Equal Human Rights In 1863, Abraham Lincoln was faced with a major dilemma dealing with an upcoming election. Arguments and fights were breaking out among the people of Northern and Southern States. Lincoln knew something had to be done to show his view points about on slavery and the reconstruction of the Union. Lincoln believed that slavery should not be interfered with by the government. However, he also knew that only four states of the Union were slave-holding states, Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Delaware. Lincoln thought these states were an important part of remaining the Union. Lincoln knew that he could not legally abolish slavery, and the power to t