“Whether slavery shall go into Nebraska, or other new territories, is not a matter of exclusive concern to the people who may go there. The whole nation is interested that the best use shall be made of these territories. We want them for the homes of free white people.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
Quote
“Whether slavery shall go into Nebraska, or other new territories, is not a matter of exclusive concern to the people who may go there. The whole nation is interested that the best use shall be made of these territories. We want them for the homes of free white people.”
Explanation
This quote reflects the political and social climate of the mid-19th century United States and Lincoln’s views on slavery and the expansion of the nation. Lincoln argues that the issue of whether slavery should extend into new territories, such as Nebraska, is not solely for the inhabitants of those territories to decide. Instead, it is a matter of national concern, as the use of these lands affects the future of the entire country. Lincoln’s statement highlights his belief that the expansion of slavery into new territories should be prevented, not just for the sake of those living in the territories but for the broader moral and economic interests of the nation. He expresses a desire to populate these areas with free white settlers, framing the argument as one for the development of a free-labor economy rather than a slave-based system.
Historically, this quote is situated within the context of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed the settlers of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery, effectively overturning the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Lincoln, as a member of the Republican Party, strongly opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories and believed it would undermine the nation’s ideals of freedom and equality. His stance was grounded in the belief that allowing slavery to expand would perpetuate a system of racial inequality and hold back the economic development of the West. The reference to “free white people” reflects the racial attitudes of the time, where the settling of the West was often framed in terms of creating an environment for white settlers rather than considering the rights of Black Americans or Indigenous peoples.
In modern times, this quote can be viewed in the context of debates over territorial expansion, land rights, and economic systems. While Lincoln’s view reflects a specific historical moment of racial exclusion, the underlying concern about the appropriate use of national resources and the moral implications of expansion remains relevant. It serves as a reminder that land use decisions—whether in historical or contemporary contexts—are not just about local interests but often have broad national consequences. Additionally, this quote underscores the importance of moral considerations in debates about the use of land, labor, and resources, as well as the way those decisions reflect and shape national identity and values.
