Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1974

Thesis Director

Ralph Y. McGinnis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was: To discover the influence of Henry Clay upon Abraham Lincoln regarding lines of argument on the slavery issue. The method of procedure entailed the following: gathering all available materials related to the problem; organizing the gathered materials into the headings of Henry Clay on the slavery issue; Abraham Lincoln on the slavery issue; and Abraham Lincoln's acknowledgements to Henry Clay on the slavery issue; analyzing the materials according to support for previous writings; contradiction of previous writings; and supplement to previous writings; reporting the findings of the study; and summarizing the findings leading to the final conclusions and recommendations for further study.

The second chapter divided the position of Henry Clay on the slavery issue (by means of classifying his own statements) into seven categories, namely: Morally, slavery is wrong; Gradual emancipation of the slaves should be adopted; Colonization with emancipated slaves should be promoted; Existing slavery should be left alone; Extension of slavery should be prohibited; Differences between the black and white races prevent equality of citizenship in a single society; and Preservation of the Union should supercede remedies to the problem of slavery.

The third chapter divided the position of Abraham Lincoln on the slavery issue (by means of classifying his own statements) into seven categories, namely: Morally, slavery is wrong; Gradual emancipation of the slaves should be adopted; Colonization with emancipated slaves should be promoted; Existing slavery should be left alone; Extension of slavery should be prohibited; Differences between the black and white races prevent equality of citizenship in a single society; and, Preservation of the Union should supercede remedies to the problem of slavery.

The fourth chapter stated acknowledgements by Abraham Lincoln to Henry Clay regarding his (Lincoln's) position on the slavery issue, and divided those acknowledgements into seven categories, namely: Morally, slavery is wrong; Gradual emancipation of the slaves should be adopted; Colonization with emancipated slaves should be promoted; Existing slavery should be left alone; Extension of slavery should be prohibited; Differences between the black and white races prevent equality of citizenship in a single society; and Preservation of the Union should supercede remedies to the problem of slavery.

The fifth chapter dealt with the analysis of the findings, which: supported present writings; did not contradict present writings; and supplemented present writings by producing an extended listing of Henry Clay's statements on the slavery issue, an extended listing of Abraham Lincoln's position on the slavery issue, a striking parallel between Henry Clay's statements and Abraham Lincoln's statements regarding the slavery issue, an extended listing of Abraham Lincoln's acknowledgements regarding Henry Clay's position on the slavery issue, and no examples of Abraham Lincoln differing from Henry Clay in their respective positions on the slavery issue.

The sixth chapter concluded: Henry Clay exerted extremely high influence upon Abraham Lincoln regarding the slavery issue.

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