Fiend, Coward, Monster, or King: Southern Press Views of Abraham Lincoln

Abstract

This article examines Southern editors 'views of Abraham Lin-coln from 1860–1865. The press s role in shaping, defining, and re-flecting the public s views of Lincoln was crucial for the region 's readers, many of whom did not even know the Illinois lawyer in 1860. Southern press views of Lincoln are examined during five key periods: the presidents election and inaugural address; the open-ing of the war; his issuance ofthe Emancipation Proclamation; the election of 1864; and Lincoln's assassination. The research finds a diversity of Southern press views for much of 1860. Once war was declared, however, editorial criticism did not subside until the presi-dent's death. Even then, some newspaper editors voiced happiness at the assassination.