could
exclude slavery, despite theSupreme Court's ruling in Dred
(11:17):
Scott.
Douglas replied that they could, by refusing to pass laws
necessary for slavery'sprotection.
This answer helped Douglasretain his Senate seat but
alienated Southern Democrats,weakening his chances for the
presidency.
The debates continued toescalate in intensity.
In Charleston, Lincoln took afirm stance declaring I protest
(11:40):
against the counterfeit logicwhich concludes that because I
do not want a black woman for aslave, I must necessarily want
her for a wife.
He emphasized the moral andeconomic arguments against
slavery's expansion, distancinghimself from the radical
abolitionist label, whileappealing to a broader audience.
Appealing to a broader audience.
(12:00):
So let me point out that quote.
There would be, how do you say,racist by 21st century
standards?
But at the time, as I said, itproved Lincoln wasn't a radical
and that was important for hiselectability.
People of that time weregenerally racist.
(12:24):
However, lincoln, among theracists, was probably of the
better kind, if you could saythat, in Galesburg, lincoln
struck a chord by questioningthe moral integrity of a nation
that tolerated slavery.
He argued that the institutionof slavery was fundamentally at
odds with the Declaration ofIndependence's assertion that
all men are created equal.
(12:44):
This position resonated withmany Northerners who, while not
necessarily abolitionists, wereuncomfortable with the spread of
slavery.
By the time the debates reachedAlton, the final face-off,
lincoln had established himselfas a formidable opponent to
Douglass.
He spoke passionately about theneed to limit the spread of
slavery, framing it as a battlefor the soul of the nation.
(13:07):
Douglass continued to defendpopular sovereignty and state
rights, but Lincoln's moralclarity and eloquence left a
lasting impression on theelectorate.
The debates solidifiedLincoln's reputation as a
powerful and principled speaker,capable of articulating the
complex issues surroundingslavery in a way that resonated
(13:28):
with the public.
Although he lost the Senaterace to Douglass, the debates
elevated Lincoln to nationalprominence.
Newspapers across the countryreprinted the debates, making
Lincoln a household name.
Reprinted the debates makingLincoln a household name.
His performance impressed theRepublican Party leaders, who
(13:48):
saw him as a candidate who couldunite the diverse factions of
their party and appeal to a widerange of voters.
We talked about the formationof the Republican Party.
It was formed in 1854 inresponse to the Kansas-Nebraska
Act and it was a coalition ofanti-slavery Whigs, free-soilers
and disaffected Democrats.
By the time the 1860 electioncame about, the party sought a
(14:11):
candidate who could appeal to abroad spectrum of Northern
voters.
Lincoln, with his moderateviews and compelling personal
story, fit the bill perfectly.
And, by the way, no, the partyof 1854 is not the Republican
Party of today, which is alsotrue for the Democratic Party.
By the way, maybe at some pointI'll do a season on political
(14:34):
parties and how they've affectedtheir respective countries.
So there's an idea.
Anyway, the 1860 RepublicanNational Convention was held in
Chicago.
Lincoln's supporters workedtirelessly to secure his
nomination, employing savvypolitical tactics such as
printing and distributingthousands of copies of Lincoln's
(14:54):
speeches and biographies.
It was a masterclass ingrassroots politicking.
In grassroots politicking,lincoln's main rivals in the
nomination were William H Seward, salmon P Chase and Edward
Bates, all of whom had morenational recognition.
However, lincoln's teamskillfully portrayed him as the
(15:17):
more moderate choice, lesslikely to alienate swing voters
in crucial states.
After multiple ballots, lincolnemerged as a compromised
candidate, securing thenomination to the delight of his
supporters.
In contrast, the DemocraticParty was deeply divided.
Northern Democrats nominatedStephen Douglas, while Southern
Democrats, who had walked out ofthe convention in protest,
nominated John C Breckinridge.
(15:39):
A third candidate, john Bell,ran on the Constitutional Union
ticket, appealing to moderatesin the border states.
The election of 1860 was unlikeany other in American history.
The nation was on the brink andevery vote seemed to carry the
weight of the future.
Lincoln's platform was clear.
(15:59):
He opposed the expansion ofslavery into new territories,
but he was not calling for theimmediate abolition of slavery
in states where it alreadyexisted.
This nuanced position allowedhim to appeal to a broad
coalition of voters.
Lincoln's campaign strategy wasequally shrewd.
He focused on the northernstates where he believed his
(16:20):
message would resonate moststrongly.
His campaign literatureemphasized his humble origins
and his commitment to libertyand equality.
Lincoln himself did notactively campaign In fact, no
politicians did at the time buthis supporters canvassed
tirelessly on his behalf.
On his behalf.
(16:46):
On election day, lincoln won adecisive victory, capturing 180
of the 303 electoral votes andabout 40% of the popular vote.
His support was almost entirelyfrom the North.
He did not even appear on theballot in most Southern states.
The South viewed his electionas an existential threat, a
clear signal that their way oflife was about to be over, and
by way of life read slavery,which, in case there is any
(17:09):
doubt left by now, was thedriving engine of Southern
economy and society.
Lincoln's rise from thebackwoods of Illinois to the
presidency as such a criticaljuncture is one of the most
compelling stories in Americanhistory.
His election, seen by many as aturning point, was rhetorical
spark for the conflict thatwould tear the nation apart.
(17:32):
The man from Illinois, with hisdeep-set eyes and resolute
demeanor was about to lead thecountry through its most
challenging and transformativeperiod.
Yet by the time the electionresults of 1860 rolled in, the
South was in a full-blown panic.
It was as if the North hadelected Satan himself to the
(17:53):
White House.
The news that Abraham Lincoln,a man whose name was synonymous
with anti-slavery sentiment, hadbeen elected president since
shockwaves throughout thesouthern states.
South Carolina, always eager tolead the charge in any act of
defiance, was the first to leapinto the secession pool.
On December 20, 1860, theirconvention declared that the
(18:16):
Union was dissolved.
South Carolina's Declaration ofSecession was a document
steeped in the defense ofslavery, they wrote.
A geographical line has beendrawn across the Union and all
the states north of that linehave united in the election of a
man to the high office ofPresident of the United States
whose opinions and purposes arehostile to slavery.
(18:38):
This declaration wasn't just atempest in a teapot.
South Carolina's secession setoff a chain reaction.
By February 1861, six morestates followed suit Mississippi
, florida, alabama, Georgia,louisiana and Texas.
Each state issued its owndeclaration and each of these
(19:02):
declarations echoed thesentiment that the preservation
of slavery was the primarymotive for secession.
Mississippi's declarationstated bluntly Our position is
thoroughly identified with theinstitution of slavery, the
greatest material interest ofthe world.
The secession dominoes werefalling faster than anyone in
the North could react to.
(19:22):
A new Confederate States ofAmerica was taking shape, with
Jefferson Davis, the former USSenator from Mississippi,
elected as his president.
Davis, with his militarybackground and staunch support
for slavery, seemed the perfectman to lead his nation.
Support for slavery seemed theperfect man to lead his nascent
(19:43):
nation.
Lincoln, still president-electand not yet in office, watched
these developments with amixture of concern and
determination.
He was walking a tightrope,trying to balance the
preservation of the Union with agrowing realization that
compromise was becoming less andless possible.
His public statements werecareful, measured.
He reiterated his position thathe had no intention to
(20:06):
interfere with slavery when italready existed, but he was firm
in his opposition to itsexpansion.
This, of course, did little tocalm the South's fear.
They had heard enough.
They believed Lincoln'spresidency meant the end of
their world.
The speed of secession caughtmany in the North off guard.
In those days before instantcommunication, news traveled
(20:29):
slower and the magnitude of thecrisis took time to sink in.
But once it did, the realitywas stark.
The Union was unraveling.
The debates in Congress becameincreasingly heated, with
Southern representatives makingdramatic exits to join their
state's new government.
The sense of an impendingconflict grew by the day.
(20:49):
The fledging Confederacy,meanwhile, wasn't just sitting
around hoping things would blowover.
They were taking decisive stepsto establish their government
and military.
They seized federal properties,forts and arsenals within their
(21:10):
borders, making it clear thatthey meant business.
The North saw these actions asrebellious and treasonous, while
the South viewed them asnecessary measures to protect
their sovereignty.
And if you're wondering, yes,there was an American president
in charge, president Buchanan,generally considered one of the
worst presidents in Americanhistory and a man who generally
stood idly by as the Southseceded and took federal
(21:31):
property.
As Lincoln prepared for hispresidency, the nation was on
the edge of chaos.
His election had set off achain reaction that saw seven
southern states secede from theUnion.
Even before he took office,despite the mounting crisis,
lincoln remained resolute.
He embarked on a whistle-stoptour from Springfield, illinois,
to Washington DC, makingnumerous beaches along the way.
(21:55):
His journey was fraught withdanger.
Rumors of assassination, plusswirl, prompted heightened
security measures.
In Baltimore, he even had tosneak through the city under the
cover of darkness.
Talk about a dramatic entranceto the nation's capital.
Finally, on March 4th 1861,lincoln stood on the steps of
(22:16):
the Capitol to deliver hisinaugural address.
Lincoln stood on the steps ofthe Capitol to deliver his
inaugural address With theunfinished dome of the Capitol
building looming above him, afitting metaphor for a nation
under construction.
He spoke to a divided country.
His speech aimed to reassurethe South, while maintaining a
firm stance on the preservationof the Union.
Lincoln declared I have nopurpose, directly or indirectly,
(22:41):
to interfere with theinstitution of slavery in the
states where it exists.
I believe I have no lawfulright to do so and I have no
inclination to do so.
He emphasized that his primarygoal was to preserve the Union
and he made an impassioned pleafor peace, urging his fellow
Americans to remember the bondsthat united them.
(23:02):
He said we are not enemies butfriends.
We must not be enemies.
Though passion may havestrained, it must not break our
bonds of affection.
Despite his conciliatory words,lincoln made it clear that he
could not tolerate secession hevowed to.
(23:23):
Lincoln's commitment topreserving the Union was
unwavering, but he also left thedoor open for reconciliation,
(23:45):
hoping that the Southern stateswould return peacefully.
Lincoln concluded his addresswith an appeal to the better
angels of American nature,hoping to inspire unity in the
face of impending conflict.
His speech was a masterfulblend of firmness and compassion
, but it was also a starkreminder of the perilous road
(24:05):
ahead.
The inauguration marked thebeginning of one of the most
challenging presidencies inAmerican history.
Lincoln's calm demeanor andeloquent words masked the storm
brewing just over the horizon.
The stage was set, the actorswere in place and the nation
stood on the brink of a war thatwould redefine its very soul.
(24:26):
As we close this chapter onLincoln's rise to the presidency
, we find ourselves at a crucialjuncture.
The Confederate states arerallying and the Union is
steeling itself for theinevitable confrontation.
For Sumter looms on the horizon, a flashpoint that will ignite
the powder keg of the Civil War.
(24:46):
Next time, on Double Helix,we'll delve into the year of
1861, a year of profoundtransformation and unyielding
conflict for America.
We'll explore the first shotsfired at Fort Sumter, the rapid
escalation of hostilities andthe nation's descent into a
brutal and bloody war.
Join us next time for Part 5 ofour series on the American
(25:10):
Civil War A House Divided.
Thank you for listening andwe'll see you soon.
Welcome to Double Helix Blueprint of Nations,
season 2, episode 2.4, the RailSplitter.
Welcome back to Double HelixBlueprint of Nations.
(00:28):
When we last left off, thebloody decade had set the stage
for what was to come.
John Brown's raid on Harper'sFerry and his subsequent
execution brought the 1850s to aclose, leaving the nation
teetering on the brink of anall-out war.
Today, we shift our focus toone of the most pivotal figures
(00:48):
in American history AbrahamLincoln.
How did a relatively unknownlawyer from Illinois rise to the
presidency at such a criticaltime, and how did his election
trigger the secession of thesouthern states?
Before we dive into the eventsof 1860, let's take a step back
(01:12):
and get to know the man whowould become the 16th president
of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln's story beginsin the most humble of
circumstances.
Born on February 12, 1809, in asmall log cabin in Hardin
County, kentucky, lincoln'searly life was far from the
grandeur one might expect for afuture president.
His family lived on thefrontier, a rough and
(01:33):
unforgiving place that demandedhard work and perseverance.
The Lincolns were not wealthy.
They scratched out a livingthrough subsistence, farming and
odd jobs, moving frequently insearch of better opportunities.
The young Lincoln's formaleducation was sparse, amounting
to less than a year in total.
(01:53):
Schools were few and far inbetween, and his family could
not afford to send him away forschooling.
But what he lacked in formaleducation, lincoln made up for
in a relentless pursuit ofknowledge.
He was an avid reader, oftenwalking miles to borrow books.
He devoured works like theBible, aesop's Fables and
(02:14):
Shakespeare, forming thefoundation of his self-education
.
In 1816, when Lincoln was justseven years old, his family
moved to Indiana.
1816, when Lincoln was justseven years old, his family
moved to Indiana.
Here, tragedy struck early whenhis mother, nancy Hank Lincoln,
died of milk sickness in 1818.
This loss profoundly affectedyoung Abraham, but it also
(02:42):
marked the beginning of hislifelong resilience in the face
of hardships.
His father remarried thefollowing year to Sarah Bush
Johnston, a kind woman whoencouraged Lincoln's love for
reading and learning.
As Lincoln grew, so did hisambition.
At the age of 21, the familymoved again, this time to
Illinois.
It was here that Lincoln trulybegan to carve out his path.
(03:02):
He worked various jobssplitting rails for fences,
piloting a flatboat down theMississippi, running a general
store and serving even as apostmaster.
These early jobs, though humble, helped Lincoln develop a deep
understanding of the ordinarylife of Americans and their
struggles.
In 1832, lincoln took his firststeps into public life, running
(03:27):
for the Illinois StateLegislature.
He lost his first election butwon a seat two years later,
representing Sangamon County asa member of the Whig Party.
Lincoln's political philosophywas influenced heavily by our
old friend Henry Clay, the Whigleader who advocated for
economic modernization andinfrastructure improvements,
(03:50):
known as the American system.
During his time in the Illinoisstate legislature, lincoln
honed his skills in debate andlawmaking.
He became known for his logicalarguments and his ability to
connect with common people.
For his logical arguments andhis ability to connect with
common people.
Lincoln's commitment toself-improvement and public
service drove him to study lawon his own.
(04:10):
He obtained his law license in1836 and moved to Springfield,
illinois, to practice law as alawyer.
Lincoln's reputation grew.
He was known for his honesty,earning the nickname Honest Abe.
He handled a wide range ofcases, from property disputes to
criminal defense, and traveledthe circuit courts, gaining
(04:33):
valuable experience and makingconnections throughout the state
.
His legal career allowed him torefine his reasoning,
persuasion and public speakingskills, qualities that would
serve him well in his politicalcareer.
A good story that speaks ofLincoln's approach, which plays
common sense and humanity aheadof other considerations is the
(04:55):
story of the case of JackArmstrong in 1858.
In the mid-1830s, lincolnbecame friends with a man named
Jack Armstrong, the leader of alocal group of rowdy young men
known as the Clary's Grove Boys.
Despite their rough reputation,lincoln earned their respect
through his strength andintegrity.
It is here that it is reputedthat Lincoln got into wrestling
(05:17):
matches Years later.
This friendship would putLincoln in a position to pay it
forward.
This friendship would putLincoln in a position to pay it
forward.
In 1858, armstrong's son,william Duff Armstrong, was
accused of murdering a man namedJames Metzger during a drunken
brawl.
The evidence against Duff wasstrong and it seemed certain he
(05:42):
would be convicted and face thedeath penalty.
Jacques Armstrong had passedaway by this time and Dove's
mother, hannah Armstrong,desperate to save her son,
turned to Lincoln for help.
Lincoln agreed to defend DoveArmstrong pro bono, driven by
his loyalty to the Armstrongfamily and his belief in Dove's
innocence.
The trial took place inBeardstown, illinois, and it was
(06:03):
here that Lincoln's sharp mindand innovative approach to law
came to the forefront.
The prosecution's case hingedon the testimony of Charles
Allen, who claimed he had seenDuff strike Metzger, with his
lung shot by the light of themoon high in the sky,
(06:27):
cross-examined Allen and thenpresented an 1857 almanac to the
court, which showed that on thenight in question the moon was
low on the horizon and notproviding enough light for Allen
to have seen what he claimed.
This revelation dramaticallyundermined the prosecution's
case, and Lincoln's meticulouspreparation and clever use of
the almanac swayed the jury.
Duff Armstrong was acquittedand the courtroom erupted in
(06:47):
relief and gratitude.
Lincoln was, after all, apractical and reasonable man who
stuck to his convictions evenagainst insurmountable odds.
Lincoln's personal life alsotook shape during the period.
In 1842, he married Mary Todd,a well-educated woman from a
prominent Kentucky family.
(07:08):
Despite their differingbackgrounds and personalities,
the marriage was a pivotalpartnership in Lincoln's life.
Mary's social ambition andpolitical savvy complemented
Lincoln's humble roots and legalacumen, providing him with a
stable home life and a strongsupport system.
Lincoln's early politicalcareer included a single term in
(07:29):
the US House of Representativesfrom 1847 to 1849.
During this time in Congress,he opposed the Mexican-American
War, viewing it as an unjustconflict aimed at expanding
slave territories.
This stance was unpopular inhis home state and he decided
not to seek re-election.
After his term, lincolnreturned to Springfield to
(07:52):
resume his law practice,stepping away from the national
political scene but remainingactive in local and state
politics.
The 1850s brought a new urgencyto the issue of slavery, as
we've seen.
The 1850s brought a new urgencyto the issue of slavery, as
we've seen, and Lincoln foundhimself drawn back into the
political arena.
His moderate stance on slaveryevolved, driven by his belief in
(08:19):
the moral wrongness of theinstitution and the threat that
it posed to the Union.
Now you've heard in our lastepisode how the 1850s were a
period where it seemed as if thecountry was coming apart every
few weeks, and so, as the nationedged closer to division,
lincoln's dedication topreserving the Union and his
growing prominence in the newlyformed Republican Party would
chart his rise to the presidency.
Lincoln's rise wasn't overnight.
(08:41):
It was a testament toperseverance and strategic
thinking.
Picture it the rail splitterfrom the backwoods, a
self-taught lawyer, onto thenational stage.
It's the kind of storyAmericans love, a tale of grit
and determination.
Lincoln's national politicalcareer began to gain traction
(09:01):
with the Lincoln-Douglas debatesof 1858.
Began to gain traction with theLincoln-Douglas debates of 1858
.
These debates were a series ofseven face-offs between Lincoln
and Stephen A Douglas, theincumbent senator from Illinois.
As they campaigned for theIllinois Senate seat, douglas, a
formidable public speaker andproponent of popular sovereignty
, argued that territories shoulddecide for themselves whether
(09:28):
to allow slavery.
Lincoln, however, delivered hisnow-famous House Divided Speech
, declaring that the nationcould not endure permanently
half-slave and half-free.
He said, a house dividedagainst itself cannot stand.
The debates drew nationalattention and were extensively
covered in the press.
Although Lincoln lost theSenate race, he gained a
(09:49):
significant following for hisarticulate stance against the
expansion of slavery.
His performance in the debatespropelled him into the national
spotlight, making him a viablecandidate for the presidency in
1860.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates werea microcosm of the national
debate over slavery, held inseven different Illinois towns,
(10:11):
they attracted massive crowdsand transcripts were widely
published in newspapers acrossthe country.
The format was intense.
Each debate lasted three hours,with one candidate speaking for
60 minutes, the otherresponding for 90 minutes and
the first candidate getting a30-minute rebuttal.
This gave Lincoln a substantialplatform to present his ideas
(10:34):
and challenge Douglass directly.
In the first debate at Ottawa,lincoln attacked Douglass'
popular sovereignty doctrine,arguing that it could not
resolve the moral issue ofslavery.
He skillfully highlighted thecontradictions in Douglass'
stance, pointing out thatallowing territories to choose
slavery, essentially made it anational issue.
(10:56):
Douglass in turn paintedLincoln as a radical who
threatened the Union by opposingthe Dred Scott decision.
At the Freeport debate, lincolncornered Douglas with a
question that became known asthe Freeport Doctrine.
Lincoln asked whether thepeople of a territory could
exclude slavery, despite theSupreme Court's ruling in Dred
(11:17):
Scott.
Douglas replied that they could, by refusing to pass laws
necessary for slavery'sprotection.
This answer helped Douglasretain his Senate seat but
alienated Southern Democrats,weakening his chances for the
presidency.
The debates continued toescalate in intensity.
In Charleston, Lincoln took afirm stance declaring I protest
(11:40):
against the counterfeit logicwhich concludes that because I
do not want a black woman for aslave, I must necessarily want
her for a wife.
He emphasized the moral andeconomic arguments against
slavery's expansion, distancinghimself from the radical
abolitionist label, whileappealing to a broader audience.
Appealing to a broader audience.
(12:00):
So let me point out that quote.
There would be, how do you say,racist by 21st century
standards?
But at the time, as I said, itproved Lincoln wasn't a radical
and that was important for hiselectability.
People of that time weregenerally racist.
(12:24):
However, lincoln, among theracists, was probably of the
better kind, if you could saythat, in Galesburg, lincoln
struck a chord by questioningthe moral integrity of a nation
that tolerated slavery.
He argued that the institutionof slavery was fundamentally at
odds with the Declaration ofIndependence's assertion that
all men are created equal.
(12:44):
This position resonated withmany Northerners who, while not
necessarily abolitionists, wereuncomfortable with the spread of
slavery.
By the time the debates reachedAlton, the final face-off,
lincoln had established himselfas a formidable opponent to
Douglass.
He spoke passionately about theneed to limit the spread of
slavery, framing it as a battlefor the soul of the nation.
(13:07):
Douglass continued to defendpopular sovereignty and state
rights, but Lincoln's moralclarity and eloquence left a
lasting impression on theelectorate.
The debates solidifiedLincoln's reputation as a
powerful and principled speaker,capable of articulating the
complex issues surroundingslavery in a way that resonated
(13:28):
with the public.
Although he lost the Senaterace to Douglass, the debates
elevated Lincoln to nationalprominence.
Newspapers across the countryreprinted the debates, making
Lincoln a household name.
Reprinted the debates makingLincoln a household name.
His performance impressed theRepublican Party leaders, who
(13:48):
saw him as a candidate who couldunite the diverse factions of
their party and appeal to a widerange of voters.
We talked about the formationof the Republican Party.
It was formed in 1854 inresponse to the Kansas-Nebraska
Act and it was a coalition ofanti-slavery Whigs, free-soilers
and disaffected Democrats.
By the time the 1860 electioncame about, the party sought a
(14:11):
candidate who could appeal to abroad spectrum of Northern
voters.
Lincoln, with his moderateviews and compelling personal
story, fit the bill perfectly.
And, by the way, no, the partyof 1854 is not the Republican
Party of today, which is alsotrue for the Democratic Party.
By the way, maybe at some pointI'll do a season on political
(14:34):
parties and how they've affectedtheir respective countries.
So there's an idea.
Anyway, the 1860 RepublicanNational Convention was held in
Chicago.
Lincoln's supporters workedtirelessly to secure his
nomination, employing savvypolitical tactics such as
printing and distributingthousands of copies of Lincoln's
(14:54):
speeches and biographies.
It was a masterclass ingrassroots politicking.
In grassroots politicking,lincoln's main rivals in the
nomination were William H Seward, salmon P Chase and Edward
Bates, all of whom had morenational recognition.
However, lincoln's teamskillfully portrayed him as the
(15:17):
more moderate choice, lesslikely to alienate swing voters
in crucial states.
After multiple ballots, lincolnemerged as a compromised
candidate, securing thenomination to the delight of his
supporters.
In contrast, the DemocraticParty was deeply divided.
Northern Democrats nominatedStephen Douglas, while Southern
Democrats, who had walked out ofthe convention in protest,
nominated John C Breckinridge.
(15:39):
A third candidate, john Bell,ran on the Constitutional Union
ticket, appealing to moderatesin the border states.
The election of 1860 was unlikeany other in American history.
The nation was on the brink andevery vote seemed to carry the
weight of the future.
Lincoln's platform was clear.
(15:59):
He opposed the expansion ofslavery into new territories,
but he was not calling for theimmediate abolition of slavery
in states where it alreadyexisted.
This nuanced position allowedhim to appeal to a broad
coalition of voters.
Lincoln's campaign strategy wasequally shrewd.
He focused on the northernstates where he believed his
(16:20):
message would resonate moststrongly.
His campaign literatureemphasized his humble origins
and his commitment to libertyand equality.
Lincoln himself did notactively campaign In fact, no
politicians did at the time buthis supporters canvassed
tirelessly on his behalf.
On his behalf.
(16:46):
On election day, lincoln won adecisive victory, capturing 180
of the 303 electoral votes andabout 40% of the popular vote.
His support was almost entirelyfrom the North.
He did not even appear on theballot in most Southern states.
The South viewed his electionas an existential threat, a
clear signal that their way oflife was about to be over, and
by way of life read slavery,which, in case there is any
(17:09):
doubt left by now, was thedriving engine of Southern
economy and society.
Lincoln's rise from thebackwoods of Illinois to the
presidency as such a criticaljuncture is one of the most
compelling stories in Americanhistory.
His election, seen by many as aturning point, was rhetorical
spark for the conflict thatwould tear the nation apart.
(17:32):
The man from Illinois, with hisdeep-set eyes and resolute
demeanor was about to lead thecountry through its most
challenging and transformativeperiod.
Yet by the time the electionresults of 1860 rolled in, the
South was in a full-blown panic.
It was as if the North hadelected Satan himself to the
(17:53):
White House.
The news that Abraham Lincoln,a man whose name was synonymous
with anti-slavery sentiment, hadbeen elected president since
shockwaves throughout thesouthern states.
South Carolina, always eager tolead the charge in any act of
defiance, was the first to leapinto the secession pool.
On December 20, 1860, theirconvention declared that the
(18:16):
Union was dissolved.
South Carolina's Declaration ofSecession was a document
steeped in the defense ofslavery, they wrote.
A geographical line has beendrawn across the Union and all
the states north of that linehave united in the election of a
man to the high office ofPresident of the United States
whose opinions and purposes arehostile to slavery.
(18:38):
This declaration wasn't just atempest in a teapot.
South Carolina's secession setoff a chain reaction.
By February 1861, six morestates followed suit Mississippi
, florida, alabama, Georgia,louisiana and Texas.
Each state issued its owndeclaration and each of these
(19:02):
declarations echoed thesentiment that the preservation
of slavery was the primarymotive for secession.
Mississippi's declarationstated bluntly Our position is
thoroughly identified with theinstitution of slavery, the
greatest material interest ofthe world.
The secession dominoes werefalling faster than anyone in
the North could react to.
(19:22):
A new Confederate States ofAmerica was taking shape, with
Jefferson Davis, the former USSenator from Mississippi,
elected as his president.
Davis, with his militarybackground and staunch support
for slavery, seemed the perfectman to lead his nation.
Support for slavery seemed theperfect man to lead his nascent
(19:43):
nation.
Lincoln, still president-electand not yet in office, watched
these developments with amixture of concern and
determination.
He was walking a tightrope,trying to balance the
preservation of the Union with agrowing realization that
compromise was becoming less andless possible.
His public statements werecareful, measured.
He reiterated his position thathe had no intention to
(20:06):
interfere with slavery when italready existed, but he was firm
in his opposition to itsexpansion.
This, of course, did little tocalm the South's fear.
They had heard enough.
They believed Lincoln'spresidency meant the end of
their world.
The speed of secession caughtmany in the North off guard.
In those days before instantcommunication, news traveled
(20:29):
slower and the magnitude of thecrisis took time to sink in.
But once it did, the realitywas stark.
The Union was unraveling.
The debates in Congress becameincreasingly heated, with
Southern representatives makingdramatic exits to join their
state's new government.
The sense of an impendingconflict grew by the day.
(20:49):
The fledging Confederacy,meanwhile, wasn't just sitting
around hoping things would blowover.
They were taking decisive stepsto establish their government
and military.
They seized federal properties,forts and arsenals within their
(21:10):
borders, making it clear thatthey meant business.
The North saw these actions asrebellious and treasonous, while
the South viewed them asnecessary measures to protect
their sovereignty.
And if you're wondering, yes,there was an American president
in charge, president Buchanan,generally considered one of the
worst presidents in Americanhistory and a man who generally
stood idly by as the Southseceded and took federal
(21:31):
property.
As Lincoln prepared for hispresidency, the nation was on
the edge of chaos.
His election had set off achain reaction that saw seven
southern states secede from theUnion.
Even before he took office,despite the mounting crisis,
lincoln remained resolute.
He embarked on a whistle-stoptour from Springfield, illinois,
to Washington DC, makingnumerous beaches along the way.
(21:55):
His journey was fraught withdanger.
Rumors of assassination, plusswirl, prompted heightened
security measures.
In Baltimore, he even had tosneak through the city under the
cover of darkness.
Talk about a dramatic entranceto the nation's capital.
Finally, on March 4th 1861,lincoln stood on the steps of
(22:16):
the Capitol to deliver hisinaugural address.
Lincoln stood on the steps ofthe Capitol to deliver his
inaugural address With theunfinished dome of the Capitol
building looming above him, afitting metaphor for a nation
under construction.
He spoke to a divided country.
His speech aimed to reassurethe South, while maintaining a
firm stance on the preservationof the Union.
Lincoln declared I have nopurpose, directly or indirectly,
(22:41):
to interfere with theinstitution of slavery in the
states where it exists.
I believe I have no lawfulright to do so and I have no
inclination to do so.
He emphasized that his primarygoal was to preserve the Union
and he made an impassioned pleafor peace, urging his fellow
Americans to remember the bondsthat united them.
(23:02):
He said we are not enemies butfriends.
We must not be enemies.
Though passion may havestrained, it must not break our
bonds of affection.
Despite his conciliatory words,lincoln made it clear that he
could not tolerate secession hevowed to.
(23:23):
Lincoln's commitment topreserving the Union was
unwavering, but he also left thedoor open for reconciliation,
(23:45):
hoping that the Southern stateswould return peacefully.
Lincoln concluded his addresswith an appeal to the better
angels of American nature,hoping to inspire unity in the
face of impending conflict.
His speech was a masterfulblend of firmness and compassion
, but it was also a starkreminder of the perilous road
(24:05):
ahead.
The inauguration marked thebeginning of one of the most
challenging presidencies inAmerican history.
Lincoln's calm demeanor andeloquent words masked the storm
brewing just over the horizon.
The stage was set, the actorswere in place and the nation
stood on the brink of a war thatwould redefine its very soul.
(24:26):
As we close this chapter onLincoln's rise to the presidency
, we find ourselves at a crucialjuncture.
The Confederate states arerallying and the Union is
steeling itself for theinevitable confrontation.
For Sumter looms on the horizon, a flashpoint that will ignite
the powder keg of the Civil War.
(24:46):
Next time, on Double Helix,we'll delve into the year of
1861, a year of profoundtransformation and unyielding
conflict for America.
We'll explore the first shotsfired at Fort Sumter, the rapid
escalation of hostilities andthe nation's descent into a
brutal and bloody war.
Join us next time for Part 5 ofour series on the American
(25:10):
Civil War A House Divided.
Thank you for listening andwe'll see you soon.
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