US CIvil War

The House Divided Against Itself ' Speech

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Lincoln gained prominence at the national level only after his nomination as Republican candidate for senate in 1858 to contest against Douglas from Illinois . His speech at Springfield , Illinois on June 16 1858 remains an important milestone in the history of United States as he mainly raised the issue of slavery in the territories foe the first time as a political leader and set an impetus for the abolition

of slavery that pushed the American nation toward Civil War . In this speech , Lincoln opposed slavery mainly on moral grounds . He stressed on the need for cherished American ideals of fraternity , equality and democracy but he was of the view that these ideals are for all . National could not be separated into two halves where one half would be enjoying the fruits of democracy while would be negated their due rights . He did not support the idea of popular sovereignty with regard to slavery Lincoln held the view that

a house divided against itself cannot stand . I believe this government can not endure permanently half free . I do not expect the house to fall -but I do expect it will cease to be divided . I will become one thing or all the other . Either the opponents of slavery arrest the further spread of it , and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it...