Many Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln was the “Great Emancipator,” the sole individual who ended slavery, and the man who epitomizes freedom. In his briefpresidential term, Lincoln dealt with an unstable nation,with the South seceding from the country and in brink ofleaving permanently. The differing ideologies between theNorth and South about the economy and slavery quickly leadto civil war. It was now the duty of Lincoln to maintainthe unity of the nation. Therefore, Lincoln is not the“Great Emancipator” because his primary goals throughout hispresidency was always to maintain the unity of the nationand not achieve the emancipation of slaves.First of all, by looking at Lincoln’s road to the whitehouse, one can see that Abraham Lincoln was a man undecidedon the issue of slavery. He wisely used the issue ofslavery to appeal to both the abolitionists and toNegrophobes, Northerners who were afraid of living side-by-side with Negroes and competing with them for jobs. Forexample, on July 10th of 1959, Lincoln gave a speech inChicago, a primarily abolitionist town. Lincoln stated thatinequality was unnecessary in this country. If all men werecreated equal then were should look past race, saying, “Letus discard all these things, and unite as one peoplethroughout this land, until we shall once more stand updeclaring that all men are created equal” (Hofstadter, pg.148). On the other hand, Lincoln gave a speech inCharleston, on September 18, 1858, a primarily pro-slaverytown and gave a totally contrary opinion. Lincoln statedthat he is not, or has ever been, in favor of freeing slavesand giving them social equality. Lincoln stated, “I am not,nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors ofNegroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office” (Hofstadter,pg. 150). Clearly, Lincoln was an undecided politician whowas merely looking for votes. He never had any int...
