The Lincoln Bicentennial: Historical Perspective, Lasting Legacy, Pivotal Commemoration

By Nathan Hamme

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission met at the Library of Congress here Monday to discuss plans for celebrating an important and impending anniversary, just a week before Presidents Day and a day after President Lincoln’s 197 th birthday.

Foot-deep snow did delay this meeting of historical significance. It offered a perceptible mixture of excitement and gravitas, underscoring the opportunity before the commission and the desire to do the events leading up to the 200 th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in 1809 justice.

In a room tucked away in the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building Monday, the commission brought together a group of noted scholars, teachers, representatives, and other public servants to discuss the task at hand: a “fitting and proper” celebration of Lincoln’s 200 th birthday.

While the birth date— February 12, 1809—is undoubtedly unique, some may still find it curious that so much importance has been placed on educating the public about the nation’s most chronicled president. It has frequently been said that Lincoln is the second most written about figure in history, behind only Jesus Christ. As a political figure he is indisputably popular and internationally renowned. A survey of U.S. college students, according to the committee, showed Lincoln ranked as the “Best U.S. President.”

But not all surveys. It was “astonishing,” said to some on the commission, when it was also reported that Lincoln was ranked third in another poll behind Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton, even though it could be assumed that this poll was affected by contemporary bias.

Even more disturbing, however, was another commission-cited poll: while 98% of university students could identify Snoop Dogg as a rap artist, and 99% could recognize Beavis and Butthead as cartoon characters, only 26% could state the consequence of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Indeed, there may be a greater need to reintroduce Lincoln’s accomplishments and reframe his legacy than generally thought.

It may be helpful to broadly outline his achievements here, though well documented, in hopes that they may become better understood. Lincoln was born in Kentucky and raised in Illinois, perhaps the most racist of northern states, and would struggle with the issue of slavery his entire life.

In Illinois he made a name for himself as a lawyer working with clients of all colors, never owning slaves, and developing his Abolitionist roots. He served in Congress in the 1840s. After his victory in the presidential election of 1860 over regional rival and pro-slavery candidate Stephen A. Douglas, and before he was even inaugurated in 1861, South Carolina would secede from the Union, setting the stage for the Civil War.

In a month’s time ten other states followed South Carolina. Responding adequately to a challenge of this nature, let alone excelling under such circumstances, would require a man of intelligence and political tact. In going to war with the Confederacy, Lincoln would risk everything to save the union, and settle the issue of slavery in the process.

While many are quick to argue that the Emancipation Proclamation had little immediate and tangible effect, the reality is far more intricate. While there were few slaves in the north—those residing in the border states of Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri — the document abolished slavery in the federal territories. Whereas once Lincoln knew that he had no constitutional authority to curtail slavery, he was able to use his extensive war powers as president to destroy it altogether, if only in the legal sense. As the Union army regained territory, the slaves in those areas could finally cite a legal document as proof of their freedom. By the time he was assassinated in 1865, Lincoln had won the war to preserve the Union and set a basis in law to extend social and civil rights to those he had emancipated.

As a matter of consequence, a different and significantly more important ideological dispute arose following Lincoln’s death: how best to define his lasting legacy. Since its inception in 2000, the ALBC has scrutinized this question, the subject of so many writings and remembrances since. It came up with an inspiring answer, “A New Birth of Freedom.” The focus is placed on the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity, and a line from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us.”

For the Bicentennial Commission, there has been a great deal of discussion on how to further its expansive mission. Consisting of 15 members, appointed by the president, the House, and the Senate, the commission is assisted by an Advisory Committee composed of Lincoln enthusiasts. Together these groups have formulated plans for four different program areas: educational initiatives, public awareness, public participation, and legacy programs.

To stage these projects the commission is hoping to raise $100 million from public and private donors. This fund will allow the commission to produce (both fund and orchestrate), support (orchestrate with a lead partner), or endorse (promote) dozens of unique events between February 2008 and February 2010.

Examples of educational events would be creating a series of teachers guides for students, promoting local “Town Hall” meetings and international scholarly conferences to discuss Lincolnian ideals, and library partnerships to formulate student summer reading lists and adult book groups centered around relevant topics. This program would serve as the grassroots efforts to edify Lincoln’s history and policy.

To raise public awareness, the ALBC has planned numerous large-scale programs, such as funding documentaries for PBS and the History Channel, redesigning the Lincoln penny, and creating commemorative stamps and a $1 Lincoln coin.

The commemorative coin would be an impetus for large-scale awareness of the bicentennial, and remains one of the group’s most arduous efforts. Congress may only produce two commemorative coins a year, and the Lincoln anniversary is occurring alongside three other major commemorative events: the continuing remembrance of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Ben Franklin Tricentennial, and the Louis Braille Bicentennial, which has already seen a commemorative coin bill pass through the House.

With a 2/3 vote of the House and Senate, the ALBC could achieve this major goal and receive between $3-4 million in funding as a result.

Public participation represents another avenue for increased exposure to the commission’s core ideals. Events would be orchestrated at major historical sites, such as Lincoln’s birthplace and childhood home. The ALBC is also considering sponsoring songwriting contests or commissioning musical works. One particularly interesting partnership would be with the Huntington Library, the American Library Association, and the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund a traveling exhibit of Lincoln’s documents and artifacts for viewing at local libraries. Many other festivals and rallies are also being considered.

The legacy programs would occur in the form of rededications—such as at the Lincoln Memorial or other federal buildings—featuring speeches, fireworks, and even a Presidential Address. Projects include creating a Lincoln sculpture garden in Washington, DC, and proposed art exhibits in galleries around the country.

Each of these events, the ALBC holds, would help not only to educate the public but to support profound and enduring change. Mr. David Early, the ALBC Communications Director, said he saw many contemporary issues relating to the ideals of “freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity.” He made a specific point to emphasize not only the national and regional importance of recognizing Abraham Lincoln, but the effects of demanding racial justice on an international scale. “Trafficking in humans, as a form of modern slavery, is unacceptable.”

“The question to be asked,” Early continued, “is ‘are we doing everything we can today to make sure the American form of democracy works?’”

It is particularly appropriate that in helping to educate the public about Lincoln’s mighty accomplishments, the focus has been squarely placed on making continued progress in spreading the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equal opportunity. One of Monday’s speakers, Paul Finkleman of the University of Tulsa College of Law, emphasized that Lincoln was “a man of his own age and a man of his own time.”

He is not the iconic figure he has been made to seem through text and film and sculptured stone but rather, as another speaker stressed, “a man, a human being, with foibles.” He suggested he may have been more concerned with pleasing voting audiences and getting elected than with the overarching immorality of the institution of slavery. Just as he was behind many Americans of his time on the issue of race and human rights, so it can be said that we are behind other figures in these contemporary times.

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission was created out of reverence for the accomplishments of one man, but dedicated to mending the shortcomings of men—in our time and in those that follow. For more information on the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, or to help fund or volunteer at one of their many planned events, please visit www.lincoln200.gov

(Nathan Hamme, a Falls Church native, is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with a B.A. in politics and anthropology. He currently works for Americans United, a social welfare and special interest organization in Washington, D.C., and covers current events in the nation’s capital).