The Union is Dissolved

When I came to America and started learning as much Americana as I could in a short time, I was intrigued by Lincoln's debate with Stephen Douglas.  Well they were dramatic re-enactments.

The debates were a huge deal.  Jill Lepore writes that "debate was understood as the foundation of civil society."  Yes, the tragic irony that the civil society that the American experiment was trying to create included slavery and genocide and ethnic cleansing!

Lepore writes:

In 1787, the delegates to the constitutional convention had agreed "to argue without asperity, and to endeavor to convince the judgment without hurting the feelings of each other."

More than two centuries later, we have a candidate who was elected to office because of his ability to insult and demean people, so much so that there is a list--and this is merely via Twitter--that is often updated!

On August 21, 1858, it was rumble in the jungle. Well, kind of. Lincoln v. Douglas, as candidates for the Illinois senate seat.  The Dred Scott decision was still fresh on everybody's mind, and "Douglas reminded his audience of Lincoln's opposition" to the decision.  The debate was about their interpretations of "the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."

Douglas was clear: "This government was made by our fathers on the white basis ... made by white men for the benefit of white men and their posterity forever."

Ouch!

Now I am able to appreciate a lot more the Lincoln quote that I have read and heard about forever: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people"--not for the benefit of whites alone.  Oh my, what a statement!

Like the current president who won a squeaker with overwhelming support of racists, Douglas also narrowly won.  Lincoln lost.

But, Lincoln had become the leader.  And was the candidate for the presidency in 1860--a four-way race that also included Douglas.

Lincoln won every northern state ... but Lincoln had won hardly any votes in the South.

The crisis was now full blown.

This is the confederacy that trump's "very fine people" love, cherish, and defend!