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"...His Truth is Marching On..." A Prelude to the Civil War: 1859-1861 By Bryce O. Stenzel The main title of this dramatic play, "...His Truth is Marching On..." was derived from Julia Ward Howe's stirring, "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Howe penned the inspirational lyrics to this song after attending a U.S. Army troop review, where she heard a contingent of Union troops singing "John Brown's Body." Although irreverent, the original words to the song underscored fiery abolitionist John Brown's successful exploitation of the means to reinvent himself as a "martyr of liberty," in the wake of his arrest, trial, conviction and execution, for attempting to lead a slave revolt at Harper's Ferry, VA., on October 16, 1859. The issue of abolishing slavery, as thrust into the national consciousness by John Brown's militant actions at Harper's Ferry, haunted Abraham Lincoln throughout his nomination, election and term as the nation's chief executive. Brown's "truth" was that violence was justified to bring about social change. Lincoln abhorred violence, believing that reason and the rule of law were the only means of sustaining lasting reform of the social order. The audience is left to ponder, whose "truth" does it subscribe to? 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's election to the U.S. presidency, on November 6, 1860. As the play makes clear, Lincoln's successful nomination and election to the nation's highest office was not a foregone conclusion. Rather, only an extraordinary set of circumstances enabled Lincoln to become President. The 1860 presidential election represented the triumph of democracy in the world, through the selection of a true "man of the people." However; it also precipitated a sectional crisis that soon led to the bloodiest war this nation has ever known. Today, America is once again "a house divided against itself". It will not stand, unless we learn the lessons of history, to avoid repeating the same mistakes of our ancestors. It is hoped this play will both invoke the "mystic chords of memory," and bring forth, "the better angels of our nature." B/W photographs. For schools, community theatre organizations, etc. Minnesota Heritage Publishing offers a quantity discount: To order by mail: Click here for an order form. Schools, community theater organizations, etc. About the author Bryce O. Stenzel was born and raised in rural Mankato, Minnesota. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Teaching and a Master's Degree in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He teaches full-time at the elementary and secondary levels as well as offers Community Education classes on historical topics throughout the year. As a costumed historical interpreter, Stenzel portrays Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters and a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. His first book, Abraham Lincoln: Man of the People was published in 1996. He has since published two other books; Mankato Milestones, 1852-2002: The Historians Handbook of Facts and Folklore from the Mankato Area, German Immigration to the Minnesota River Valley Frontier 1852-1865; and three playbooks, Lincoln for the Stages, Two Men, One Dream and To Bind the Nation’s Wounds: Lincoln’s Last Days. When he's not teaching, writing or portraying America's 16th president, Stenzel enjoys travel and photography. Lincoln Lives! Bryce Stenzel impersonates Abraham Lincoln |
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