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Transilvania University of Braov

Faculty of Letters

Department of Romanian-English

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

BRAOV

2012

Supervisor: Senior LecturerOana-Andreea PRNU, PhD Student:Nechifor Crina Maria


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Sentence Outline

I. Introduction

This paper discusses Abraham Lincolns approach to slavery. Even though he did not consider

himself an abolitionist, he was the one who issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed

millions of slaves.

II. Body Content

Along with many northerners, Lincoln believed that free labour was superior to the slave-based

southern alternative. He was also a man free of social prejudice. Frederick Douglass, the great

African-American thinker, publisher, and abolitionist, met with Lincoln at the White House in

1864.

As the Civil War started, Abraham Lincoln proved his political loyalty to the Union. In July,

1862, the president informed leading cabinet members that he considered emancipation as a military

necessity.

September 22, 1862 was the day in which Lincoln issued The Preliminary Emancipation

Proclamation. The Unions intention of recruiting black soldiers was also announced in The

Emancipation Proclamation.

When judging Lincoln and his decision to emancipate the slaves, one must take into consideration

all of the constituting factors which helped influence Lincolns decision. Despite Lincolns clear

disapproval of slaverys existence, this did not necessarily mean he was willing to immediately end

it at the countrys expense.

III. Conclusion

Abraham Lincoln, best known as the Great Emancipator, was an important and complex personality

of American history. Even though he was a man free of social prejudice and strongly believed that

black slaves deserved to be free, the equality of race was not a focus of his presidency.

Abstract


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The present academic paper analysis Abraham Lincolns approach to slavery.The title of Great Emancipator became Lincolns with the signing of the

Emancipation Proclamation in September, 1862. Although it actually freed veryfew slaves - because it applied only to those areas in rebellion against the U.S. -it earned the enthusiasm of black and white abolitionists throughout the Union.The purpose of this paper is to find out if Lincoln was an abolitionist attempting

to conceal his identity in order to remain politically relevant or if he was merelyforced and pressured by others into ending an unpopular institution as a warmeasure to help preserve the Union.

Key Words: Abraham Lincoln, slavery, Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, freedom.

1. INTRODUCTION


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This paper discusses Abraham Lincolns approach to slavery, which was one of the most important

issues in American history.

Prior to the Civil War, President Lincolns position on slavery was one of strong dislike. He wanted

to restrict it to those areas in which it already existed, to stop its further expansion into U.S.

territory.

Lincoln did not consider himself an abolitionist, he did not want the immediate end of slavery in the

U.S. until the 13th Amendment was included into his party platform for the 1864 election.

After the beginning of the Civil War, Lincoln, from his position of President, issued the

Emancipation Proclamation in which was declared that:all persons held as slaves within any State

or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States,

shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." But this could only free the slaves that had already

joined the Unions side. As more areas of the South fell under Union control, millions of slaves

were freed because of Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation.

2 . Abraham Lincoln-a man free of social prejudice


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Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power.

(Abraham Lincoln: A legacy of freedom, 2008:41)

Along with many northerners, Lincoln believed that free labour was both economically and morally

superior to the slave-based southern alternative. Free labour, he asserted, has the inspiration of

hope; pureslavery has no hope. The power of hope upon human exertion andhappiness is

wonderful. The slave master himself has a conception of it. The slave whom you cannot drive with

the lash to break seventy-fivepounds of hemp in a day, if you will ask him to break a hundred, and

promise him pay for all he does over, he will break you a hundred and fifty. You have substituted

hope for the rod.(Abraham Lincoln: A legacy of freedom, 2008:24)

Lincoln always had the opinion that, under the Declaration of Independence, all men possessed

equally the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He was also a man free of

social prejudice, a rare thing if we were to consider the period in which he lived, the early and mid

19th century.

Frederick Douglass, the great African-American thinker, publisher, and abolitionist, met with

Lincoln at the White House in 1864 and later told that in his company I was never in any way

reminded of my humble origin, or of my unpopular colour. The president had received him just as

you have seen one gentleman receive another. The African-American concluded that Lincoln was,

in fact, one of the very few Americans to whom a Negro can talk without being constantly reminded

about his unpopular colour.

After considering the enormous degree of racism exhibited towards African Americans during the

mid-nineteenth century, Lincoln expressed a pessimistic view of African Americans future in the

United States after the Civil War. However, after he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, African

Americans were permitted to actively participate in the military. Witnessing the honour and pridein which African Americans fought for their freedom, Lincolns views of Blacks evolved. His

respect for them as American citizens grew tremendously. For example, he willingly accepted the

request of respected abolitionist Fredrick Douglass to increase the wages of Black Union soldiers.

3. Lincolns political loyalty to the Union


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As the Civil War started, Abraham Lincoln proved his political loyalty to the Union. He wrote to

the editor of the `New York Tribune` that his object in this conflict is to save the Union no matter

how. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or 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.

When a Union general took it upon himself to declare slavery abolished in parts of the South, the

President cancelled the order, reserving to himself the authority for such an act.

From Abraham Lincolns perspective, the problem was that the Northern public opinion was not

ready for emancipation. It was his rhetoric during the wars early years which prepared the nation

for this important change.

Even as he cancelled General David Hunters May 1862 liberation order, Lincoln carefully included

a paragraph asserting his authority to issue a similar order. In June, he began quietly to draft that

order. In July, the president informed leading cabinet members that he considered emancipation as a

military necessity. The black slaves represented a majority of the Confederacys labour force and

having them on the Unions side would have strengthen the North and weaken the Confederates.

Many whites who opposed the abolition and fought only to defend the Union could now see how

freeing the slaves might be decisive in the battle.

If they [African Americans] stake their lives for us they must be prompted by the strongest motive.

And the promise being made, must be kept. Why should they give their lives for us with full

notice of our purpose to betray them? ... I should be damned in time and in eternity for so doing.

The world shall know that I will keep my faith to friends and enemies, come what will. (Abraham

Lincoln: A legacy of freedom, 2008:51)

4. The Great Emancipator


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September 22, 1862 was the day in which Lincoln issued The Preliminary Emancipation

Proclamation. Three months later, in January, 1863, the president announced his intend to issue

another order in which it will be stated that all persons held as slaves within any state or designated

part of a state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then,

thenceforward, and forever free.

Lincoln kept his promise and issued what was to become known as The Emancipation

Proclamation which declared that all slaves within the Confederacy are, and thenceforward shall

be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval

authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

The Unions intention of recruiting black soldiers was also announced whit this occasion.

The future African-American leader Booker T. Washington was about seven years old when the

Emancipation Proclamation was read on his plantation. As he recalled in his 1901 memoirUp From

Slavery:As the great day grew nearer,there was more singing in the slavequarters than usual. It

was bolder,had more ring, and lasted laterinto the night. Most of the versesof the plantation

songs had somereference to freedom. Someman who seemed to be a stranger(a U.S. officer, I

presume) made alittle speech and then read a ratherlong paper the Emancipation

Proclamation, I think. After thereading we were told that we were allfree, and could go when and

wherewe pleased. My mother, who wasstanding by my side, leaned over andkissed her children,

while tears of joyran down her cheeks. She explainedto us what it all meant, that thiswas the day

for which she had beenso long praying, but fearing that shewould never live to see.(Abraham

Lincoln: A legacy of freedom, 2008:51)

5. Abraham Lincolns relation to the cause of emancipation


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A decade after Lincolns death, the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass explained Abrahams

relation to the cause of emancipation. He said that, compared with the other abolitionists, Lincoln

seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent but measured by the sentiment of his country, a

sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and

determined.

When judging Lincoln and his decision to emancipate the slaves, one must take into consideration

all of the constituting factors which helped influence Lincolns decision. Many historians have

considered factors such as the degree of pressure from his advisors, abolitionists, anti-slavery

cabinet members and the importance of the black men in the war. But the most significant factor

that influenced Lincoln to emancipate the slaves was the respect he had for the Constitution and the

principles it stood for.

Lincoln disagreed with slavery because it deprived people of life, liberty and the pursuit of

happiness. He considered that slavery was wrong because of numerous other reasons, but its

violation of democratic and egalitarian principles is the most significant.

Critics of Lincoln have argued that his approach towards emancipation was one of hesitancy and

reluctance. Lincoln exhibited racial prejudices regarding African Americans and their ability to

successfully assimilate to being normal participating members of American society. He also

opposed the interracial relationships and the amalgamation of the black and white races. Moreover,

the opinions Lincoln had regarding African Americans were one of ambiguity.

At times, Lincoln argued against slavery as a violation of the principles which the Constitution and

the Declaration of Independence were founded upon. He continuously argued against the popular

beliefs among slave-owners that slavery was a right protected by the Constitution. Yet, at the same

time, he constantly reminded Southerners that he meant no harm to slavery. Very often, Lincolns

hands were tied when attempting to attack slavery from behind a podium. Moreover, by speaking in

public against slavery, he risked causing more harm than good to the possibility of removing

slavery from the United States.

Prior to the start of the Civil War there had been several violent events that occurred over the

slavery issue in the United States including Bleeding Kansas, The Nat Turner rebellion and JohnBrowns raid on Harpers ferry. Lincoln was not responsible for any of these events. However,


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these events most certainly helped perpetuate the feeling of sectionalism among Northerners and

Southerners which lead to the beginning of the Civil War.

After the Peoria speech, Lincoln unknowingly and unintentionally continued on his path to

Presidency. Furthermore, he continued to battle slaverys expansion by debating Stephen A.

Douglass in a series of conferences in 1858 on a number of slavery-related topics including the

nationally dividing and controversial Dred Scott Supreme court decision of 1857 and the violence

provoking Kansas-Nebraska act of 1854.

Despite Lincolns clear disapproval of slaverys existence, this did not necessarily mean he was

willing to immediately end it at the countrys expense. In this speech, as in many others, Lincoln

willingly admitted that he would consent to the extension of it [slavery] rather than see the Union

dissolved. Additionally, fearing the idea of racially mixed society or the possibility of a race war

among blacks and whites, he repeatedly advocated for the gradual and compensated emancipation

of African American slaves followed by the policy of colonization, an idea which he himself had

admitted at times to be near impossible to effectively execute without utter disaster.

He also candidly admitted that he was not angry or resentful towards slaverys protectors (Southern

slave-owners) for refusing to forfeit their right to own slaves. In fact, he expressed sympathy and

understanding to their predicament by acknowledging the complexity of ending slavery.

This is no more evident in a letter Lincoln wrote to Kentucky Editor, Albert Hodges, in which

Lincoln admitted that slavery was an institution which he had always opposed and believed was

morally wrong, but had no right as a President to infringe upon its existence.

I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I cannot remember when I

did not so think and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an

unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgement and feeling.

Lincoln continued by asserting that he was not acting on his judgement or feelings regarding

slavery when he issued the Emancipation. Instead, to justify this act, he argued that he was acting

on his feelings regarding the war and his ability as President to uphold his oath to protect the

Constitution. Lastly, in this letter, Lincoln admitted his reluctance to free the slaves by the means of

an immediate emancipation. It was his intention to leave immediate emancipation as a last resort

after exhausting all other possibilities and being more supportive of a gradual and compensated

emancipation agreed by the state legislature. No state ever agreed to such plans, thus Lincoln was

forced to seek an alternative route.


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6.CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln, best known as the Great Emancipator, was an important and

complex personality of American history.

During his political career, he fought with his own views on African-Americans. It did not take

much time from expressing, during his 1858 debates, his view that whites were superior to blacks,

to implementing the Emancipation Proclamation. And this, in my opinion, proves what a

complicated figure he was.

Even though he was a man free of social prejudice and strongly believed that black slaves deserved

to be free, the equality of race was not a focus of his presidency. Lincoln argued that, in his best

judgement, by allowing slavery to exist, he risked losing the war. Therefore, he defended his

position to issue the Emancipation by calling it a war necessity.

Despite all the differences in the interpretation of his actions, Abraham Lincoln remains The Great

Emancipator.


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Bibliography

1.Abraham Lincoln: A Legacy of Freedom. 2008

2. Fredrickson, George M..Big Enough to Be Inconsistent Abraham Lincoln Confronts Slavery andRace. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2008

3. Gates, Henry Louis.Lincoln on Race & Slavery. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2009

4. Grant, Susan-Mary and Brian Holden Reid. Themes of the American Civil War. New York:Routledge, 2010

5. Lincoln, Abraham. The opinions of Abraham Lincoln upon slavery and its issues: indicated byhis speeches, letters, messages and proclamations.New York: Union League of America, 1864

6. http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/speeches.htm

7.http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/lincoln/mythtxt.htm

8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_and_slavery

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