The national Republican., 1861-02-08
Some Opinions of Mr.. Lincoln.


PERTINENT TO THE PRESENT OCCASION.
~ say that we must not interfere with the
institution of slavery in the States where it ex.
lists, because the Constitution forbids it, and the
general welfare does not require US to do so.
We must not withhold an efficient fugitive slave
law, because the Constitution requires US, as
understand it, not to withhold such law. But
we must prevent the spreading of the in.
stitution, because neither the Constitution nor
the general welfare requires US to extend it.
We must prevent the revival of the African
slave trade, and the enacting by Congress of q
Territorial slave code. We must prevent each
of these things being done by either Congress
or courts. The people Of the United States are
the righttul masters of both Congresses and
courts-not to overthrow the Constitution, but
overthrow the men who pervert the Constitu.
tion !"-Speech at Cincinnati, September lS
1859.
al hold myself under constitutional obliga.
tions TO allow the people in all the States, with
out interference, direct or indirect, to do exact
ly as they please; and | deny that have any
inclination to interfere with them, even if there
were no such constitutional obligation. l can
only say again, that am placed improperly
altogether improperly, in spite Of all that can
say-when it is insisted that l entertain any
other views or purposes in regard to that mat
ter (slavery. .)"-Speech at Jonesborough, Ill.,,
Sept. l6, 1858.
"While it slavery drives on in its state of
progress as it is now driving, and as it has
driven for the last five years, have ventured
the opinion, and say to-day, that we will have
no end to the slavery agitation until it takes
one turn or the other. do not mean that when
it takes turn toward ultimate extinction it
will be in a day, nor in a year, nor in two
years. do not suppose that in the most peace
full way ultimate extinction would occur in less
than a hundred years at least but that it will
occur in the best way for both races, in Gods
own good time, have no doubt .'-Speech a,
Charleston, Ill.,, Sept. l8, 1858.
"Mr. Douglass popular sovereignty, as a
principle, is simply this: If one man chooses
to make slave of another, neither that man
nor anybody else has right to Object
Speech at Cincinnati, Sept II, 1859.
al have intimated that thought the agita.
ton of slavery would not cease until crisis
should be reached and passed. l have stated
in what way have thought it would be reached
and passed. We might, by arresting the fur.
ther spread Of it, and placing it where the
fathers originally placed it, put it where the
public mind should rest in the belief that it was
in the course Of ultimate extinction. Thus the
agitation may cease. 1t may be pushed for.
ward until it shall become alike lawful in all
the States old as well as new, North as well as
South. entertain the opinion, upon evidence
sufficient to my mind, that the fathers of this
Government placed that institution where the
public mind did rest in the belief that it was in
the course Of ultimate extinction and when |
desire to see the further spread Of it arrested,
only say that desire to see that done which
the fathers have first done. 1t is not true that
our fathers, as Judge Douglas assumes, made
this Government part slave and part free, I'm
derstand the sense in which he puts it-he as
sumes that slavery is a rightful thing within
itsclf-was introduced by the trainers of the
Constitution. The exact truth is, that they
found the institution existing among us, anc
they left it as they found it. But in making
the Government, they left this institution will
many clear marks of disapprobation upon it
They found slavery among them, and they lei
it among them because Of the dificulty-th
absolute impossibility of its immediate re
moval."-Speech at Alton, Oct. ls, 1858.
"Let me say have no prejudice against tn
Southern people. They are just what we woul
be in their situation. If slavery did not exis
among them they would not introduce it.
it did now exist among US, we should not il
stantly give it up. This believe of the masse
North and South. Doubtless there are ind
viduals on both sides who would not hold slave
under any circumstances; and others VIII
would gladly introduce slavery anew if it wer
now out of existence. We know that som
Southern men do free their slaves, go Nortt
and become tip-top abolitionists while som
Northern ones 60 South, and become most cru,
slave masters.
"When Southern people tell us they are
more responsible for the origin of slavery tha
we are, i acknowledge the fact. When it
said that the institution exists, and that it
very difficult to get rid of it in any satisfaction
way, can understand and appreciate the sa
ing. l surely will not blame them for not d
ing what should not know how to do myse
ii all earthly power were given me, shou
not know what to do, as to the existing instit
ton. My first impulse would be to free all II
slaves, and send them to Liberia-to their ow
native lsni. But moments reflection woul