Abraham Lincoln: The Fabled Liberator
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Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States is seen as the ÐGreat Emancipator of the Negroes. However it is evident that Lincolns own political ambitions played a greater role in influencing his views towards slavery. His desire for the liberation of slaves contained elements of politics, and his primary goal was to preserve the “union”. The Negro liberation was not initiated by Lincolns attempt to ban the expansion of slavery; rather it was to serve for the benefit of the superior whites. On the eve of the war of secession Lincoln viewed the slaves just a labor force that was essential to the southern resistance.
Lincoln served his own political interest, and wasnt concerned in direct intervention within slave states. He saw slavery as a political hot pot and was merely adhering to Republican politics. On July 4 1861, Lincoln addressed the Congress and reaffirmed that he had
“No purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with slavery in the states where it exist” (McPherson, pg 312).
He also made the remark that if he could save the Union and not free slaves he would, and that if he could save the union and free all slaves or even just a few he would do so (McPherson, pg 510). Lincoln didnt provide any insight on the elimination of the souths beloved institution; he did however express a hatred of the expansion of the “unusual institution” during the Lincoln-Douglas debates. However he said nothing about the abolition of the institution of slavery. By avoiding the issue of liberation he gained the support of non abolitionists and secured the anti-slavery vote. Lincoln was accused by Senator Douglas of supporting black citizenship and equality during the famous debates. Lincoln found this accusation very offensive and countered it by stating:
“I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing in anyway the political and social equality of the white and the black racesÐ.. There is physical difference between the two, which in my judgment will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality.” (McPherson, pg 186).
Providing free land and employment possibilities to whites was one of the foundations of the Republican Party. One way to achieve this was by putting a stop to the expansion of slavery. Lincoln himself took the responsibility of maintaining the partys doctrines. Without such a strong corner stone to unite the party it would have surely fallen (Fonner, pgs 215-216). When elected to office Lincoln continued to use slavery as a political tool in an attempt to put an end to the secession crisis.
On the eve of the crisiss climax Lincoln admitted that he was willing to give in to Southern demands, such as ending Northern resistance to an internal slave trade. If it were not for the strong stand of many Republican radicals the war of preservation may have been postponed (Fonner, pg 220). However in 1861 Lincoln made it clear that the constitution protected slavery in those (confederate) states and his administration was fighting the war to prevent secession by the states because that was unconstitutional and not slavery itself (McPherson, pg 312).
The real purpose for banning the expansion of slavery was to provide more land for the white settlers, not to improve the living conditions of Negroes. The National Era reported that many Americans opposed slavery; however the reason that slavery was so strongly opposed by so many whites was due to its negative effects on national honor and labor. There was little consideration for the well being or equality of the Negro (Fonner, Free, 265). Though Lincoln did believe that the Negro was a man, he knew that he was perceived as a lesser man than whites. Nonetheless even a lesser man was entitled to the basic natural rights of man. However he knew that equality among whites was not a natural right the public would allow. He did proclaim that the Negro deserved a chance to better himself, but equality among the whites (his masters) did not seem an attainable goal for the Negro (Fonner, 290).
Lincoln viewed the slave labor force as a back bone to the southern economy which was fueling the Confederate war effort. The motivation behind his Emancipation Proclamation had less to do with slave rights and more to do with crippling the Southern economy. On 13 July 1862 Lincoln informed some of his aides and colleagues that he intended to issue the emancipation proclamation document. The reasons that he gave for his actions was a measure to weaken the Southern resistance. Slaves in his view were an extremely important element of strength in the southern infrastructure (McPherson, pg 504). Lincoln had a plan to confiscate southern slaves and employ their own labor source against them. Some of his staff tried to argue that this action was unconstitutional, but Lincoln brushed them aside. He reminded his staff that the country was at war and that under war powers he could order the confiscation of the slaves. Through this policy Lincoln was striking blows at the Southern economy and providing the Negro with the opportunity to improve himself while warming the North to the idea of emancipation. He stated to his administration:
“The blow must fall first and foremost on [the rebels]ÐDecisive and extensive measures must be adoptedÐ…The Administration must set an example, and strike at the heart of the rebellion” (McPherson, pg 504).
However his statement freed no slaves in reality because his control over the slave states in rebellion was illusory. Lincoln recognized this; therefore he postponed the proclamations enforcement. He argued that:
“When I cannot even enforce the Constitution in the rebel statesÐ…what good would a proclamation of emancipation from me