More Thoughts on Lincoln and the Abolitionists

By Nate Feldman

I am still reading the book, "Lincoln and the Abolitionists: John Quincy Adams, Slavery, and the Civil War," which attempts to contrast the differing attitudes that the two U.S. Presidents had about ending slavery and African Americans' place in America.

There are some good things about the book.  It is well-written and is in general an easy read.  There is also a lot of interesting information in the book.  The second chapter, titled "The First American Martyr," details the career of Elijah Lovejoy, an anti-slavery journalist whose paper was attacked and forced to relocate on multiple occasions, and who eventually was lynched by a mob for his outspoken abolitionist point of view.  Though he may be well-known among historians, I don't recall learning about Lovejoy during American history lessons growing up.  

With that in mind, the book seems a bit redundant in emphasizing that John Quincy Adams had a more positive view towards African Americans and was a true anti-slavery advocate, while Lincoln was someone who viewed slavery as evil, but had no interest in ending it for most of his life, and someone who associated with slave owners and racists and believed that the United States was really a white person's country.  The author seems to really paint Adams in the most positive light possible while overemphasizing Lincoln's lack of commitment to racial justice in this country.

Here are some thoughts I have about this.  First of all, I have to finish reading the book. Then, I give a more detailed analysis and response.  One thing, however, that comes to my mind is if Adams and his family were so much into racial equality and ending slavery, then why didn't John Quincy Adams or his father end it when they were Presidents?  To say that Lincoln was influenced by the negative attitudes of Midwestern bigotry seems disingenuous when you could argue that Adams' inability to end slavery was affected by the times he lived in as well.  In other words, they both perhaps were influenced by the circumstances around them. 

In the end, Lincoln's administration ended slavery.  Adams' administration didn't.  Fair or unfair that is a fact.  That is why Lincoln is remembered more than Adams on this issue.  Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment of the constitution ending slavery.  There was no such amendment during Adams' one-term in office.  This isn't a knock on Adams.  And it's not to take away from Lincoln's inconsistent views.  But, that is why people remember Lincoln.  And it seems that the author is really eager to show Lincoln wasn't as good as everyone thought.  And it seems he overdoes it a bit.  More to come later.