“I have always hated slavery, I think, as much as any abolitionist. I have been an Old Line Whig. I have always hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of the introduction of the Nebraska Bill began.”
- 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 have always hated slavery, I think, as much as any abolitionist. I have been an Old Line Whig. I have always hated it, but I have always been quiet about it until this new era of the introduction of the Nebraska Bill began.”
Explanation
This quote from Abraham Lincoln reflects his personal aversion to slavery, as well as his political evolution. Lincoln states that he had always hated slavery but had kept his views relatively quiet until the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, a piece of legislation that permitted the expansion of slavery into new territories. The act allowed settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise, which had previously prohibited slavery north of a certain latitude. The Kansas-Nebraska Act sparked widespread controversy and violence, leading to the term “Bleeding Kansas” to describe the violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces.
Lincoln’s mention of being an Old Line Whig is also significant. The Whig Party, which Lincoln had been a member of, was largely divided on the issue of slavery, with some members opposing its expansion, while others remained silent or supported it in certain contexts. The Whigs eventually dissolved, and many of its northern members, like Lincoln, joined the newly-formed Republican Party, which was founded on a platform that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Lincoln’s decision to speak out against the Kansas-Nebraska Act marked a shift in his political career, as he went from a largely silent critic of slavery to a more outspoken abolitionist, setting the stage for his eventual rise to the presidency.
In the context of modern America, this quote highlights how moral issues and political decisions can often force individuals and leaders to take a stand. Lincoln’s transition from quiet opposition to active resistance against the expansion of slavery mirrors the process by which many people find the courage to confront injustices when they become too blatant or widespread to ignore. It is also a reminder that history’s pivotal moments, such as the introduction of new laws or political movements, can prompt individuals to speak out and take action, as Lincoln did when he became increasingly vocal against slavery’s spread.
