Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Lincoln on Slavery

"Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that—
I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."


Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, Monday, March 4, 1861.  The more I read of Lincoln’s speeches, the more I’m disturbed by how I was deceived (knowingly or unknowingly) by my Public School elementary teachers about the “goodness” of this man.  Turns out he may not have hated slavery so much.  For more, read here, here, and here.

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