Their Souls Are Marching On: What Abraham Lincoln and John Brown Have in Common

Abstract

This article compares Abraham Lincoln’s and John Brown’s justifications for violently confronting slavery during the Civil War and the raid at Harpers Ferry, respectively. Though significant differences existed between these two men, I argue that there is a surprising and often overlooked convergence. Both Brown and Lincoln rooted their opposition to slavery in their belief that it threatened the possibility of free self-government. Both concluded that violence was the only effective way to fight slavery. Finally, both argued that their violence was justified by democratic procedures and principles. In making this comparison, this article offers three contributions to the study of American political thought and political theory more broadly. First, it challenges the historical consensus that portrays these men as radically opposed exemplars. Second, it rehabilitates John Brown’s political thought. Third, through the comparison, it surfaces a democratic approach to the complex relationship between violence, democracy, and racism.