text: what are lincoln's fears regarding slavery in the "house divided" speech?   it has been along time since i studied the subject but as i recall he did not want to get involved in to slavery issue for 2 primary reasons.  1st he feared that federal intervention into the issue would push the south into a war of secession.  2nd he was a states rights supporter and a limited central government...first republican president and all.    hope this is is start.