“Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue.”

—  Abraham Lincoln

1860s, Second State of the Union address (1862)

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Abraham Lincoln photo
Abraham Lincoln 618
16th President of the United States 1809–1865

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Context: I never was an abolitionist, not even what could be called anti-slavery, but I try to judge fairly and honestly and it became patent in my mind early in the rebellion that the North and South could never live at peace with each other except as one nation, and that without slavery. As anxious as I am to see peace established, I would not therefore be willing to see any settlement until the question is forever settled.

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