Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[Donna McCreary]

(05-21-2014 10:20 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 08:57 PM)L Verge Wrote:  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.

In a letter to her half-sister, Emilie Todd Helm, Mary wrote:

"Altho' Mr L - is, or was a Fremont man, you must not include him with so many of those, who belong to "that party," an "Abolitionist." In principle he is far from it -- All he desires is, that slavery, shall not be extended, let it remain, where it is . . . .
If some of you Kentuckians, had to deal with the "wild Irish," as we housekeeprs are sometimes caled upon to do, the south would certainly elect Mr. Fillmore. .. "
November 23rd, 1856

It seems that both AL and ML had a change of heart over the years regarding slavery.