Good morning! I'm having difficulty with this question on my practice sheet, and I wanted a second-hand opinion, any help is appreciated.
Read this excerpt:
One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.
1. How does Lincoln convey the idea that the federal government's position on slavery before the war was reasonable and measured?
A: He depicts the federal government as merely wanting to act within its rights to limit slavery, not abolish it. (I don't think it's this one)
B: He hints that rebels wanted to use the slavery issue to disrupt the nation's unity, creating two separate countries. (I think it's this one because of the last sentence in the paragraph)
C: He describes those in favor of slavery as insurgents seeking to expand slavery's presence. (I sort of think it's this one, also because of the last sentence in the paragraph)
D: He provides statistics on the nation's population trends about the quantity and location of slaves. (I don't think it's this one)
Thank you!
2 answers
So, the last sentence is saying that the government wants to limit slavery, but not completely get rid of it. Due to the fact that if the government cannot do more than to restrict the expansion of slavery, then surely it cannot fully abolish either?
3 answers