STATUS OF THE CONTROVERSY REGARDING SLAVERY,
AT THE TIME VIRGINIA SECEDED FROM
THE UNION (Concluded)
With respect to the institution of slavery, itself, in the Southern
States, the position of the Republican Party, as a party, was even
more reassuring. The platform of the party, upon which Mr. Lincoln was
elected President, gave the most explicit assurance of the purpose of
the incoming Administration to refrain from any interference with
slavery, in the states where it was recognized by law. "The
maintenance inviolate," declared that platform, "of the rights of the
states, and especially of each state, to order and control its own
domestic institutions, according to its own judgment exclusively, is
essential to the balance of power on which the perfection and
endurance of our political fabric depend."[275]
Mr. Lincoln was nominated chiefly because of his conservative position
with respect to slavery, over his more conspicuous opponents, Seward
and Chase, who were defeated because of their more radical
anti-slavery utterances.
While never concealing his strong antipathy to the institution, Mr.
Lincoln always declared his regard for the constitutional rights of
slaveholders, in the states where slavery existed. Time and again, he
said, "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with
the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I
have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do
so."[276]
After his election, Mr. Lincoln, under date of December 22, 1860,
wrote to Alexander H. Stephens, "Do the people of the South really
entertain fears that a Republican administration would directly or
indirectly interfere with the slaves, or with them about the slaves?
If they do, I wish to assure you, as once a friend, and I still hope
not an enemy, that there is no cause for such fears."[277]