Extra Credit Questions

[David Lockmiller]

(05-13-2024 06:20 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(05-13-2024 09:44 AM)David Lockmiller Wrote:  The point of this argument is that if a single necessary link in the chain of events of history does not occur, then the chain is broken and, quite possibly, there is no President Abraham Lincoln written about in any of the history books.

Lincoln almost fought a sword duel in 1842, but a truce was called right as the fighting commenced. Who knows what might have happened if this event had continued. (I admit being killed in a sword duel was very rare.)

Roger, I was thinking more of major events on the long pathway to the presidency, and even long before a simple thought in that direction had occurred to Lincoln.

For instance, as I recall, his first political speech at a very young age was when he spoke to a small group of citizens at the Decatur town square and expressed his support for a particular candidate and explained his reasoning for that support.

And, his first personal political "election" victory was being made Captain of the local military unit in the Blackhawk War over another local man with actual military experience, as I recall. He had gained the approval of his fellow man for his character and recognized abilities for the first time. He was justifiably proud of this event for his whole life.

And, as a lawyer he learned to make well-reasoned honest, cogent arguments to either a court or a political audience.

It is the move to Decatur, Illinois that began this long political career. And, it was always the United States Constitution and the institution of democracy that were his guiding lights.

As for the sword duel, Lincoln faced the necessity of saving Mary from the results of her "sharp" tongue targeting a short-tempered man and political figure who felt himself publicly insulted by her anonymous words in the local newspaper and "demanded satisfaction" from the perpetrator by deadly duel. Lincoln took responsibility for Mary's offensive words and chose the unwieldy broadsword as the weapon of choice, the right of the challenged party. Lincoln asked Mary to never mention the subject again.