Third Close Reading
Anna Dickinson's Fight for Justice
By: Gracie Perine
Introduction:
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson's 1864 speech, "Perils of the Hour," marked the most pivotal moment in the gifted orator's career. She was the first woman to deliver a political address in the Hall of Representatives, and she was also doing so with politicians like President Abraham Lincoln in attendance. The overall subjects of her lecture were the Civil War and emancipation. The speech showcased how much knowledge Dickinson possessed, her aggressive style, and her dedication to the abolitionist cause. She used her skills as an orator to argue that black freedom should not be reversed as part of any compromises designed to end the Civil War.
Anna Elizabeth Dickinson's 1864 speech, "Perils of the Hour," marked the most pivotal moment in the gifted orator's career. She was the first woman to deliver a political address in the Hall of Representatives, and she was also doing so with politicians like President Abraham Lincoln in attendance. The overall subjects of her lecture were the Civil War and emancipation. The speech showcased how much knowledge Dickinson possessed, her aggressive style, and her dedication to the abolitionist cause. She used her skills as an orator to argue that black freedom should not be reversed as part of any compromises designed to end the Civil War.
Text: Newspapers and Speeches
The Daily National Republican published "Perils of the Hour" in its January 18, 1864, issue. Even though this account is arguably the most accurate, no one can know precisely how much of the transcript is Anna Dickinson and how much the reporter paraphrased.
The speech was split up, at the beginning talking about the Civil War itself, but then moving into politics. Dickinson raised the question, what did the fallen soldiers die for? Ultimately the Union's cause was liberty, and emancipation was required to achieve it.[1] She believed that the Democrats, specifically James Buchanan mishandled the conflict, allowing the path to secession to continue.[2] She talked about the black soldiers who fought for the Union still did not have the same rights as white soldiers. Emancipation was a stepping stone in the long fight to beat slavery, and it had to be maintained and not reversed. Ultimately the speech ended with her endorsement of Abraham Lincoln by saying that his “work was left for his second term of office.”[3]
The Daily National Republican published "Perils of the Hour" in its January 18, 1864, issue. Even though this account is arguably the most accurate, no one can know precisely how much of the transcript is Anna Dickinson and how much the reporter paraphrased.
The speech was split up, at the beginning talking about the Civil War itself, but then moving into politics. Dickinson raised the question, what did the fallen soldiers die for? Ultimately the Union's cause was liberty, and emancipation was required to achieve it.[1] She believed that the Democrats, specifically James Buchanan mishandled the conflict, allowing the path to secession to continue.[2] She talked about the black soldiers who fought for the Union still did not have the same rights as white soldiers. Emancipation was a stepping stone in the long fight to beat slavery, and it had to be maintained and not reversed. Ultimately the speech ended with her endorsement of Abraham Lincoln by saying that his “work was left for his second term of office.”[3]
Context: Lincoln, Douglass, and the 1864 Election
Dickinson delivered "Perils of the Hour" in January 1864, months after Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery. Lincoln noted throughout his speech that the government the founders built was in danger. The fallen soldiers buried in the Soldier's National Cemetery had not died in vain; because of their sacrifice, the United States would face a "new birth of freedom."[4]
On January 13, 1864, three days before the Dickinson speech, Frederick Douglass, a fellow radical, delivered an address of his own entitled "Mission of the War." He spoke in front of the Woman's Loyal National League in New York. Douglass noted that the outcome of the conflict would be "national regeneration."[5] Abolition was what would end the conflict; therefore, there could be no compromise on emancipation.[6] Abolitionists in early 1864 feared Lincoln would compromise on emancipation to end the Civil War.
The Presidential Election was coming up in November that year. Lincoln saw himself as the only president who could end the war; therefore, he needed to win a second term in office. Douglass knew this and used his position as a radical in an attempt to push the moderate Lincoln to stay the course of emancipation policy.
Dickinson delivered "Perils of the Hour" in January 1864, months after Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery. Lincoln noted throughout his speech that the government the founders built was in danger. The fallen soldiers buried in the Soldier's National Cemetery had not died in vain; because of their sacrifice, the United States would face a "new birth of freedom."[4]
On January 13, 1864, three days before the Dickinson speech, Frederick Douglass, a fellow radical, delivered an address of his own entitled "Mission of the War." He spoke in front of the Woman's Loyal National League in New York. Douglass noted that the outcome of the conflict would be "national regeneration."[5] Abolition was what would end the conflict; therefore, there could be no compromise on emancipation.[6] Abolitionists in early 1864 feared Lincoln would compromise on emancipation to end the Civil War.
The Presidential Election was coming up in November that year. Lincoln saw himself as the only president who could end the war; therefore, he needed to win a second term in office. Douglass knew this and used his position as a radical in an attempt to push the moderate Lincoln to stay the course of emancipation policy.
Subtext: No Compromise
Anna Dickinson asserted during her speech that President Lincoln should make no compromise on emancipation merely to end the war. She mentioned the Gettysburg Address and misquoted the president's words in her speech by saying that “good government might not perish from the earth.”[7] Despite being in the president's presence, Dickinson also criticized policies like the Amnesty Proclamation that she thought were too lenient on states that had committed treason by seceding from the Union.[8] Like Frederick Douglass, she used her platform to assert that Lincoln could not compromise on emancipation to win the war. In her speech, she said, “Compromise! Let no man prate of compromise. Defeated by ballots, the South had appealed to bullets."[9] Dickinson referred to Lincoln's election, which caused the first seven states to secede from the Union. They did not deserve a compromise if they were willing to secede and cause devastation. In addition to that, Dickinson, a long-time abolitionist, believed that slavery needed to end; if Lincoln went back on emancipation, it would still exist.
However, even though she went against some of Lincoln’s policies and actions, Dickinson chose to endorse him at the end of her speech. Like Lincoln when giving the Gettysburg Address, the upcoming 1864 election was in Dickinson’s mind. Therefore, as a radical Republican, she supported Abraham Lincoln if he did not give in to reversing emancipation.
Dickinson proved during her speech that she was a progressive reformer who wanted to see the Civil War bring permanent change to the country. Her method to fight for emancipation was pushing moderates like Abraham Lincoln. Given that she was only 21 years old and a woman who could not vote at the time of “Perils of the Hour,” it only showed her dedication to the fight to abolish slavery.
Anna Dickinson asserted during her speech that President Lincoln should make no compromise on emancipation merely to end the war. She mentioned the Gettysburg Address and misquoted the president's words in her speech by saying that “good government might not perish from the earth.”[7] Despite being in the president's presence, Dickinson also criticized policies like the Amnesty Proclamation that she thought were too lenient on states that had committed treason by seceding from the Union.[8] Like Frederick Douglass, she used her platform to assert that Lincoln could not compromise on emancipation to win the war. In her speech, she said, “Compromise! Let no man prate of compromise. Defeated by ballots, the South had appealed to bullets."[9] Dickinson referred to Lincoln's election, which caused the first seven states to secede from the Union. They did not deserve a compromise if they were willing to secede and cause devastation. In addition to that, Dickinson, a long-time abolitionist, believed that slavery needed to end; if Lincoln went back on emancipation, it would still exist.
However, even though she went against some of Lincoln’s policies and actions, Dickinson chose to endorse him at the end of her speech. Like Lincoln when giving the Gettysburg Address, the upcoming 1864 election was in Dickinson’s mind. Therefore, as a radical Republican, she supported Abraham Lincoln if he did not give in to reversing emancipation.
Dickinson proved during her speech that she was a progressive reformer who wanted to see the Civil War bring permanent change to the country. Her method to fight for emancipation was pushing moderates like Abraham Lincoln. Given that she was only 21 years old and a woman who could not vote at the time of “Perils of the Hour,” it only showed her dedication to the fight to abolish slavery.
[1] Address of Miss Anna Dickinson,” Daily National Republican, January 18, 1864, 1, [WEB].
[2] Ibid, 1.
[3] Ibid, 1.
[4] Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (1863), Knowledge for Freedom Seminar, [WEB].
[5] Frederick Douglass, “Mission of War” (1864), Knowledge for Freedom Seminar, [WEB].
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Address of Miss Anna Dickinson,” 1.
[8] Ibid, 2.
[9] Ibid, 2.
[2] Ibid, 1.
[3] Ibid, 1.
[4] Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (1863), Knowledge for Freedom Seminar, [WEB].
[5] Frederick Douglass, “Mission of War” (1864), Knowledge for Freedom Seminar, [WEB].
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Address of Miss Anna Dickinson,” 1.
[8] Ibid, 2.
[9] Ibid, 2.