The Political Rebirth of an Insurrectionist
Repentance “in front of God and everybody” is rare in American politics. In recent times, Alabama Governor George Wallace renounced his segregationist, white supremacist ways in the late 1970s. He…
Common ground amid the vociferous slavery debate
The slavery debate was so heated that three Protestant denominations split over the issue. Pro-slavery Christians saw the plain meaning of Scripture; abolitionists pointed to a sophisticated anti-slavery biblical argument. …
Slavery Debates: Communication model gone bad
Pounding drums, jeers, and yelling reached a cacophonous pitch on the ship of state. In retrospect, it was inevitable that the slavery debate would end in catastrophe. Historian Mark Noll…
Critically Thinkin’ Lincoln: Even geniuses can make mistakes
It is hard to deny Abraham Lincoln’s political acumen. He understood his constituents, and he sagely analyzed his political opponents, including Republicans and Northern Democrats. Lincoln combined his knowledge of…
Trained for war, but pursuing peace: Charles Mason, Jurist
If war is a continuation of politics by other means, as von Clausewitz suggests, Iowa Democrat Charles Mason saw both sides of the coin.[i] Edging out Lee Civil War buffs…
Huck Finn’s dilemma, Part Two: When conscience and Scripture seemed to collide
In Part One, Huck Finn and abolition-minded Christians agonized over slavery and the state of their own souls. They were torn between heart/conscience and Bible verses that seemed to support…
Huck Finn’s dilemma: When conscience and Scripture seemed to collide, Part 1
Loyalty, love, and sin come to life in Mark Twain’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Set in the shadow of the Fugitive Slave Act, Huck Finn helps his friend,…
“Black Hawk” bond: The intertwined lives of an Iowa legislator and his “servant”
The Union defeat at Bull Run shocked many Iowans. In contrast, Iowa State Legislator James H. Williams had “the biggest drink of brandy” to mark “the glorious [Confederate] victory.” Two…
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Good books about early Iowa, the Underground Railroad, and the Civil War
I am a fan of well-documented books with solid reasoning. I recommend the following books about early Iowa history, the Underground Rail Road, slavery, causes of the Civil War, reasons…