48
the other declaration, that for
some
men to enslave
others
is a
‘sacred right of self-government.’ These principles cannot stand
together.”
39
The answer to that question is that nothing can justify such
enslavement of our fellow humans. This is why slavery has be-
come not only an embarrassment to our nation but also a reason
for forced abolition if Southern slaveholders will not voluntarily
give up their slaves. In a recent public speech, Lincoln expressed
quite eloquently why slavery has become so dangerous to the
country. “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he stated.
“I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half
slave
and half
free
. [Either] it will become
all
one thing or
all
the other.
Either the
opponents
of slavery will arrest the further spread of it
. . . or its
advocates
will push it forward, till it shall become alike
lawful in
all
the States.”
40
A number of people are sure that if Lincoln is elected presi-
dent, he will try to outlaw slavery. That surely will cause trouble.
As Lincoln’s opponent in a recent Senate race, Stephen Doug-
las, said, Lincoln’s and the abo-
litionists’ approach to slavery “is
revolutionary and destructive of
the existence of the government.”
It will almost certainly cause “war-
fare between the North and the
South, to be carried on with ruth-
less venegeance.”
41
Considering
that such bloody conflict could
actually occur in the near future, all Americans should try to pre-
vent it from happening. The most logical way to do that would be
for Southern and Northern leaders to sit down together and find
a way to abolish slavery before that horrible institution tears our
beloved nation asunder.
“I believe this government
cannot endure,
permanently half slave
and half free.”
40
—Political candidate Abraham Lincoln
