Publication

Throughout history, war has been the great destroyer of free government. The United States, in contrast, has remained free while fighting numerous wars during the Republic’s two hundred-plus years. This unprecedented ability of the United States to wage war while still preserving liberty is the legacy of the American Founders. This paper argues that, to his credit, Lincoln understood and took advantage of these institutions during the time of greatest stress on the American polity. In doing so, he established the precedents that have guided his successors in their attempt to keep the United States both safe and free.