Description
Book SynopsisIn this persuasive work of intellectual history, Lucas Morel argues that the most important influence on Abraham Lincoln's political thought and practice was what he learned from the leading figures of and documents from the birth of the United States.
Trade ReviewOut of collapse, renewal: Lucas E. Morel shows how, in our darkest hour, Abraham Lincoln drew on our previous darkest hour for inspiration and wisdom."—Richard Brookhiser, author of
Give Me Liberty: A History of America’s Exceptional Idea"With admirable clarity and conciseness, Morel explores Lincoln's political philosophy and its roots in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The discussion of how Lincoln used these iconic documents in his treatment of the issue of slavery is particularly incisive and valuable. This is an important contribution to the literature on the sixteenth president."—James M. McPherson, author of
The War That Forged a Nation: Why the Civil War Still Matters"It is instructive to be reminded that Abraham Lincoln thought Constitutional restraints were to be taken seriously, political decisions were to be made by officials accountable to those whose lives are affected by those decisions (i.e., voters), and mob rule posed a grave threat to American freedom. Morel’s thoughtful, convincing book shows how profoundly Lincoln’s political thought was rooted in his reverence for the wisdom of the Founders as embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."—Michael Burlingame, editor of
Sixteenth President-in-Waiting: Abraham Lincoln and the Springfield Dispatches of Henry Villard, 1860–1861Table of Contents
- Introduction: Looking to the Past for the Sake of the Future 1
- 1. Lincoln, George Washington, and the Founding Fathers: An Appeal to the Founder Par Excellence
- 2. Lincoln and the Declaration of Independence: An Appeal to the Founders’ Ends
- 3. Lincoln and the Constitution: An Appeal to the Founders’ Means
- 4. Lincoln and Slavery: An Appeal to the Founders’ Compromise
- 5. Lincoln and Original Intent: An Appeal to the Founders’ Relevance
- Conclusion: Lincoln as Conservative Liberal or Liberal Conservative?
- Acknowledgments
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
