This essay was written as a creative exercise to explore the role of civics, civility, and collaboration within a functioning government. Tawin Wattanakit imagined a moment in the past and used it to inspire the future. Italicized sentences are quotes from Lincoln’s own speeches.

Watching the reenactment of the debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas on YouTube, I wish I could be at the debate in person and have a chance to ask Mr. Lincoln a few questions. If I were there, my questions would be:

“How do you show civility to other people?”

Mr. Lincoln replied, “It is not difficult. One act of kindness to other people will make them want to do acts of kindness, too.”

“What if you don’t like that person? Do you have to be civil to him?” I asked.

Mr. Lincoln chuckled and said, “Son, you still need to be civil to that person even if he is not civil to you. Civility is a reflection of who you are, whether you are a good person or bad person. Civility is what we need to make our democracy stronger. Let me give you one example. Have you heard of the caning of Charles Sumner?”

“Yes, Mr. Lincoln. I read about it in a book. It was Mr. Brooks who beat

Mr. Sumner, wasn’t it, Sir?”

“Yes, you are right, but my point isn’t who beat Mr. Sumner. This type of violence is what happens when people are not civil to each other. When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion — kind, unassuming persuasion — should ever be adopted. It is an old and a true maxim that ‘a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.’ Have you heard of that?” Mr. Lincoln asked me.

I shook my head and remembered how Lincoln said at the end of his first inaugural address that “we are not enemies but friends.” Looking at him with admiration, I asked him another question.

“What about civics, Mr. Lincoln?”

“Understanding civic duty means you have to do whatever you can do for the country. You have to know your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. For me, I will try very hard to save the Union. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union,” Mr. Lincoln said with passion.

“Sir, you sound like Mr. Nelson Mandela. He used rugby as a way to unite South Africa. He didn’t like the country to be divided either.” Mr. Linoln must have thought I was babbling some nonsensical ideas as he went on to say,

“Secession would destroy the only democracy in existence and prove for all time — to both future Americans and the world — that a government of the people could not survive. It is the responsibility of every American to follow this principle so that democracy shall not perish from the earth. That is what I think being a citizen means.” Mr. Lincoln spoke firmly.

“That is why collaboration is important. Am I right, Mr. Lincoln?” I asked.

“Correct, if we work together, we strengthen our republic. Collaboration is a foundation of democracy. Sometimes I disagree with a person. I might not share my opinions with some people, but can still collaborate with them to get an even better solution than being angry at them. Mr. Brooks and Mr. Sumner had different opinions, but they could have collaborated instead of just criticizing each other.”

“So I guess the quote, ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ is really true, isn’t it?” I asked.

Mr. Lincoln chuckled and said, “I guess if you put it that way, I suppose it’s true.”

Suddenly I heard a bell ring, and I opened my eyes. The bell was my alarm clock. I woke up finding myself on my bed. Sitting up, I saw a book on my desk entitled Lincoln at Peoria. I was relieved that I now had an idea of what I would write for my Law Day essay contest.