Holzer, one of the most prolific and respected biographers of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, has written a fascinating study of his long evolution on the vexed subject of immigration. Although he was never as bigoted against immigrants, especially Catholics, as most Americans, Lincoln straddled the issue for many years. By the middle of the Civil War, however, he had come to see immigrants as national assets, needed not only as cannon fodder on the battlefield but to replenish the country’s labor force when the war ended.
A strongly worded message to Congress in 1863 quickly led to the passage of the first federal legislation to encourage immigration—and the last such act for the next hundred years. Lincoln’s evolution on the issue was the reverse of George Washington’s; the first U.S. president welcomed immigrants in his early years but bequeathed to his successor John Adams the views that led to the infamous, harshly anti-immigrant and arguably unconstitutional Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.
The prejudices of eighteenth-century and nineteenth-century Americans eerily echo today’s (Lincoln wanted more immigration from Europe, but not from Latin America or Asia)—as do fears, both unfounded and legitimate, about competition over jobs.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 