“I believe this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.”
- 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 believe this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln expresses his belief that the United States cannot continue to exist as a nation that is divided over the issue of slavery. He argues that a compromise between free and slave states cannot be sustained, as it contradicts the fundamental principles of liberty and equality upon which the nation was founded. Lincoln suggests that the country must choose a clear path—either it will become entirely free, with slavery abolished, or it will become entirely slave-holding. This moral and political position was a core aspect of Lincoln’s anti-slavery stance, and he believed that the growing divide between the North and South over slavery would eventually lead to a crisis if not addressed.
Historically, this quote came at a time of rising tension between free states and slave states in the United States. It was spoken during a period of deep sectionalism that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. Lincoln recognized that the Union could not remain divided on such a crucial issue and that the spread of slavery into new territories would only deepen the divide. This statement underscores Lincoln’s central role in the abolition movement and his commitment to preserving the Union. He viewed the institution of slavery as an existential threat to the American experiment in democracy, one that would undermine the nation’s unity and core values.
In modern times, this quote speaks to the dangers of deep divisions within a society, especially when those divisions are based on fundamental issues of justice and human rights. Lincoln’s words serve as a reminder that societal compromises on matters of morality and freedom can lead to long-term instability and conflict. Today, this quote resonates in debates over issues like civil rights, immigration, and economic inequality, where nations must grapple with the question of how to reconcile deeply divergent values while ensuring that fundamental human dignity is upheld. Lincoln’s warning about the consequences of division remains an important lesson for contemporary societies facing complex social and political challenges.
