“I go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to the right of suffrage, who pay taxes or bear arms (by no means excluding females).”
- 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 go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to the right of suffrage, who pay taxes or bear arms (by no means excluding females).”
Explanation
In this quote, Lincoln expresses a principle of fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of political rights, linking suffrage (the right to vote) to civic responsibility—specifically, the payment of taxes and the bearing of arms for the defense of the nation. By advocating for the right to vote for all whites who contribute to the state’s upkeep, Lincoln frames suffrage as a privilege earned through service to the nation. His note about including women in this right—”by no means excluding females”—indicates a progressive stance for his time, advocating for the extension of rights to women in certain aspects of civil life.
Historically, this quote can be seen within the broader context of Lincoln’s views on voting rights and political inclusion. Lincoln was often balancing the needs of different social and political factions in his era, particularly as the country was divided over issues like slavery and the role of free labor. While the quote clearly advocates for an expansion of suffrage among certain groups (whites, taxpaying, and those who serve in defense of the country), it notably does not address the enfranchisement of African Americans or broader civil rights for women, issues that would later be the focus of Reconstruction and the suffrage movement.
In modern contexts, this quote could be interpreted as advocating for political participation based on civic duty, a theme that remains relevant in discussions about voting rights and participation in government today. While Lincoln was specifically talking about white men and women who contributed to society through taxes or military service, the idea that participation in government should be tied to service (whether economic, military, or social) is still a point of contention in contemporary political debates, especially in relation to the expansion of voting rights and the participation of marginalized groups.
