Before becoming the US president Lincoln's position on slavery in Washington DC was similar to that of Henry Clay. As a matter of principle he favored emancipation in the capitol. On the matter of constitutional interpretation, he believed that the Federal government had the power to end slavery in Washington DC. With that said, Lincoln, as a matter of prudence argued that it was too risky to attempt, and unlikely to succeed.
Many people think he was against the idea of slavery, but really he was not. Abraham Lincoln used slavery as a leverage on trying to get the south to join the union by saying he would free the salves if they did not join back. But otherwise it was not his intentions to stop slavery.
disliked slavery, but did not believe the fed. gov. could ban it in places it already exists. "this struggle is to save the Union, not to either save or destroy slavery"
how did washington view on slavery evolved over time
Washington Irving viewed slavery as evil. Even though he thought it was an evil practice he was not an activist or abolitionist.
Lincoln felt that slavery was wrong, he felt that the national government overpowered the state governments.
Lincoln was opposed to slavery and he wanted free blacks to form colonies elsewhere instead of staying in the United States.
He ate toast and his slaves. He loved them very much!
Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery, and to forgive the states that were defeated.
Abraham Lincoln believed that slavery was morally wrong and sought to prevent its expansion into new territories, while Stephen Douglas believed in popular sovereignty, allowing each state or territory to decide for itself whether to allow slavery. Lincoln's ultimate goal was to eventually abolish slavery throughout the nation, whereas Douglas prioritized maintaining the peace and unity of the country.
Abraham Lincoln opposed the institution of slavery and believed it was morally wrong. He famously declared that "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong" and worked towards its abolition during his presidency.
Abraham Lincoln viewed slavery as an unfortunate result of America's development that needed to end in order to keep the country united. His view on Stephen Douglas was that he was an erudite and decent man that didn't need to end to keep the country united.
Unfortunately, the view of Radical Republican prevailed in Reconstruction.