thank you very much. i am pleased to be here in atlanta up. i have been coming here for decades i have strong connections with the city. my wife went to college here. my brother went to law school here is still practices here million diss sun does live in the city with his family. my wife has aunts and cousins so i have a strong connection to atlanta.

tonight i will discuss abraham lincoln's role in the crisis of the union 18631861. more specifically what abraham lincoln and rejected any meaningful compromise following his election the country was gripped by a crisis because they feared lincoln it was the number party and probably sell. it did not have a significant connection lincoln was elected without a single electoral votes without the slave states and own the for border states and they are merely a handful. for the first time in

nation's history to be taking over the executive branch of the national government. in the south major institution is the republicans' determination into a unit to win a national election without southern support republicans condemned the south as undemocratic. even un-american. with this party on the threshold for those who practice the gospel and newspaper columns the crisis

for the south was at hand. from the hatred of evil republicans to fill the southern air. this is not the first time. there have been several disputes. 2.specifically, first, the constitutional convention to do with the admission of missouri as of slave state -- state midges much more than the state of louisiana from domestic guerrilla to the rocky mountains it was settled by

the missouri compromise. then the nullification encounter mercy it was already settled by compromise than late 1840's the future of slavery the territory from mexico and mexican war settled by the compromise of 1850. precedent and tradition in place for another settlement the chief issue between the republicans and the south but not slavery of the 15 states. almost all americans americans, republicans included the constitution and protected slavery.

rather the critical question was slavery in the national territories and those that had not yet become states. geographically that we think of as the great plains and the rocky mountains to california. that did not include california. it was already a state to. the question was critical because it had to do with the future of slavery and seven powerpc in the nation. -- southern power in the nation. what is there constitutional rights as citizens? moving slave property into territories owned by the

entire nation. the dread scott decision the united states supreme court confirmed the southern constitutional view. republicans will allow no more slaves on any territory. abraham lincoln elected november much later in est. congress came into session and to put forth a critical portion a way they dealt with the territory to have a dividing line beyond the louisiana purchase to the border california.

i will get to my main topic. when abraham lincoln and rejected all meaningful compromise. i am going to talk about three different men. you know, his name. abraham lincoln. the other two not so well known. a great kentucky statesmen some would believe henry stewart from your state to have prior to the nomination of the presidency was the most notable republican. now finally where does it start?

henry clay. he had been dead already eight years. during the first half henry clay was a major figure in politics. known as the great compromise. 1820 and 1850 clay had a major role to shape a compromise. that does not bring him down in 1860. he comes because abraham lincoln looked to his political mentor he called him my ideal of a statesman. lincoln's best known remarks came in a eulogy he delivered one week after

claes death. and most conspicuous part of the compromise at the same time lincoln underscored no one was the zero habitually careful to avoid all ground. whatever he did, he did for the country showering adulation for his ability to work with opponents and allies to highlight the main point* on behalf of the union. as late as 1861 lincoln professed i have loved and revered clay. teacher. leader. he also noted his opposition to slavery.

that is vital because of the man who is opposed to slavery in lincoln could never embrace as his hero the man from slavery. several times lincoln made clear to protest slavery and raise opposition to the spread. he did not invent antislavery clay. but he downplayed the willingness to moderate that stance. and for the institution of. and also not to force slavery where it had not existed. yet to 1850 this they placed

slavery in their constitution he would honor their choice and he did back the compromise of 1850 which gave the possibility of slavery to the utah territories. no other moral issue matched in importance the maintenance of the union. lincoln spoke of camp -- compromise. by his own account he treasured the missouri compromise them publicly stood for the compromise 1850. in mid-50s he announced i am for saving the union.

i would consent to a greater one. such declarations disappeared from lincoln's speeches. he did indicate with a compromise of 1850. lincoln received a republican nomination in large part because he seemed more conservative than the better sue wordpro but a closer look would cast considerable doubt on this assumption. with the house divided speech lincoln had specifically renounced the country cannot endure to have slaves and half free and has substance the house divided idea in the

conflict idea of seward between north and south that the 80 is meshed perfectly. far more prominent than link and seward was a spokesman of anti-slavery for a decade. he had condemned any territorial compromise. he called for a higher law than the constitution of. and passed over he had been at the public by. and lincoln got the nod for president. when the crisis erupted that led to a of a discussion and how to respond linkdin

opposed compromise. he absolutely did not adopt clay's stance why he broke away we do not have the answer but it does provide reasonable explanation of. first to the south, and vigorous partisanship and third is this role anti-slavery commitment. first-come of the southcom in my judgment lincoln's lack of understanding dismissing the seriousness and looking at a conspiracy with a small band of

radicals, lincoln found no other explanation and possible. it certainly had nothing to do. with his party that led to two observations. peak rationalizes without the declaration and told southerners there was no place for them with the chief social institution of. irrepressible conflict scenario did likewise. and he must have been. he told them that neither he nor any other republicans

made himself obnoxious with anything he had said overdone. and how he would have reacted to a responsible leader publicly proclaiming the three states had no future in the union but did react forcefully. even though lincoln and struck out he was adjusting the supreme court did it make illinois a slave state no politician ever had such a course. appears indisputable that he knew so little about the south.

at 19 and 22 additionally he was born in kentucky and his wife came from a slave owning family as did his best friend. after his useful journeys he never traveled to the south beyond kentucky. but then to serve one term united states house of representatives that was almost of a decade and a half they kept up with none of the men but they had no friends who could educate

with southern politics. so lincoln's image of the slave south matched the abolitionists depiction to dominate society and politics agitating for secession with slave owners. lincoln appears to have no understanding or how deeply slavery is invented the with the overwhelmingly majority it seems linkdin thought of them with no attachment to slavery there were very much like abraham again. perhaps southern whites

could not imagine a pro slave or against the yen. and actively supportive session but it springfield illinois he and his friend urged lincoln and with the republican triumph. there are no such men. with no firsthand knowledge of the south and no real friends to share acquaintances, lincoln

unsurprisingly did not knowledge the distinction between those advocates and others said their politicians and had no relish just like jefferson davis and alexander stephens who becomes the confederate vice president. lincoln put them altogether. he does not seem to understand being pressed by the southern regulators. but it powerfully position them with a compromise. also his partisanship. his actions made clear he approached the crisis not as

the united states leader of the republican party. but the security of his leadership and anxious of party unity. many republicans and then not republicans alike to make a public statement addressing the issues of their rights and their determination of. time again. responding of the cascade of request i could say nothing that is in print. the petition could only harm his political position. with his inflexibility he seems not to fathom the most

vigorous rhetoric could terrify the south. additionally every statement had been made not as the next president of the country. for their more none of the declarations were made during the monument look crisis. obviously lincoln never stepped forward publicly in the effort to humiliate southerners. if he had with is unmatched gift of the political moment one might imagine his theme to note to the recognition he was not one of them and represented the party as their enemy.

that we're all still americans neither he nor his party would harm. that once the bacon said publicly he would be president of all americans. and that he cannot deviate from it acted like a partisan partisan not the leader of the country. the critical question focuses why? evidence strongly suggests he has the hard line to the left of his party. linkdin constantly expressed concern to compromise if that segment it would

disintegrate. this was day minority. they were clearly a number by the left approach to focus on seward. he was passed over to be perceived as too radical. but he was a man who aimed at compromise early. seward perceive the union to be immortal control -- danger. in having been in washington the entire decade of the 1850's and knowing many southern politicians yet a better grasp family and of the political forces of secession he believed the

territories had done the work to elect one of them president. invited states hong with never add more territory without republicans but to put in place the bowl verbal obstacles for settlement. seward saw it as democratic division looking at the voters as democratic but the democratic party divided northern candidate in the seven candidates. that division aided the republican triumph. seward felt by 1864 the

democrats would reunite and caused the republicans massive trouble unless the party could expand. with the upper and the border south seward brings these people in the republican party was essentials. a number were willing to become a republican to of the science union over antagonism. then we can could see any republican future beyond the border. he did later on. as for the unity of the triumph of the republican party since the inception seward had been a major

spokesmen for anti-slavery number weighed this from the irrepressible conflict and had to rappel from the assault on the left and the party asking for compromise did even if the most radical did vote they would offset the loss. sell it would become the great union party and as i said lincoln did turn that party etfs before the hostilities did not. yes he viewed the crisis from the partisan perspective but there was the third fundamental

reason. the evidence suggests the visceral hatred of slavery. seward without question never gave slavery equality with free them but convinced with the rapid expansion of the free states with burgeoning economic power this overpowers slavery. to become casualties of what he foresaw as inevitable progress after accomplishing his purpose elected a republican seward was quite willing to stop. not selling 10. the territorial issue list of about politics alone.

even as a symbol. the patient must be about three number cannot slavery. with the well-known cooper union speech very 1860, it helped to. him to the top of the list of republican candidates made him a known that figure to the northeast and republicans. he made opposition to slavery and the power of the government to lacked such a policy direct legacy of the founding fathers during the aftermath of the revolution. focusing on a discrete group

there were overwhelmingly anti-slavery including seven hours. in his version of history this noble goal had been shattered aside and was the duty of the republicans. the speech was enormously 86 us will lincoln defined his remarks as fax the founding fathers had not circumscribed slavery and all. slavery and free them were more less side-by-side with

powerful support new territories opened required to organize under every president george washington to james monroe including james madison as well as washington and monroe. the founding fathers decrease the more complicated legacy than what they wanted to believe. we can never spoke publicly but it he did write private letters to seven hours the arrow him and he would tell them he thought it was wrong as early as 1850 he told a law partner that the slavery

question cannot be compromised a logical statement from shackled slaves. he considered it as to why a beast and some day he predicted them antagonistic will break the bond and the question will be settled. a key reason is what he saw his view on slavery he said he does not care but humanity cares and i care. he describes slavery as dangers have come. thus faced with the decision to except the compromise to

attack slavery lincoln said never. he did not signify he advocated any move against slavery. at time again he thought the government had no such power even supported the one measure that came out of congress with the original 13 amendment would have made prohibition almost possible and i doubt it doubted the would have been put into the constitution lincoln expressed support for this amendment would make

abolitionists' slavery almost impossible. he could not have a direct assault but the looking at territorial expansion with slavery itself lincoln found a way around that barrier. he says slavery must remain among the borders to place the evil to a permanent stockade. with three reasons of his partisanship and as a slave of the united states in brim lincoln was unyielding and rejected meaningful compromise and usurped may rejected henry clay's legacy. and with that compromise had no chance. in compromise fails

secession triumphed. thank you very much. [applause] >> who was talking to lincoln about the compromise? >> a lot of republicans as well as non republicans. efforts in the congress. not to bore you with details but the acceptance of some kind of compromise to say please join on their side. he would say no.

they urged him to except compromise. some republicans and also northern democrats. republican party itself was divided. that upper down about undoubtedly would have been in conflict. most were in the middle they did that know what to do but lincoln made it clear. to realize he was the president elect said he fellow nine and then seward strove mightily and there

would be more then seven states. >> what were the terms? >> there were various things. some way to divide the territories. the most common proposal was to draw a geographical line west. once you got past and this to the rocky mountains and beyond to the border california, freedom on one side. the language vary from one proposal to the next two somehow divide the territory to prohibit slavery.

to return fugitive slaves. but the key was the territory. that was the future. >> he asked if i thought the civil war was inevitable? >> no. that is what my book is all about. he did not make it happen himself. until your compromise does not mean war has to come. there is not war for another six weeks it comes because of a crisis at four sumpter

that had nothing to do with a compromise attempts of congress. there would be a member states have of the union but the war itself is another question. >> november of 60 the people in atlanta voted to compromise. but it in january when it came time to elect the delegates voted the session but in that timeframe in atlanta there was a fire. if the compromise proposal

with the election of linkdin it is over. >> let me give you an example. in the senate there was a special committee to come up with a solution to the problem. one liv did washington. unlike alexander stephens when it was known as a committee of 13 he said he would accept such a proposal because he knew georgians would accept it. he would never have seceded.

the initial blow to was a narrow but it did in the election one of the problems that people had was the leadership reasons that are difficult to understand never made it much of a campaign it was a narrow margin moving of the congress would not have happened. that is another matter. but in a kind of compromise by itself against the federal government. to stimulate georgia to a place like louisiana i think

it would have made a big difference. >> wachovia for its for slavery? >> they thought there is no way to nationalize because they thought the state would have to decide. illinois 1/2 to make that decision. the dread scott decision said american citizens take their property and to any territory. the court might have said to take the slave property through a state through

illinois to someplace else. that was not the case but states have laws they would not allow them to come and. based nine dread scott they said that it is a far cry. i know think it could have been done. but few have ever voted to put slavery into place. >> this is a good example of a failure to compromise for good you have an opinion on the country's ability to compromise that people see as a problem to lincoln's and failure for compromise

to save our country? >> historians tend to get questions like that. i have enough trouble understanding the past. [laughter] the future is beyond me. the president is beyond me much less the future. [laughter] >> henry clay o.r. negative no less -- webster lived long enough with a sway him differently? >> that is a better question for me. that is about the past. [laughter] although it is counterfactual. who knows? with there were hard-liners who would write letters to say we cannot take the stand that we needed. they would have compromised

anything where lincoln sought it coming apart before his very eyes. the confederate states were established one month before he became president pro what would happen to the separation? nobody knew. but there would have been more compromise then there were. >> the book stops when the shooting starts. >> woody think would have happened to the south if they took the compromise that in today's there would run out of supplies?

>> that is not what was proposed for grow major anderson inform the water department he was running out of supplies and could only last six weeks. he never said that before but also said the defense and battery the defense was so strong that it would take of massive force to relieve him successfully beyond united states army and navy so rarely he said i cannot maintain myself but there is no way you can come help me. he expected he would be told to withdraw. coming down to the final crisis to send an expedition

not to send troops more munitions beauregard said his delegation to tell anderson you have to surrender or we will reduce you perk up that point* he said i have to leave in today's i will fly back. beauregard took the information to mcgovern a. it was over peace anwr. if he would specify when he will leave them don't take him out. then anderson said i will leave it noon april 15. unless i receive different

orders from my government or i reinforced at that time the confederates new the relief mission was on route to some of that answer would not do because he did not promise unequivocal a cell he was told firing would commence properly. and it did. he never made the proposal of those terms. >> but just to speculate did abraham lincoln know what was going to have been in fort sumner? >> he did the trick anybody. he had every reason and to expect seveners would react. he was told a few days

before by seward and others. in the use of force of coercion against any part of the confederate states would result in a war of other states. lincoln told the man who had devised the relief plan that things have worked out find -- mine. he also told his best friend he was glad things worked out for the best. it is hard to believe lincoln did not expect them to shoot that he could help that they would not. that he expected them not to

i think is too much. he told the governor would you is doing. not jefferson davis but he sent a message and said i am sending in food and medical supplies. no guns will be fired this notre currie. they might have believed they would send supplies because it is tune complicated right now the confederacy decided they had been misled. that was our friend mr. seward. >> mini people think one of

the worst presidents of the united states was president you can because during his time in office he did not take any action to prevent the onset of the civil war. is that correct? >> he did something. he did many things. major anderson transferred where they could easily have taken easily they were upset the southern the rugrats were upset because buchanan promised he would take no action and based on his move

they've forced him to withdraw but the can and would not do that. his decision to maintain at the fort he held to the remainder of his presidency and on top of that buchanan told major anderson if he needed help it was ready to come. to be faced with what lincoln was faced with coming buchanan would have ordered the withdrawal. buchanan did more than people gave him credit. although not as much as he could have he could not get anything at of the congress. republicans opposed

everything. [laughter] >> and thank you very much. [applause] we will carry-on with fed counterfactual history and bell lobby. >> it really was scary before we liberated baker county. [laughter] but to have this happen you are only trying to do the

best you can for everyone. to have someone take your words with the equipment that they have to cut and splice and make your message to be the exact opposite -- opposite is just the unbelievable situation. you don't know you'll ever be able to get the truth but even if i have to tell one per cent at the time. >> it makes me think there is in media energy around the book it was july 2010.

but two of the interview calling you a reverse racists and the speed at which that have been to. it feels good to know first all i was able to use that same media to get the right story out to i cannot explain how great it feels i don't know if you saw me i was crying a little bit it is amazing i made the decision in years ago i'd want people to forget my father. i had no idea i could tell the story this way. >> what is so beautiful it

is more than a book but living history and it reminds us without the feelings the fax do not to convey what it has been bad as they struggle has been humanity and love and possibility and sacrifice. raised i know you've tried to get gangster driving the tractor. [laughter] >> we were in baker county you read about to the early years.

but the sheriff wanted to be known as the gator. he rules everything, everyone in the county. you cannot imagine if looking at the western's from earlier days but he is worse from what you see. my great great grandparents came to baker county they ended up there as sharecroppers with the intent of buying land they bought enough the area i group today is still called hawkins town but they lived in a wide area that we were all one big family and felt

we had to help each other rose raised on a farm and any farmer once a sun. i guess any man but they kept having babies and they were all girls. we all had a boy nicknamed. mind was a bell. [laughter] >> that is hilarious. we could be in a situation we felt safe and comfortable he wanted us to have education knowing that was the key to a better life three he thought we would come home and tried to work from there.