Iam naturally anti-slavery. if slavery is not wrong nothing is wrong. i cannot remember when i did not so think and feel; and yet i have never understood that the presidency conferred upon me an unrestricted right to act officially in this judgment and feeling. which comes closest to capturing lincoln’s true meaning in this passage?
i believe in abolishing slavery, but i know the majority of the people do not support it.
i do not believe in forcing my beliefs on the people just because i am the president.
i do not believe that the presidency gives me the authority to abolish slavery.
those who support abolishing slavery should look to another government authority.