Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[Eva Elisabeth]

I have been wanting to ask this question for a long time and am finally going to do it. From the moment that Lincoln started dating Miss Todd, he knew that her family was a slave holding one. I know they were also fellow Whigs, but it would seem to me that, if he had a lifelong hatred of slavery as is claimed, he would have wanted nothing to do with Mary and her family -- and should have run the other way!

The fact that he did hang on - and come back - would indicate to me that he truly loved her. If not, it would make him a self-serving, political climber in my mind. I would prefer to believe that love overcame slavery obstacles.

IMO it's unjust to "condemn" others because of their parents, and Abraham Lincoln's mindset was sure like mine (or v.v.). That Mary came from a slaveholding family doesn't mean she agreed on her parents' (father's) practices. I've never read anything different than that Mary had always opposed slavery (though she was not opposed to the convenience of employed servants). Common political views and interests was one thing that started their relationship, Mary shared and supported Abraham Lincoln's political views.