Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860. During his first part of presidency, he said he was only "antislavery", or against the expansion of slavery. He is most well known for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery in some states. Lincoln also fully supported the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the Unites States. During the last speech of his life, Lincoln suggested extending the vote to African Americans. President Lincoln was truly a revolutionary leader.
President Lincoln on Slavery
Lincoln first publicly declared against slavery in 1837 at the age of 28:
"Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both branches of the General Assembly at its present session, the undersigned hereby protest against the passage of the same.
They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both injustice and bad policy; but that the promulgation of abolition doctrines tends rather to increase than to abate its evils.
They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power, under the constitution, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the different States.
They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power, under the constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia; but that that power ought not to be exercised unless at the request of the people of said District.
The difference between these opinions and those contained in the said resolutions, is their reason for entering this protest."
Here, Lincoln is protesting slavery, saying that the United States should stop just talking about abolishing slavery and just do it. The more it is just talked about, the worse it gets. Lincoln states that only the people, and not the government, have the power to abolish slavery.
Many years later, in 1854, Lincoln brought up a very important point about slavery:
Many years later, in 1854, Lincoln brought up a very important point about slavery:
"If A. can prove, however conclusively, that he may, of right, enslave B. -- why may not B. snatch the same argument, and prove equally, that he may enslave A?--
You say A. is white, and B. is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own.
You do not mean color exactly?--You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks, and, therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care again. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.
But, say you, it is a question of interest; and, if you can make it your interest, you have the right to enslave another. Very well. And if he can make it his interest, he has the right to enslave you."
Lincoln argues that anyone has the right to own anyone else. If you are a white person who has lighter skin and is a little bit smarter than another white person then, by the rules of slavery, you have the right to enslave them. Lincoln possibly used this point to scare slave owners into thinking that they too could become slaves.
In 1855, Lincoln wrote to his friend, Joshua Speed, expressing his incredible hatred for slavery:
In 1855, Lincoln wrote to his friend, Joshua Speed, expressing his incredible hatred for slavery:
"You know I dislike slavery; and you fully admit the abstract wrong of it. So far there is no cause of difference. But you say that sooner than yield your legal right to the slave -- especially at the bidding of those who are not themselves interested, you would see the Union dissolved. I am not aware that any one is bidding you to yield that right; very certainly I am not. I leave that matter entirely to yourself. I also acknowledge your rights and my obligations, under the constitution, in regard to your slaves. I confess I hate to see the poor creatures hunted down, and caught, and carried back to their stripes, and unrewarded toils; but I bite my lip and keep quiet. In 1841 you and I had together a tedious low-water trip, on a Steam Boat from Louisville to St. Louis. You may remember, as I well do, that from Louisville to the mouth of the Ohio there were, on board, ten or a dozen slaves, shackled together with irons. That sight was a continual torment to me; and I see something like it every time I touch the Ohio, or any other slave-border. It is hardly fair to you to assume, that I have no interest in a thing which has, and continually exercises, the power of making me miserable. You ought rather to appreciate how much the great body of the Northern people do crucify their feelings, in order to maintain their loyalty to the constitution and the Union.
I do oppose the extension of slavery, because my judgment and feelings so prompt me; and I am under no obligation to the contrary."
In the letter, Lincoln recalled a situation where he witnessed a large group of human beings being treated like animals. This situation was obviously one that shaped Lincoln's view on slavery. If something is "a continual torment" to somebody, then it is understandable for them to want to change that something.
Three years later, Lincoln gave a speech in Chicago, reiterating his hatred towards slavery:
Three years later, Lincoln gave a speech in Chicago, reiterating his hatred towards slavery:
"I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist. I have been an Old Line Whig. I have always hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of the introduction of the Nebraska Bill began. I always believed that everybody was against it, and that it was in course of ultimate extinction.
I have said a hundred times, and I have now no inclination to take it back, that I believe there is no right, and ought to be no inclination in the people of the free States to enter into the slave States, and interfere with the question of slavery at all."
In the speech, Lincoln refers to himself as an Abolitionist. The Nebraska Bill that he mentioned was one where new territory was settled in America where slaves could still be owned. Lincoln could not believe that there were still people out there who were for slavery and who were keeping it alive and running.
The same year, 1858, Lincoln publicly gave his Definition of Democracy:
The same year, 1858, Lincoln publicly gave his Definition of Democracy:
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy."
Lincoln is saying that as long as owning slaves is legal, American will not be a democracy. He feels that a democracy is where everyone is free and where everyone has a choice in what they want to be.
In the following year, Lincoln gave another speech in Chicago in which he introduced an interesting way to rid America of slavery:
In the following year, Lincoln gave another speech in Chicago in which he introduced an interesting way to rid America of slavery:
"I do not wish to be misunderstood upon this subject of slavery in this country. I suppose it may long exist, and perhaps the best way for it to come to an end peaceably is for it to exist for a length of time. But I say that the spread and strengthening and perpetuation of it is an entirely different proposition. There we should in every way resist it as a wrong, treating it as a wrong, with the fixed idea that it must and will come to an end."
Lincoln states that perhaps the safest way to rid America of slavery is to just ride it out, while remembering that is is wrong and also remembering that it needs to come to an end.
When looking at Lincoln's early speeches and writings, it is already evident that he has very strong feelings against slavery. When we skip ahead 4 years into the future, in 1862, Lincoln finally puts his words into actions, putting into effect the Emancipation Proclamation:
When looking at Lincoln's early speeches and writings, it is already evident that he has very strong feelings against slavery. When we skip ahead 4 years into the future, in 1862, Lincoln finally puts his words into actions, putting into effect the Emancipation Proclamation:
"...That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."
And with the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln finally took action in doing what he, ever since that boat trip with his friend in 1841, has believed to be the right thing to do.
Looking back on everything that Lincoln has done and has said, it is completely evident that he was a man of his word, saying what others were too afraid to say, speaking up for the voiceless, and sending America into a more equal path.
Looking back on everything that Lincoln has done and has said, it is completely evident that he was a man of his word, saying what others were too afraid to say, speaking up for the voiceless, and sending America into a more equal path.