By Leslie King O’Neal
Abraham Lincoln and Reconciliation
These words from Lincoln’s second inaugural address, “With malice toward none; with charity for all . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds” highlight Lincoln’s approach to re-integrating American society after a long and bloody Civil War.
In an article recently published in Dispute Resolution Magazine[i] Tom Stipanowich[ii] writes about Lincoln’s vision of reconciliation after the Civil War. Likening Lincoln’s task to a “kind of vast, complex ‘negotiation’ involving interactions with a wide array of stakeholders with disparate interests and aims” Prof. Stipanowich explains Lincoln’s plan to restore the Union. Truth, justice, mercy and peace were Lincoln’s foundation for building a “more perfect Union” after the war.
“We are not enemies, but friends.”
The article notes that, even during the worst conflict this country ever experienced, Lincoln sought conciliation, stating: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.” “Throughout his presidency, Lincoln’s pursuit of military victory never prevented him from exploring other options.”
A challenge for today
Lincoln lived only six weeks after giving his second inaugural address. His plans for “building a new, more fully integrated society” remain unfulfilled. Lincoln’s words speak to us now and challenge us to work together to resolve conflict and to strive, “with malice toward none; with charity for all” to create “a more perfect Union.”
The full article can be downloaded here:https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=497670
[i] ABA Dispute Resolution Section, Dispute Resolution Magazine (September 2024).
[ii] An internationally recognized thought leader, Thomas Stipanowich holds the William H. Webster Chair in Dispute Resolution and is a professor of law at Pepperdine University School of Law, where he was leader of the famed Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. He began his career as a construction lawyer at a national firm and continues to serve as an arbitrator and mediator in large, complex cases in the U.S. and internationally. He is the author of many papers, articles and books on ADR. He has written numerous articles about Abraham Lincoln and is writing a book about lessons to be learned about conflict management from Lincoln’s life and career.
