Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Biographical synopses
- A note on sources and abbreviations
- Bibliographical note
- I Political Writings and Speeches
- II Notes and Fragments
- 36 On Government (1854?)
- 37 On Slavery (1854?)
- 38 On Slavery and Democracy (1858?)
- 39 On Pro-slavery Theology (1858)
- 40 On the Struggle against Slavery (c. July 1858)
- 41 On Racial (In)equality 1
- 42 On Racial (In)equality 2
- 43 The Declaration of Independence includes all men
- 44 On Slavery, Property, and the Constitution
- 45 On Labor and Capital 1 (c. 1846–7)
- 46 On Labor and Capital 2
- 47 On Labor and Capital 3
- 48 On Liberty
- 49 On the Thirteenth Amendment (abolition of slavery)
- Index
37 - On Slavery (1854?)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 April 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Biographical synopses
- A note on sources and abbreviations
- Bibliographical note
- I Political Writings and Speeches
- II Notes and Fragments
- 36 On Government (1854?)
- 37 On Slavery (1854?)
- 38 On Slavery and Democracy (1858?)
- 39 On Pro-slavery Theology (1858)
- 40 On the Struggle against Slavery (c. July 1858)
- 41 On Racial (In)equality 1
- 42 On Racial (In)equality 2
- 43 The Declaration of Independence includes all men
- 44 On Slavery, Property, and the Constitution
- 45 On Labor and Capital 1 (c. 1846–7)
- 46 On Labor and Capital 2
- 47 On Labor and Capital 3
- 48 On Liberty
- 49 On the Thirteenth Amendment (abolition of slavery)
- Index
Summary
If A. can prove, however conclusively, that he may, of right, enslave B. – why may not B. snatch the same argument, and prove equally, that he may enslave A? —
You say A. is white, and B. is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own.
You do not mean color exactly? – You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks, and, therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care again. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.
But, say you, it is a question of interest; and, if you can make it your interest, you have the right to enslave another. Very well. And if he can make it his interest, he has the right to enslave you.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- LincolnPolitical Writings and Speeches, pp. 223Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2012