Abraham Lincoln, “House Divided Speech” before the Republican State Convention, Springfield, Illinois, (June 16, 1858)
Lincoln gave this speech after being nominated by the Republican party to challenge Democrat Stephen A. Douglas for a Senate seat from Illinois.
(This photograph depicts Lincoln’s inauguration in March 1861. Source: Library of Congress)
We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation.
Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented.
In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.
I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.
It will become all one thing or all the other.
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 the 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.
Source and Complete text: Abraham Lincoln Online
Read more about Lincoln, his life and administration in these books: