Abraham Lincoln dislike slavery and he couldn't see himself being a master. The speech in Peoria, Illinois on October 16th, 1854: where Lincoln attacked slavery but also confused his uncertainty as how to end slavery where it then existed because that neither colonization nor racial equality were practical. 1
At Lincoln Inauguration, he had no plans to end slavery in those states where it already existed.
In Lincoln other speeches, he didn't shy away from not mentioning about his dislike on the topic of
slavery did not now exist amongst them, they would not introduce it. If it did not exist among us, we should not instantly give it up. This I believe of the masses of north and south. We know that some southern men do free their slaves, go north and become tip top abolitionists; where some northern ones go south and become most cruel slave owns.1
During Lincoln fifth debate, Lincoln claimed that slavery ran counter to American democratic principles
Americans.3
Abraham Lincoln told the nation he didn't want to interfere with the southern states with slavery. That didn't keep him from not speaking out about his hatred on slavery. Southern states began to fear that Lincoln would free all slaves. The southern states perceived the threat of Lincoln by separating them from the Union.
Bibliography
1. Lincoln, Abraham 1854. Speech at Peoria, Illonois. Lincoln on Slavery - Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) ft. Lincoln, Abraham. 1858. Fifth Debate with Stephan A. Douglas. Galesburg, Illinois Lincoln on Slavery - Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov