Constitutional Problems Under Lincoln (review)

Book Reviews335 approaches die material. And widi die same combination of craft and sensitivity tiiat has always marked his poetry, he manages to breathe both warmth and substance into each of die personages whom he re-creates. Perhaps his most interesting technique lies in differentiating between Lincoln and die odiers not only on the basis of what they say, but also in terms of their manner of address. From first to last, Lincoln is made to speak a loose, highly coUoquial prose, while the speeches of the other characters are delivered in stiff and rigidly controUed blank verse. The effect is quite remarkable . Crabbed and inflexible, die blank verse is ideaUy suited to Lincoln's antagonists: it catches perfecdy the pomposities of an Admiral Porter, the implacability of Ben Wade, die cold, stubborn anger of Secretary Stanton. By contrast, the prose of Lincoln is relaxed and supple enough to run from the easy witticism to moments of lyrical passion and intense suffering. Seeking to distinguish die broad man from narrow men, Mr. Van Doren has, as is proper, let subtle differences in language bear much of the burden of characterization . Another notable feature is his use of a few unobtrusive images to reinforce the basic diemes and conflicts of die play. Thus in die second scene Lincoln's conception of die Soudi as a damaged and yet stiU fertile root is played off against die Radicals' wish to "tear up living trees and men and cities by die root, where aU Ufe is, and die future leaves." In die third scene, this same difference in viewpoint is re-stated dirough animal imagery; and in scene four, Duff Green's use of fire as the symbol of hate and malice is juxtaposed with Lincoln's references to the hearth fire—fire as the image of warmth, humanity, and conviviaUty. Employed sparingly, these images draw attention to themselves, sharpening and rendering more concrete die antagonisms around which the play has been constructed. AU in aU, then, The Last Days of Lincoln is an impressive drama. OccasionaUy , perhaps, the use of Lincoln lore is a bit too studied: the aUusion to Ann Rutledge in the sixth scene does, for example, appear to have been rather dragged in. But such minor flaws do not detract from the sldU of Mr. Van Doren's poetry, or from the atmosphere of intense conflict which he consistently maintains. On the printed page the play is a moving experience. One fancies that it would seem even more poignant in the theater. Clark Griffith Iowa City, Iowa. Constitutional Problems Under Lincoln. By J. G. Randall. Revised edition . (Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 1951. Pp. xxxüi, 596. $4.50.) of the hundred or so basic books which are recommended for anyone about to make a study of Abraham Lincoln's life, this volume must certainly loom largely and significandy. First published in 1926, revised in 1951, it has unquestionably taken an important place among die standard works without which no full appraisal of Lincoln as President is possible. 336CIVIL WAR HISTORY The late James G. Randall left a monumental study of Lincoln in his Lincoln the President widi tiiis volume, whüe not a part of the set, certainly representing a cornerstone of his exhaustive researches and studies. In his introduction he surveys the Lincoln Administration, contrasting it and its time witii later periods of crisis. After noting the errors made during the Civü War years, he thought that one should also "remember Lincoln's spokesmanship for democracy, his craftsmanship in the human art of government, his manner of meeting and answering criticism instead of eliminating dissenters, his steps toward die elevation of die Negro race, his avoidance of dictatorial excess, his development of new governmental resources, his suppport of welfare measures, his sense of balance, self control, skiU of managment, breadtii of outlook, and concentration on the main issue." Professor Randall then sagely added that though "not everyone can wear Lincoln's hat, nor should others try it ... no leader could faü to profit by a study of his spirit, his principles, and his metiiod." The prodigious task diat awaited Abraham Lincoln foUowing his inauguration in 1861 was...