Abraham Lincolns 1838 Springfield Lyceum Address

More than 25 years before Abraham Lincoln would deliver his legendary Gettysburg Address, the 28-year-old novice politician delivered a lecture before a gathering of young men and women in his newly adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois. On January 27, 1838, a Saturday night in the middle of winter, Lincoln spoke on what sounds like a fairly generic topic, The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions. Yet Lincoln, a little-known lawyer serving as a state representative, indicated his ambition by delivering a substantial and timely  speech. Prompted by the murder of an abolitionist printer in Illinois two months earlier, Lincoln spoke about issues of great national importance, touching on slavery, mob violence, and the future of the nation itself. The speech, which has become known as the Lyceum Address, was published in a local newspaper within two weeks. It was Lincolns earliest published speech. The circumstances of its writing, delivery, and reception, provide a fascinating glimpse at how  Lincoln viewed the United States, and American politics, decades before he would lead the nation during the Civil War. Background of Abraham Lincolns Lyceum Address The American Lyceum Movement began when Josiah Holbrook, a teacher and amateur scientist, founded a volunteer educational organization in his town of Milbury, Massachusetts in 1826. Holbrooks idea caught on, and other towns in New England formed groups where local people could give lectures and debate ideas. By the mid-1830s more than 3,000 lyceums had been formed from New England to the South, and even as far west as Illinois. Josiah Holbrook traveled from Massachusetts to speak at the first lyceum organized in central Illinois, in the town of Jacksonville, in 1831. The organization which hosted Lincolns lecture in 1838, the Springfield Young Mens Lyceum, had probably been founded in 1835. It first held its meetings in a local schoolhouse, and by 1838 had moved its meeting place to a Baptist church. The lyceum meetings in Springfield were usually held on Saturday evenings. And while the membership comprised young men, females were invited to the meetings, which were intended to be both educational and social. The topic of Lincolns address, The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions, seems like a typical subject for a lyceum address. But a shocking event that occurred less than three months earlier, and only about 85 miles from Springfield, surely inspired Lincoln. The Murder of Elijah Lovejoy Elijah Lovejoy was a New England abolitionist who settled in St. Louis and began publishing a stridently anti-slavery newspaper in the mid-1830s. He was essentially chased out of town in the summer of 1837, and crossed the Mississippi River and set up shop in Alton, Illinois. Though Illinois was a free state, Lovejoy soon found himself under attack again. And on November 7, 1837, a pro-slavery mob raided a warehouse where Lovejoy had stored his printing press. The mob wanted to destroy the printing press, and during a small riot the building was set on fire and Elijah Lovejoy was shot five times. He died within an hour. Elijah Lovejoys murder shocked the entire nation. Stories about his murder at the hands of a mob appeared in major cities. An abolitionist meeting held in New York City in December 1837 to mourn for Lovejoy was reported in newspapers throughout the East. Abraham Lincolns neighbors in Springfield, only 85 miles away from the site of Lovejoys murder, certainly would have been shocked by the outburst of mob violence in their own state. Lincoln Discussed Mob Violence In His Speech It is perhaps no surprise that when Abraham Lincoln spoke to the Young Mens Lyceum of Springfield that winter he made mention of mob violence in America. What may seem surprising is that Lincoln did not refer directly to Lovejoy, instead mentioning acts of mob violence generally: Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the every-day news of the times. They have pervaded the country from New England to Louisiana; they are neither peculiar to the eternal snows of the former nor the burning suns of the latter; they are not the creature of climate, neither are they confined to the slave-holding or the non-slave-holding states. Alike they spring up among the pleasure-hunting masters of Southern slaves, and the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits. Whatever, then, their cause may be, it is common to the whole country. The likely reason Lincoln did not mention the mobs murder of Elijah Lovejoy is simply because there was no need to bring it up. Anyone listening to Lincoln that night was entirely aware of the incident. And Lincoln saw fit to place the shocking act in a broader, national, context. Lincoln Expressed His Thoughts on the Future of America After noting the menace, and very real threat, of mob rule, Lincoln began to talk of laws, and how it is the duty of citizens to obey the law, even if they believe the law is unjust. By doing that, Lincoln was keeping himself apart from abolitionists like Lovejoy, who openly advocated violating the laws pertaining to slavery. And Lincoln did make a point of emphatically stating: I do mean to say that although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still they continue in force, for the sake of example they should be religiously observed. Lincoln then turned his attention to what he believed would be a grave danger to America: a leader of great ambition who would attain power and corrupt the system. Lincoln expressed a fear that an Alexander, a Caesar, or a Napoleon would rise in America. In speaking about this hypothetical monstrous leader, essentially an American dictator, Lincoln wrote lines which would be quoted often by those analyzing the speech in future years: It thirsts and burns for distinction; and if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving freemen. Is it unreasonable then, to expect that some man possessed of the loftiest genius, coupled with ambition sufficient to push it to its utmost stretch, will at some time spring up among us? It is remarkable, that Lincoln used the phrase emancipating slaves nearly 25 years before he would, from the White House, issue the Emancipation Proclamation. And some modern analysts have interpreted the Springfield Lyceum Address as Lincoln analyzing himself and what kind of leader he might be. What is apparent from the 1838 Lyceum Address is that Lincoln was ambitious. When given the opportunity to address a local group, he chose to comment on matters of national importance. And while the writing may not show the graceful and concise style he would later develop, it does demonstrate that he was a confident writer and speaker, even in his 20s. And it is noteworthy that some of the themes Lincoln spoke about, a few weeks before he turned 29, are the very same themes that would be discussed 20 years later, during the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debates that began his rise to national prominence.

Essay on The Causes of High Blood Pressure - 509 Words

The heart pumps blood into the arteries and the force of the blood pushing against blood vessel walls is called blood pressure. Arteries carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure is also know as hypertension and is very dangerous in many different ways. One way is that it makes the heart have to work harder in order to pump the blood to the body. Secondly it contributes to hardening of the arteries and lastly, it also contributes to heart failure. A healthy heart is essential to life and having high blood pressure it not healthy for the heart. It has been proven that there are many different causes that have been linked to high blood pressure. First of all, there are some risk factors that play a roll in those that have†¦show more content†¦Such things include smoking, obesity, the lack of physical activity, too much salt, too much alcohol, stress, chronic kidney failure, thyroid problems, older age, genetics, and family history. The exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown. In some cases it is not known what is causing one to have high blood pressure. However, the following things listed above are known as contributors to high blood pressure. Lastly, blood pressure is associated with ones diet and lifestyle. It is amazing when one’s diet consist of a high intake of salt they will shows signs of hypertension. Studies have shown that people who did not use salt shown no signs of hypertension. Monitoring the intake of salt will improve blood pressure readings drastically although; it is not the only contributor to high blood pressure. Increasing activity levels has also been known the lower blood pressure readings. Normal blood pressure readings should be lower than 120/80. People who have blood pressure readings higher than normal should see a doctor and take action on how to lower their blood pressure. Blood pressure is highly dangerous and some instances result in death if remains untreated. Preventive methods should be taken in order to escape developing high blood pressure. Medication can be given to lower blood pressure if needed. Small changes in ones diet and lifestyle can have an enormous positive affect on ones blood pressure such as notShow MoreRelatedCauses And Consequences Of High Blood Pressure919 Words   |  4 Pages If you do not treated your blood pressure with respect serious things can happen. Yes, uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. It s sometimes called the silent killer because high blood pressure has no symptoms, so you may not be aware that it s damaging your arteries, heart and other organs. Possible health consequences that can happen over time when high blood pressure is left untreated include: Damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart diseaseRead MoreThe Effects Of High Blood Pressure On The Heart1408 Words   |  6 Pages High blood pressure has many damaging effects on the heart. 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Allegory - of Mice and Men free essay sample

Adel and Cain both presented God with a gift, â€Å"Cain presented some of the lands produce as an offering to the [Him]† and â€Å"Abel presented†¦some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions†, God liked Abel’s gift more and so, out of jealousy, Cain led Abel to a field and killed him. As punishment, Cain was sentenced to be a restless wanderer on the earth and â€Å"whoever finds [him] will kill [him]†. This story is similar to Of Mice and Men in the belief that we are all descendants of Cain. The men on the ranch live life restlessly, always moving around and alone. This theme is carried further with the use of the letter â€Å"C†, and the lack of names with the letter â€Å"A†, in many of the names of main characters in the novel. The â€Å"C† symbolizing once again the connection the rancher’s lives have to the fate Cain was sentenced with. Slim’s name, curiously, does not begin or contain either letter. This could indicate that Slim’s position in the novel is one that is more â€Å"god like† than that of other ranchers. He is first described as extremely capable, that there was a â€Å"gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke†, â€Å"his authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject†, he â€Å"heard more than was said to him†, and had â€Å"understanding beyond thought†. Everyone in the ranch looks up to him, and respects him. God punished Cain and Abel’s parents, Adam and Eve, after eating the forbidden fruit with the task of having to work to make shelter, and having to work the land for food. This ties in with the setting of the story, as all the ranchers have to work the land in order to live. George A man who is quick to anger, witty, and gentle; He is Lennie’s caretaker, and though he mentions that Lennie is a burden to him, their friendship is something that is irreplaceable. George is forced face the reality of his long held dream and make the decision to kill Lennie himself, at the end of the novel. Which shows his understanding of the reality of the situations he is faced with. * â€Å"No –look! I was jus’ foolin’, Lennie. ‘Cause I want you to stay with me. (PG 13) * â€Å" ‘You ‘an me can get that little place, can’t we, George? ’ †¦ ‘He usta like to hear about it so much that I got to thinking maybe we would. ’ † (PG 94) Curley The boss’s son, and somewhat insecure about his marriage and height. He is always eager to pick a fight, especially with guys that are bigger than him, like Lennie. Curley seeks out fights with him whenever he can, throughout the book, and when Lennie kills his wife he uses it as an excuse to get Lennie. Which, in turn, drives George to kill Lennie himself. * â€Å"that golve’s fulla Vaseline† (PG 27) * â€Å"Curley’s gonna want to shoot ‘im. Curley’s still mad about his hand† (PG 97) Crooks A black man that lives isolated and alone on the ranch. He’s a stable buck, and those he denies it, dreams of the company of someone else. He seems to be a bit cranky, and unwelcoming. Especially when Candy and Lennie come into his room, but quickly warms up to them. His confidence is easily brought up with little kindness, he sometimes abuses this, but at the same time brought down with the smallest discrimination as well, as shown by Curley’s wife, as she enters the room while Crooks, Candy, and Lennie are talking and â€Å"puts crooks in his place. * â€Å"A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. † (PG 72) * â€Å"Crooks has reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ago – nothing to arouse either like or dislike†¦ [He] sat perfectly still, his eyes averted, everything that might be hurt drawn in† (PG 80) Lennie Childish and simple, Lennie is very forgetful and cares very much for his friend, George. He relies on George for almost everything, and trusts him completely. He doesn’t acknowledge his own strength, and because of that many issues are caused. â€Å"Ain’t nobody goin’ to suppose no hurt to George†(PG 72) * â€Å"He shook her then†¦her body flopped like a fish†¦then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck† (PG 91) Candy A veteran rancher, he works as a swamper on the ranch. Candy is the first one to introduce himself to Lennie and George as they arrive on the ranch. He joins in their dreams to own a ranch of their own, and even offers to pay for some of it and help out. He supports Lennie and George constantly throughout the novel, and always takes their side. He also cares very much about his companion, an old dog. Who is shot in the back of the head by Carlson, who assumes that because he is useless that he is no longer of use. . * â€Å" ‘Let’s get it over with’ [Carlson] said†¦Candy said softly and hopelessly, ‘Awright-Take ‘im’ † (PG 47) * â€Å"S’pose I went in with you guys. That’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in† (PG 59) Curley’s Wife She dreams of being an actress, and living the good life. She never wanted to marry Curley, and she regrets ever making the decision. The men on the ranch believe she’s a bit of a tart, because of the way she dresses and looks at the other ranchers. Because of that, she feels isolated and frustrated that she cannot talk to anyone other than Curley. She ends up being killed by Lennie, right after telling him all about her and her dreams. * â€Å"I coulda made somethihn’ of myself†¦a show come through, an’ I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show†¦ If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet† (PG 88) * â€Å"Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? † (PG 77) 1. In the wilderness, away from the city a. â€Å"the damp flats are covered with the night tracks of ‘coons†¦split wedge tracks of deer† (PG 1) 2. California, pacific coast b. â€Å"The strong and rocky Gabilan mountains† (PG 1) 3. Sun is still powerful during the day c. â€Å"the water is warm† (PG 1) 1. Autum a. â€Å"Leaves lie deep and so crisp† (PG 1) 2. Post industrial revolution b. â€Å"thrashing machines† (PG 8) 3. 20th Century c. â€Å"Bastard bus driver† 1. Travel a lot, don’t have many belongings a. â€Å"Unslung his bindle† (PG 3) 2. Don’t have much money b. â€Å"Well, we ain’t got any [ketchup]† (PG 3. Comfortable traveling around, used to sleeping outside. c. â€Å"made their beds on the sand† (PG 16) * Symbolizes the needlessness of useless things and foreshadows Lennie’s death. * Symbolizes the isolation of the ranchers, Crooks, and Curley’s wife, in the novel. * Symbolizes lust and temptation to sin in the novel. Red is the colour of blood (to symbolize the deaths in the novel) and red is also the colour worn by Curley’s wife. * Symbolizes the flickering, and delicate dreams of the ranchers and Curley’s wife. * Symbolizes the diversity at the ranch, and how there are all types of men there.