Lincoln, the American

In Short

This work is a transcript of an address delivered in 1919 by Illinois Governor Frank O. Lowden. It serves as a philosophical exploration of Lincoln’s character, contrasting his intuitive grasp of moral law with the materialist doctrines that defined the era’s geopolitical conflicts. By situating Lincoln as a champion of both individual liberty and human well-being, the book argues for the preservation of American institutions as the most effective way to serve the cause of humanity. Its lasting value lies in its earnest attempt to distill Lincoln’s complex legacy into practical guidance for a modern, globalized world.

The Story

The narrative begins with a striking historical juxtaposition: the parallel births of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln on February 12, 1809. The author positions these two men as the intellectual and moral architects of the modern world. Darwin, through his study of material laws, provided the scientific framework that, when distorted by contemporary European thinkers, birthed a philosophy of "Kultur"—a worldview grounded in the survival of the fittest and the belief that might makes right. Lincoln, by contrast, emerged from the frontier to become an interpreter of the "moral universe." Where Darwin’s science emphasized the dominance of the strong, Lincoln’s life demonstrated that love and justice are the true forces that shield the weak.

As the argument progresses, the focus shifts to how this moral grandeur informed Lincoln’s leadership. He is presented not as a politician driven by fleeting policies, but as a man of deep, heart-felt convictions. This allowed him to navigate the "age-old question of labor and capital," asserting that labor is the source of all value and that government’s primary duty is to ensure the happiness and well-being of the average citizen. The author emphasizes that for Lincoln, the Declaration of Independence was a living promise, one that linked liberty irrevocably to the pursuit of happiness.

The trajectory of the book then moves toward the preservation of the Union. Though Lincoln famously hated slavery, he accepted the burden of the Civil War to maintain the American experiment. The author argues that Lincoln’s ultimate victory was the triumph of spiritual forces over physical ones, a victory echoed in the Allied success during the First World War. The story concludes by addressing the tension between national duty and international influence. The author posits that Lincoln’s vision was never narrow or isolationist; rather, he believed that by protecting the "last and best hope of the world"—the American Republic—Lincoln provided the greatest possible service to mankind. The ending affirms that the nation he saved remains a beacon for the world, proving that government "of the people, by the people, for the people" can endure, provided the moral foundations Lincoln championed are never abandoned.

How It Unfolds

The parallel births The author introduces the dual legacy of Darwin and Lincoln, framing their lives as the origin points for two conflicting worldviews: material force versus moral law.

The interpretation of morality The text details Lincoln’s unique ability to transform social wrongs into clear moral lessons, contrasting his heart-centered wisdom with the detached, intellectual brilliance of his scientific contemporary.

The champion of the plain people The discussion turns to Lincoln’s economic philosophy, asserting his belief that labor is the superior of capital and that government exists solely to facilitate the well-being of the individual.

The preservation of the Union The author examines Lincoln’s wartime leadership, clarifying that his primary objective was to protect the American Republic, which he viewed as a global exemplar of liberty.

The enduring mandate The book concludes by reflecting on the responsibility of current generations to uphold these institutions, arguing that national success is the most powerful tool for spreading freedom across the globe.

The People

Abraham Lincoln serves as the central figure, portrayed not as a figure of myth, but as a man of immense character. He is driven by a deep love for "plain people" and an unwavering adherence to the moral law. He faces the obstacles of a divided nation and the harsh realities of a world that often prioritizes physical force over human rights. By the end, he is transformed in the reader’s mind from a historical actor into an eternal standard of leadership.

Charles Darwin appears as the necessary foil to Lincoln. While the author acknowledges his scientific contributions, he uses Darwin’s work to represent a world governed by "material things" and the cold logic of survival. He serves as the intellectual point of departure for the "Kultur" philosophy that the author critiques.

The "average man" also emerges as a vital, if collective, character. This figure represents the beneficiary of Lincoln’s vision—the individual whose right to the pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal of government. The author argues that the survival of the Republic depends entirely on the continuous improvement of this person’s lot in life.

In Its Own Voice

“This is a world of compensation and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave.”

This statement highlights the author’s argument that Lincoln understood the moral reciprocity required for a free society.

“The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do at all or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual capacities.”

In this passage, the author uses Lincoln’s own words to define the proper, limited scope of government intervention.

“How beautiful to see once more a shepherd of mankind indeed, who loved his charge, but never loved to lead.”

The author quotes the poet Lowell to illustrate Lincoln’s selfless style of leadership, which prioritized the service of the people over personal ambition.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an argument for the supremacy of moral law over materialist ideology. It explores the question of how a nation balances the need for individual initiative with the collective duty to foster the well-being of all citizens. The author contends that government is not an end in itself, but a tool for ensuring the happiness of the individual. The text asks whether a nation can remain a positive influence on the world while maintaining its own sovereignty. Ultimately, the book suggests that the preservation of democratic institutions is a moral obligation, one that requires a consistent, heart-driven commitment to the fundamental principles of liberty and equality.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate historical analysis that links the past to the present will find this book particularly resonant. It reads like a formal, considered lecture, possessing a sincerity that feels absent from modern political commentary. The prose is dignified and reflects the oratorical style of the early twentieth century, which may require a moment of adjustment for those accustomed to more concise, modern writing.

What stays with the reader is the author’s clear, unwavering faith in the American experiment. While the text is colored by the specific geopolitical anxieties of 1919—the aftermath of the Great War and the rise of competing global philosophies—the questions it raises about the duty of a government to its people feel remarkably current. It is not a biography in the traditional sense; it is an interpretive essay that treats Lincoln as a living compass. For anyone grappling with the meaning of national identity or the role of morality in public life, this book offers a steady, thoughtful, and deeply human perspective. It is a brief, intense look at the values that define a culture, meant for those who want to understand not just what Lincoln did, but what he represents for the future of self-government.