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This talk will address the central question: In this 250th anniversary of American independence, how did Lincoln make use of our revolutionary heritage to advance the cause of Union?
The Presidential train traveled east from Springfield, IL, on its way to Washington, D.C, carrying president-elect Abraham Lincoln; the first time that hundreds of thousands of people would have the opportunity to see a President of the United States, and perhaps to hear him speak. But, although speaking at the many stops of the 13-day journey, Lincoln left many of his listeners unimpressed. Then he reached the one free state, New Jersey, termed the northern-most southern state, (a term actually accepted!) whose popular vote he had not captured and had to split the Electoral votes with Sen. Douglas, 4-3. Now speaking in two separate speeches, one before the NJ Senate and the other before the NJ Assembly, Lincoln in Trenton now spoke powerfully, evoking the spirit of George Washington, crossing the Delaware River, the battle with the Hessians and the hardships they endured. And then continued on in the same spirit to Philadelphia, evoking at Independence Hall, the Declaration of Independence. This talk will address the central question. In this 250th anniversary of American independence, how did Lincoln make use of our revolutionary heritage to advance the cause of Union?
About the Presenter: Richard Schwartz is a former high school history teacher. He is the author of The Prairies on Fire: Lincoln Debates Douglas, 1858. He writes the Substack newsletter Common Sentences. Ed. Note: Schwartz has presented Lincoln lectures before the NJCWRT several times, and I can state This is probably the best Lincoln lecture you will hear. (How’s that for going out a limb?) When Schwartz presented a lecture at the Gettysburg Forum, he received a standing ovation, and that included the leading Lincoln scholars!
This virtual program is presented by the North Jersey Civil War Round Table. Chat Room Opens at 6:30pm and the program begins at 7pm. Register online or by calling Roxbury Library at (973) 584-2400 and the link will be sent to you the day before the program.
The Roxbury Township Public Library is a municipal library serving the communities of Succasunna, Ledgewood, Landing, Berkshire Valley, Port Morris, and Kenvil. Residents of the township are eligible to a free library card which enables access to 2.8 million items across the Morris Library Alliance including digital books, museum passes and more.
