Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium
A century-and-a-half ago, presidential campaigns routinely
inspired massive rallies, stem-winder speeches, protracted debates
(without reporters asking questions!), and 80% voter participation.
The era before sound bites, negative ads, overnight polls, and ad
buys required candidates to possess writing ability, research
skills, and - in the age before amplification - lungpower. One of
the most memorable achievements of that vanished political culture
was Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union speech - his introduction to New
York, combining a final attack on the likely Democratic
presidential candidate, Stephen A. Douglas, and a crippling blow
against the Republican front-runner for his own party's nomination,
William Seward. How did Lincoln seize this moment - with both his
works and the most felicitous photo opportunity in presidential
campaign history - to prove his electability, refinement, passion,
moderation, anti-slavery bona fides, and grasp of American history?
Author Harold Holzer will probe this extraordinary effort, which
proved so successful Lincoln was not required to say another word
for the rest of that long campaign season. And, of course, he was
elected.
Books will be available for purchase and to be signed by the
author.
More About the Speakers
Harold Holzer
Author
Hosted By
![James Swanson]()
James Swanson
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