“I understand a ship to be made for the carrying and preservation of the cargo, and so long as the ship can be saved, with the cargo, it should never be abandoned. This Union likewise should never be abandoned unless it fails and the possibility of its preservation shall cease to exist, without throwing passengers and cargo overboard.”
- 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 understand a ship to be made for the carrying and preservation of the cargo, and so long as the ship can be saved, with the cargo, it should never be abandoned. This Union likewise should never be abandoned unless it fails and the possibility of its preservation shall cease to exist, without throwing passengers and cargo overboard.”
Explanation
In this metaphor, Abraham Lincoln compares the Union to a ship that carries both people and the values of the nation. He suggests that just as a ship should never be abandoned as long as it is capable of preserving its cargo (the people and the values), the Union should be preserved unless it is no longer possible to save it. Lincoln is arguing that the United States, even in times of crisis or conflict (such as the Civil War), should be maintained and preserved because it serves to protect and carry the nation’s principles—much like a ship keeps its cargo safe. The metaphor also conveys that abandoning the Union, especially prematurely or without due cause, would be as reckless as throwing passengers and cargo overboard, implying that such an act should only occur when preservation is no longer possible.
Historically, Lincoln used this metaphor to justify his efforts to preserve the Union during the Civil War, a time when the nation was deeply divided. His belief in the importance of unity and his insistence on preserving the Union were central to his presidency, and his leadership was instrumental in preventing the nation from fragmenting into separate confederacies. Lincoln recognized that the Union, though imperfect, represented the best hope for freedom, justice, and democracy, and his refusal to abandon it in the face of secession was rooted in this conviction. He saw the potential for a stronger, more just nation once the war was over and slavery abolished.
In modern times, Lincoln’s metaphor of the Union as a ship still resonates, especially in discussions about national unity, democracy, and political polarization. His words remind us that preserving the integrity of a nation requires commitment and sacrifice—not just in times of crisis, but as a fundamental duty to protect the nation’s core principles. The metaphor can also be applied to debates about government intervention, national reform, and political compromise. Lincoln’s belief that the Union should never be abandoned unless it is utterly impossible reflects a view that nations, despite their flaws, should always strive to remain intact and evolve in ways that honor their founding ideals.