HENRY HUGH PROCTOR

Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States (Republican, IL)One man's rights should not be sacrificed for another's prejudices. ...

It is said that this is a white man's war, and, therefore, let the white fight it out. I reject the conclusion because I cannot accept the premise. This is not a white man's war; it is the nation's war. It was declared by the representatives, not of the white people, but of all the people. It is a national and not a racial war. If you say this is a white man's war, then you are bound to accept the doctrine that this is a white man's country. If it is a white man's country then the black man has no place in it, and consequently no rights that a white man is bound to respect. This is God's country, and it belongs to the people in it, be they black or white, red or yellow.

It is said that this is a white man's war, and, therefore, let the white fight it out. I reject the conclusion because I cannot accept the premise. This is not a white man's war; it is the nation's war. It was declared by the representatives, not of the white people, but of all the people. It is a national and not a racial war. If you say this is a white man's war, then you are bound to accept the doctrine that this is a white man's country. If it is a white man's country then the black man has no place in it, and consequently no rights that a white man is bound to respect. This is God's country, and it belongs to the people in it, be they black or white, red or yellow.

Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States (Republican, IL)One man's rights should not be sacrificed for another's prejudices. ...