Abe Lincoln by Téa

Abe Lincoln by Téa - October 2017 Scholarship Essay

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” said Abraham Lincoln in response to the depression caused by The Panic of 1837. During this time, violence was on the rise. Mobs and exhorted citizens were reeking havoc on America. Racist attacks on African Americans were prominent, as this was a time of pro-lynching. The United States of America was dismantling itself. In 1860, South Carolina seceded from the US, soon followed by the rest of the south. This was, in part, due to the north’s desire to end slavery, which was crucial to the economy and livelihood of the south. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862. This was said to free all slaves. However, this only freed slaves in states that were identifying under Lincoln’s administration. The Confederation did not recognize this proclamation, so all slaves in the south were kept. If I were to have dinner with one US president I would choose Abraham Lincoln. I would like to know what he was thinking when he issues the Emancipation Proclamation. Obviously, he intended to reunite the country and keep slave states in the North from leaving. Since the south was not considered part of the USA during this time, I would ask him what he thought would happen. As the Confederate disagreed with Lincoln’s administration, I do not understand why he thought that freeing slaves would convince the Confederate to come back. I see this as trying to get a toddler to go to sleep and bribing him with the lack of a nightlight. It gives no reward for the union, or in the case of the toddler, to listen to others. The Emancipation Proclamation says, “all persons held as slaves within any States, or designated part of the State, the people whereof shall be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Basically, this states that unless the South rejoins the Union, their slaves will be free. Which ultimately makes no sense because the South could stay seceded and keep their slaves. The South felt that Lincoln aimed to destroy state’s rights and used this proclamation as evidence in their claim. They knew war would be at risk if they did not rejoin, but they believed they had enough strength to defeat the Union. Debating with a former president would be an honor and a thrill as I would argue that his Emancipation Proclamation did not serve its purpose and was merely words against people who were no longer considered under his law.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/history-homework-help/110497-the-purpose-of-the-emancipation-proclamation/
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-emancipation-proclamation-takes-effect
https://www.quora.com/Did-Abraham-Lincoln-say-America-will-never-be-destroyed-from-the-outside-If-we-falter-and-lose-our-freedoms-it-will-be-because-we-destroyed-ourselves