Quotes about Freedom for Slaves

Thomas Jefferson

The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state.

John Quincy Adams

A dissolution of the Union for the cause of slavery would be followed by a servile war in the slave-holding States, combined with a war between the two severed portions of the Union. It seems to me that its result must be the extirpation of slavery from this whole continent.

In what turned out to be a tragic prediction of things to come:

Lyndon B. Johnson

Emancipation was a proclamation, but not a fact.

Joyce Appleby

One thing that is not commonly taught in history classes is that the United States passed the first law of any nation outlawing slavery. That showed the world that it could be done. The state of Pennsylvania passed that law even before there were anti-slavery societies. If a slave owner from another state brought a slave to Pennsylvania and stayed for more than six months, the slave was free.

Georgia

The General Assembly shall have no power to pass laws for the emancipation of slaves

George Washington

I never mean, unless some particular circumstances should compel it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.

Abraham Lincoln

Neither General Hunter, nor any other commander, or person, has been authorized by the Government of the United States, to make proclamations declaring the slaves of any State free; and that the supposed proclamation, now in question, … is altogether void, so far as respects such declaration.

General David Hunter had unilaterally freed all the slaves in the Southern Department. See {619331}. Lincoln rescinded Hunter’s proclamation instantly. Lincoln would issue the first Emancipation Proclamation 4 months later, but did not want each Army Department setting its own policy on such a touchy and serious subject. Also, Lincoln did not want to offend the two slave states that had remained loyal to the Union, Kentucky and Maryland. Some Lincoln critics claim that there was little or no moral motivation for Lincoln, and he was pressured into the Emancipation Proclamation. See {619335} for the Confederate Government reaction to Hunter’s Emancipation.

Abraham Lincoln

And upon this act [Emancipation Proclamation]...I invoke...the gracious favor of Almighty God.

Freedom for Slaves Quotes