I am like a man so busy in letting rooms in one end of his house, that he can't stop to put out the fire that is burning the other.
Abraham LincolnRead
And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote declares the freedom of all enslaved individuals in certain states, emphasizing a significant change in their status.
In this quote, President Abraham Lincoln asserts his authority to emancipate all enslaved people in designated states, marking a pivotal moment in American history and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. The declaration not only frees individuals from the bonds of slavery but also sets a precedent for the federal government's role in recognizing and maintaining freedom, highlighting the moral and political shifts occurring during the Civil War era.
Themes
FreedomEmancipationSlaveryJusticeCivil Rights
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a discussion about the importance of civil rights.
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How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
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For it has been said, all that a man hath will he give for his life; and while all contribute of their substance the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then is due to the soldier.
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And having thus chosen our course, without guile, and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear, and with manly hearts.
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