The Greatest Freedom Speech

The Greatest Freedom Speech

Abraham Lincoln, one of the famous leaders that ever lived, is famed for his emotional and challenging speech that he gave to the Congress. His speech The Fiery Trial was one of the most famous speeches that he ever gave during his lifetime. Such was not just an ordinary speech but rather a call to action made by one who had just been converted. Abraham Lincoln was castigating slavery back then in 1930. It is in Foner’s thinking that “Lincoln’s own racial views seemed to change,” in large part as a result of heroic black military service (Foner,2012 pg256). He finally stopped talking about colonization and started thinking of extending the franchise to some blacks. This idea of a call is ill-timed since the Country was struggling from the realities of economic depression. It is evident that by this time the country would need the services of slaves the more. Trade in slaves was also proving to be so lucrative, and thus the call would be in bad taste altogether. This speech mirrors America’s own transformation.

It is the timing and the genuine message from the speech that should baffle any analytical or critical mind. Lincoln was then the leader of the New Republican Party that was advocating for the slaves to maintain their status. It is obvious this speech from the party leader was tantamount to both political and economic suicide on the part of the giver of the speech and the party respectively. However, Lincoln had to do a balancing act to ensure that it was going to turn up as a win-win situation. The timing was also ill since it was preceding the American civil war. This, therefore, makes the speech the greatest ever owing to the circumstances under which it was given. The timing and the impact of the slaves freedom was truly a trial upon the Union.

In going back in time before this speech, Lincoln had handled cases about slavery while practicing law in Illinois. He had an analytical insight into the situation that the country was faced with. Even in the ensuing dilemma, Lincoln decided to attempt to bridge the ever-gaping gap between the abolition radical Republicans and the then Conservative Democrats. Though he was initially a student in the school of pro-slavery, Abraham Lincoln decided to make the most significant and most unexpected turn around to campaign against slavery (pg 122)

In his words, Lincoln goes ahead to remind the Congress that Americans could not escape history however much they wanted to do it. It was therefore upon them to work towards trying to better history. He reminded them they were going through a fiery trial that would in the end still light them down either in honor or dishonor even to the latest generation (pg 71). Lincoln thus sought to challenge them to work on such matters as early to ensure they never brought with them an ugly scar. He saw his position as an excellent opportunity to help salvage the cruel practice that the believers of the “Union” had, and that was in contradiction to human right and dignity (xvii). This call and speech would have led to impeachment on his part, but he still sustained the belief and pressure. Challenging the American Congress on what they held was such a radical decision that Lincoln had to show selflessness of purpose.

For a person who had been naturally anti-slavery in nature and practice, this was a very bold speech to present mainly at the Congress. Abraham Lincoln reiterated that the Constitution protected the institution of slavery in some states. However, he wanted it tackled at the national level as it had taken such a turn after the Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854. The best of Lincoln’s speech is born from the fact that he was a president of a much divided nation as well as commander in chief of a nation in war. He had to be so deft and calculating while charting his career path to avoid losing out in the end. It is his pragmatic approach on issues and his principles that acted as a guide to propel the nation further by recognizing the black children of the former slaves as black Americans. This path that he walked in as he gave this speech was generally narrow and dangerous. He emerged as a great leader who was well versed in attempting political growth through engaging both critics and allies alike.

In his remarks to the Congress, Lincoln reminds them that he is junior to many of them concerning position and experience. He then reminds them of the responsibility placed on his shoulders of coming up with a plan that shortens the war and reduces the expense of the same. His appeal for the adoption of the issues raised in his speech to improve from their past mistakes was a call to think anew as well as act anew to save the country. He made a call to the Congress to save the world, as well “hold power and bear the responsibility” by making the right decision (pg 256). He equated to being noble and saving or meanly losing what he believed was the last best hope of the earth. He made a reminder to them that other means would succeed, but he was sure what he was proposing would not fail at any cost. He believed was the best effort towards saving the country from civil war (David, 2010)

The Fiery Trial is the greatest Abraham Lincolns speech at it was setting up the fight from within Abraham’s heart. Much as it was a speech to the Congress it contrasted sharply with the earlier stand on the slaves by the speaker himself (James, 2010). It is from the effects of this speech that the country was made to unite with the recognition of all races as equals. This speech also led to the end of the civil war that was killing the dream the United U.S. the speech is heralded as one of the best speeches to ever come from Abraham Lincoln. It is part of the history that as a nation we are proud of. This speech has made the book win great prizes. The Fiery Trial won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for History, the Bancroft Prize and the Lincoln Prize.

The Fiery Trial as a book brings forth the crucial aspect of Lincoln’s career. It also highlights his place in the broad antislavery enterprise. However, few modern works zero in on this central topic. This is the reason as to placing importance in this work. In length and sophistication, Foner’s book is targeted at the literate general public, rather than just historians. The author suggests as much on several occasions. A 336–page book normally doesn’t qualify as short, but in the case of Lincoln studies, the description applies (Foner, 2010)