406. Lincoln and Slavery
It will be remembered that the Republican party had de - nied again and again that it had any intention to interfere with slavery in the states . As long as peace lasted the Federal government could not interfere with slavery in the states . But when war broke out , the President , as com - mander - in - chief , could do anything to distress and weaken the enemy . If freeing the slaves in the seceded states would injure the secession - ists , he had a perfect right to do it . But Lincoln knew that public opinion in the North would not approve this action . He would follow Northern sentiment in this matter , and not force it .
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