Lincoln did believe that slavery was morally wrong, but there was one big problem: it was sanctioned by the highest law in the land, the Constitution. The founding fathers didn't explicitly write the Word "slavery" but they did include key clauses protecting the institution.
However, he did not believe that white and black people should have the same rights. In the fourth debate with Stephen A Douglas at Charleston, Illinois in September 18, 1958, Lincoln said this:
"I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor o f 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 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 in terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot live, while they do remain together there must be a 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 negro should be denied everything."
Lincoln's position on social and political equality for black people evolved over the course of his presidency. In his last speech, he argued for limited black suffrage, saying that any black man who served the Union during the Civil Wat should have the right to vote.
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