Don't Quote Me!

[matthew mckeon]

Here's a quotation we have all read, probably in different places.

"If I could free all the slaves and preserve the Union, I would do that. If I could free none of the slaves and preserve the Union I would do that. If I could free some slaves and leave others in place and save the Union, I would to that also."

This is Abraham Lincoln writing to Horace Greeley.

Seems like its "save the Union" in first place, and "free the slaves" nowhere. It's often cited as Lincoln being indifferent to slavery.

Or does it?

Lincoln was responding to Greeley's editorial in favor of emancipation. He had been attempting, since taking office, to contain the rebellion(as he saw it). Correctly understanding that the Confederates were motivated by anxiety over the future of slavery, with a president openly hostile to slavery, Lincoln attempt to soothe this anxiety be assuring people repeatedly that he would not interfere with slavery, where it already existed, without compromising on his campaign promise to restrict the spread of slavery from the western territories.

 

[matthew mckeon]

So Lincoln had been pursuing a policy of "free none of the slaves and preserve the Union," for over a year. When officers like Fremont or Hunter attempted limited emancipation in their areas, Lincoln checked them.

What Lincoln is saying is not that he's indifferent to slavery, but rather the end of American slavery was now at hand. Not freeing slaves was an option that had already been tried. Emancipation was now in the cards.

 

[Glorybound]

Here's a quotation we have all read, probably in different places.

"If I could free all the slaves and preserve the Union, I would do that. If I could free none of the slaves and preserve the Union I would do that. If I could free some slaves and leave others in place and save the Union, I would to that also."

This is Abraham Lincoln writing to Horace Greeley.

Seems like its "save the Union" in first place, and "free the slaves" nowhere. It's often cited as Lincoln being indifferent to slavery.

Or does it?

Lincoln was responding to Greeley's editorial in favor of emancipation. He had been attempting, since taking office, to contain the rebellion(as he saw it). Correctly understanding that the Confederates were motivated by anxiety over the future of slavery, with a president openly hostile to slavery, Lincoln attempt to soothe this anxiety be assuring people repeatedly that he would not interfere with slavery, where it already existed, without compromising on his campaign promise to restrict the spread of slavery from the western territories.

Yeah I totally agree with what you've written here. Was there a question about it, or something? Lincoln's sole purpose is to save the Union, but he's not giving up on limiting the expansion of slavery into the territories.

 

[Glorybound]

So Lincoln had been pursuing a policy of "free none of the slaves and preserve the Union," for over a year. When officers like Fremont or Hunter attempted limited emancipation in their areas, Lincoln checked them.

What Lincoln is saying is not that he's indifferent to slavery, but rather the end of American slavery was now at hand. Not freeing slaves was an option that had already been tried. Emancipation was now in the cards.

Oh, sorry, you weren't done. Yes, I think Lincoln and the Republican Party are absolutely limiting the growth of slavery and, by virtue of that containment alone, it's only a matter of time before slavery is done and gone.

 

[NedBaldwin]

Here is the last sentence of the letter to Greeley, that generally gets chopped of when the quote is tossed around:

"I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men every where could be free."

 

[bama46]

Here's a quotation we have all read, probably in different places.

"If I could free all the slaves and preserve the Union, I would do that. If I could free none of the slaves and preserve the Union I would do that. If I could free some slaves and leave others in place and save the Union, I would to that also."

This is Abraham Lincoln writing to Horace Greeley.

Seems like its "save the Union" in first place, and "free the slaves" nowhere. It's often cited as Lincoln being indifferent to slavery.

Or does it?

Lincoln was responding to Greeley's editorial in favor of emancipation. He had been attempting, since taking office, to contain the rebellion(as he saw it). Correctly understanding that the Confederates were motivated by anxiety over the future of slavery, with a president openly hostile to slavery, Lincoln attempt to soothe this anxiety be assuring people repeatedly that he would not interfere with slavery, where it already existed, without compromising on his campaign promise to restrict the spread of slavery from the western territories.

While I a gree in principle with your analysis, I think the political Lincoln is playing a role here as well. His first thought was 'save the union", but had he had tried to end slavery at that time (1862?) I think he would have had another rebellion on his hands. I don't believe The north was not ready to fight to end slavery at that time.. that concept would come later

 

[ole]

Lincoln pushed and pulled but wouldn't go beyond the readiness of his base. That frustrated the hell out of Frederick Douglass who wanted Lincoln to do it now. Lincoln waited until the time was right.

 

[Borderruffian]

So Lincoln had been pursuing a policy of "free none of the slaves and preserve the Union," for over a year. When officers like Fremont or Hunter attempted limited emancipation in their areas, Lincoln checked them.

Lincoln had no choice but to check Fremont and Hunter, their orders of Emancipation were illegal and founded in nothing more than a questionable Declaration of Martial Authority, and were issued with out the consent of the National Command Authority, quite simply Hunter and Fremont were out of their lane issuing any such order.

Hunter had a better shot at his as it was issued in states in secession. Fremont (King of Missouri) was totally out his lane in attempting to usurp by Martial Authority the federal civil laws and state laws of a state not in secession.

 

[matthew mckeon]

While I a gree in principle with your analysis, I think the political Lincoln is playing a role here as well. His first thought was 'save the union", but had he had tried to end slavery at that time (1862?) I think he would have had another rebellion on his hands. I don't believe The north was not ready to fight to end slavery at that time.. that concept would come later

Political Lincoln was definitely playing a role.

Lincoln was ready to issue the Emancipaton Proclamation by the end of the summer of 1862. As per Seward's advice, he waited for a victory before doing so, Antietam sort of filling the bill.

It's also important to see this as part of other events happening at the same time: the Confiscation Acts, the contraband policy and large numbers of people escaping from slavery.