1858

"Nearly four million black men, women, and children were enslaved in southern states. Lincoln thought slavery a great evil. If he became a United States senator, more people would hear him speak out against it.
In speech after speech, he reminded people that slavery did not fit with the ideals of the Declaration of Independence."

"As a nation, we begin to declare that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal', except Negroes.'"

"He lost the election. But again, his words got much attention. People felt he spoke from his heart."