---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Abraham Lincoln would maintain that he…"
description: "\"“Abraham Lincoln would maintain that he had never been in favor “of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to i..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_abraham-lincoln_abraham-lincoln-would-maintain-that-he-h_1468133.png"
---

#  Abraham Lincoln would maintain that he had never been in…

![“Abraham Lincoln would maintain that he had never been in favor “of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry.” quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_abraham-lincoln_abraham-lincoln-would-maintain-that-he-h_1468133.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_abraham-lincoln_abraham-lincoln-would-maintain-that-he-h_1468133.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/doris-kearns-goodwin-1951_abraham-lincoln_abraham-lincoln-would-maintain-that-he-h_1468133.png)

> ““Abraham Lincoln would maintain that he had never been in favor “of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry.””

[Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Lincoln opposed extending voting rights and office eligibility to Black people, reflecting his cautious political strategy and prevailing racial attitudes of his era.

**In simple terms:** Lincoln resisted Black suffrage and office holding.

Key Takeaway

Recognize historical context before judging.

Themes

politics race history leadership

Mood

reflective critical historical

Type

historical political controversial

When to use this quote

- historical analysis
- policy debate
- education curriculum
- civil rights advocacy

Key Concepts

civil rights political compromise racial attitudes

Questions to Reflect On

- How did political pressures shape his views?
- Can leaders evolve beyond early positions?

A Different Perspective

Lincoln’s stance conflicted with his later emancipation efforts.

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