New York Times
Sept. 27, 2023
By Thomas B. Edsall

Mr. Edsall contributes a weekly column from Washington, D.C., on politics, demographics and inequality.

Mr. Edsall quotes:

Herbert Kitschelt, a political scientist at Duke, argued that matters of immense concern are at stake: “This is going to be the most important election since 1860, because it is going to be about the future of this country as a democracy.”

The following story was printed in the New York Times on Thursday, November 10, 1864 (the election took place on Tuesday, November 8, 1864):

At a late hour last night, President Lincoln was serenaded by a club of Pennsylvanians, headed by Captain Thomas, of that State. Being loudly called for, the President appeared at a window, and spoke as follows:

Friends and Fellow-Citizens: Even before I had been informed by you that this compliment was paid me by loyal citizens of Pennsylvania friendly to me, I had inferred that you were of that portion of my countrymen who think that the best interests of the nation are to be subserved by the support of the present Administration. I do not pretend to say that you who think so embrace all the patriotism and loyalty of the country. But I do believe, and I trust, without personal interest, that the welfare of the country does require such support and indorsement be given. I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day’s work, if it be as you assure me and as now seems probable, will be to the lasting advantage, if not to the very salvation, of the country. I cannot say at this hour what has been the result of the election; but, whatever it may be, I have no desire to modify this opinion – that all who have labored today in behalf of the Union organization, have wrought for the best interests of their country and the world, not only for the present, but for all future ages. I am thankful to God for this approval of the people. But while deeply grateful for this mark of confidence in me, if I know my heart, my gratitude is free of any taint of personal triumph. I do not impugn the motives of anyone opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over anyone; but I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of the people’s resolution to stand by free government and the rights of humanity.

[Post #2 on thread titled RE: President Lincoln's "Blind Memorandum"]

Opinion
Guest Essay

Abraham Lincoln’s Wiliest Trick Should Be a Lesson for Biden
Aug. 27, 2024

Michael Vorenberg teaches at Brown University and is the author of the forthcoming book “Lincoln’s Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War.”

One hundred sixty years ago, the fate of the nation hung on a presidential election, as it does now, and Lincoln, like Mr. Biden, was a lame duck — or at least he assumed he was. His most trusted advisers (including Henry J. Raymond, the editor of The Times) told him that his rival, the Democratic candidate George B. McClellan, was going to win. The Union armies had suffered staggering fatalities and scored no recent major victory.

Democratic operatives had spread rumors that the Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, was ready to negotiate for a restoration of the Union. Lincoln knew that Davis would never back down, but the propaganda worked. Many Northern voters were deceived into thinking that Lincoln’s insistence on Black freedom was the only thing keeping the war alive.

In response, on Aug. 23, 1864, Lincoln drafted the “Blind Memorandum” — a document from which Mr. Biden might take his cue. The memo stated that if Lincoln lost the election, he would “cooperate with the president elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration.” Then Lincoln distributed it to his cabinet secretaries with the text hidden (hence it was “blind”) and told them to sign it even though they could not read it.

He thus committed his administration to a bipartisan mission to preserve the Union regardless of the election’s outcome. It was a risky move but a noble one, which reflected Lincoln’s insistence that nation had to come before party.

Who would agree that this was "Abraham Lincoln’s Wiliest Trick"?

I don't!

(09-02-2024 10:18 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  Opinion
Guest Essay

Abraham Lincoln’s Wiliest Trick Should Be a Lesson for Biden
Aug. 27, 2024

Michael Vorenberg teaches at Brown University and is the author of the forthcoming book “Lincoln’s Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War.”

Professor Vorenberg wrote: [O]n Aug. 23, 1864, Lincoln drafted the “Blind Memorandum”. The memo stated that if Lincoln lost the election, he would “cooperate with the president elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration.” Then Lincoln distributed it to his cabinet secretaries with the text hidden (hence it was “blind”) and told them to sign it even though they could not read it. . . . He thus committed his administration to a bipartisan mission to preserve the Union regardless of the election’s outcome.

I believe that President Lincoln asked his cabinet members to sign "blindly" the memorandum in order to establish the date he committed himself "to a bipartisan mission to preserve the Union regardless of the election’s outcome."