On March 30, 1861, Abraham Lincoln writes to Illinois State Auditor Jesse K. Dubois, who is “sorely disappointed” that Lincoln did not name J. P. Luse to head Minnesota’s Indian Affairs office. The letter gives a glimpse into the difficulties Lincoln faced dealing with our historical treatment of Native Americans. In the letter, Lincoln writes:
I was nearly as sorry as you can be at not being able to give Mr. Luce the appointment you desired for him. Of course I could have done it; but it would have been against the united, earnest, and, I add, angry protest of the republican delegation of Minnesota, in which state the office is located. So far as I understand, it is unprecedented, [to] send an officer into a state against the wishes of the members of congress of the State, and of the same party. Your friend as ever A. LINCOLN
Dubois had served for many years as a fellow Illinois state legislator alongside Lincoln, and was eager for Lincoln to use his patronage to get a position as Indian agent in Minnesota for his son-in-law, James P. Luse. Lincoln explains that control over the appointments is up to U.S. congressmen representing the local Minnesota populace, and that his hands were largely tied. This had always been the case, and would continue for many years to come.
The treatment of Native Americans during the Civil War has recently been offered as part of the rationale for questioning why we honor Lincoln with statuary and school namings. Most notably, San Francisco considered removing the names of Lincoln and many others from school buildings (they have since put the idea on hold). Chicago has initiated a review of 41 statues they deem potentially offensive, including five of the city’s most iconic Lincoln statues.
Which gets me to a program I’ll be participating in next month. On April 13th at 2:00 pm ET, the Illinois State Society (ILSS) is sponsoring a panel discussion entitled “The Case for Honoring Lincoln.” Organized by Rod Ross, a member of the ILSS and the Lincoln Group of DC, the panel consists of myself, current Lincoln Group President John O’Brien, and current Lincoln Group Vice President of Special Events Debbie Jackson. After our short presentations, I’ll moderate a Q&A for the panel. A link for the event will be sent around shortly.
My portion of the program will focus on Lincoln and Native Americans. Specifically, I’ll address Lincoln’s role in the “Dakota 38,” where 38 Dakota were hanged for their part in an uprising that resulted in the deaths of 800 or more settlers. While Lincoln commuted the death sentences of 265 of those convicted, the 38 remain the largest mass execution in U.S. history. I’ll put the incident, and two others, in context with the history of the “Indian System” that had been in place for decades.
Following me will be John O’Brien’s discussion of Lincoln and Emancipation in response to questions about whether Lincoln thought “black lives mattered.” Debbie Jackson will bring the topics together with an overview of why we honor Lincoln despite the fact that he wasn’t infallible.
ADVANCED REGISTRATION FOR THE ZOOM MEETING IS REQUIRED. SEE LINK BELOW. The panel discussion and Q&A will be recorded and is intended as a resource for the Chicago and San Francisco review commissions, plus will be made available to organizations, schools, groups, and anyone else who would benefit from a rational discussion of Lincoln’s roles in these issues.
Please RSVP with link below
Advance Registration Required
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_esVKJb0eSty1gsF3F1BREA
[Photo by David J. Kent, Lincoln in Chicago]
David J. Kent is the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America. His newest Lincoln book is scheduled for release in February 2022. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.
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