December 1857

Harper's Magazine archives (subscription required) ^ | December 1857

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

I've wondered about that myself. If I get a chance I will put them side by side and look for revisions.

Here is an excerpt from David Herbert Donald's Lincoln biography:

"In December 1857 he drafted a speech arguing that the controversy over the Lecompton Constitution simply diverted attention from 'the true magnitude of the slavery element in this nation,' which was dividing the political parties and even churches along sectional lines. "A house divided against itself cannot stand," he concluded then. 'I believe the government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. . . . whether this shall be an entire slave nation, is the issue before us."

[Jim W N]

Lincoln was perceptive, witty, and believed in freedom, skillfully fighting against the Democrats who then as now, only valued one thing - political advantage.

Lincoln was the real deal. Every once in a while you get the real deal. In approximately the last 100 years, we’ve had three of them - Cool Cal, Reagan, and Trump - and amazingly America has survived, but lately, just barely.

We’re going to need another one in 2024 if America is to survive for at least another 50 years.