“One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.”
About This Quote
March 4, 1865 Inaugural Address
More from Abraham Lincoln
“Don't kneel to me, that is not right. You must kneel to God only, and thank him for the…”
“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from…”
“In reference to you, colored people, let me say God has made you free. Although you have…”
“My poor friends, you are free, free as air. You can cast off the name of slave and trample…”