I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its just influence in the world—enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites—causes the real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity.

Abraham Lincoln

On slavery.

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the Property of its Restoration: Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas." 16 Oct. 1854, Peoria, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Speech on the Kansas-Nebraska Act at Peoria, Illinois, October 16, 1854." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.