Abraham Lincoln responded to Horace Greeley by stating his primary objective was to save the Union, articulating, “If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.”
Context of Lincoln's Reply
On August 19, 1862, Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, published an editorial titled "The Prayer of Twenty Millions." In this widely read piece, Greeley publicly criticized President Lincoln for what he perceived as a slow and hesitant approach to emancipation and for not vigorously enforcing the Confiscation Acts. Greeley, a prominent abolitionist, urged Lincoln to take a stronger stand against slavery.
Lincoln's public response, issued on August 22, 1862, was a rare direct engagement with a critic. His statement clarified his official policy and priorities regarding the ongoing Civil War.
Lincoln's Union-First Policy
Lincoln's letter to Greeley underscored his unwavering commitment to preserving the United States. He presented his stance on slavery not as an end in itself, but as a means to achieve the ultimate goal of Union preservation. His famous declaration outlined three hypothetical scenarios, all of which culminated in the Union's survival:
- Scenario 1: Saving the Union without freeing any slave. Lincoln affirmed that if the Union could be restored with slavery intact, he would choose that path.
- Scenario 2: Saving the Union by freeing all slaves. Conversely, if universal emancipation was the necessary condition for Union victory, he would also pursue that.
- Scenario 3: Saving the Union by freeing some and leaving others alone. This option highlighted his flexibility and pragmatic approach, indicating he would take any action that best served the Union's cause, even if it meant a partial or gradual end to slavery.
This perspective demonstrated Lincoln's strategic thinking, showing that his decisions regarding slavery were primarily driven by military and constitutional considerations related to winning the war and restoring national unity.
The Road to Emancipation
Although Lincoln's letter emphasized saving the Union as his paramount objective, it is crucial to understand that he had already drafted the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation more than a month before his exchange with Greeley. He was waiting for a Union military victory before announcing it. His response to Greeley served to prepare public opinion for the monumental shift that was soon to come, framing the upcoming emancipation as a wartime measure vital for the Union's survival rather than solely an abolitionist decree.
This public dialogue helped articulate the complex relationship between the Union cause and the issue of slavery, illustrating how the necessities of war ultimately transformed the conflict into a fight for freedom. For more information on this pivotal period, you can explore historical resources on the American Civil War.
Summary of Lincoln's Stance:
| Priority | Action Regarding Slavery | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Save the Union | Without freeing any slave | Achieve Union preservation |
| Save the Union | By freeing all slaves | Achieve Union preservation |
| Save the Union | By freeing some, leaving others alone | Achieve Union preservation |
