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To: DiogenesLamp; Bubba Ho-Tep; Sherman Logan
DiogenesLamp to Bubba Ho-Tep: "Lincoln did not actually believe the Declaration of Independence applied to slaves.
The conduct of the founders demonstrates this conclusively, yet Lincoln merely used the words as a justification for an extreme liberal interpretation of the document to mean something far beyond that which was actually intended by those who wrote and ratified it."

More rubbish.
It's certainly true that Lincoln's opinions evolved over time, but Lincoln's parents were abolitionists, and there was nothing in Lincoln's history to suggest he didn't sympathize.
Politically, of course, abolitionism was impossible even as late as the election of 1860 -- it was not on the ballot!
What was on the ballot was restricting the expansion of slavery into the western territories, that was Lincoln's position and it's electoral victory was the immediate cause of South Carolina's declaration of secession.

In time the Civil War changed everything, and when opportunity presented, Lincoln first issued the emancipation proclamation and then sponsored the 13th Amendment.

269 posted on 12/09/2014 2:29:47 PM PST by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective..)
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To: BroJoeK
More rubbish. It's certainly true that Lincoln's opinions evolved over time, but Lincoln's parents were abolitionists, and there was nothing in Lincoln's history to suggest he didn't sympathize.

The point being discussed and to which you are responding is not how Lincoln felt about slavery. His hatred of the institution is well known. The point being discussed is whether he believed that the principles of freedom articulated in the Declaration of Independence were meant to apply to slavery, and therefore abolish it.

No knowledgeable and rational man could conclude that the Declaration was intended to apply to slaves. It is simply too great a disconnect to believe that the people who wrote and signed it could intend such a thing while at the same time keeping slaves themselves.

It is too great a stretch of credibility to believe such a thing, and Lincoln was not a fool. Now he may very well have believed that the principles articulated in the Declaration OUGHT to apply to slaves, but it is self deceit to believe what you think OUGHT be the law *IS* the law when it clearly is not.

286 posted on 12/10/2014 10:18:39 AM PST by DiogenesLamp (Partus Sequitur Patrem)
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