https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/ Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:53:47 +0000 MyBB https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5181.html Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:52:31 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5181.html Lincoln's deathbed in color

Much more detail.]]> Lincoln's deathbed in color

Much more detail.]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5180.html Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:32:56 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5180.html recent post in the "Who is this person?" thread, I do not believe the woman historically identified as Helen Western to be correct. Two years ago, I shared my concerns with Michael Kauffman, Tom Bogar, Steve Miller, and Scott Schroeder, and all four agreed that the veiled woman image found on Booth's body does not match known images of Western.

In my new post, I discuss how the photographs were originally identified, explain my doubts about the Helen Western identification, and finally delve into the life of the woman I believe this photograph actually shows: Laura Redden Searing.

Laura Redden was a deaf poet, journalist, and author. She lived quite an amazing life, especially during the Civil War years. She was friendly with the Lincolns, General Grant, countless Congressmen, and also John Wilkes Booth. I believe that I have built a strong and convincing case that Redden presented her photograph to John Wilkes Booth in February of 1865, two months before he assassinated Lincoln.

The piece is long (unsurprising when it comes to me), but I hope you will give it a read if you have a chance:

Under the Veil: Revealing the True Identity of John Wilkes Booth's Photograph]]> recent post in the "Who is this person?" thread, I do not believe the woman historically identified as Helen Western to be correct. Two years ago, I shared my concerns with Michael Kauffman, Tom Bogar, Steve Miller, and Scott Schroeder, and all four agreed that the veiled woman image found on Booth's body does not match known images of Western.

In my new post, I discuss how the photographs were originally identified, explain my doubts about the Helen Western identification, and finally delve into the life of the woman I believe this photograph actually shows: Laura Redden Searing.

Laura Redden was a deaf poet, journalist, and author. She lived quite an amazing life, especially during the Civil War years. She was friendly with the Lincolns, General Grant, countless Congressmen, and also John Wilkes Booth. I believe that I have built a strong and convincing case that Redden presented her photograph to John Wilkes Booth in February of 1865, two months before he assassinated Lincoln.

The piece is long (unsurprising when it comes to me), but I hope you will give it a read if you have a chance:

Under the Veil: Revealing the True Identity of John Wilkes Booth's Photograph]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5179.html Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:58:30 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5179.html https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/gov-de...r-AA26Ufzp]]> https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/gov-de...r-AA26Ufzp]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5178.html Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:09:07 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5178.html https://www.nbcwashington.com/video/ente...h/4122027/]]> https://www.nbcwashington.com/video/ente...h/4122027/]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5177.html Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:03:36 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5177.html Realized - $107,950

I discussed these with Blaine Houmes once and he told me he believed there were only 5 in private hands.

https://www.swanngalleries.com/auction-lot/_66585980BE]]> Realized - $107,950

I discussed these with Blaine Houmes once and he told me he believed there were only 5 in private hands.

https://www.swanngalleries.com/auction-lot/_66585980BE]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5176.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:57:57 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5176.html Posted: Jun 3, 2026 / 11:43 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 4, 2026 / 04:47 AM EDT

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — A small treasure has been lost in New London. Now the rightful owner wants it back.

If you have found a black folder in New London, look inside. If you see portraits of our 18th president, Abraham Lincoln, you have stumbled across historic artifacts.

Multiple documents from the 1800s were lost at Connecticut College by a Lincoln enthusiast. The search is now on.

Details here: https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/ne...ew-london/]]> Posted: Jun 3, 2026 / 11:43 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 4, 2026 / 04:47 AM EDT

NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — A small treasure has been lost in New London. Now the rightful owner wants it back.

If you have found a black folder in New London, look inside. If you see portraits of our 18th president, Abraham Lincoln, you have stumbled across historic artifacts.

Multiple documents from the 1800s were lost at Connecticut College by a Lincoln enthusiast. The search is now on.

Details here: https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/ne...ew-london/]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5175.html Thu, 28 May 2026 08:38:16 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5175.html
https://www.kclu.org/local-news/2026-05-...exhibition]]>
https://www.kclu.org/local-news/2026-05-...exhibition]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5174.html Tue, 26 May 2026 00:31:47 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5174.html
McClure seems to over emphasize his involvement in Lincoln's life, but he does acknowledge his limited influence in Lincoln's decision making. He writes a more sympathizing and defensive view of Buchanan and Cameron than most biographers of Lincoln that I have read, pointing out the limited size and supplies of the federal army at the beginning of the war, and the misunderstanding regarding the passion and determination in the southern political scene.

The book does have its shortcomings. It is a slightly different perspective of Lincoln's political life in the White House. McClure does emphasize Lincoln's willingness to listen to those who believe he should act in a more decisive manner but their persistence wears him out. Also emphasizes how alone Lincoln feels in this decision making.

In many of the chapters regarding Lincoln and the certain government and military leaders McClure is weak regarding Lincoln's interaction with them.
Some of the individual chapter headings are about Lincoln and Hamlin, Chase, Cameron, Buchanan, Stanton, McClellan, Grant, Sherman, Curtin, Stevens and Greely. But nothing on Seward. I get the opinion that McClure and Seward don't care for each other. This is due to McClure's effort in keeping Seward from getting the Republican nomination when he was the clear favorite in the beginning.

Interesting book in its own way, some of these people McClure knew fairly well, others he had very little personal contact with.

Available on Internet Archive and Amazon (with only one review).
https://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-W...525&sr=1-1

I purchased my hard bound copy for $9.99 plus s&h.
I give it a "fair" rating.]]>
McClure seems to over emphasize his involvement in Lincoln's life, but he does acknowledge his limited influence in Lincoln's decision making. He writes a more sympathizing and defensive view of Buchanan and Cameron than most biographers of Lincoln that I have read, pointing out the limited size and supplies of the federal army at the beginning of the war, and the misunderstanding regarding the passion and determination in the southern political scene.

The book does have its shortcomings. It is a slightly different perspective of Lincoln's political life in the White House. McClure does emphasize Lincoln's willingness to listen to those who believe he should act in a more decisive manner but their persistence wears him out. Also emphasizes how alone Lincoln feels in this decision making.

In many of the chapters regarding Lincoln and the certain government and military leaders McClure is weak regarding Lincoln's interaction with them.
Some of the individual chapter headings are about Lincoln and Hamlin, Chase, Cameron, Buchanan, Stanton, McClellan, Grant, Sherman, Curtin, Stevens and Greely. But nothing on Seward. I get the opinion that McClure and Seward don't care for each other. This is due to McClure's effort in keeping Seward from getting the Republican nomination when he was the clear favorite in the beginning.

Interesting book in its own way, some of these people McClure knew fairly well, others he had very little personal contact with.

Available on Internet Archive and Amazon (with only one review).
https://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-W...525&sr=1-1

I purchased my hard bound copy for $9.99 plus s&h.
I give it a "fair" rating.]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5170.html Sat, 23 May 2026 15:56:13 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5170.html
https://lincolnconspirators.com/2026/05/...pelganger/]]>
https://lincolnconspirators.com/2026/05/...pelganger/]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5164.html Mon, 18 May 2026 23:32:59 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5164.html
Best
Rob]]>
Best
Rob]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5163.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:50:11 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5163.html result “the proclamation of the American people that they are not conquered; that the
rebellion is not successful; and that, deeply as they deplore war and its inevitable
suffering and loss, yet they have no choice between war and national ruin, and must
therefore fight on.” Lincoln’s reelection demonstrated “that the people are conscious of
the power and force of their own Government” and vindicated “the American system of
free popular government. No system in history was ever exposed to such a strain directly
along the fibre as that which ours has endured in the war and the political campaign, and
no other could possibly have endured it successfully. The result is due to the general
intelligence of the people, and to the security of perfectly free discussion.” The U.S.
showed itself to be “a nation which comprehends its priceless importance to human
progress and civilization, and which recognizes that law is the indispensable condition of
Liberty.”

More succinctly, General John W. Geary told his wife, it “is now certain that
the United States must be all free or all slave, and the momentous question has been
decided in favor of freedom by the edict of the people in November.” Charles Eliot
Norton predicted that November 8, 1864, “will always be esteemed as one of our great
historic days. Never before was a people called upon for a decision involving more vital
interests not only to itself but to the progress of mankind, and never did any people show
itself so worthy to be entrusted with freedom and power.”]]> result “the proclamation of the American people that they are not conquered; that the
rebellion is not successful; and that, deeply as they deplore war and its inevitable
suffering and loss, yet they have no choice between war and national ruin, and must
therefore fight on.” Lincoln’s reelection demonstrated “that the people are conscious of
the power and force of their own Government” and vindicated “the American system of
free popular government. No system in history was ever exposed to such a strain directly
along the fibre as that which ours has endured in the war and the political campaign, and
no other could possibly have endured it successfully. The result is due to the general
intelligence of the people, and to the security of perfectly free discussion.” The U.S.
showed itself to be “a nation which comprehends its priceless importance to human
progress and civilization, and which recognizes that law is the indispensable condition of
Liberty.”

More succinctly, General John W. Geary told his wife, it “is now certain that
the United States must be all free or all slave, and the momentous question has been
decided in favor of freedom by the edict of the people in November.” Charles Eliot
Norton predicted that November 8, 1864, “will always be esteemed as one of our great
historic days. Never before was a people called upon for a decision involving more vital
interests not only to itself but to the progress of mankind, and never did any people show
itself so worthy to be entrusted with freedom and power.”]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5162.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:52:18 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5162.html Louise Oertly, president
Bill Binzel, vice president
Rebecca Morris, secretary
Dr. Nathan Willis, treasurer

In the interest of time, a motion will be offered to approve the slate en bloc (all together) so as not to have individual votes of the membership on each position.

After the business meeting, there will be two presentations. Joe Barry will discuss the audience at Ford’s Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865, and Mike Mazzeo will discuss the history and restoration of Rich Hill, which was the home of Samuel Cox and John Wilkes Booth’s third stop in his attempt to escape.

The meeting and presentations are open to all, and free.

The Zoom link to the meeting is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84728950585?pw...ZYp5NVZk.1 .]]> Louise Oertly, president
Bill Binzel, vice president
Rebecca Morris, secretary
Dr. Nathan Willis, treasurer

In the interest of time, a motion will be offered to approve the slate en bloc (all together) so as not to have individual votes of the membership on each position.

After the business meeting, there will be two presentations. Joe Barry will discuss the audience at Ford’s Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865, and Mike Mazzeo will discuss the history and restoration of Rich Hill, which was the home of Samuel Cox and John Wilkes Booth’s third stop in his attempt to escape.

The meeting and presentations are open to all, and free.

The Zoom link to the meeting is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84728950585?pw...ZYp5NVZk.1 .]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5161.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:40:14 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5161.html
In case you have not visited Dave Taylor's site recently, I have started a project to list all known attendees at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Yes, it's ambitious, but thanks to the great work of previous authors, the spreadsheet has nearly 500 names, including the theater employees.

My aim is to have a single location to summarize or evaluate eyewitness accounts, for example: how many people heard Booth utter which phrase, and at which part of the theater; how many people claimed to carry Lincoln across the street, etc.

Much work remains to fill in the details, as I have prioritized listing the names with basic sourcing info. I wanted to publish this sooner rather than later, in hopes others can contribute. To that end, please let me know if you're aware of additional attendees, or errors in the list. In time, this can be a valuable source for genealogy and research.

For more info, and the link to the spreadsheet, visit here: https://lincolnconspirators.com/2026/04/...joe-barry/]]>
In case you have not visited Dave Taylor's site recently, I have started a project to list all known attendees at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. Yes, it's ambitious, but thanks to the great work of previous authors, the spreadsheet has nearly 500 names, including the theater employees.

My aim is to have a single location to summarize or evaluate eyewitness accounts, for example: how many people heard Booth utter which phrase, and at which part of the theater; how many people claimed to carry Lincoln across the street, etc.

Much work remains to fill in the details, as I have prioritized listing the names with basic sourcing info. I wanted to publish this sooner rather than later, in hopes others can contribute. To that end, please let me know if you're aware of additional attendees, or errors in the list. In time, this can be a valuable source for genealogy and research.

For more info, and the link to the spreadsheet, visit here: https://lincolnconspirators.com/2026/04/...joe-barry/]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5160.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:36:33 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5160.html
https://hydeparkstation.org/events

There's a historic marker at the train station.

https://www.wgpfoundation.org/historic-m...RIL%2025**

"Inscription
GHOST TRAIN
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S
FUNERAL TRAIN PASSED THROUGH
HYDE PARK ON APRIL 25, 1865.
HIS GHOST TRAIN OFTEN SEEN
HERE AT NIGHT ON APRIL 25.
NEW YORK FOLKLORE
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024"

"Shortly before 8pm on April 25, the president’s funeral train passed through the town of Hyde Park. Ever since this momentous occasion, a story has been told of an eerie event that occurs along the tracks in Hyde Park each night on April 25. If the moon is out, clouds are said to obscure it. A black carpet seems to roll down the tracks and deadens all sound. Then, Lincoln’s funeral train, adorned in black crepe is seen slowing inching its way north to Albany. This is not the only story told of sightings of the ghost of Lincoln’s funeral train. One will hear of similar stories that have been passed along in communities located along the train’s path that still resonate with locals to this day."

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library and Presidential Museum (and his home) and the Vanderbilt Mansion are also located in Hyde Park.]]>
https://hydeparkstation.org/events

There's a historic marker at the train station.

https://www.wgpfoundation.org/historic-m...RIL%2025**

"Inscription
GHOST TRAIN
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S
FUNERAL TRAIN PASSED THROUGH
HYDE PARK ON APRIL 25, 1865.
HIS GHOST TRAIN OFTEN SEEN
HERE AT NIGHT ON APRIL 25.
NEW YORK FOLKLORE
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024"

"Shortly before 8pm on April 25, the president’s funeral train passed through the town of Hyde Park. Ever since this momentous occasion, a story has been told of an eerie event that occurs along the tracks in Hyde Park each night on April 25. If the moon is out, clouds are said to obscure it. A black carpet seems to roll down the tracks and deadens all sound. Then, Lincoln’s funeral train, adorned in black crepe is seen slowing inching its way north to Albany. This is not the only story told of sightings of the ghost of Lincoln’s funeral train. One will hear of similar stories that have been passed along in communities located along the train’s path that still resonate with locals to this day."

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library and Presidential Museum (and his home) and the Vanderbilt Mansion are also located in Hyde Park.]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5159.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:06:15 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5159.html
I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth "Elsabet" Kaplan. I am both Dr. Mudd's great-great-granddaughter and first cousin, six times removed, of President Lincoln's Aunt Mary (Mudd) Lincoln; she was Mordecai Lincoln's wife.

I joined the Symposium a couple days ago. When I did so, I wrote to Roger and told him who I am because I wanted to be certain he admitted me. I'm not just some weirdo, although my husband Brian might beg to differ.

This morning, I received Roger's request, asking me to post what I'd written to him. Here is the substantive portion of my email:

"I registered with the Symposium a moment ago. You won't have heard of me before, most likely. Stella (Mudd) Thelen is my mother. Tom Mudd is obviously my uncle. Richard Mudd was my grandfather, and I primarily grew up at his home. So obviously Sam Mudd was my great-great-grandfather. I am writing a book about what it has been like being part of this family.

When I was about 12, I learned Dr. Mudd had slaves. I didn't really want to know much more than that. But I loved my grandpa, so I sometimes went to his speeches. I was living in Virginia and working in DC when the DC appellate court heard the case on the ABCMR review. So I went with my family to the hearing. My experience of that situation was a bit different; I was in the Pentagon Metro station trying to go to work when the plane hit the building on 9/11. I well-understood the government's need to end terrorism in DC as promptly as possible. I was torn, as you can imagine.

Last September, 2025, I was nearly done writing a memoir about overcoming amnesia from a traumatic assault in 1987. I decided to investigate my great-great-grandfather's situation, certain of his guilt. I'd passed the Ohio bar and worked for a short time as a criminal defense attorney. I'd also worked for a US inventor who supplies engineering services to NASA and the USAF; I took charge of helping them stop an international criminal conspiracy and was successful. So I bring something new to the table.

I am currently conducting my own investigation into my ancestor's story, unbiased as much as possible because I truly do want to know what happened. I want to understand my family's penchant for hiding secrets because I believe that led, in part, to my amnesia."

---

That was my email. I was sure of Dr. Mudd's guilt when I started reading about him in an investigative fashion last September. I thought it might take me about a day or so to learn all I needed to know. I started out by reading "Blood on the Moon" because I figured that was a good intro to the other side of the story. But it left me with more questions than answers. I'm now well into my third read-through of the trial transcripts and numerous writings. I hope to be done with that this month. I'll probably be done with this umpteenth draft around June. So I'll have a somewhat completed manuscript sometime this fall. Hopefully!

I'm scheduled to speak at the Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table in May of 2027.

I look forward to meeting each of you. Please feel free to introduce yourself. If you have a story to share about my family, I'd love to hear it. Also, if you want to tell me your opinion, I'm open to that too. I'm expecting some people to hate me, some people to be proud of me, and most people to be in the middle.]]>
I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth "Elsabet" Kaplan. I am both Dr. Mudd's great-great-granddaughter and first cousin, six times removed, of President Lincoln's Aunt Mary (Mudd) Lincoln; she was Mordecai Lincoln's wife.

I joined the Symposium a couple days ago. When I did so, I wrote to Roger and told him who I am because I wanted to be certain he admitted me. I'm not just some weirdo, although my husband Brian might beg to differ.

This morning, I received Roger's request, asking me to post what I'd written to him. Here is the substantive portion of my email:

"I registered with the Symposium a moment ago. You won't have heard of me before, most likely. Stella (Mudd) Thelen is my mother. Tom Mudd is obviously my uncle. Richard Mudd was my grandfather, and I primarily grew up at his home. So obviously Sam Mudd was my great-great-grandfather. I am writing a book about what it has been like being part of this family.

When I was about 12, I learned Dr. Mudd had slaves. I didn't really want to know much more than that. But I loved my grandpa, so I sometimes went to his speeches. I was living in Virginia and working in DC when the DC appellate court heard the case on the ABCMR review. So I went with my family to the hearing. My experience of that situation was a bit different; I was in the Pentagon Metro station trying to go to work when the plane hit the building on 9/11. I well-understood the government's need to end terrorism in DC as promptly as possible. I was torn, as you can imagine.

Last September, 2025, I was nearly done writing a memoir about overcoming amnesia from a traumatic assault in 1987. I decided to investigate my great-great-grandfather's situation, certain of his guilt. I'd passed the Ohio bar and worked for a short time as a criminal defense attorney. I'd also worked for a US inventor who supplies engineering services to NASA and the USAF; I took charge of helping them stop an international criminal conspiracy and was successful. So I bring something new to the table.

I am currently conducting my own investigation into my ancestor's story, unbiased as much as possible because I truly do want to know what happened. I want to understand my family's penchant for hiding secrets because I believe that led, in part, to my amnesia."

---

That was my email. I was sure of Dr. Mudd's guilt when I started reading about him in an investigative fashion last September. I thought it might take me about a day or so to learn all I needed to know. I started out by reading "Blood on the Moon" because I figured that was a good intro to the other side of the story. But it left me with more questions than answers. I'm now well into my third read-through of the trial transcripts and numerous writings. I hope to be done with that this month. I'll probably be done with this umpteenth draft around June. So I'll have a somewhat completed manuscript sometime this fall. Hopefully!

I'm scheduled to speak at the Southern Maryland Civil War Round Table in May of 2027.

I look forward to meeting each of you. Please feel free to introduce yourself. If you have a story to share about my family, I'd love to hear it. Also, if you want to tell me your opinion, I'm open to that too. I'm expecting some people to hate me, some people to be proud of me, and most people to be in the middle.]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5158.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:35:14 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5158.html PBS News Hour
Judy Woodruff: “Over the years, many presidents have been depicted as kings, including Abraham Lincoln, who during the Civil War suspended habeas corpus, a person's right to challenge their own detention.”

News and Announcements -- The chief justice takes a swipe at JD Vance (1-2-2025)

President Abraham Lincoln defied the Supreme Court, and most importantly the Chief Justice:

Team of Rivals, page 354-55:

Receiving word that the mobs intended to destroy the train tracks between Annapolis and Philadelphia in order to prevent the long-awaited troops from reaching the beleaguered capital, Lincoln made the controversial decision. If resistance along the military line between Washington and Philadelphia made it "necessary to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus for the public safety," Lincoln authorized General Scott to do so. In Lincoln's words, General Scott could "arrest, and detain, without resort to the ordinary processes and forms of law, such individuals as he might deem dangerous to public safety." Seward later claimed that he had urged a wavering Lincoln to take this step, convincing him that "perdition was the the sure penalty of further hesitation."

Lincoln had not issued a sweeping order but a directive confined to this single route. Still, by rescinding the basic constitutional protection against arbitrary arrest, he aroused the wrath of Chief Justice Taney, who . . . blasted Lincoln and maintained that only Congress could suspend the writ.

Lincoln later defended his decision in his first message to Congress. As chief executive, he was responsible for ensuring "that the laws be faithfully executed." An insurrection "in nearly one-third of the States" had subverted the "whole of the laws . . . are all the laws, but one, to go unexecuted, and the government itself go to pieces, lest that one be violated?"

"So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of anything by history." -- Plutarch]]> PBS News Hour
Judy Woodruff: “Over the years, many presidents have been depicted as kings, including Abraham Lincoln, who during the Civil War suspended habeas corpus, a person's right to challenge their own detention.”

News and Announcements -- The chief justice takes a swipe at JD Vance (1-2-2025)

President Abraham Lincoln defied the Supreme Court, and most importantly the Chief Justice:

Team of Rivals, page 354-55:

Receiving word that the mobs intended to destroy the train tracks between Annapolis and Philadelphia in order to prevent the long-awaited troops from reaching the beleaguered capital, Lincoln made the controversial decision. If resistance along the military line between Washington and Philadelphia made it "necessary to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus for the public safety," Lincoln authorized General Scott to do so. In Lincoln's words, General Scott could "arrest, and detain, without resort to the ordinary processes and forms of law, such individuals as he might deem dangerous to public safety." Seward later claimed that he had urged a wavering Lincoln to take this step, convincing him that "perdition was the the sure penalty of further hesitation."

Lincoln had not issued a sweeping order but a directive confined to this single route. Still, by rescinding the basic constitutional protection against arbitrary arrest, he aroused the wrath of Chief Justice Taney, who . . . blasted Lincoln and maintained that only Congress could suspend the writ.

Lincoln later defended his decision in his first message to Congress. As chief executive, he was responsible for ensuring "that the laws be faithfully executed." An insurrection "in nearly one-third of the States" had subverted the "whole of the laws . . . are all the laws, but one, to go unexecuted, and the government itself go to pieces, lest that one be violated?"

"So very difficult a matter is it to trace and find out the truth of anything by history." -- Plutarch]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5157.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:59:58 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5157.html
The new installation had been announced during the Biden administration, with the goal of having them on view before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this July.

After logistical delays and changes in leadership during the Trump administration, they were quietly installed last week in new marble cases a few steps away from the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

New York Times reports today (April 1, 2026)]]>
The new installation had been announced during the Biden administration, with the goal of having them on view before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this July.

After logistical delays and changes in leadership during the Trump administration, they were quietly installed last week in new marble cases a few steps away from the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

New York Times reports today (April 1, 2026)]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5156.html Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:36:10 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5156.html
Mr. John Dillion (an Irish nationalist leader who protested the British response to the 1916 Easter Rising. ) May 11 1916 House of Commons

" ... there has been no rebellion or insurrection put down with so much blood and so much savagery as the recent insurrection in Ireland. Go back to the history of any insurrection in any modern civilised country. Take the great rebellion in America, which lasted for three years, and which had not one tithe of the excuse which these Sinn Feiners could advance. A million men lost their lives and a vast amount of property was destroyed. When the insurrection was over I do not think Abraham Lincoln executed one single man, and by that one act of clemency he did an enormous work of good for the whole of the country. "

Mr Dillon obviously made some minor errors , but his point was that Lincoln made a good decision by not executing many Confederates after winning the War.]]>
Mr. John Dillion (an Irish nationalist leader who protested the British response to the 1916 Easter Rising. ) May 11 1916 House of Commons

" ... there has been no rebellion or insurrection put down with so much blood and so much savagery as the recent insurrection in Ireland. Go back to the history of any insurrection in any modern civilised country. Take the great rebellion in America, which lasted for three years, and which had not one tithe of the excuse which these Sinn Feiners could advance. A million men lost their lives and a vast amount of property was destroyed. When the insurrection was over I do not think Abraham Lincoln executed one single man, and by that one act of clemency he did an enormous work of good for the whole of the country. "

Mr Dillon obviously made some minor errors , but his point was that Lincoln made a good decision by not executing many Confederates after winning the War.]]> https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5155.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:40:45 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5155.html https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5154.html Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:14:56 +0000 https://rogerjnorton.com/LincolnDiscussionSymposium/thread-5154.html
I enjoyed this book as most biographies of Mary Lincoln don't spend much space on her life after Lincoln's assassination. Maybe because most of that time was a very troubling time filled with sorrow, grief and suffering. Mary lived 17 unhappy years after his death.

Her love for Mr. Lincoln is very obvious, and we see how totally lost she is with out him. Many of her decisions, events and situations, turn out badly for her because he was not there to help and protect her. In spite of this Schreiner does an excellent job telling how she dealt with the situations she finds herself. Through her letters we can see and understand why she acted the way she did and how her own family was troubled by her behavior. They didn't understand her and didn't know quite what to do with her. To a certain extent they didn't want to take the time to help her until they felt were forced to. We can see what a determined woman Mary is when she is forced to, she's no dummy, but the tragedies in her life finally overtake her.

Schreiner does a good job defending Mary and showing how Robert, overwhelmed with how to take care of her, makes some poor decisions and his actions alienate her for the rest of their lives. You will see Mary in a much more favorable light.

I recommend this book if you have the slightest interest in Mary Lincoln. You also will get a slightly different look at the Lincoln's relationship and marriage.

The print is of a good size and it is easy to read. It flows well, there are a few places where it gets a little detailed and dry. Later in the book these sections will help fill in the gaps in understanding Mary's "irrational" behavior.

The book is available on Internet Archives to borrow. It helps to read parts of it if you are not sure if you want to purchase your own copy.
https://archive.org/details/trialsofmrsl...3/mode/2up

It's an inexpensive book, and several used copies in very good condition are available for less than $10. You'll get your moneys worth. I give 4.5 stars out of 5stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Trials-Mrs-Lincol...378&sr=1-1]]>
I enjoyed this book as most biographies of Mary Lincoln don't spend much space on her life after Lincoln's assassination. Maybe because most of that time was a very troubling time filled with sorrow, grief and suffering. Mary lived 17 unhappy years after his death.

Her love for Mr. Lincoln is very obvious, and we see how totally lost she is with out him. Many of her decisions, events and situations, turn out badly for her because he was not there to help and protect her. In spite of this Schreiner does an excellent job telling how she dealt with the situations she finds herself. Through her letters we can see and understand why she acted the way she did and how her own family was troubled by her behavior. They didn't understand her and didn't know quite what to do with her. To a certain extent they didn't want to take the time to help her until they felt were forced to. We can see what a determined woman Mary is when she is forced to, she's no dummy, but the tragedies in her life finally overtake her.

Schreiner does a good job defending Mary and showing how Robert, overwhelmed with how to take care of her, makes some poor decisions and his actions alienate her for the rest of their lives. You will see Mary in a much more favorable light.

I recommend this book if you have the slightest interest in Mary Lincoln. You also will get a slightly different look at the Lincoln's relationship and marriage.

The print is of a good size and it is easy to read. It flows well, there are a few places where it gets a little detailed and dry. Later in the book these sections will help fill in the gaps in understanding Mary's "irrational" behavior.

The book is available on Internet Archives to borrow. It helps to read parts of it if you are not sure if you want to purchase your own copy.
https://archive.org/details/trialsofmrsl...3/mode/2up

It's an inexpensive book, and several used copies in very good condition are available for less than $10. You'll get your moneys worth. I give 4.5 stars out of 5stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Trials-Mrs-Lincol...378&sr=1-1]]>