Abraham Lincoln and Free Slavery Essay

Introduction

The 16^th President of the United States of America thought that his foremost duty was to preserve the federation at all costs. Abraham Lincoln is often considered as the greatest of the Presidents of the U.S.A. From very humble beginnings he rose to be the Chief Executive of the Nation and fulfilled what he conceived to be his duty without any compromise. However, one could clearly discern in his first inaugural address a spirit of compromise and not confrontation. One would in fact be surprised that the question of slavery did not weigh in his mind as much the unity of the federation, despite the fact that his upbringing was undoubtedly “anti-slavery”.

First Inaugural Speech

Some salient features in the first inaugural speech make it very clear his intention to preserve and protect the Constitution rather than abolition of the slavery as the prime issue in the Civil War. He made it very clear that the perpetuation of the Union of the States would be his paramount concern. Moreover, he made reference to the fact that the union was older than the constitution and referred to the spirit of the Articles of the Constitution 1774 and Articles of Confederation of 1788. He stressed that he would ‘protect the union’ and exhorted the dissidents to ‘protect the great national fabric’.

In his characteristic manner, he made the following very clear: “One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought not to be extended. This is the only substantial dispute.” It is of course, a surprise that he did not make slavery an issue in the inaugural address but that could be understood the context of weighty historical precedents.

Proclamation of Emancipation of Slavery

In 1863 Abraham Lincoln was forced to issue a proclamation of emancipation of slavery. Among other things, the proclamation stated : And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward 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.” Analysts are of the opinion that the proclamation actually did not free many in the dissident states and only the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865 put an end legally to slavery. But the war and the second inaugural had already paved the way for abolition of slavery, though preservation of the federation was supreme concern.

Conclusion

However, where the President’s heart lay is clearly manifested in the Gettysburg address. That immortal speech dedicated to the memory of those who had sacrificed their lives in the war makes a pointed reference to the spirit of the fathers of the constitution who believed that the new nation had been

conceived and dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal”. That he had to find a golden mean between his personal conviction and the duties of the exalted office was obvious. But when the situation so altered, he lost no time in issuing proclamation to free the slaves, though for all practical purposes it would take more time to become the ground reality. But it is beyond doubt that he made it very clear that a nation could not continue half-free and half-slave.

References

Abraham Lincoln, The First Inaugural Address.

Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address.

A Proclamation, By the President of the United States of America.