Abraham Lincoln stumps Kansas
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To stump: In politics, stumping refers to an act of campaigning for office by traveling and speaking. A stump speech is a standard repeatable address a candidate delivers many times, introducing themselves and their message to voters.
The term stumping came from the early 19th century, when candidates on the frontier would stand on stumps from a cut-down tree, giving them a platform.
Lincoln was very good at it!
On “Honest Abe’s” second trip across Missouri, he ventured into Kansas, delivering numerous stumps.
The Republican Party had just established itself, and the expansion of slavery was, of course, the principal issue for its creation. Mostly northern Democrats, being divided from those southern Dems who favored the expansion of bondage, joined forces with former Whigs and Independents in organizing the new party, but the Republicans lacked a clear leader.
Even though Lincoln had lost to Stephen Douglas in the Illinois Senatorial race in 1858, he had his eye on the White House, so said, in retrospect, William Herndon, his Springfield law partner.
Senatorial elections in the 19th century were decided by state legislators; not until the 17th Amendment was passed in 1913 did selection pass to the popular vote.
To become the Republican candidate for President just 2 years after that very public defeat would take some major stumping.
After delivering his Cooper Union practice address in Troy and probably Doniphan, Kansas, Lincoln, with his borrowed buffalo robe, headed for Atchison.
Times were raw in Kansas. Bloodshed between pro-slavers, free-staters and abolitionists had been out of control for years, Bleeding Kansas. Taking this trip on a desolate trail in a buggy with one other, was risky politicking. Everyone was suspicious, and when having the numerical advantage, inquisitive, “Who were these strangers?” All, including the coachman on Lincoln’s carriage, were armed.
One of Abraham Lincoln's greatest attributes was his willingness to learn and change his stance on issues. Experience, apply and educate oneself to where you change your mind is unfortunately a lost art, but Lincoln did it concerning the handling of slavery.
He had hated the institution of slavery throughout his life.
When Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal,” what was he thinking concerning servitude? Jefferson owned slaves!
Jefferson considered the Negro “different,” but he knew the issue would have to be dealt with. “We have the wolf by the ears; we can neither hold him nor safely let him go. Justice is on one scale and self-preservation on the other.” Jefferson stated in the 1820’s as the early fight over extending slavery resulted in the benign Missouri Compromise.
Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery, but assimilation was another matter. How to tackle that is what Abraham changed his mind concerning.
At first, Lincoln considered returning Blacks to Africa, but that was impractical, plus all slaves now were born in the United States. This country outlawed the slave trade from Africa in 1807.
Once in office, Lincoln tried to colonize Cow Island in the Caribbean with freed Blacks.
That was a fantastic failure; the island was not self-sufficient. Many people now “free” died, continuing a legacy of suffering at the hands of white men.
Abe was a product of his time, having never spent much of it around any minority.
We all have preconceptions of too many things. On a steamboat as a younger man, Lincoln saw a black freeman wearing a monocle, “I never forgot that image,” he later lamented.
Not until Lincoln was nationally elected did he spend significant time with Blacks. He changed his mind on assimilation. Some say it was politically motivated, others his conscience.
Back in Kansas, Lincoln was met by Republican friends in Atchison, staying at the new Massasoit House, delivering his now well-rehearsed stump speech at the Methodist Church.
Still wearing his buffalo hide coat the next day, Abe was off to Leavenworth, Kansas, the state's “First City.”
Planters Hotel played host, but much of that day is lost to history. What is known before he spoke, somehow, a young enslaved black girl named America Elizabeth Brown was invited to speak to the crowd and the future president.
“What could I provide you that you consider most important for your people?” Abe asked, smiling.
“Education!” brilliantly responded this 17-year-old, using her opportunity to the fullest. I imagine that was another moment Lincoln wouldn’t forget.
Returning to St Joseph the next day by steamboat, it had to have been an eye-opening trip to the frontier.
Once back in not-so-friendly Missouri, Lincoln, I believe, stayed with an old congressional friend, Willard P. Hall.
Hall lived in what would become the rectory of the Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Messanie Street and Warsaw Avenue.
In those days, that would be on the eastern outskirts of town, but the house still stands today behind the old church.
Another interesting connection between Lincoln and St Joseph involves romance.
Ms. Mary Owen visited her sister in New Salem, Illinois, and met the 20-something, long and lanky lawyer.
Ms. Owen married a Vineyard and lived in Weston, Missouri, but her offspring moved to St Joseph. Letters that they hold today, from the smitten attorney proposing marriage, but Mary never replied.
Two months after heading West, Lincoln gave his Kansas “well-practiced” address to a national audience at Cooper Union Hall in New York City, and the rest, as you know, is great American history.
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Bob Ford’s History will run in each edition of the Weekender, Midweek and Corner Post. You can find more of his work on his website bobfordshistory.com and videos on YouTube, TikTok and Clapper.
