By: Shawn Cox
Submitted: 2010-06-29 20:29:00 | Word Count: 376
Every time the meaning of Declaration of Independence is reviewed, Abraham Lincoln comes into the minds of many Americans. In his times, he had the most acceptable interpretation of this phenomenon. However, a lot of controversy is evident in his endeavor to achieve his interpretation of Declaration of Independence. The most outright themes he touched on were his support for real freedom and his rejection of attempts of some states to continue enslaving African Americans.
The Declaration of Independence had been drafted by delegates from thirteen states; To Abraham Lincoln, it was rather shocking that twelve of the aforementioned states practiced slavery (Basler, 1946). Lincoln’s interpretation of this phenomenon was based on the truth that all men are equivalent and equal; he strongly opposed biased discrimination against any man that lives in the universe while borrowing a lot of support from former leaders and wise men in his speech. Lincoln was aware that there was a law that existed that was superior to political power: the law of humanity. If the Declaration of Independence was to hold, Lincoln put it clear that everyone in the society had to be free; leaders had to be merciful to slaves and set them free; truth and justice had to prevail.
Being a white man, it is rather shocking for Abraham Lincoln to refer to all men with special reference to African Americans as Divine (Wilbur, 1914). It was such a bold step for Lincoln to transcend the stands that his fellow whites had adopted thinking that they were superior to African Americans. Though the intentions of Lincoln are highly criticized and sometimes dismissed as selfish interests to fortify his troops with all races, his interpretation of Declaration of Independence brought about education among the freed slaves. This moral stand has seen America host different races and advance in terms of education, other aspects and hence technology.
In co
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nclusion, Abraham Lincoln has a lot to do with freedom of African Americans from slavery. However, this would not have been realized without his interpretation of The Declaration of Independence. Lincoln rose above his race and if other leaders proceed with his moral stance, all Americans will live a life of freedom.
