Lincoln's Dilema

Lincoln's Dilema

Lincoln's Dilemma
Abraham Lincoln was at first mainly concerned with the preservation of the Union, but gradually became more concerned with the abolishment of slavery in the South. Lincoln was in a conflict with himself as to which was of more importance. This was of great importance since the Union and Confederacy had just entered the Civil War.
Lincoln had a struggle before him. The Civil War had commenced and he wanted to preserve the Union. Lincoln was also against slavery but, had to act professionally and not let this impede with the preservation of the Union. This is adequately demonstrated in the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln's defense of the Emancipation Proclamation was that it was an effort to diminish the rebellion in the Confederate states (B).This is depicted in the war propaganda Breaking the Backbone, in which Northerners try to subdue a beast (rebellion) with hammers (skill, strategy, and draft), while Lincoln has an ax (the Emancipation Proclamation) to subdue the beast (D). This point is also unmistakably in Lincoln's address to a Committee of Religious Denomination of Chicago, where he states that the Emancipation Proclamation would hinder the rebels by severing off the laborers (slaves), which were of great importance (B). Also evident in in this address is Lincoln's struggle with choosing the Union or abolishment. In this address, Lincoln brings to attention that he did not know what to do with the Negros, if they were to arm them, he feared, the arms would be in the rebels possession shortly thereafter (B).
Lincoln, later on in his presidency, begins to advocate the freeing of slaves more acutely while still concerned for the preservation of the Union. In an address to the Northern Democrats he states, “you (Democrats) say you will not fight to free Negros; some of them are willing to fight for you, but, no matter; fight you then, exclusively to save the Union.” (G). Lincoln, at different times, proposed many ways as to the...

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