♪ >>> 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
DISA
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
CONCL
CONCLUSIONS.
>> LINCOLN WAS HONEST ABE,
BUT --
>> THERE'S A TENDENCY TO SAY
HE'S A MORAL PARAGON 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REPEALED THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE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.
>> ULTIMATELY, 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.
DO
>>> 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
INVI
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 VI
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
A
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 CONSTINSTITUTION T
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, PEOPLE 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. SEWARD OF NEW
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?