“The people themselves, and not their servants, can safely reverse their own deliberate decisions.”
- 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
“The people themselves, and not their servants, can safely reverse their own deliberate decisions.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln emphasizes the importance of popular sovereignty and the right of the people to govern themselves. He argues that citizens, not politicians or public officials, have the ultimate authority to make and, if necessary, revoke decisions that affect their lives and their country. The phrase “their servants” refers to elected officials who serve at the will of the people, rather than having absolute power over them. Lincoln is asserting that while government officials may make decisions on behalf of the people, the people retain the sovereign right to correct or overturn those decisions if they believe they no longer serve the public good. This belief in the ultimate power of the people is central to Lincoln’s understanding of a functioning democracy.
Historically, Lincoln’s quote reflects his commitment to the idea of democratic self-governance. In the context of the Civil War, this idea was particularly relevant. Lincoln believed that the Union should not be permanently divided and that the people of the United States had the right to reverse decisions that threatened the nation’s democratic integrity—like the spread of slavery or the secession of Southern states. Lincoln’s conviction was that while individual states had the right to govern themselves, the people of the nation had the collective right to decide the future of the Union and its foundational principles. This quote also reflects Lincoln’s commitment to constitutional law and the preservation of a government by the people, for the people.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the dynamic nature of democracy, where the will of the people can shape policies, laws, and even the direction of a country. It underscores the idea that citizens must remain engaged in the political process, ensuring that government decisions continue to reflect the will of the people rather than the interests of powerful elites. Lincoln’s assertion is particularly relevant in times of political upheaval or public dissatisfaction, suggesting that when governments stray from the people’s will, it is the people who have the ultimate authority to correct the course of governance. It calls for the preservation of democratic values, ensuring that power remains in the hands of the citizens rather than becoming concentrated in the hands of the few.
