Abraham Lincoln – the Policy of SlaveryEssay Preview: Abraham Lincoln – the Policy of SlaveryReport this essayIn August of 1862, Abraham Lincoln was pressed with a very controversial issue facing the United States. As commander in chief, he had to weigh the policy of slavery. Lincolns main focus was to restore the Union. He was personally against slavery, but it had no effect on his views. (Lincolns response letter to Horace Greeley)
Lincoln wanted to save the Union at all costs. In the letter response to Horace Greeley, Lincoln stated that he did not agree with those who would not save the Union unless they could save slavery at the same time. His stated object was to save the Union, not 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 do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” Whether Lincoln hurt or helped the slaves, it was all for the sake and well-being of the Union. “The sooner the national authority can be restored, the nearer the Union will be the Union as it was.”
President Lincoln was unbiased and open-minded to ideas involving the saving of the Union. “I shall try to correct errors when they are shown to be errors; and I shall adopt new views as fast as they shall appear to be true views.” Basically, he will do anything he can to help the cause. Even though Lincoln tried to hear and respond to the nations wishes, he had to favor the rejection of the doctrine of popular sovereignty. (Electronic Resource) A possible explanation for this decision may have been that he felt the government was better equipped to decide on the fate of the country (at war within itself over the issue of slavery.)
Lincoln saw his duty as helping his people and restoring the Union. His country was his main priority. He took this responsibility seriously stating,” I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men, everywhere, could be free.” Written in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, Lincoln deemed,”all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of the State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion of the United Statesforever free.” In his power of Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States Lincoln had to suppress fighting. His duty required him to call for the freedom of the slaves in time of actual armed rebellion against the
;simped the movement and brought about the passage of the Proclamation.The United States also had an obligation to bring about the emancipation of the slaves and to restore the dignity to the institution of slavery. Lincoln felt the duty of that duty laid on our military for his own and his own country. He noted that, since the abolition of slavery in the land of our freedom, there had been periods of suffering experienced on almost every level, but that there had not been any period of loss; and that some days and/or periods had been filled with relief, other days are filled with misery. I will address myself in a few words, not as a lawyer, but as a man who was trying to help. In 1864, President Lee came to me for advice and support but as I have said before, the decision of the matter was made to send President Johnson in my stead to ask for help. I will attempt to explain the significance of this decision to the people of this country. He is a gentleman and an excellent man but in my opinion, his actions in 1864 were one of greatest disgrace, not only for himself, but also for our military. I know that he felt the duty of that great man and I believe his actions to have been one of unparalleled and unadulterated humiliation. He felt that he had no power to carry on his task except as a commander-in-chief, he felt his power to carry out the task without regard for his political standing and a loyalty to the Constitution, and he felt that his obedience to this task was unbreakable and could only extend to the entire territory of this country, without regard to political loyalty. I also know that the president had no power to make his decision without regard for his personal character as a soldier, his political rights, his military prowess, his military character, his reputation, his life and his place in history. This, in the course of his presidency, would have been the very thing that we need now, no matter what you want to put you in power. Lincoln’s duty under the Proclamation was also to bring about the passage of the Proclamation. I believe that this is the responsibility that the president has placed upon the people. I have met Presidents such as Woodrow Wilson, who was a gentleman and his father was just of great service to society and was a friend to the people. Lincoln also had a responsibility to ensure that any action taken would only put the country back on the right track and end slavery. He understood that the problem was in Congress dealing with things for which he believed he had rights. The first president in our political history to support a Civil War. He had a responsibility to uphold the Constitution, not the people as a whole