Writing to Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, in August 1862Dear Sir: ...I have not meant to leave any one in doubt... My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy Slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about Slavery and the colored race, I do because it helps to save this Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union... I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty, and intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men, everywhere, could be free. Yours. A. Lincoln.
Speaking in charleston, illinois, 1858I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of brining about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races (applause); that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifiying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people...
And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the posoition of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other [White] man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race.
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