>>> PREVIOUSLY ON "LINCOLN:
DIVIDED WE STAND" ‐‐ >> HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE
ROCK STAR, AN AMAZING POLITICIAN OF THE DAY.
>> BUT AFTER HIS ONE TERM IN CONGRESS, PRESIDENT TAYLOR
PASSES HIM OVER FOR THIS CABINET JOB.
>> FEELS LIKE A FAILURE. >> WHEN LINCOLN AND HIS FAMILY
LEAVE WASHINGTON, D. C., HE WAS DISAPPOINT
DISAPPOINTED. BUT HE WORKED VERY, VERY HARD TO
BUILD UP HIS LAW PRACTICE. >> LINCOLN WAS A GREAT SPINNER
OF TALES FOR JURIES. ONE TIME, HE SAID THIS REMINDS
ME OF THE LITTLE BOY ON THE FARM WHO COMES RUNNING IN TO HIS
FATHER, AND SAYS, PA, PA, SISTER IS IN THE BARN.
AND SHE’S GOT HER PANTS DOWN, AND SHE’S PINNED IN THE HAY
LOFT, AND HE SAYS, MY BOY, YOU’VE GOT YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT,
AND YOU’VE COME TO THE WRONG CONCLUSIONS.
AND HE TURNS TO THE JURY AND SAYS, SOMETIMES THE FACTS DON’T
LEAVE YOU TO THE RIGHT CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS. >> LINCOLN WAS HONEST ABE,
BUT ‐‐ >> THERE’S A TENDENCY TO SAY
HE’S A MORAL PAIRRAGON OR A POLITICAL ANIMAL.
NO, HE’S A HYBRID. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND BOTH
SIDES.
♪ >>> BY 1854, SPAIN, FRANCE, AND
BRITAIN HAVE ABOLISHED SLAVERY. BUT IT’S VERY MUCH ALIVE IN THE
UNITED STATES. IN MAY, PRESIDENT PIERCE SIGNS
THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA ACT. GIVING AMERICAN SLAVERY THE
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THROUGHOUT 500,000 SQUARE MILES OF NEW
TERRITORY. >> THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA ACT
REPEALED THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE WHICH HAD SAID THERE CAN BE NO
SLAVERY NORTH OF THE 3630 LINE. >> IT WASN’T JUST TALKING ABOUT
THE MODERN DAY STATES OF KANSAS AND NEBRASKA.
THIS IMMENSE TERRITORY, TO THE CANADIAN BORDER AND WEST TOWARDS
OREGON. >> LINCOLN SAYS, YOU CAN’T HAVE
A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN
UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS CAN EXIST.
HE HAD A GOOD IDEA OF WHEN IDEALS WEREN’T FOUNDED THE RIGHT
WAY. >> THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA ACT
PROPELS LINCOLN BACK INTO POLITICS.
>> IN THE WAKE OF THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA ACT, LINCOLN’S
WHIG PARTY BEGINS TO UNRAVEL OVER THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY.
>> THE WHIGS AND DEMOCRATS WERE NOT LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES,
PRECISELY AS WE DIVIDE PARTIES TODAY.
THE WHIGS WERE PRETTY PROGRESSIVE ON SLAVERY.
THE DEMOCRATS WERE LIBERAL IN TERMS OF VOTING OPPORTUNITIES IN
TERMS OF SUSPICION ABOUT IMMIGRATION, BUT NOT LIBERAL ON
SOUTHERN SLAVERY, BECAUSE THE SOUTH WAS THEN THE DEMOCRATIC
BASE. >> BUT THE WHIGS ARE UNABLE TO
COMMIT TO A PERSPECTIVE ON THE QUESTION OF THE EXPANSION OF
SLAVERY AND SO ‐‐ >> BY THE 1850s, THE WHIGS
ESSENTIALLY COLLAPSE. >> BUT THEN A NEW ANTI‐SLAVERY
PARTY IS BORN ‐‐ THE REPUBLICANS.
>> LINCOLN BEGINS TO SPEAK OUT ON BEHALF OF THIS REPUBLICAN
PARTY. AND THE FIRST EXAMPLE OF IT IS
THE PEORIA SPEECH IN OCTOBER OF 1854.
>> THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR HIS BIG COMEBACK.
IT’S A GREAT SPEECH. >> OF THE LARGER GENERAL
QUESTION OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY, I WISH TO MAKE AND TO KEEP THE
DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE EXISTING INSTITUTION AND THE EXTENSION OF
IT. SO BROAD AND SO CLEAR THAT NO
HONEST MAN CAN MISUNDERSTAND ME AND NO DISHONEST ONE
SUCCESSFULLY MISREPRESENT ME. >> LINCOLN PUTS FORWARD VERY
STRONG CONDEMNATIONS OF SLAVERY. HE SAYS IT’S A CANCER EATING
AWAY THE LIFE OF THE NATION. >> LET US TURN SLAVERY FROM ITS
CLAIMS OF MORAL RIGHT BACK UPON ITS EXISTING LEGAL RIGHTS, AND
ITS ARGUMENTS. AND THERE LET IT REST IN PEACE.
>> HE SAYS THERE CAN BE NO MORAL RIGHT IN SLAVERY.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE REALLY BELIEVES THAT IF WE STOP
ALLOWING SLAVERY TO EXPAND, HE FEELS LIKE THAT’S ENOUGH.
>> VERY RARELY IN HIS LIFE AND CAREER DID LINCOLN TALK ABOUT
THE CONCRETE INJUSTICES OF ENSLAVEMENT.
THE IDEA THAT ENSLAVED PEOPLE WERE BEING EXPLOITED WAS NOT
SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM.
IT MUST HAVE BEEN PROFOUNDING FRUSTRATING FOR SOMEONE TO SAY
YOU CAN KEEP SLAVERY WHERE YOU ALREADY HAVE IT.
THIS GUY GETS IT, BUT HE DOESN’T QUITE GET IT.
>> BUT HE’S AN ABSOLUTE SENSATION.
REPUBLICAN PAPERS GO WILD, PRAISING HIM AS THE GREAT ORATOR
OF THE DAY. DEMOCRATIC PAPERS ARE FEARFUL OF
THIS RISING MAN. >> IN WASHINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
SENATOR CHARLES SUMNER, ANTI‐SLAVERY MAN, GIVES A SPEECH
IN WHICH HE CASTIGATES A FELLOW SENATOR FOR HIS PRO‐SLAVERY
VIEWS. MILD CONSIDERING WHAT SOME OF
THOSE CONFRONTATIONS ARE LIKE. THE NEPHEW WAS A CONGRESSMAN
NAMED PRESTON BROOKS. ONE DAY, BROOKS WALKS IN WITH A
CANE AND BEGINS BEATING CHARLES SUMNER OVER THE HEAD.
SUMNER IS CANED INTO INSENSIBILITY ON THE FLOOR OF
THE UNITED STATES SENATE. HOW DOES THE SOUTH REACT?
BROOKS WAS FLOODED WITH GIFTS OF NEW CANES.
>> 1830 TO 1860, THERE ARE OVER 70 ACTS OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, NORTH AND SOUTH.
THESE ARE CANINGS, DUELS, STABBINGS.
FOLKS IN THE SOUTH LASHING OUT, TRYING TO KEEP A STASIS.
>> UTLTIMATELY, THEY FEAR, EVEN IF IT’S 50 YEARS IN THE FUTURE,
THEY WILL VOTE TO ERADICATE
>>> FROM 1854 TO 1857, LINCOLN BECOMES A VOCAL ACTIVIST FOR THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY. SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE
EXPANSION OF SLAVERY. AS PARTISAN LINES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY DEEPEN, MORE CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION
IGNITES MORE POLITICAL UNREST. >> DRED SCOTT IS A BLACK MAN,
ENSLAVED. HE HAD BEEN TAKEN INTO FREE
TERRITORY, AND ABOLITIONISTS SUED FOR HIS FREEDOM AND FOR THE
FREEDOM OF HIS FAMILY. HE GOES TO THE SUPREME COURT.
>> IN AN INFAMOUS RULING, THE COURT SAYS THAT SLAVES ARE
SLAVES WHEREVER THEY ARE. THAT SLAVERY IS IN A SENSE
NATIONAL. >> AND BLACK MEN HAVE NO RIGHTS
THAT WHITE MEN ARE BOUND TO ACCEPT.
AND BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU ARE A SLAVEHOLDER, YOU CAN TAKE YOUR
PROPERTY ANYWHERE YOU DARN WELL PLEASE.
AND THAT REALLY SETS OFF LINCOLN.
>> USUALLY THE SUPREME COURT RULING SETTLES MATTERS.
THIS ONE DIDN’T. IT CAUSED THE BIGGEST UPROAR
GENERATED BY ANY SUPREME COURT DECISION IN HISTORY.
>> LINCOLN ARGUES PUBLICLY THAT THE RULING SHOULD BE IGNORED.
A BRAZEN STANCE FOR A MAN WHO PREACHES ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF
THE CONSTITUTION. >> THAT’S ALMOST AS OUTRAGEOUS
AS SAYING YOU DON’T HAVE TO RESPECT A PERSON’S HUMANITY
BASED ON COLOR. SO LINCOLN IS ABSOLUTELY FOCUSED
DURING THIS PERIOD. HE’S INEXHAUSTIBLE, HE’S ABLE TO
LURCH FROM TOWN TO TOWN. MAKING LONG SPEECHES SO HE’S
CONSTANTLY ON THE ROAD. >> HE WAS GONE MANY WEEKS OF THE
YEAR. AND THIS WAS HARD FOR A YOUNG
WIFE. BUT LINCOLN AND MARY BOTH HAD A
POLITICAL VISION. SHE KNEW THAT HE WAS BUILDING
HIS POLITICAL NETWORK, AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT WAS.
MARY SAW AN OPPORTUNITY IN THAT MOMENT AS SHE SAW LINCOLN RISING
EVEN GREATER AS A LEADER, A SPOKESPERSON.
SHE KNEW HER HUSBAND PERHAPS FINALLY COULD GET THE SENATE
SEAT HE DESERVED. >> IN 1855, LINCOLN RUNS
UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE U. S. SENATE.
THREE YEARS LATER, HE’S DETERMINED TO TRY AGAIN.
>> IN 1858, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A CONVENTION, AND CHOOSE HIM AS
THE NOMINEE. AND LINCOLN GETS TO ADDRESS THE
CONVENTION. >> LINCOLN READS THE SPEECH TO
HIS ADVISERS BEFORE HE GIVES IT. AND THEY SAY, DON’T GIVE THE
SPEECH. IT IS TOO RADICAL.
>> WHAT YOU’VE SAID IN THE OPENING LINES IS GOING TO END
YOUR POLITICAL CAREER. >> BUT LINCOLN IGNORES THE
ADVICE AND DELIVERS THE SPEECH AS IT’S WRITTEN.
A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND.
I BELIEVE THIS GOVERNMENT CANNOT ENDURE, PERMANENTLY HALF SLAVE
AND HALF FREE. >> WORDS TAKEN FROM THE GOSPEL.
>> I DO NOT EXPECT THE UNION TO BE DISSOLVED.
BUT I EXPECT THE HOUSE WILL CEASE TO BE DIVIDED.
IT WILL BECOME ONE THING OR ALL THE OTHER.
>> HE WOWS THIS CONVENTION. AND HE BEGINS HIS CAMPAIGN FOR
THE SENATE. THINK OF ILLINOIS IN 1858 AS A
MICROCOSM OF AMERICA. THE NORTHERN PART OF ILLINOIS
WERE ANTI‐SLAVERY AND PRO‐REPUBLICAN.
THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE WAS PRO‐SLAVERY.
>> ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS RUNNING AGAINST THE LEADER OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY. >> THE MOST FAMOUS MAN IN
AMERICA. STEVEN A. DOUGLAS.
>> HE WAS THIS TREMENDOUSLY INSTITUTIONALIZED FIGURE.
AND DOUGLAS WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA ACT.
>> EVERYBODY THOUGHT LINCOLN WAS THE SACK OFFICIAL LAMB IN THAT
RACE. >> DOUGLAS SPENT A FORTUNE IN
THE CAMPAIGN. >> DOUGLAS HAS HIS OWN CAMPAIGN
TRAIN. THE BACK OF THE TRAIN HAS A
CANNON ON IT. EVERY TIME THE TRAIN GETS INTO A
TOWN, THEY SET OFF THE CANNON, AS IF TO ANNOUNCE THE GREAT MAN
HAS ARRIVED. DOUGLAS IS DRAWING BIG CROWDS.
WHEREVER HE CAMPAIGNS. SO LINCOLN BEGINS TO SHOW UP AT
DOUGLAS SPEECHES AND RALLIES. HE’S GETTING BIGGER CROWDS THAN
EVER BY CAMPAIGNING IN STEVEN DOUGLAS’ WAKE.
>> THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS MOCKS LINCOLN FOR APPROPRIATING THE
CROWDS. SO HE COMES UP WITH AN
ALTERNATIVE. >> HE WRITES A LETTER THAT WILL
CHANGE HIS CAREER, AND REALLY CHANGE POLITICS.
>> HE CHALLENGES DOUGLAS TO DEBATES.
>> HERE WAS A ONE‐TIME CONGRESSMAN, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, HE
WAS GOING TO TAKE ON STEVEN A.
>>> IN 1858, ABRAHAM LINCOLN CHALLENGES STEVEN A. DOUGLAS,
THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICIAN IN AMERICA, TO A SERIES OF PUBLIC
DEBATES. >> DOUGLAS HAD EVERYTHING TO
LOSE BY ACCEPTING LINCOLN’S INVITATION
INVITATION. BUT HE CAN’T SAY NO.
BECAUSE TO SAY NO WOULD BE TO LOOK COWARDLY.
>> THEY ARRANGED FOR SEVEN DEBATES.
ONE IN EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHERE THEY HAD NOT YET
SPOKEN. >> THE LINCOLN/DOUGLAS DEBATES
WERE ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PERIOD.
PEOPLE DIDN’T HAVE TV. WATCHING POLITICIANS MAKE
SPEECHES WAS ENTERTAINMENT. >> THE SUPER TALL ABRAHAM
LINCOLN VERSUS THE LITTLE GIANT, AS HE’S CALLED, SHORT, SQUAT
STEVEN A. DOUGLAS IS OFF TO THE RACES WITH 60 MINUTES OF VITRIOL
VITRIOL. ATTACKING LINCOLN PERSONALLY AND
POLITICALLY. THEIR STYLES COULDN’T BE MORE
DIFFERENT. LINCOLN WAS LAID‐BACK.
HE STOOD IN ONE SPOT. HE RARELY MOVED.
DOUGLAS PRANCED ALONG THE STAGE LIKE A CAGED LION.
GESTURED WILDLY. >> HE RIPS HIS SHIRT, SPITS,
SHOUTS. HE TEARS AT HIS HAIR.
>> IN THE VERY FIRST DEBATE, LINCOLN STARTS OFF SOMEWHAT
TECHNICAL ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF LEGISLATION.
DOUGLAS IMMEDIATELY CHALLENGES LINCOLN, SAYING YOU’RE A RADICAL
REPUBLICAN, AND YOU WERE PART OF AN ABOLITIONIST PARTY.
>> A LOT OF TIMES, RADICAL IDEAS ARE DEMONIZED.
THE IDEA OF ABOLITION IS DEMONIZED BECAUSE ABOLISHING
SLAVERY WAS A RADICAL IDEA. HE HAS TO DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST
BEING AN ABOLITIONIST. >> AND LINCOLN DID NOT SUCCEED.
DOUGLAS IS A MASTER OF TWISTING FACTS.
OF LYING SO QUICKLY THAT PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT IT’S A LIE
WHEN THE SECOND ONE COMES. >> LINCOLN COMES OUT OF THE
FIRST DEBATE FEELING DEFEATED. MUCH TO MARY’S DISMAY.
>> MARY IS ALWAYS LINCOLN’S BIGGEST BOOSTER.
>> SHE SAT UP IN THE GALLERY WITH HER NOTEBOOK AND TOOK DOWN
WHO IN THE CROWD WAS HAPPY OR UNHAPPY, AND WHO WAS FOR AND
AGAINST LINCOLN. >> AFTER THE FIRST DEBATE, SHE
WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE CHANCES FOR VICTORY.
AND NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY. SHE DOESN’T COME BACK.
>> AFTER THE FIRST DEBATE, LINCOLN’S SUPPORTERS SAID TO
HIM, FOR GOD’S SAKE, LINCOLN, CHARGE.
HE NEEDED TO DO MUCH BETTER. SO HE DOES CHARGE, AND HE OFTEN
USED JOKES. >> HE KEPT THIS BRILLIANT WIT.
SOMETHING I APPRECIATE ABOUT HIM ARE SOME OF HIS RESPONSES.
>> THE NEXT DEBATE, WHEN DOUGLAS SAID HE WAS HYPOCRITICAL, A
WOMAN SHOUTS OUT, YOU’RE TWO‐FACED.
LINCOLN SAYS, IF I WAS TWO‐FACED, DO YOU THINK I WOULD
USE THIS ONE? THIS IS A COMEBACK.
HE’S LIKE A CLUB COMIC. HE HAD A GREAT COMIC SENSE, AND
KNEW HOW TO USE IT TO GET THE CROWD ON HIS SIDE.
>> ONCE LINCOLN BEGINS TO WIN OVER THE CROWDS, HE TURNS THE
CONVERSATION BACK TOWARDS POLICY.
>> DOUGLAS HAD SAID, WE CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM OF
CONFLICTS OVER SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES BY SAYING, WHEN
SETTLERS MOVE IN THERE, THEY CAN DECIDE.
THEY CALLED THIS POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.
>> TO DOUGLAS, IT SEEMED LIKE THE ESSENCE OF DEMOCRACY.
LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. TO LINCOLN, IT WAS IMMORAL.
>> SO HE BACKED HIM INTO A CORNER.
HE SAYS, IF A SOUTHERN COMMUNITY DECIDED TO BAN SLAVERY BY VOTE,
WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT? AND DOUGLAS SAID, YES.
I’M GOING TO STAND BY POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.
HE WAS SAYING THAT INDIVIDUAL SOUTHERN COMMUNITIES COULD
REJECT SLAVERY. SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS WOULD NEVER
SUPPORT DOUGLAS FOR PRESIDENT AFTER THAT.
>> THOUGH IT’S JUST AN ILLINOIS SENATE RACE, DOUGLAS’ CELEBRITY
AND LINCOLN’S SHARP RHETORIC GARNER NATIONAL ATTENTION.
>> THEIR DEBATES FIRE UP THE NATION.
THIS MAN CONDEMNING THE ARCHITECT OF THE KANSAS‐NEBRASKA
ACT, THE POLICY THAT HAS DIVIDED THE NATION.
>> AND NEWSPAPERS FED THE BEAST. THEY WERE NOT ONLY COVERING THE
DEBATES, THEY WERE RILING UP CONVERTS TO THEIR CAUSES.
STRICTLY, OPENLY PARTISAN, THE WAY SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE
BROADCAST AND TELEVISION IS TODAY.
ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPERS, WHEN THE DEBATE WAS
OVER, ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS CARRIED OFF IN TRIUMPH ON THE
SHOULDERS OF HIS SUPPORTERS. >> ACCORDING TO THE DEMOCRATIC
NEWSPAPERS, WHEN THE DEBATE WAS OVER, AN EXHAUSTED ABRAHAM
LINCOLN HAD TO BE CARRIED OFF BY HIS SUPPORTERS.
>> WITH THE MEDIA FUELING PARTISAN FIRES, REGIONAL
TRIBALISM ONLY ESCALATES. AND AS THE REPUBLICAN
ANTI‐SLAVERY AGENDA GAINS TRACTION IN THE NORTH, THREATS
OF SECESSION BEGIN TO PERMEATE THE SOUTH.
>>> AS REGIONAL TENSIONS AROUND THE ISSUE OF SLAVERY ESCALATE
AROUND THE COUNTRY, LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS PERSONIFY THE CONFLICT
ON STAGES ACROSS ILLINOIS. >> THEN LINCOLN GOES TO
CHARLESTON. HERE IS THE PLACE WHERE HE’S GOT
TO SHINE. THIS IS CENTRAL ILLINOIS, THE
SWING AREA WHERE THE ELECTION WILL BE DECIDED.
>> DOUGLAS WAS A VICIOUS RACIST, WHO KEPT SAYING THE REPUBLICANS
WANT BLACK MEN TO MARRY YOUR DAUGHTER.
END SLAVERY, BLACKS WILL FLOOD INTO THE STATE AND TAKE OVER.
>> HE SAID THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO
APPLY TO BLACK PEOPLE. >> HE ASKED LINCOLN, ARE YOU IN
FAVOR OF EQUALITY BETWEEN BLACK PEOPLE AND WHITE PEOPLE?
>> PEOPLE LAUGHED AS IF IT’S ABSURD TO THINK THAT A
MAINSTREAM CANDIDATE FOR STATEWIDE OFFICER WOULD HARBOR
SUCH RADICAL THOUGHTS. LINCOLN BEGINS WITH THE MOST
EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT IN THE ENTIRE DEBATE.
>> I AM NOT, NOR HAVE EVER BEEN, IN FAVOR OF BRINGING ABOUT IN
ANY WAY THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL EQUALITY OF THE WHITE AND BLACK
RACES. >> HE SAID I’M NOT IN FAVOR OF
BLACKS VOTING, IN FAVOR OF BLACKS HOLDING OFFICE.
>> LINCOLN SAYS NOT ONLY DOES HE NOT WANT A BLACK WOMAN FOR A
SLAVE, BUT HE DOESN’T WANT A BLACK WOMAN FOR A WIFE.
>> HE’S SAYING STUFF THAT IS JUST SHOCKINGLY BAD.
THERE’S NO WAY TO POLISH IT UP. IT’S JUST BAD.
>> YOU THINK OF HIM AS A GREAT EMANCIPATOR.
BUT HE HAD HORRIBLY BAD VIEWS. >> THERE MUST BE A POSITION OF
SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR. I AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER MAN ARE
IN FAVOR OF HAVING THE SUPERIOR POSITION ASSIGNED TO THE WHITE
RACE. >> LINCOLN BELIEVED THAT HE
BELONGED TO THE SUPERIOR RACE. SLAVERY WAS WRONG, AND NO MAN
SHOULD OWN ANOTHER. BUT WHETHER OR NOT FREEDOM WOULD
MEAN EQUALITY WAS SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY IS THAT LINCOLN WAS A MAN OF
HIS TIME. BUT FREDERICK DOUGLASS AND
WILLIAM GARRISON WERE ALSO MEN OF THIS TIME.
WE KNOW THAT LINCOLN ENVISIONED A WORLD IN WHICH SLAVERY DID NOT
EXIST. SO WE SHOULDN’T LET HIM OFF THE
HOOK FOR FAILING TO IMAGINE A DIFFERENT SOLUTION FOR RACE
RELATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. >> BY THE FINAL DEBATE, DOUGLAS
HAS LOST HIS VOICE. HE’S BARELY CROAKING HIS WAY
THROUGH. AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN GETS THE
FINAL WORD. HE SAYS, THE PERPETUATION OF
SLAVERY WAS A COMPROMISE NECESSARILY FOR THE CREATION OF
THE UNION. BUT THE FOUNDERS DID NOT INTEND
FOR IT TO EXPAND OR PERPETUATE FOREVER.
>> ONLY 82 YEARS BEFORE, THE FOUNDING FATHERS LIBERATED THE
UNITED STATES FROM THE TYRANNY OF KINGS.
>> HE SAYS, WHETHER IT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF A KING WHO
SEEKS TO DESTROY THE PEOPLE AND LIVE BY THE FRUIT OF THEIR
LABOR, OR FROM ONE RACE OF MAN TO ANOTHER, IT’S THE SAME
TYRANNICAL PRINCIPLE. >> SAYING THAT SLAVE OWNERS ARE
LIKE TYRANTS, AND THEN THEY’RE FUNDAMENTALLY UN‐AMERICAN.
NOTHING ABOUT THAT ANTI‐SLAVERY APPROACH IS PREDICATED WITH
CONCERN ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE. AND I THINK THAT’S ONE OF THE
MAJOR APPEALS OF ANTI‐SLAVERY TO A LOT OF WHITE NORTHERNERS.
>> LINCOLN’S STANCE ALLOWS NORTHERN REPUBLICANS TO STAND
PROUDLY AGAINST SLAVERY, WHILE REMAINING FIRMLY COMMITTED TO
WHITE SUPREMACY. HIS RHETORIC HAS THE COUNTRY
ABUZZ WITH NEWS OF THE DAZZLING ORATOR FROM ILLINOIS.
>> BUT ILLINOIS WAS A DEEPLY RACIST STATE.
>> PLUS THE STATE WAS GERRYMANDERED AND TILTED TOWARD
THE DEMOCRATS, WHO HAD CREATED THE DISTRICT LINES.
>> HE LOSES. >> YOU WOULD THINK THAT IS IT
FOR HIS POLITICAL CAREER. BUT HE SAYS, THE FIGHT MUST GO
ON. AND THESE DEBATES PROVIDE A
PLATFORM FOR WHAT IS GOING TO BE HIS LAUNCH INTO THE PRESIDENCY
>>> AS THE COUNTRY PREPARES FOR THE 1860 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,
NEW YORK SENATOR WILLIAM SEWARD IS THE CONTROVERSIAL FRONT
RUNNER FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.
>> THEY’RE OPPOSED TO SEWARD. THEY DON’T LIKE HIS METHODS.
HE’S CORRUPT, TOO MUCH THE NEW YORKER.
>> THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE AND HIS FRIENDS INVITE A
SERIES OF REPUBLICANS TO COME AND GIVE SPEECHES IN NEW YORK.
>> THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM A VARIETY OF SPEAKERS WHO MIGHT BE
ALL ALTERNATIVES TO SEWARD.
>> AND OF COURSE, THE MAN WHO ENGAGED DOUGLAS SO BRILLIANTLY
WAS INVITED. >> ON THE VERY DAY OF THE
SPEECH, LINCOLN WALKS ALL THE WAY UP BROADWAY TO MATTHEW
BRADY’S PHOTO GALLERY. THE MOST FAMOUS GALLERY IN THE
UNITED STATES. TO MAKE A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF
THIS IMPORTANT VISIT TO NEW YORK CITY.
>> IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT PHOTOGRAPHY IS A NEW
PHENOMENON IN AMERICAN CULTURE. >> YOU HAVE THIS VISUAL CULTURE
THAT SORT OF VIVIFIES AND MAKES POLITICS REAL.
>> LINCOLN KNOWS HOW TO PRESENT HIMSELF.
THAT’S PART OF WHAT LINCOLN’S GENIUS WAS AS A POLITICIAN.
>> THAT’S A REMARKABLE SHOT. PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT
PHOTOGRAPH LINCOLN HAS EVER TAKEN.
>> THE UNION IS IN TROUBLE. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST
IMPORTANT ELECTION THAT THE COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO LEAD YOU THROUGH THAT?
>> HERE’S THIS TALL, ELEGANT FIGURE IN A TUXEDO, LOOKING US
RIGHT IN THE EYE. HIS LEFT HAND IS ON A BOOK.
IT BRINGS HOME THAT THEME OF EDUCATION, OF LEARNING.
BUT LOOK AT THAT RIGHT HAND. THE SLEEVE COMES OUT FROM
UNDERNEATH THE COAT. THIS WAS STRENGTH.
THIS WAS SOMEONE WHO WORKED ON THE FRONTIER.
CARL SANDBERG ONCE SAID THAT LINCOLN WAS EQUAL PARTS VELVET
AND IRON. THE LEFT HAND IS VELVET.
THE RIGHT HAND IS IRON. >> THAT’S NOT ACCIDENTAL STUFF.
THAT’S LINCOLN COMPOSING HIMSELF AS A PUBLIC FIGURE.
>> HOURS LATER, LINCOLN MAKES HIS WAY TO THE COOPER UNION
GREAT HALL. IT’S GOT 2,000 SEATS FOR AN
AUDIENCE THAT IS DESCRIBED AS THE PICK AND FLOWER OF NEW YORK.
>> THE YOUNG MEN’S REPUBLICAN CLUB, WHICH WAS REALLY NOT A
CLUB FOR YOUNG MEN, IT WAS REALLY THE ORGANIZATION OF EAST
COAST REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP. >> AND THEY’RE CHARGING 25 CENTS
A TICKET. THESE PEOPLE CAME TO BE
ENTERTAINED. LINCOLN IS THE LAST IN THIS
SERIES. HE KNOWS SO WELL, THIS IS THE DO
OR DIE EXPERIENCE OF HIS LIFETIME.
THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK EVENING POST INTRODUCES HIM AS
THE WARRIOR OF THE WEST. AND LINCOLN IS BROUGHT TO THE
STAGE. THE FIRST PART WAS MEANT TO MOCK
STEVEN DOUGLAS. LOTS OF LAUGHTER AND SHOUTS OF
HIT HIM AGAIN. AND THEN HE ABRUPTLY SWITCHES
AND GETS MORE SERIOUS. HE SAYS, NOW, IF PEOPLE IN THE
SOUTH WOULD LISTEN, WE DO NOT MEAN TO THREATEN YOUR PROPERTY.
ALL WE WANT TO DO IS CONTROL THE SPREAD OF AN CONSTITUTIONINSTITU
YOU KNOW IS WRONG. >> HE GOES THROUGH EVERY SINGLE
ARGUMENT THAT HAS BEEN THROWN AGAINST THE REPUBLICANS.
AND LOGICALLY DECONSTRUCTS IT. >> AND HE ENDS WITH ‐‐
>> LET US HAVE FAITH THAT RIGHT MAKES MIGHT.
AND IN THAT FAITH, DARE TO DO OUR DUTY AS WE UNDERSTAND IT.
>> IT WAS A MAGICAL PERFORMANCE. >> AND AT THE END, PEOPLERY ARE
SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST SPEECH WE’VE HEARD IN NEW YORK
EVER. >> PEOPLE THREW HATS IN THE AIR
AT THE END. THEN HE GOES OFF TO A BANQUET IN
HIS HONOR. BUT HE CUTS ACROSS TO THE
OFFICES OF THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE, AND READ PROOF OF THE SPEECH AND
EDITED IT. HE WANTED IT TO BE PERFECT.
LINCOLN CARED ABOUT GETTING IT INTO THE PRESS.
THAT’S WHERE CAMPAIGNS WERE WON AND LOST.
>> BEFORE LONG, COPIES OF THE BRADY PHOTOS SPRING UP IN
WEEKLIES, ALONGSIDE STORIES OF LINCOLN’S RISE.
>> LINCOLN IS COMING OF AGE IN THE WORLD OF MASS JOURNALISM.
AND HE’S A MASTER OF COMMUNICATION.
>> HE WAS ILLUSTRATING A SPEECH, DELIVERING IT, PROMOTING IT.
ALL IN THE SAME 24 HOURS. THE POST COOPER UNION MOMENTUM
BUILT SPONTANEOUSLY. >> LINCOLN BEGINS TOURING NEW
ENGLAND, PERFORMING VARIATIONS ON THE COOPER UNION SPEECH FOR
EAGER AUDIENCES. >> IN CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND,
NEW HAMPSHIRE, TWO‐HOUR SPEECHES EVERYWHERE HE WENT.
ALWAYS ENDING WITH RIGHT MAKES MIGHT.
>> LINCOLN SCHEDULES A STOP IN EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHERE HIS
OLDEST SON ROBERT IS IN BOARDING SCHOOL.
>> ROBERT THINKS THIS IS REALLY EMBARRASSING.
I HAVE TO SIT WITH MY BLUE‐BLOODED FRIENDS AND HEAR MY
WESTERN FATHER GIVE A SPEECH. ONE OF THE BOYS SAID, TOO BAD
BOB HAS SUCH AN UGLY FATHER. ROBERT IS SINKING IN HIS CHAIR
IN SHAME. THEN LINCOLN STANDS UP, AND THE
DAZZLING BEGINS. WHEN IT’S OVER, THE BOYS ALL
COME AND SLAP BOB ON THE BACK AND SAY, WOW, YOUR FATHER IS
SOMETHING ELSE. >> IN MAY OF 1860, THE
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS HELD IN CHICAGO.
GOING INTO THE CONVENTION, SENATOR WILLIAM H. S SEWARD OF NE
YORK REMAINS THE FRONT RUNNER. >> LINCOLN SNEAKS IN.
>> HE’S A DARK HORSE CANDIDATE. >> THE BALLOTING BEGINS.
ON THE FIRST BALLOT, SEWARD IS IN FRONT.
NO SURPRISE THERE. BUT LINCOLN IS SECOND.
THEY GO TO A SECOND BALLOT. SEWARD STAYS MORE OR LESS THE
SAME. LINCOLN STARTS TO CATCH UP.
THE CROWD IS GETTING EXCITED FOR LINCOLN.
THE THIRD BALLOT COMES ALONG. LINCOLN DRAWS EVEN WITH SEWARD.
AND THE HEAD OF THE OHIO DELEGATION ANNOUNCES THAT OHIO
WAS GOING TO CHANGE FOUR OF ITS VOTES FOR LINCOLN.
>> THE ENTIRE HALL ERUPTS. >> LINCOLN EMERGED AS THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE. >> THE CINCINNATI NEWSPAPERS
SAID AN ENTIRE TRIBE OF SHRIEKING COMANCHES AND HOTEL
GONGS COULD HAVE BEEN LOST WITH THE WHOOP THAT WENT UP FOR
LINCOLN. >> WHERE WAS LINCOLN WAS ALL
THOSE BALLOTS WERE BEING CAST? HE WAS SITTING IN THE OFFICE OF
THE REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER IN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, IN HIS
FAVORITE CHAIR. WAITING FOR THE TELEGRAM.
HE ACCEPTS THE HANDSHAKES OF ALL OF HIS FRIENDS AND SAYS, THANK
YOU, THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. BUT I REALLY HAVE TO GO HOME.
THERE IS A LITTLE WOMAN WHO IS GOING TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN
THIS THAN YOU ARE. AND HE MAKES HIS WAY HOME TO
TELL MARY THAT HER DREAM HAS COME TRUE.
THROUGH ALL OF THE DEFEATS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, SETBACKS, HE
STILL THROUGH WORDS AND A BIT THROUG
>>> IN 1860, AFTER A METEORIC RISE FROM OBSCURITY, ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, A SELF‐EDUCATED ONE‐TERM CONGRESSMAN WINS THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT.
>> FOR A LONG TIME, ONCE YOU GET THE NOMINATION, YOU GO BACK
HOME. YOU’RE NOT GOING AROUND SHAKING
HANDS AND KISSING BABIES. THAT’S A 20‐CENTURY INVENTION.
IT’S UP TO THE PARTY BOSSES, HOW TO BEST PRESENT THE CANDIDATES.
>> LINCOLN IS SITTING AT HOME SAYING NOTHING.
THE GREAT ORATOR IS SILENCED. >> BUT IN A LITTLE PARLOR IN
SPRINGFIELD, MARY LINCOLN WAS FINALLY ABLE TO COME INTO HER
OWN. EVEN THOUGH HER HUSBAND CAN’T
CAMPAIGN, THAT WON’T STOP HER. THE PRESS IS INVITED IN TO THEIR
HOME. SHE ENTERTAINS, SHE DEMANDS THAT
THERE BE LOTS OF BEER ON HAND. SHE WAS VERY COMFORTABLE
SPEAKING ABOUT HER HUSBAND. SHE TOOK TO THAT ROLE QUITE
WELL. >> MARITAL HARMONY RETURNS TO
THE LINCOLN HOUSEHOLD. THEIR PARTNERSHIP HAD ALWAYS
BEEN FOUNDED IN MUTUAL AMBITION, AND FLOURISHED WHEN THEY WORKED
TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL. >> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOES NOT
WANT LINCOLN’S ANTI‐SLAVERY VIEWS TO BE THE MAJOR FOCUS OF
THE CAMPAIGN. THEY’RE MUCH HAPPIER FOCUSING ON
HIS PERSONAL STORY. >> THEY WANTED STORIES THAT
SHOWED LINCOLN BEING THIS SORT OF HUMBLE RAIL‐SPLITTER, A
COUNTRY BUMPKIN. >> HE WAS A LAWYER AND A
POLITICIAN, AND HAD BEEN A RAIL‐SPLITTER A VERY LONG TIME
BEFORE. >> SO THE IMAGES OF HIM AS THE
BOY WHO RISES FROM OBSCURITY ARE VERY MUCH PART OF HIS APPEAL.
>> LINCOLN RECEIVES MAIL FROM VOTERS AND THOSE WISHING HIM
WELL. ONE LETTER FROM GRACE, A YOUNG
GIRL FROM NEW YORK, MAKES A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING
SUGGESTION. >> I’VE GOT FOUR BROTHERS AND
PART OF THEM WILL VOTE FOR YOU ANYWAY.
AND IF YOU LET YOUR WHISKERS GROW, I WILL TRY TO GET THE REST
OF THEM TO VOTE FOR YOU. YOU WOULD LOOK A GREAT DEAL
BETTER, FOR YOUR FACE IS THIN. ALL THE LADIES LIKE WHISKERS,
AND THEY WOULD TEASE THEIR HUSBANDS TO VOTE FOR YOU.
AND THEN YOU WOULD BE PRESIDENT. MY FATHER’S GOING TO VOTE FOR
YOU. AND IF I WAS A MAN, I WOULD VOTE
FOR YOU, TOO. >> LINCOLN WRITES BACK TO HER.
>> AS TO THE WHISKERS, HAVING NEVER WORN ANY, DO YOU NOT THINK
PEOPLE WOULD CALL IT A PIECE OF SILLY AFFECTATION IF I WERE TO
BEGIN IT NOW? >> BUT AT SOME POINT, HE MUST
HAVE REFLECTED ON THAT. HE DECIDES TO GROW THE BEARD.
>> BUT AS THE REPUBLICANS CONTINUE TO CURATE LINCOLN’S
PUBLIC IMAGE, THE DEMOCRATS SCRAMBLE TO ORGANIZE THEIR
CANDIDATES. >> STEVEN DOUGLAS IS THE
OVERWHELMING FAVORITE TO BE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.
BUT SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS NEVER FORGAVE DOUGLAS FOR TRYING TO
TEMPORIZE DURING HIS DEBATES WITH LINCOLN.
>> ULTIMATELY, THE DEMOCRATS FROM THE SOUTH WALK OUT OF THEIR
OWN CONVENTION. THEY RE‐ASSEMBLE AND NOMINATE
JOHN BRECKENRIDGE. >> NOW YOU HAVE A SOUTHERN
CANDIDATE AND A NORTHERN CANDIDATE ON THE ELECTORAL
TICKET. AND TO MAKE IT WORSE, YOU HAVE A
MIDDLE GROUP WHO CALLS DOWN A POX ON BOTH THEIR HOUSES.
CREATES WHAT IS CALLED THE CONSTITUTIONAL UNION PARTY, AND
NOMINATES JOHN BELL OF TENNESSEE.
NOW SOUTHERN VOTES ARE SPLIT NOT TWO WAYS, BUT THREE WAYS.
AND IT BECOMES OBVIOUS THAT LINCOLN IS GOING TO WIN THIS
ELECTION. >> ON NOVEMBER 6th, 1860, A
RECORD 81% OF VOTERS TURN OUT FOR WHAT WILL BECOME THE MOST
SIGNIFICANT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
>> LINCOLN SPENDS MOST OF THE DAY IN THE SPRINGFIELD TELEGRAPH
OFFICE. EVERY TIME THE KEYS CLATTER, HE
KNOWS THAT RETURNS ARE COMING IN FROM ANOTHER CITY.
IT’S TENSE. BUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS,
LINCOLN GETS UP AND HAS ICE CREAM WITH MARY.
AND THEN HE GOES BACK TO THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE.
BY ABOUT MIDNIGHT, HE UNDERSTANDS THAT HE WILL WIN THE
PRESIDENCY. >> AS SUSPECTED, HE WILL WIN IT,
NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE HE WILL WIN A CLEAR MAJORITY, BUT BECAUSE
THE OTHERS WILL FALL SO FAR BEHIND HIM IN THEIR DIVISION.
>> WHEN LINCOLN GOT THE NEWS THAT HE WOULD BE THE NEXT
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, HE WENT RUSHING HOME.
AND HE SAID, WE ARE ELECTED, MARY.
>> THIS IS THEIR TRIUMPH. BUT LINCOLN WINS IN THE MOST
SECTIONAL VOTE IN THE HISTORY OF THE PRESIDENCY.
THAT’S A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. >> LINCOLN ONLY WINS 39% OF THE
POPULAR VOTE. >> HE REALIZES THAT THE
POLITICAL TRIUMPH HAS OCCURRED, BUT THE BURDENS OF WHAT IS
AWAITING HIM IS SUDDENLY APPARENT.
>> IT’S THE WORST SITUATION ANYBODY HAS EVER BEEN HANDED AS
PRESIDENT. LITERALLY, TAG, YOU’RE IT.
THE WHOLE COUNTRY STARTS TO COME APART.
>> AS SOON AS HE’S ELECTED, THE SOUTHERN STATES START TO BOLT.
>> THEY RECOGNIZE THE THREAT OF LINCOLN BEING PRESIDENT.
THE THREAT OF THIS NEW PARTY UNITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE
EXPANSION OF SLAVERY COMING TO POWER IS ENOUGH TO HAVE THE
SOUTH SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE’VE BEEN WARNING AGAINST.
WE WILL SECEDE. >> LINCOLN’S NEXT MOVES WILL
DETERMINE WHETHER THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT SURVIVES.
WILL HE BE REMEMBERED AS THE GREATEST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, OR THE LAST?