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41 - On Racial (In)equality 1

First Lincoln–Douglas Debate (August 21, 1858)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2013

Terence Ball
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
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Summary

I will say here, while upon this subject, that I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so. I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and the black races. There is a physical difference between the two, which in my judgment will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality, and inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a difference, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in favor of the race to which I belong, having the superior position. I have never said anything to the contrary, but I hold that notwithstanding all this, there is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. [Loud cheers.] I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man. I agree with Judge Douglas he is not my equal in many respects – certainly not in color, perhaps not in moral or intellectual endowment. But in the right to eat the bread, without leave of anybody else, which his own hand earns, he is my equal and the equal of Judge Douglas, and the equal of every living man. [Great applause.]

Type
Chapter
Information
Lincoln
Political Writings and Speeches
, pp. 228
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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  • On Racial (In)equality 1
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.048
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  • On Racial (In)equality 1
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.048
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • On Racial (In)equality 1
  • Edited by Terence Ball, Arizona State University
  • Book: Lincoln
  • Online publication: 05 April 2013
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139034784.048
Available formats
×