On June 16, 1858, Abraham Lincoln delivered his "House Divided" speech to more than 1,000 other delegates at the Republican State Convention in Springfield, Illinois. This speech addresses the issue of the United States being divided between free states and slave states. Lincoln borrows the speech's main idea, "a house divided against itself cannot stand," from a statement made by Jesus, as recorded in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the Bible. He shares his belief that the government cannot endure in its current condition, half free and half slave. Because of this, he expects that the States will either become all free or all slave. This concept, "a house divided against itself cannot stand," is familiar to the audience since most people at the time were religiously educated. Because it is known as a quote said by Jesus, it carries weight and adds to Lincoln's ethos. This helps to better get his ideas across and gain support from the audience.
During the speech, Lincoln recounts the events surrounding this issue that have occurred in the United States since 1853. He mentions the Nebraska doctrine, the Dred Scott decision, and the idea of "squatter sovereignty," the sacred right of self-government. He also poses some rhetorical questions such as "Why was the amendment, expressly declaring the right of the people to exclude slavery, voted down?", "Why was the [Dred Scott] decision held up?", "Why the outgoing President's felicitation on the indorsement?", "Why the delay of a reargument?", and "Why the incoming President's advance exhortation in favor of the decision?" These rhetorical questions evoke the audience's reflection on previous events. He then compares this to trying to calm a spirited horse before mounting it by petting it, suggesting that all of these things happened to avoid an upset in the United States.
Lincoln concludes his speech by presenting what he believes to be the next step for the United States:
"To meet and overthrow the power of that dynasty, is the work now before all those who would prevent that consummation." Here he is referring to the political dynasty of the time that would play a part in slavery becoming lawful in all the States. He ends with a firm assertion that success is foreseeable, "The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail-- if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come." This confidence provides assurance and hope to his listeners.
During the speech, Lincoln recounts the events surrounding this issue that have occurred in the United States since 1853. He mentions the Nebraska doctrine, the Dred Scott decision, and the idea of "squatter sovereignty," the sacred right of self-government. He also poses some rhetorical questions such as "Why was the amendment, expressly declaring the right of the people to exclude slavery, voted down?", "Why was the [Dred Scott] decision held up?", "Why the outgoing President's felicitation on the indorsement?", "Why the delay of a reargument?", and "Why the incoming President's advance exhortation in favor of the decision?" These rhetorical questions evoke the audience's reflection on previous events. He then compares this to trying to calm a spirited horse before mounting it by petting it, suggesting that all of these things happened to avoid an upset in the United States.
Lincoln concludes his speech by presenting what he believes to be the next step for the United States:
"To meet and overthrow the power of that dynasty, is the work now before all those who would prevent that consummation." Here he is referring to the political dynasty of the time that would play a part in slavery becoming lawful in all the States. He ends with a firm assertion that success is foreseeable, "The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail-- if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise councils may accelerate or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later the victory is sure to come." This confidence provides assurance and hope to his listeners.