Learn English – What’s the difference between ‘in the distance’ and ‘from a distance’

Statement 1

Lincoln was opposed to slavery

describes an attitude or belief.

Statement 2

John Kerry opposed this idea.

describes an action.

I can be opposed to something - i.e. think it's wrong, believe it should be changed - without actually doing anything active to stop it - e.g. voting against it, protesting etc.

A distance means very far away.

The distance generally refers to as far away as you can see IMO (some people might disagree on exactly where "the distance" is).

So if you say, "He came from a distance." It means he came from somewhere far away. A more natural way to word that would be, "He came from quite a distance."

On the other hand, if you say "He came from the distance." That means that he came from just about as far as you can see (also implying you could see him). Perhaps a better way to word the same situation would be, "He appeared in the distance."