Lincoln’s ideas about slavery and race are inevitably intertwined. Lincoln acknowledges that the idea of perfect social equality between whites and blacks is nothing but a specious argument because of the significant differences between the two groups. For example, Lincoln notes, “there is a physical difference between the two, which, in my judgment, will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality” (1). However, Lincoln argues, “there is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”(1). Furthermore, Lincoln acknowledges that the black man is “as much entitled to these as the white man” (1). Lincoln admits that he believes the black man is not his equal in color, and perhaps even in moral or intellectual endowment; however, the black man is still entitled “to eat the bread, without the leave of anybody else, which his own hands earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man” (1). In response to allegations that Northerners wished to free slaves in order to marry black women, Lincoln contests that he has never had a black woman for either a slave or a wife, indicating that it is “quite possible for us to get along without making either slaves or wives of negroes” (2). Lincoln summarizes his view on race, stating, “I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the negro should be denied every thing” (2).
Lincoln regards slavery as a moral, social, and political wrong. Furthermore, Lincoln argues against the institution of slavery because of “the monstrous injustice of slavery itself” (5). Lincoln continues, stating, “I hate slavery because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world–enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites–causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves into an open war with the very fundamental principles of civil liberty–criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that there is no right principle of action but self-interest” (5).
Lincoln’s outlook on race, although not one that promotes equality between the two races, heavily influences his attitude towards slavery. Although Lincoln believes that blacks and whites are not equal physically or intellectually; nevertheless, they deserve the rights guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence. Thus, Lincoln criticizes slavery as it deprives blacks of these inalienable rights. Furthermore, Lincoln condemns slavery as it labels the United States as hypocrites to the rest of the world. This idea is directly related to Lincoln’s view on race as the Declaration of Independence created all men equal in “certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (4). Hence, if blacks are refused these rights, the United States appears as disregarding the principles of the Declaration. Another similarity between slavery and race is Lincoln’s belief that the war would not have occurred if slavery were nonexistent, and as a result, the two races should be separated. Lincoln himself strongly recommended that blacks emigrate as reducing “the supply of black labor, by colonizing the black laborer out of the country, and, by precisely so much, you increase the demand for, and wages of, white labor”(9). Furthermore, Lincoln stresses that his goal is to save the Union, and “is not either to save or destroy slavery” (8). As Jocelyn points out, this didn’t make sense initially as Lincoln refers to slavery as an evil institution and is determined to prevent the spread of slavery. However after further thought, I believe that perhaps because of Lincoln’s belief in white superiority, he was not eager to free slaves, unless it benefitted the Union.