The Relationship Between Lincoln and the Abolitionists

Allen Guelzo’s Examination of the Lincoln-Abolitionist Relationship

Allen Guelzo, in his article, examines the relationship between Lincoln and the abolitionists and Lincoln’s approach toward slavery. He also reflects on the allegation of political maneuvering during Lincoln’s presidency, Lincoln’s comments on the abolitionist movement as well as his religious attitude among the abolitionists that Lincoln alienated. The article begins with irony, in which the man who was highly mistrusted and energetically vilified by the abolitionist would also be the man who would end slavery (Guelzo, 2000).

Lincoln’s Policy and its Differences with Abolitionists

However, although Lincoln played the role of the Great Emancipator, his policy was not always in line with those of the abolition party. For instance, one policy that Lincoln firmly believed in but was repudiated by the abolitionists was colonization. However, the three concepts that distanced the view of Lincoln from those of the abolitionists were the idea of using the war to abolish slavery, the role of the constitution in slavery, and the definition of slavery.

The Distinction Between Lincoln and the Abolitionists on Slavery

Although Abraham Lincoln detested slavery, he was not an abolitionist. On the contrary, he viewed abolitionism as a threat and instead advocated for a scheme of gradualism, in which the slaveholders were to be compensated (abolitionists also opposed this policy) and the slaves’ resettlement in another area outside the US. Guelzo notes that the most significant distinction between Lincoln and the abolitionists was rooted in the definition of slavery, which affected the way both parties worked toward the elimination of slavery. Lincoln viewed a slave as someone who is under the condition of endless labor or “fatally fixed for life,” which came from his childhood experience. He never envisioned the possibility of extinguishing the form of slavery that abolitionism was advocating for, although it might have been possible to extend some freedom for the people of color instead.

Lincoln’s View of Slavery and the Constitution

According to Lincoln, slavery was sanctioned by the constitution. In his argument, Lincoln notes that the founding father who also had problems addressing this institution included clauses in the constitution that protected slavery. However, abolitionists knew what was to be done as they advocated for immediate abolishment of slavery and recognizing the slaves as equal members of the society (Guelzo, 2000). They did not care about the constitution or the existing political system, which they considered as unjustly protecting the slave owners or slavery. Lincoln thus could not support abolitionism, though he perceived himself as working alongside the abolitionists, on behalf of the common anti-slavery cause. However, his eventual support of the 13th amendment of the constitution and emancipation later won him the support of the abolitionist.

Lincoln’s Approach to Slavery During the Civil War

Guelzo also notes that Lincoln was faced with growing tension between the South and the North in the US that eventually resulted in the civil war. However, as many abolitionists would expect, Lincoln did not throw emancipation of the slaves into this conflict. Many abolitionists saw the war as the perfect opportunity for ending slavery. Some abolitionists such as Benjamin Wade did not care how long the Civil War would last or the amount of destruction that will be caused as long as there were no more slaves in the US. Lincoln, however, went for a more cautious approach in which he assured the South that he would not interfere with slavery if the southern state attempted no violence and did not withdraw from the Union.

Lincoln’s Political-Economic and Moral Approach to Slavery

The approach of Lincoln to slavery as a political-economic issue as well as a moral one, was also in contrast with the abolitionist view of the same matter. He had difficulties keeping his views and religious separate from his approach to slavery. The abolitionist’s views were in line with the religious language (religion was central), and although many abolitionists turned their backs on organized Protestantism, religion provided this movement with its tactics, its imagery, and its uncompromising urgency. Lincoln was not a religious person due to his background and did not believe that humanity had no will over their decision, or that God influences the choice that they made (Guelzo, 2000). He believed that the universe was run by law, order, and their suspension or violation. As a result, he was never in support of the type of immediatism that the abolitionist used in their campaign. This, however, was not the only religious attitude among the abolitionists that distance Lincoln from them. Their view of selfishness also differentiated with that of Lincoln. Nevertheless, Lincoln found a way to abolish slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th amendment of the constitution.

The Significance of the Abolition of Slavery in Lincoln’s Presidency

I believe that the abolition of slavery was among the most crucial decision that Lincoln made in his presidency career. Although the decision to immediate freedom was probably not what he had anticipated, the end of slavery brought a new dawn of many people of color. Moreover, the struggle, especially among abolitionists, was faced with many challenges and many even lost their lives, but the outcome has seen the United States grow in many sectors including in politics and the economy. Although it is believed that the Emancipation Proclamation did not free all the slaves, it marked a significant turning point in the civil war as well as Lincoln’s view of slavery.

References

Guelzo, A. C. (2000). Lincoln and the Abolitionists. The Wilson Quarterly (1976-), 24(4), 58-70.