evolution of lincoln's views on slavery from the lincoln-douglas debates in 1858 through the emancipation

Lincoln's views on slavery evolved according to political expeidency. For example, during the debate with Douglass, when he had to ensure that Southerners would not be denied their right of property, Lincoln said:

"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and black races - that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical

difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other

man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race. I say upon this occasion I do not perceive that because the white man is to have the superior position the ***** should be denied everything."

Abraham Lincoln

Source: September 18, 1858 - Fourth Debate with Stephen A. Douglas at Charleston, Illinois

However, Prior to the Lincoln-Douglass debates, Pres. Lincoln seemed to be more of a humanitarian:

"I am not a Know-Nothing. That is certain. How could I be? How can any one who abhors the oppression of negroes, be in favor of degrading classes of white people? Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except Negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except Negroes and foreigners and Catholics." When it comes to this, I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty "

Source: Lincoln, 1855

Still yet, when freeing slaves would help cripple the South and perserve the Union, Lincoln said:

"In giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free - honorable alike in what we give, and what we preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope of earth."

Source: Lincoln, 1861

He also said:

"I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free."

Source: LincolnAugust 22, 1862

What Lincoln then decreed in the Emancipation Proclamation is well known. Essentially, first and foremost, Lincoln was a resourceful politician. He also mentioned that if he could free slaves and perserve the Union he would (which he did) and if he could ensure the existence of slavery to perserve the Union he would. History has justly labeled Lincoln a great man; however, history has inadequately labeled Lincoln a great humanitarian. Yet it is difficult to judge the man based on modern social norms and taboos.