First Campaign Statement (1832)

Political Context:

In 1832, Abraham Lincoln is 23 years old and is running for a seat in the state legislature in the capitol

of Springfield, IL. There are 12 candidates running for four seats. Lincoln was far and away the youngest, least experienced and least known of the 12. The purpose of this letter was to introduce himself to the people of the county and to lay out what he believed needed to be done and what experience he had to offer. In the end the First Campaign Statement was a qualified success. Lincoln finished just 150 votes out of the top four, which was a strong showing considering his characteristics as a candidate.

What Historians Say:

“In his 1832 campaign announcement, Lincoln above all championed government support for internal improvements which would enable subsistence farmers to participate in the market economy and thus escape rural isolation and poverty … Lincoln’s ambition, like that of many politicians, was rooted in an intense craving for deference and approval. But unlike many power-seekers, Lincoln was expansive and generous in his ambition. He desired more than ego-gratifying power and prestige; he wanted everyone to have a chance to escape the soul-crushing poverty and backwardness that he had experienced as a quasi-slave on the frontier.”

— Michael Burlingame, Abraham Lincoln: A Life

Vocabulary:

Term

Republicanism

Internal Improvements

Navigable

Sangamo River

New Salem

Approbation

Definition

The idea that the country is run by representatives that are elected by the citizens. Lincoln is explaining his beliefs to the people so that they may make an informed choice.

Internal improvements is also commonly referred to as infrastructure. These are the items that help bring the nation together for travel, trade, movement. Examples may include bridges, highways (rivers in the 1800's), canals, power grids, sewer lines etc...

This means that boats can make it up and down the river, without obstructions or obstacles that would hinder travel, trade etc...

The Sangamo

River runs through the middle of Illinois from east to west, meeting the Illinois River, then finally joining the Mississippi River at about the same point as the Missouri River.

New Salem is in Central IL, approximately 20 miles straight north from the capital of Springield, along the Sangamo River

Approval

Excerpt:

FELLOW-CITIZENS: Having become a candidate for the honorable office of one of your representatives in the next General Assembly of this state, in accordance with an established custom, and the principles of true republicanism, it becomes my duty to make known to you—the people whom I propose to represent—my sentiments with regard to local affairs.

Time and experience have verified to a demonstration, the public utility of internal improvements. That the poorest and most thinly populated countries would be greatly benefitted by the opening of good roads, and in the clearing of navigable streams within their limits, is what no person will deny. But yet it is folly to undertake works of this or any other kind, without first knowing that we are able to finish them—as half finished work generally proves to be labor lost. There cannot justly be any objection to having rail roads and canals, any more than to other good things, provided they cost nothing. The only objection is to paying for them; and the objection to paying arises from the want of ability to pay.

…The probable cost of this contemplated rail road is estimated at $290,000;—the bare statement of which, in my opinion, is sufficient to justify the belief, that the improvement of Sangamo river is an object much better suited to our infant resources.

Respecting this view, I think I may say, without the fear of being contradicted, that its navigation may be rendered completely practicable, as high as the mouth of the South Fork, or probably higher, to vessels of from 25 to 30 tons burthen, for at least one half of all common years, and to vessels of much greater burthen a part of that time. From my peculiar circumstances, it is probable that for the last twelve months I have given as particular attention to the stage of the water in this river, as any other person in the country. In the month of March, 1831, in company with others, I commenced the building of a flat boat on the Sangamo, and finished and took her out in the course of the spring. Since that time, I have been concerned in the mill at New Salem. These circumstances are sufficient evidence, that I have not been very inattentive to the stages of the water….

…What the cost of this work would be, I am unable to say. It is probable, however, it would not be greater than is common to streams of the same length. Finally, I believe the improvement of the Sangamo river, to be vastly important and highly desirable to the people of this county; and if elected, any measure in the legislature having this for its object, which may appear judicious, will meet my approbation, and shall receive my support.

Audio: (0:00 - 3:12)

Link to Complete Document:

Source Information and Complete Transcript of Document

Reading Analysis Support Video:

Questions (Answer these in your notes with complete thoughts and textual evidence):

What is the key issue that Abraham Lincoln is discussing in this campaign for state office?
Why would this issue be a benefit to the people of this part of the state?
According to Abraham Lincoln, why is he someone the voters should trust on this issue?
If we are talking about slavery and the build up to the Civil War, why is this document included?
What is the current compromise that is controlling the spread of slavery at this time? Would this impact Abraham Lincoln and the people of Illinois? Why?

Thesis Focus:

In this speech is Lincoln reacting to change in slavery? Is it a positive or negative change in Lincoln's opinion? Why?
Is the strength and intensity of Lincoln's reaction in proportion to the changes in slave policy?
How does this reaction compare to his previous thoughts on the topic?

Required Documents

Sources

Michael Burlingame, Abraham Lincoln: A Life (2 volumes, originally published by Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008) Unedited Manuscript By Chapter, Lincoln Studies Center, Volume 1, Chapter 3 (PDF), pp. 248-251

Matthew Pinsker, ed. , "1st Campaign Statement (1832),” Lincoln’s Writings: The Multi-Media Edition, http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/lincoln/first-campaign-statement-march-9-1832/ (accessed July 30, 2016).

"Rachel K Schlueter -oil Painting + Mixed Media." : A Young Abe Lincoln. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2016.