American politicians have made a lot of famous speeches. Franklin Roosevelt told the nation in 1933, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In 1961, John Kennedy urged the nation, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Ronald Reagan minced no words in 1987 when he stood at the Berlin Wall and challenged the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, saying, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” The inspirational and unifying nature of these speeches is embedded in American history. 

But other, lesser-known speeches are cautionary tales, some of which are more prescient than others. It’s been 168 years since then-U.S. Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln spoke at the Illinois Republican Convention on June 16, 1858, and delivered his “House Divided” speech. Many are familiar with Lincoln invoking scripture when he told the convention delegates in his opening paragraph, "A house divided against itself cannot stand.” But less well known is what Lincoln said next, and which seems relevant in today’s evolving political landscape, particularly within the Democrat Party. 

In addressing the issue of slavery, Lincoln said, “I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.” He........

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