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As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of… — Abraham Lincoln

Personal journal

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.

Abraham Lincoln
1858
★ 3.7
Other tags relating to this quote
Topic
Masters and slavesSlaveryDemocracyEquality
Medium
Personal journal
Time
1858
Person
Abraham Lincoln
Provenance
Current citation
Lincoln, Abraham. "On Slavery and Democracy, 1858?" Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.
Original citation
Lincoln, Abraham. "Definition of Democracy." 1 Aug. 1858?

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Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

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Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln · 1865
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