Abraham Lincoln-The Racist?

Abraham Lincoln-The Racist?

Let’s remove those rose-tinted glasses

Most Americans think of Abraham Lincoln as one of the best presidents the U.S. has ever had, and that he was a very progressive leader seeing as how he passed the Emancipation Proclamation and ended slavery.

But how progressive was he? What were his motives for ending slavery?

If we look at history it seems he truly was against the institution of slavery, but not to the level we’ve been led to believe.

“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.” -Abraham Lincoln(August 1, 1858, Fragment on Democracy)

He was willing to leave the institution of slavery intact in states that had already had it, in an attempt to prevent the secession of states.

Even going so far as to throw his support behind the Corwin Amendment, which would have protected slavery in the states where it already existed, as a measure to prevent secession.

“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, 1861

It seems his political pragmatism took priority over freeing any slaves. He wanted to keep the support of the more conservative types in the Union, as well as try to keep support from the progressive abolitionists. Politicking as politicians do.