Lincoln and Slavery
in 1864: "If slavery isn't wrong, then nothing is wrong" (Loewen, 1995, p. 180)? Indeed it does, from Lincoln's point of view. Let me illustrate by providing probably the most often quoted statement made in 1862 in his letter to Horace Greeley's New York Tribune:
If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save the Union by freeing all of the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race I do because I believe it helps to save this Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.... I have here stated my purpose according to my official duty, and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men, everywhere could be free (Loewen, 1995, p. 181).
This illustrates several fine points about Lincoln. First, he made no secret of his ultimate and primary objective (though not the sole objective) as President: preserve the Union. And the first three lines of his statement are consistent with his aim. Second, he remained absolutely true to his assertion that he would be willing to free some while leaving others behind in order to save the United States. He did this with his Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 by declaring all persons held in bondage in states "currently in rebellion" free, while allowing the slaves in the four border states who remained loyal to the Union to remain subjugated. Thus, he was willing to free some--but not all--in the name of Union preservation. Of course, the Proclamation meant nothing unless the North won the war and a Constitutional amendment was passed outlawing slavery. But the political significance of his proclamation cannot be emphasized enough, and though, in reality, it freed not one individual, it was an action that supported his words and his true desire to see the slaves freed.
Finally, this quote shows how he was able and willing to separate personal wish from his public duty as President. To put this in better context, consider the current abortion debate. It is entirely possible--quite common, in fact--for an individual to abhor abortion as a procedure but stand firmly on the pro-choice platform. This is done by separating one's personal beliefs
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