Abraham Lincoln: Equality - East Hartford, CT

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Equality

East Hartford, CT

Topic: Abraham Lincoln

Equality

Plaque

GPS: N41° 45.569; W 072° 39.547

Quick Description: 

Equality is the title of an abstract sculpture located at the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront in East Hartford, CT.

Long Description:

Sixteen abstract and traditional sculptures related to the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln are installed along the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront in Hartford and East Hartford. Lincoln Financial is an insurance company based in Philadelphia with offices in Hartford.

Lincoln's views on equality evolved throughout his presidency. Although anti-slavery he did not support equality among the races. His attitude changed during the Civil War and during his second presidency he strongly supported the 13th Amendment and voting rights for black men.

An abstract sculpture by Del Geist, entitled Equality, is located at the entrance to Riverfront Park in East Hartford. A metal tripod has three clasps, each holding a vertical stack of slate slabs. The three stacks balance suggesting the concept of equality.

A plaque, adjacent to the sculpture, contains the opening lines of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and is inscribed: 

{Profile of Lincoln}

Lincoln

Financial

Sculpture 

Walk at

Riverfront

{five wavy lines}

Equality

Del Geist, 2007

"Forescore and seven years ago our fathers

brought forth on this continent, a new nation,

conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the

proposition that all men are created equal"

Although Abraham Lincoln considered himself anti-

slavery, he did not really embrace social and intellectual

equality between the races. Lincoln was, however, a man

who was open to change and over the course of his 

presidency his opinion on race evolved. He was so

impressed with the role black troops played in winning

the Civil War that as the war ended he reversed his original

position and advocated on their behalf for retroactive

equal pay. He proudly and publicly acknowledged his

friendship with and admiration of Fredrick Douglass, who

had actively recruited black soldiers. Early in his

political career Lincoln had spoken out against granting

citizenship to former slaves. He launched his second term

as president by supporting the 13th Amendment

which abolished slavery and set the stage for the 15th

Amendment which gave African American men the right

to vote.