Elwell Crissey (1899–1992)

Although I knew of this book since it was first published in 1967, and I even knew its author, I did not read it until 2006. It is fitting that I finished reading it on May 29, 2006, the sesquicentennial of Lincoln's Lost Speech.

For me, the book takes on additional special meaning because the events of May 28-29, 1856 took place in Bloomington, Illinois, my current home. Also, the famous speech delivered by Lincoln on the 29th, was in what then known as "Major's Hall," which was constructed in 1852 by William T. Major, who established First Christian Church in Bloomington in 1837. First Christian is my church home.

Major and several other pioneer members of First Christian Church were in attendance when Lincoln gave his speech. Dr. Richard O. Warinner, an elder and preacher at First Christian was present.

Another member of First Christian attending the Anti-Slavery Extension Convention in Bloomington was William F. M. Arny. Arny had moved to the Bloomington area from Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1850. He achieved notoriety everywhere he went, including Virginia. After leaving North Bloomington (now Normal) in 1857, Arny went to Kansas and was involved in anti-slavery politics in the territory. After a few years there, he moved to the New Mexico territory, where he served as Indian Agent, Secretary of the territory, and as Interim Governor for almost one year. (Arny's is a story in and of itself. See Frontier Crusader - William F. M. Arny, by Lawrence R. Murphy.)

So it is for me, the strong Bloomington connection that provides for the appeal of Crissey's book. I appreciate the research he did on the events leading up to, and characters associated with, the events of May 28-29, 1854, in Bloomington.

Seventy individuals (of an estimated eleven hundred) who attended the speech are profiled in the book. Most are from Illinois; several are from Bloomington.

While, at the end of the book Lincoln's speech remains lost, one is left with an understanding of what he might have said, and a with an appreciation of the events of the time. At the Bloomington Convention, a new political party (Republican) was fully organized. In four years, Lincoln would be propelled into the White House.

The book includes a number of interesting sketches, lengthy footnotes, a helpful bibliography, and an indexed.

The book was a good read. I'm glad to have finished it today, May 29, 2006.… (mehr)