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Lincoln on Slavery
Abraham Lincoln is often referred to as "The Great Emancipator" and yet, he did not publicly call for emancipation throughout his entire life. Lincoln began his public career by claiming that he was "antislavery" -- against slavery's expansion but not calling for immediate emancipation. However, the man who began as "antislavery" eventually issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in those states that were in rebellion. He vigorously supported the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery throughout the United States, and, in the last speech of his life, he recommended extending the vote to African Americans.
This brief study of Lincoln's writings on slavery contains examples of Lincoln's views on slavery. It also shows one of his greatest strengths: his ability to change as it relates to his public stance on slavery.
We are deeply indebted to the work of the Abraham Lincoln Association in collecting Lincoln's writings and publishing them as the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. It was from this monumental work that these selections were taken. The roman numerals and numbers at the end of each section refer to the volume and page of the Collected Works.
| "...the institution of slavery is founded upon both injustice and bad policy..." March 3, 1837 |
| "That sight was a continual torment to me..." August 24, 1855 |
| "...If A. can prove...that he may, of right enslave B. -- why may not B..." July 1, 1854 |
| "...I have no prejudice against the Southern people..." October 16, 1854 |
| "I have always hated slavery..." July 10, 1858 |
| "As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master..." August 1, 1858 |
| "...eradicating the light of reason and the love of liberty..." October 7, 1858 |
| "...our fathers did not make this nation half slave and half free..." October 13, 1858 |
| "...I combat it has having an evil tendency..." October 15, 1858 |
| "It is the eternal struggle between these two principles -- right and wrong..." October 15, 1858 |
| "I believe the declara[tion] that all men are created equal' is the great fundamental principle..." October 18, 1858 |
| "I do not wish to be misunderstood upon this subject of slavery..." March 1, 1859 |
| "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves..." April 6, 1859 |
| "I think Slavery is wrong, morally, and politically..." September 17, 1859 |
| "Free labor has the inspiration of hope; pure slavery has no hope..." September 17, 1859 |
| "...I am inflexible." February 1, 1861 |
| Lincoln's Last Public Address April 11, 1865 |
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