Lincoln Ami's SOA Lincoln Quote of the Day

" My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union…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."
letter to Horace Greeley, 22 August 1862
 
" My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union…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."
letter to Horace Greeley, 22 August 1862
Mr. Lincoln's beliefs on the subject of slavery evolved over time. This letter was written in 1862 (that is, when he was merely anti-slavery--and this stance was one of several competing priorities). Less than a year later, he had developed to the stage that he could issue the Emancipation Proclamation. In the end, in an address before Congress on 1 Feb 1865, he said that he had never shrunk from doing all he could to eradicate slavery because he wished to remove an impediment to the reunion of all the states; he went on to say the the Emancipation Proclamation fell short of what the 13th amendment would be. In Lincoln's second inaugural address (4 March 1865), he said:that the war wouldn't end "until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn by the lash, shall be paid by another drawn by the sword."

Or, to quote the assessment of Dr. Sinha (Draper Chair of History, University of Connecticut): "He achieved greatness by adopting the slave's cause."

[emphasis is mine]
 
“No, General Ripley, it is impossible for me to adopt and follow your suggestions. I deeply appreciate the feeling which has led you to urge them on me, but I must go on as I have begun in the course marked out for me; for I cannot bring myself to believe that any human being lives who would do me any harm.”
Richmond, VA. April 5, 1865 when general Edward Ripley informed Lincoln about a plot on the president's life.
As prescient as Lincoln was, he was also naive to the utmost degree as shown here.
 
"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.' - Lincoln's Farewell to the People of Springfield, February 11, 1861
It was indeed the greatest task an American President has ever faced. I hope none ever have to surpass what Lincoln had to endure.
 
Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties. And not to Democrats alone do I make this appeal, but to all who love these great and true principles.

Speech at Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 27, 1856
Respectfully,

William
I feel that if Lincoln were alive in the 2020s of the 21st century, he would not be a Republican. In Lincoln's time, it was the Republicans who were the liberal party, and the Democrats the Conservatives.
 
My favorite quote is actually a story. In the 1850's, while running for the U.S. Senate, Abe was confronted by a workman who had been working on his house - possibly his porch - and who told the future President that his wife (Mary Lincoln) had just chastised and excoriated him for something that she perceived he was doing wrong. In response, Abe said words to the effect, "My good man, if I have put up with it for 25 years, you can put up with it for 10 minutes...." The workman went on to tell a local journalist, and the story went on all the wires - around the country. People across the country were thoroughly entertained; men everywhere realized that the backwoods lawyer was in the same position as themselves. Only men had the vote - but in a nation where men outnumbered women 2 to 1. it was the matriarch who ruled the household.
Ron Nasif,
Falmouth MA
 
"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, 'The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.'
second inaugural address, 4 March 1865
 
" Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal…we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
address at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, 19 November 1863
 
Back
Top