Abraham Lincoln Quote About Not Freeing Slaves
Abraham Lincoln is widely known as the president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in the United States. However, Lincoln once said, "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that."
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. It declared that all slaves in the Confederate states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." However, it did not apply to slaves in the border states that were loyal to the Union or in areas that had already been captured by Union forces.
The Emancipation Proclamation was not an immediate solution to slavery. It did not end slavery in the United States, but rather it was a strategic move to weaken the Confederate forces by depriving them of their labor force. The proclamation also paved the way for the 13th Amendment, which officially ended slavery in the United States in 1865.
The Civil War
The Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Confederate states, who seceded from the United States to preserve slavery, and the Union states, who fought to preserve the Union and eventually end slavery. The war claimed the lives of over 620,000 Americans and resulted in the abolition of slavery.
During the war, Lincoln faced immense pressure from both sides. Abolitionists, who were fervently against slavery, urged him to issue an executive order to free the slaves, while others believed that ending the war and preserving the Union should be the top priority.
The Importance of the Union
For Lincoln, preserving the Union was the most important objective. He believed that the United States was a "government of the people, by the people, for the people" and that it was his duty to uphold the Constitution and preserve the Union.
Lincoln recognized that slavery was a moral evil and that it was incompatible with the principles of democracy. However, he also recognized that ending slavery would require a constitutional amendment, and that such an amendment would not be possible if the Union was dissolved.
The Legacy of Lincoln
Lincoln's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is widely recognized as one of America's greatest presidents, primarily for his role in preserving the Union and ending slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment were significant milestones in the fight for civil rights and equality in the United States.
However, Lincoln's quote about not freeing slaves as a priority serves as a reminder that even the most revered figures in history are not infallible. It also highlights the political realities and compromises that are often necessary to effect change in a democratic society.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln's quote about not freeing slaves as a priority may seem surprising, given his reputation as the Great Emancipator. However, it is a testament to the political complexities of the time and the challenges that Lincoln faced in preserving the Union and ending slavery. Lincoln's legacy is a reminder that progress is often slow and incremental, and that even the most noble goals often require difficult compromises.
