Abraham Lincoln Declaration Of Independence Essay
When analyzing Abraham Lincoln’s early presidential speeches, his objective to preserve the Union becomes quite apparent. However, we must not overlook Lincoln’s devotion to equality as expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Examining the Address at Independence Hall and the Gettysburg Address reveals Lincoln’s dedication to upholding the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. In reading Lincoln’s early presidential speeches, many view Lincoln’s motivation for abolishing slavery solely as a measure imperative to preserving the Union. However, his intentions run deeper than war-time necessity in that he possesses a profound reverence for the Declaration of Independence and its ideals of equality, that, although not always explicitly …show more content…
In August of 1862, Lincoln wrote a letter to Horace Greeley, an abolitionist editor for the New York Tribune who had previously criticized Lincoln for his lack of progress in regards to emancipation. The belief that Lincoln’s primary war motive was to preserve the Union can be pinpointed in his letter to Horace Greeley. In this letter, Lincoln states “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery” (343). Lincoln is clearly stating that his primary goal in the war is to preserve the Union, not free the slaves. However, in the letter Lincoln also includes his “personal wish that all men everywhere could be free” (343). The Declaration of Independence is not explicitly mentioned in Lincoln’s reply, but his words imply his dedication to the idea of equality, a key philosophy in the Declaration. While not a major theme throughout the letter, the one sentence expressing Lincoln’s personal opinion maintains Lincoln’s dedication to preserving the ideals of the Declaration of Independence as shown by his mention of universal
Personal Declaration Of Independence Essay
460 Words | 2 PagesPersonal Declaration of Independence It seems that the time of cutting specific things out of my life has come around, certain reasons have gave me reason to believe that it is a need not a want, and this is not a plea but a declaration. I want to cut off all friends that destroy dreams by smoking, drinking, and making bad choices in general. There is no benefit or good reason to keep them around if they’re just going to hold me back. In that case I’d also like to declare that I will be leaving my neighborhood.
Lincoln First Inaugural Address Analysis
657 Words | 3 PagesIt would be more than difficult not to read Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address without some sense of pride or honor for one’s own country. He brings about a call to civility among all citizens striving for unity and harmony with one another. Lincoln understood the dilemma that slavery became for not only the Northerners attempting to abolish the practice entirely, but also for the Southerners perpetuating it in the first place. The fact that there was a faction rising in favor of slavery on a scale that would divide the country indefinitely and that Lincoln foresaw this danger demonstrates the level of prudence he was able to acquire up until his presidency. In this address, Lincoln stressed the importance of the nation staying unified and true to the principles set by
Lincoln's First Inaugural Address Analysis
377 Words | 2 PagesDuring Abraham Lincoln’s presidency at the start of the 1860, an issue that had divided the nation was slavery. Lincoln’s election to presidency as a republic was not received well by the Southern slave states, as they thought that as a republican he was out to abolish slavery. In an effort to calm southern states and keep them from seceding from the United States, he attempts to ease them with his First Inaugural Address. In his First Inaugural Address his key points are to clam southern leaders of slave states, keep the states from seceding, and make them at ease as he enters presidency.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Inaugural Address
844 Words | 4 PagesThe address touches on the idea of equality throughout. Lincoln appeals to the idea that the founding fathers built the nation with the people's freedom in mind when he states “A new nation, conceived in Liberty. ”(Lincoln, paragraph 1). This appeals to the notion that people want to have freedom, including the slaves who had no freedom, in Lincoln's time, and was one of the primary reasons the Civil War was occurring. Lincoln uses the idea of freedom to change people's mind about the issue.
First Inaugural Address: How Equality Changes Throughout The Civil War
1844 Words | 8 PagesIn Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, he discusses how his views on slavery will be like throughout his presidency. He writes, “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have
Ethos In The Lyceum Address Summary
439 Words | 2 PagesLincoln went on to say in his address: “Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country, and never to tolerate their violation by others”. Abraham Lincoln may not have addressed the Declaration of Independence in his Lyceum Address but in referring to the laws and to the U.S. Constitution, he explains that without following these laws the Declaration of Independence was for nothing and means
Lincoln Letter To Greeley Essay
680 Words | 3 PagesDuring the Civil War , President Abraham Lincoln’s position on the practice of slavery had changed greatly from the start of the war to the end of it. He expresses his views on slavery through a variety of documents: both of his Inaugural Addresses, his letter to Horace Greeley and in the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Through these primary documents Lincoln demonstrates his initial feeling toward slavery as indifferent, for his priority was to keep the nation unified. As the war continued he stuck by his desire to keep the unity of the Union regardless of the state of slavery. By the end of the war, Lincoln called the practice of slavery an “offence” and that God “wills” the removal of its practice.
Dbq Essay On The Declaration Of Independence
679 Words | 3 PagesThroughout the history of our nation, we as americans have never been together as a team and just accepted our different beliefs. During the 241 years as a nation there has always been an argument, a controversy, a different belief, etc. This issue has always find a way to separate our nation and keep us apart, the Declaration of Independence was created to help with these issues. This piece will be focusing on the beliefs of equality, unalienable rights, consent of the government, and the ability to alter or abolish the government. These beliefs will always keep our country apart and people of higher power need to find a way to dissolve this.
Declaration Of Independence Essay
550 Words | 3 PagesThe Declaration of Independence is the foundation that the United States of America is built on, and it gives freedom to have the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all American citizens. While all three of these rights hold great importance, the one that means the most to me is the right to life. When God created humans, the first thing that he gave us was life, and without that life that he gave us, we would not have the opportunity to have liberty or find happiness. Having life also gives us the opportunity to do what God originally intended for us to do; bring glory and honor to him. God doesn’t promise us freedom or happiness, and He also doesn’t always promise us life.
Essay On Declaration Of Independence
697 Words | 3 PagesThe Declaration of Independence Essay The Declaration of Independence is a document that was written by Thomas Jefferson, which was meant for the thirteen colonies to declare their freedom from British rule and find their path to freedom. The Declaration of Independence was a document that helped the american colonies become independent from Great Britain and many notable philosophers and writers signed the document even though it was nearly their death wish. This document was created by the Second Continental Congress and symbolized almost the end of fighting for their freedom from the British because they had a wish to make a new life where they are separated and not ruled by them anymore. The Enlightenment Age was when culture and
Social Activism In American Society
718 Words | 3 PagesPresident Abraham Lincoln had many important documents one of them with was his, Address at the Dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The Gettysburg Address was a point made by the President to not only preserve the Union, but to create equality for all, which would lead to the disbandment of slavery. In Lydia Maria Child’s, Reply to Margaretta Mason, she also spoke of equality. She questioned why the treatments and laws for a person of color were so different from their white counterpart, especially when referencing the master and slave relationship. William Cushing, was also a firm believer in the fair treatment of all.
Compromises Between 1820 And 1860
1121 Words | 5 PagesIn this election, Lincoln and Douglas had some series of debates over slavery. Although Lincoln never exactly stated that he wanted to abolish slavery, much of the South believed he was an Abolitionist. At his speech in 1858 in Springfield Illinois, Lincoln wanted the nation to be one thing or another, meaning all free or all slave, because it couldn’t keep going on how it was, else it would fall apart. In his speech, Lincoln said, “...but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other” (Doc G).
How Did Abraham Lincoln Deserve To Be The Great Emancipator
695 Words | 3 PagesPresident Lincoln stated that: “if I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it,..., and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would do it.”. This quote clearly shows that the freedom of slaves was not his concern and unnecessary if it did not help the Union; as the result, slavery still exists if there is no war. Free slave from bondage should be a Great Emancipator’s primary goal and he will do his best to achieve it no matter what, but president Lincoln’s thought differed from that because all he cares was the Union. Although he had many times admitting himself an anti-slavery but his words and thoughts obviously prove that he is
Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Abraham Lincoln Dbq
781 Words | 4 PagesAbraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and Commander in Chief during the Civil War. He was a member of the Free Soil Party and later became a Republican. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves in the Confederate States after the Battle of Antietam, and ultimately led the North to victory in the Civil War. What most do not know, however, is that he got to that point after a long road of lying and deception. Abraham Lincoln constantly altered his views on slavery and other issues during the 1800s purely based on his audience.
Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address
502 Words | 3 PagesAbraham Lincoln in the speech, The Gettysburg Address, constructs a point of achieving a "just and lasting peace" between the North and South without retribution. Lincoln supports his assertion by justifying his beliefs of unity between the states. Lincoln's purpose is to influence the people to not allow what has been done to go to waste. He wants his audience to realize that this division will only persist if no one settles the current issues in society. Lincoln speaks in a sympathizing, determined tone to address the Americans who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and to the rest of Americans who he wants to see a change from.
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