what was lincoln's position on the union?

Question

also what was lincolns stand on african americans?

Answer 1

Quotes from Abraham Lincoln on the preservation of the Union:

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause." Abraham Lincoln Source: August 22, 1862 - Letter to Horace Greeley.

"The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776." Abraham Lincoln Source: March 4, 1861 - Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

"I believe this Government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free." Abraham Lincoln Source: June 16, 1858 - House Divided Speech in Springfield, Illinois

"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other." Abraham Lincoln Source: June 16, 1858 - House Divided Speech in Springfield, Illinois

On African Americans and Slavery:

"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.

"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. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just - a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."
Abraham Lincoln Source: December 1, 1862 - Lincoln's Second Annual Message to Congress.

"I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel. And yet I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and feeling."
Abraham Lincoln Source: April 4, 1864 - Letter to Albert Hodges

"If as the friends of colonization hope, the present and coming generations of our countrymen shall by any means, succeed in freeing our land from the dangerous presence of slavery; and, at the same time, in restoring a captive people to their long-lost father-land, with bright prospects for the future; and this too, so gradually, that neither races nor individuals shall have suffered by the change, it will indeed be a glorious consummation." Abraham Lincoln Source: July 6, 1852 - Eulogy on Henry Clay

"The Autocrat of all the Russias will resign his crown, and proclaim his subjects free republicans sooner than will our American masters voluntarily give up their slaves." Abraham Lincoln Source: August 15, 1855 - Letter to George Robertson

"You know I dislike slavery; and you fully admit the abstract wrong of it." Abraham Lincoln Source: August 24, 1855 - Letter to Joshua Speed

"The slave-breeders and slave-traders, are a small, odious and detested class, among you; and yet in politics, they dictate the course of all of you, and are as completely your masters, as you are the master of your own negroes." Abraham Lincoln Source: August 24, 1855 - Letter to Joshua Speed

Answer 2

That the Union was to remain in tact. Thus one reason for the Civil War when the Southern states tried to secede from the Union. His position on slavery changed over the years. At first he tolerated it, but then as President he issued the Emancipation Proclamation which essentially freed the slaves and abolished slavery in this country.

Chow!!

Answer 3

As I comprehend it Lincoln did provide Lee command of the Union military on the starting up of hostilities. After some soul-searching Lee refused the provide and moved south to take command of the accomplice military.

Answer 4

That it could not be dissolved. The union must be preserved.