Lincoln

Most governments have been based, practically, on the denial of equal rights of men, as I have, in part, stated them; ours began, by affirming those rights. They said, some men are too ignorant, and vicious, to share in government. Possibly so, said we; and, by your system, you would always keep them ignorant, and vicious. We proposed to give all a chance; and we expected the weak to grow stronger, the ignorant, wiser; and all better, and happier together.

We made the experiment; and the fruit is before us.
— Abraham Lincoln, Fragment on Slavery. 1857-1858 ca.
A group of high school students gather at the Lincoln Memorial. Washington, DC.

A group of high school students gather at the Lincoln Memorial. Washington, DC.

A man studies the George Peter Alexander Healy portrait of Lincoln at the National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.

A man studies the George Peter Alexander Healy portrait of Lincoln at the National Portrait Gallery. Washington, DC.