“I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where will you stop? If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?”
- 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
“I should like to know if, taking this old Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where will you stop? If one man says it does not mean a Negro, why not another say it does not mean some other man?”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln is challenging the idea of exceptions to the principle of equality found in the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln is pointing out the logical flaw in making selective exceptions to the idea that “all men are created equal.” By asking, “where will you stop?” he is emphasizing the danger of subjective interpretation when it comes to fundamental rights. If one person can decide that the principle of equality doesn’t apply to Black people, then others could similarly argue that it doesn’t apply to Native Americans, immigrants, or any other group they deem inferior. Lincoln is arguing that the equality stated in the Declaration should be universal and absolute, not conditional or based on personal biases or social status. He frames the issue in terms of logical consistency: once you make exceptions, the foundation of equality becomes unstable, and the principle itself is undermined.
Historically, this quote speaks to the moral and philosophical foundation of Lincoln’s opposition to slavery and the racist attitudes that allowed it to persist. Lincoln was fighting to preserve the Union, but he also sought to uphold the principles of liberty and equality outlined in the Founding Documents. His argument was that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were not just ideals for the time of the Founding Fathers but should be understood as universal truths. This logic laid the groundwork for Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and his eventual push for the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. Lincoln’s careful argument for equality was central to his political vision, particularly as he navigated the complexities of the Civil War and sought to bring the nation back together.
In modern contexts, this quote remains powerful in discussions about civil rights, social justice, and the principles of equality in contemporary society. It reminds us of the danger of selectively interpreting the concept of equality and how such interpretations can lead to discrimination and exclusion. In debates on issues like voting rights, immigration, or racial justice, Lincoln’s argument highlights the importance of ensuring that the right to equality is not diminished for any group based on subjective reasoning. The principle that “all men are created equal” continues to be a touchstone for human rights movements and serves as a reminder that the fight for equality should remain inclusive and universal, not contingent upon the whims or prejudices of the powerful.
