Kelley Library

Lincoln and the power of the press, the war for public opinion, Harold Holzer

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 665-697) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Lincoln and the power of the press

bibliography

Harold Holzer

the war for public opinion

From his earliest days, Lincoln spoke to the public directly through the press. When war broke out and the nation was tearing itself apart, Lincoln authorized the most widespread censorship in the nation's history, closing down papers that were "disloyal" and even jailing or exiling editors who opposed enlistment or sympathized with secession. The telegraph, the new invention that made instant reporting possible, was moved to the office of Secretary of War Stanton to deny it to unfriendly newsmen. Holzer shows us politicized newspaper editors battling for power, and a masterly president using the press to speak directly to the people and shape the nation

The types are in our glory -- Not like any other thunder -- That attractive rainbow -- A position we cannot maintain -- A mean between two extremes -- The prairies are on fire -- The perilous position of the union -- I cannot go into the newspapers -- Lincoln will not talk with anyone -- Wanted: a leader -- No such thing as freedom of the press -- Slavery must go to the wall -- Sitting on a volcano -- No time to read any papers -- Long Abraham a little longer -- Epilogue: We shall not see again the like