Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful in all the States – old as well as new – North as well as South.

Abraham Lincoln forecasts the future of slavery in America, predicting a decisive outcome where its expansion is halted or sanctioned universally across states. He outlines the pivotal choice facing the nation regarding the institution’s fate and its implications for national unity. Lincoln’s quote reflects his commitment to containing slavery’s influence and advancing its gradual abolition, underscoring his strategic foresight and moral clarity on the issue. It highlights his leadership in navigating the complexities of slavery within a divided nation.