Abraham Lincoln and Race and Slavery
By Megan Francis
University at Buffalo Honors Program
Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States of America, vehemently opposed the institution of slavery, but maintained a pragmatically directed view on the issue of race in order to appease the large population of white supremacists that existed in the North. Although many northerners opposed slavery, they were hesitant to accept African Americans into their social, economic, and political system; therefore, Lincoln delayed issuing the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation until September 22, 1862, two years after the Civil War had commenced. However, prior to his presidency, Lincoln had an active political career, which he utilized to demonstrate his opposition to slavery. As a Whig representative in the United States Congress from 1847 to 1849, Lincoln proposed a resolution that called for the gradual compensated abolition in the District of Columbia; however, the resolution was not passed. Establishing himself as an antislavery politician, Lincoln received the Republican nomination and won for presidency in 1860. As a result of his election, seven southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy. Fearing other states would follow, Lincoln stated on March 4, 1861 in his First Inaugural Address, "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." He maintained that his purpose was to save the Union, not to free the slaves. As the Civil War continued, Lincoln received pressure to take a stand on slavery, and, although he feared its consequences, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. Pertaining to the abolition of slavery in states still in rebellion, the Emancipation Proclamation failed to actually free any slaves but gave hope to slaves as well as free blacks. Lincoln clearly opposed slavery; however, his attitude towards the equality of the races was uncertain.
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