If
there is one aspect of college that I have enjoyed, it is the fact that Barrett
and ASU host many informative lectures on campus. If I do not have class, I am
nearly guaranteed to go to one of the evening lecture/events – especially if
the topic revolves around history. Unlike many of the math or science ones I
have been to, the history lectures often involve a lot more individual
interpretation and analysis from the guest speaker.
It is my interest in guest speakers that
actually drew me to read a recent article on a Lincoln lecture. In Bloomington
Illinois, the “nationally recognized” Civil War scholar Allen C. Guelzo gave a
speech on the motivations that influenced Abraham Lincoln to abolish slavery.
Other historians have attributed his actions to his feelings against racial
injustice, or to want to weaken the Southern states’ workforce, but Guelzo does
not think either of these perspectives are accurate. Rather, he finds that: “What Lincoln hated in slavery was not just its racial
injustice, but the re-emergence in America of the old demon of monarchy, where
some people were born with uncalloused hands, booted and spurred and ready to
ride on the backs of everyone else who had to work…” (IWU, 2013, Paragraph 3).
Apparently, he saw slavery as an institution that promoted aristocratic habits
and violated the democratic political system.
Now, I have not heard this theory before, and I am not
certain what others’ opinions of it might be. However, I find the lecture
interesting and want to bring it up in our discussion of historical
interpretation. Dr. Simpson had mentioned in class prior that the “President
Lincoln of the early twentieth century” was a moderate racist, fully accepted
as so, and was focused on reunion and preservation. It makes sense that this
interpretation would be prevalent, because the reconciliationist vision was
very strong at this point in time. How Lincoln was viewed then was definitely a
reflection of the beliefs of society at that time. Each generation, it appears,
tries to implement Lincoln in some way into their societal beliefs of the moment.
Our nation is currently fraught with economic woes and threats of
sequestration, and I have seen many people disillusioned with entrepreneurs at
the top and those that make a significantly more amount of money than the rest
of the population. Turning Lincoln into a man that could not stand the
aristocratic system simultaneously validates citizens’ disapproval of the
economic system today. Once again, implementing Lincoln into the current
societal beliefs shows an ongoing respect and need for the man, his views, and
intellect.
No matter your opinion on Guelzo’s theory or my ideas on his
interpretation, the article is still nonetheless interesting. You can check it
out at the link below.
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