D1.8.34: [Untitled]

D1.8.34: [Untitled]

Newspaper Clippings

Bleek writes about the American Civil War and the death of Abraham Lincoln. He reflects on the late president's compassion for adversaries like General Lee after the fall of Richmond and what, if anything, his death now means for the world. Bleek extols Lincoln's rustic charm and virtues, commending his forthrightness and moral rectitude. He posits that, comfortingly, Lincoln died after successfully discharging his duty and that his singular nature transcended his lack of educational and social pedigree. Using Lincoln, Bleek tries to illustrate the ideal leader (sincere, empathetic, unshakable) and system of government (federalism). Unlike secession, federalised unification lowers the likelihood of war and deters external threats to sovereignty while accommodating the idiosyncrasies of member states. Great leaders, even in death, suffuse the state fabric. He concludes Lincoln to be greater than Franklin, whose vanity (self-praise) mars his otherwise exceptional character. The higher responsibility of the presidency may have extruded Lincoln's already unpretentious, beloved character. Andrew Johnson, his less-liked and less-known successor, will likely be obscured.

Printed newsprint glued on paper

08 June 1865

One cut-out column of printed newsprint mounted on foolscap folio (warped).

Secessionary movement (of the Slave States), Abraham Lincoln (death of), assassination (of President Lincoln), President Johnson (Andrew Johnson)

Pressed clippings of Victorian current affairs opinion pieces by Wilhelm Bleek. Published in Het Volksblad on Thursday, June 8th, 1865.

Van de Sandt de Villiers & Co.