The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. By Phillip Shaw Paludan. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1994.
Providing another contribution to the American Presidency Series, Phillip Paludan presents another biographical installment that focuses on the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, particularly during the four tumultuous years of the Civil War. This work does not highlight the entirety of Lincoln’s life but rather details his time in the White House and the agonies and triumphs of serving as President during this critical period. Paludan, professor of history at the University of Kansas, challenges previous scholarship that suggests Lincoln attempted different methods to achieve Union solidarity—that he wanted to either preserve the United States or free the enslaved population. Paludan, however, suggests that while Lincoln’s initiative encompassed these two goals – end slavery and preserve the Union – they remained inextricably linked and were part of a process. In order to emancipate the slaves, the union must remain intact. Furthermore, faith and adherence to the existing constitution would undoubtedly lead to freedom and eventually equality for all. Additionally, the author argues that Lincoln responded to the conflict in a pragmatic, cerebral way, believing that the “political-constitutional system”, conceived of and operated at its best, inescapably leads to equality.”
Throughout the work, Paludan demonstrates the resistance that Lincoln faced and the methods that he chose in order to obtain an advantageous outcome for the United States. The author expands upon events taking place during these four years to elucidate his point, particularly detailing events such as fighting and winning the war, maintaining supporters and dissenters within and outside his cabinet, carefully watching foreign troublemakers, sustaining the economy to support the Union effort and the initial reconstruction process. Of course, the author continually uses his “political-constitutional” theme in order to explain the actions attempted by Lincoln. Paludan dismisses previous works that suggest Lincoln overstepped his presidential powers, ultimately determining that the power to persuade led many to support Lincoln’s goals. For example, the work addresses events such as Fort Sumter, Lincoln’s cabinet, his decision regarding war and tension with the court system, particularly with Chief Justice Taney. Underscoring Lincoln’s decisions towards these events and people remained his adherence to the constitutional principles. As Lincoln pondered suspending the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the author shows that his decision was highly influenced by the constitutions intended meaning. Even in picking his cabinet members, which was based largely on patronage, Lincoln found that these men, despite their differences, followed, supported and would maintain the overall integrity of the constitution. In discussing the Emancipation Proclamation, Paludan reveals that Lincoln struggled, along with Congress, over the terms of emancipation. Efforts at colonization or gradual emancipation received tenuous support but a tangible agreement never transpired with these suggestions. Lincoln lacked clear guidance from the constitution itself, but as Paludan suggests, Lincoln continued to believe that this document and the Declaration of Independence secured the rights of freedom and eventual equality.
Paludan successfully situates his study to suggest that Lincoln remained motivated by constitutional goals and truly believed that equality would manifest itself in an appropriate time. Yet, in addition to his over arching theme, the author effectively describes the events of this critical period. He also provides analytical and fair assessments of the various important historical figures that contributed during this period, particularly Salmon Chase, William Seward, George McClellan and Roger Taney. Thus, at times it seems that the monograph reads more like a biographical sketch of the Civil War and its actors rather than of a biography of Lincoln. In any case, Paludan presents another contribution to the existing Civil War historiography that intertwines the various goals set forth by Lincoln. The work is well written and based on research from numerous sources, both primary and secondary. The author’s use of literature, newspapers and diaries provides the work with important anecdotes to support his conclusions. Overall, the work is an excellent addition to the Lincoln scholarship and will surely offer scholars and laypersons another interpretation of the 16th president.
Amber Surmiller Texas Christian University