to over 3 million enslaved african-americans, and to lincoln himself. when lincoln takes office, he tries to prevent the looming civil war by reaffirming his belief in the south s constitutional right to own slaves. what about this part? i have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. no, that that s good. remind the south that your position on slavery has remained unchanging. william seward had been a political rival of abraham lincoln s, and yet he selected seward as his secretary of state. seward was certainly more of a passionate abolitionist than lincoln.don t believe lincoln sw himself truly as the president
lincoln to change his mind. word is leaked that the president is going to make a big announcement about emancipation. but frederick douglass isn t sure of that. he continues to doubt lincoln s resolve for the cause. mr. president is anything the matter? i just need a moment. the emancipation proclamation is the result of a nearly two-year-long battle to define what the civil war means to the soldiers in uniform to over 3 million enslaved african-americans, and to lincoln himself. when lincoln takes office, he tries to prevent the looming civil war by reaffirming his belief in the south s constitutional right