It’s Lincoln’s birthday: Let’s revive his pledge to preserve our democracy | Opinion

By Willam Walsh

Democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law will be on the ballot in November 2024.

During a similar crisis in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln faced re-election and, for a breathless moment, almost certain defeat. By mid-summer of that year, Lincoln was at the nadir of his popularity. With no end to the Civil War in sight, his re-election had become highly doubtful.

This overlooked chapter in our history was compellingly recounted by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, during the first of the riveting public hearings on June 9, 2022, held by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the Capitol.

Lincoln was no fan of his adversary and likely replacement, Maj. Gen. George McClellan, who was running on a ticket to end the war in a way that would have left slavery intact and on the rise — and the democratic principles of life, liberty, and equality for all in decline.

As a principled leader, Lincoln could not justify devious means to retain power even if they were in the pursuit of desirable ends.

As Thompson indicated, Lincoln analyzed his options, and recorded his decision in a confidential memo on August 23, 1864, known today as his “Blind Memorandum.”

He wrote that if the voters rejected his re-election bid he was prepared to make an unprecedented step to work with, not against, the president-elect during the interregnum in a last-ditch effort to win the war before inauguration day.

In tandem, their complementary talents, so Lincoln thought — his as a war strategist, McClellan’s as a recruiter and trainer of troops – had a slim chance of achieving liberty for all. His remarkable plan shows just how far Lincoln was from operating on the basis of self-interest or the preservation of illegitimate power.

Thompson referred to the “Blind Memorandum” as Lincoln’s “quiet pledge.” It was not, however, as Thompson suggested a pledge to transfer power, but a pledge to cooperate during the interregnum. The transfer of power was implied, but not specifically stated. This point is raised not to quibble with Thompson, however. Lincoln wrote:

“This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he can not possibly save it afterwards.”

About two months later on October 19, 1864 Lincoln did make an explicit pledge to transfer power when he addressed a group of supporters in Maryland. Attempting to quiet rumors that he was plotting to ruin the government if not re-elected, Lincoln spoke as follows:

“I am struggling to maintain government, not overthrow it. I am struggling especially to prevent others [the rebellious secessionists] from overthrowing it. I therefore say, that if I shall live, I shall remain President until the fourth of next March, and that whoever shall be constitutionally elected therefor[e] in November, shall be duly installed as the President on the fourth of March, and that in the interval I shall do my utmost that whoever is to hold the helm for the next voyage, shall start with the best possible chance to save the ship. This is due to the people both on principle, and under the constitution.” (Italics added.)

Lincoln’s pledge received wide circulation though coverage provided by several prominent newspapers.

Sadly, in the aftermath of January 6, we can no longer take for granted that candidates for the presidency will honor the outcome of elections. Yet, to be properly informed before casting their ballots, voters need to know where candidates stand on this vital matter.

Accordingly, it is herein proposed that presidential candidates in 2024, and in every presidential election thereafter, inform the voters at the outset of the campaign whether they intend to abide by the results of a fair election held and reviewed by standard procedures.

It is further suggested that the pledge end with the words spoken by Lincoln on October 19, 1864, to wit: “This is due to the people both on principle and under the constitution.”

And that it be designated “The Lincoln Pledge to Preserve and Perpetuate Our Democracy.”

A Lincoln Pledge would provide a necessary means for informing future presidential election voters and preventing a repetition of the insurrection of January 6, 2021.

William Walsh is a semi-retired practicing psychologist in Westfield and a former Assistant Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

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