My interpretation was he meant that the civil war was not about slavery, but that Lincoln's desire was to preserve the union. This is a common interpretation by military historians that may or may not be conveniently left out of most text books or overlooked. The result of which created the 14th amendment which can be considered a type of "enslavement" to all who abide by citizenship. Citizenship being a system of ownership by the state.
I didn't interpret he assumes he is any freer then anyone else in that sense.
Where he lives is irrelevant. If a man/woman chooses to follow the rules is on them, Whether to their benefit or detriment. This topic would clearly be subjective. A man is free in his heart alone and will not find freedom anywhere else in the world or be given it by any other man.