Lincoln and the Abolitionists about Slavery:  Meeting the Press

The Setting for this drama is in the White House East Room, 1864.  (the setting could be decorated with a large window (mural) and perhaps some fancy cloth drapery and an American Flag; a table for participants to sit behind, and a small desk/table for the moderator) 

The Characters in this play include President Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass, and a panel of 3 national reporters: Secretary of War Edward Stanton will be the narrator of our panel discussion.  (costumes of black suits and bow-ties for men, and perhaps long-sleeved white, brown or  black dresses or blouses for the girls to look like the women participants)

The Format will involve the panel asking each participant about their own personal life upbringing, opinions about slavery as in the South, about expansion of slavery in the new territories and states, and about just how slavery could be stopped permanently.  The moderator will follow a scripted set of questions.  Participants will have "scripted" answers prepared to state or read.

Historical Time of this "Press Conference" is late 1864.  The President is back in the White House from his summer home.  Emancipation has been given to blacks in the Confederate states, African American soldiers are now in the Union Army and Navy, and are fighting bravely.  The problem is that the blacks are not being treated fairly as far as pay and other ways.  The south is executing and returning black Union soldiers to the south for slavery.  The abolitionists in this panel were all slaves in their earlier lives.    Each of the participants have been gathered together today in the White House to discuss the serious problem of slavery in our country, and how it can be stopped without causing a worse division in our country.  Later in 1864, after meeting with the leading abolitionists (pictured below), the President would encourage congress to deal with the inequality and unfairness in treatment of black Union soldiers.  A bill was passed to end this.

The President is very much aware that the border states of Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware and Missouri were very sensitive to the idea of ridding their states of slavery.  Up until 1864, after Union victories and the glorious performance of the black soldiers in battle,   the purpose of the war was only to keep unity in the country.  The President, now sees a deeper purpose.  Slavery in all the states needed to be ended, but something bigger needed to be done to do it permanently and constitutionally.  This panel will discuss the issues of  mistreated African-American Union soldiers, and the final solution of ridding the country of slavery. 

The Underground Railroad is still working to get slaves out of the south.   Each participant of this dramatic re-creation of a "press conference" will involve students actually writing answers to a series of questions for each participant.  Let's look at the questions and then small groups can be set up to find answers and prepare them for reading or stating.

Each participant will be asked these questions, and given a chance to respond the the reporters. 

For "all" the participants to be asked by Secretary Stanton, moderator:

1.  What was your childhood like? 

2.  Tell us about your personal experience with slavery?

3.  Up until this present year (1864), what have you done to help African Americans in slavery?

4.  Do you think black people will ever be equal to white people?

5.  Do you think that the Emancipation Proclamation issued January 1, 1863 was a good thing?  Why?

For Frederick Douglass:

1.  We know you were a slave, but how did you get your freedom?

2.  What is the name of your Newspaper? 

4.  Tell us about your first meeting with President Lincoln in the White House.

5.  How have you been helping the Union during this war  (Civil War)?

6.  How did President Lincoln treat you when you visited him in the White House?

7.  Do you think the African-American soldiers in the Union Army are being treated equally with white soldiers?  What are some problems you think the President should take care of? 

For Harriet Tubman:

1.  When and how did you escape from slavery?

2.  You have been called the "Moses of your people."  Why do people say this?

3.  Tell us about the Underground Railroad.  Why is it called a railroad?

4.  You served other roles during this war.  What were your other roles?

5.  Being an abolitionist is dangerous in many areas.  How do you think you and Frederick Douglass have survived?

6.  What do you think about the way President Lincoln is handling the slave issue, as well as maintaining the unity of the country?

Sojourner Truth:

1. You were brought up a slave.  What was your birth name?  Why are you called Sojourner?

2. What language were you taught to speak?  Did you learn to read and write?

3. When did you get your freedom?

4. You are a preacher.  Besides preaching for the abolition of slavery, what other issues do you preach for or against?

5. What do think about our President (Lincoln)?  Did the Emancipation Proclamation help the condition of the slave?  Are you still helping educate and convince people to be against slavery?

For President Abraham Lincoln:

1.  Tell us a little bit about your early life.  You have been called the "Rail-splitter Candidate."  Now some call you the "Great Emancipator."  How did these nick-names get started?

2.  When did you first see a slave auction?  What were your feelings then?  Do you think there will be "equality" for African-Americans in America?

2.  You made a statement at Charleston, Illinois during the 4th debate with Stephen Douglas.  That statement had to do with "equality of blacks" in our country.  What did you say then, and has your opinion changed since then?  What do you think about your African-American soldiers in this war?

3.  Why didn't you become an abolitionist with the others in this esteemed panel, in the early days before the Civil War? 

4.  Do you think the black Union soldiers are being treated fairly?  If not, how are you going to improve their conditions?

5.  Tell us how you think slavery should be ended.

For Harriet Beecher Stowe:

1.    How did you get interested in slavery?

It was from my own personal experiences.

2.    What do you do besides writing?

 I was a teacher with my older sister Catherine

3.    Why did Abraham Lincoln call you the little lady who started this war?

He believed it was my book that started the war between the states.

4. Where else do you speak against slavery, besides the United States

I also speak against slavery in Europe.