What Would Abe Lincoln Say about the Overturning of Roe v Wade
As the shock of yesterday's reversal of Roe v Wade took root, I found myself wondering what Abraham Lincoln would say about the day. About our country. About these times.
This morning, I read his words to find clues. On June 16, 1858, he made a revolutionary speech to the Illinois State Republican Convention (now the Democratic party) regarding his platform on slavery. There were decisions being made to further slavery nationally. Lincoln was ridiculed for coming out so strongly against it as a new politician. But his words are clear and his intentions unwavering to create a country where slavery would have no place. Lincoln said:
"In my opinion, it (slavery) will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.
I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
It will become all one thing or all the other."
Fortunately, after the tragic death of 750,000 people, our nation abolished slavery and held true to its founding principles of "all men are created equal" and became all "one thing" in law (however complicated that is/was in individual states and in social practice).
In this speech, Lincoln goes on to talk of the "machinery" working to uphold slavery and how entrenched it was. That this is an important moment in history to act.
And through his words and deeds, and the work and sacrifice of so many others, we were not divided. Union prevailed. Connection prevailed.
And yet, we still find ourselves as Americans with the same machinery at work. The machinery that would seek to hold racist, sexist, nationalist, classist, fundamentalist tenants in place and live in the past. The machinery that has always complicated our nation, but never taken it down.
The way Roe v Wade was revoked is because supreme court justices lied to get a seat in the court. It is not due to popular opinion or reflected in the founding principles of our nation. It is about lying and power and money and subjugation and fear that as progressive and inclusive currents rise they are losing it all. Again.
Lincoln ended his speech with:
"Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come."
I feel heartened by Lincoln's convictions. I feel grateful for the work he did to keep our nation together. I pay tribute to all the men and women who lost their lives in the Civil War, the people still losing their lives due to the color of their skin, and the women and children who suffer and die due to lack of access to safe abortions and general care.
I stand in gratitude to all those who are working on behalf of life and love and connection and respect to make our country hold true to its founding principles.
These currents that go against life and love and respect are not new. But they are not winning in the long run. We need to keep our eyes on the through-line and keep close to each other and support and care and we will make it.
Lincoln says so.
I choose to trust and HAVE FAITH that unity will prevail.