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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Abraham Lincoln, by Frank Crosby
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Life of Abraham Lincoln
+ Sixteenth President of the United States
+
+Author: Frank Crosby
+
+Release Date: November 12, 2013 [EBook #44166]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Mark C. Orton, Charlie Howard, and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ "If this country cannot be saved without giving up the principle of
+ Liberty, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this
+ spot than surrender it."
+
+ _From Mr. Lincoln's Speech at Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
+ February 21, 1861._
+
+ "I believe this Government cannot endure permanently half slave and
+ half free."
+
+ _Springfield, Illinois, June, 1858._
+
+ "I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and
+ the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with
+ the original idea for which the Revolution was made."
+
+ _Trenton, New Jersey, February 21, 1861._
+
+ "Having thus chosen our course, without guile and with pure
+ purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear
+ and with manly hearts."
+
+ _Message, July 5, 1861._
+
+ "In giving freedom to the slaves, we assure freedom to the free;
+ honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve."
+
+ _Message, December 1, 1862._
+
+ "I hope peace will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to
+ be worth the keeping in all future time."
+
+ _Springfield Letter, August 26, 1863._
+
+ "The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here;
+ but it can never forget what the brave men, living and dead, did
+ here."
+
+ _Speech at Gettysburg, November 19, 1863._
+
+ "I shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation
+ Proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is
+ free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the Acts of
+ Congress."
+
+ _Amnesty Proclamation, December 8, 1863._
+
+ "I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that
+ events have controlled me."
+
+ _Letter to A. G. Hodges, April 4, 1864._
+
+ "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in
+ the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to
+ finish the work we are in."
+
+ _Last Inaugural, March 4, 1865._
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+ LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
+
+ SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
+
+
+ CONTAINING
+
+ HIS EARLY HISTORY AND POLITICAL CAREER; TOGETHER
+ WITH THE SPEECHES, MESSAGES, PROCLAMATIONS AND
+ OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF
+ HIS EVENTFUL ADMINISTRATION.
+
+
+ BY FRANK CROSBY,
+ MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR.
+
+
+ "LET ALL THE ENDS THOU AIM'ST AT BE THY COUNTRY'S,
+ THY GOD'S AND TRUTH'S; THEN IF THOU FALL'ST
+ THOU FALL'ST A BLESSED MARTYR."
+
+
+ NEW YORK
+ INTERNATIONAL BOOK COMPANY
+ 310-318 SIXTH AVENUE
+
+
+
+
+ DEDICATED
+
+ TO THE GOOD AND TRUE
+
+ OF THE NATION
+
+ REDEEMED--REGENERATED--DISENTHRALLED.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+An attempt has been made in the following pages to portray Abraham
+Lincoln, mainly in his relations to the country at large during his
+eventful administration.
+
+With this view, it has not been deemed necessary to cumber the work
+with the minute details of his life prior to that time. This period
+has, therefore, been but glanced at, with a care to present enough to
+make a connected whole. His Congressional career and his campaign with
+Senator Douglas are presented in outline, yet so, it is believed, that
+a clear idea of these incidents in his life can be obtained.
+
+After the time of his election as President, however, a different
+course of treatment has been pursued. Thenceforward, to the close of
+his life, especial pains have been taken to present everything which
+should show him as he was--the Statesman persistent, resolute, free
+from boasting or ostentation, destitute of hate, never exultant,
+guarded in his prophecies, threatening none at home or abroad,
+indulging in no utopian dreams of a blissful future, moving quietly,
+calmly, conscientiously, irresistibly on to the end he saw with
+clearest vision.
+
+Yet, even in what is presented as a complete record of his
+administration, too much must not be expected. It is impossible, for
+example, to thoroughly dissect the events of the great Rebellion in
+a work like the present. Nothing of the kind has been attempted. The
+prominent features only have been sketched; and that solely for the
+purpose of bringing into the distinct foreground him whose life is
+under consideration.
+
+Various Speeches, Proclamations, and Letters, not vitally essential
+to the unity of the main body of the work, yet valuable as affording
+illustrations of the man--have been collected in the Appendix.
+
+Imperfect as this portraiture must necessarily be, there is one
+conciliatory thought. The subject needs no embellishment. It furnishes
+its own setting. The acts of the man speak for themselves. Only such an
+arrangement is needed as shall show the bearing of each upon the other,
+the development of each, the processes of growth.
+
+Those words of the lamented dead which nestle in our hearts so
+tenderly--they call for no explanation. Potent, searching, taking hold
+of our consciences, they will remain with us while reason lasts.
+
+Nor will the people's interest be but for the moment. The baptism of
+blood to which the Nation has been called, cannot be forgotten for
+generations. And while memories of him abide, there will inevitably be
+associated with them the placid, quiet face, not devoid of mirth--its
+patient, anxious, yet withal hopeful expression--the sure, elastic
+step--the clearly cut, sharply defined speech of him, who, under
+Providence, was to lead us through the trial and anguish of those
+bitter days to the rest and refreshing of a peace, whose dawn only,
+alas! he was to see.
+
+Though this work may not rise to the height required, it is hoped that
+it is not utterly unworthy of the subject. Such as it is--a labor of
+love--it is offered to those who loved and labored with the patriot
+and hero, with the earnest desire that it may not be regarded an
+unwarrantable intrusion upon ground on which any might hesitate to
+venture.
+
+ F. C.
+
+ _Philadelphia, June, 1865._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+
+ BOYHOOD AND EARLY MANHOOD.
+
+ Preliminary--Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal from Kentucky--At
+ Work--Self Education--Personal Characteristics--Another Removal
+ --Trip to New Orleans--Becomes Clerk--Black Hawk War--Engages in
+ Politics--Successive Elections to the Legislature--Anti-Slavery
+ Protest--Commences Practice as a Lawyer--Traits of Character--
+ Marriage--Return to Politics--Election to Congress 13
+
+
+ CHAPTER II.
+
+ IN CONGRESS AND ON THE STUMP.
+
+ The Mexican War--Internal Improvements--Slavery in the
+ District of Columbia--Public Lands--Retires to Private Life--
+ Kansas-Nebraska Bill--Withdraws in Favor of Senator Trumbull--
+ Formation of Republican Party--Nominated for U. S. Senator--
+ Opening Speech of Mr. Lincoln--Douglas Campaign--The Canvass--
+ Tribute to the Declaration of Independence--Result of the Contest 19
+
+
+ CHAPTER III.
+
+ BEFORE THE NATION.
+
+ Speeches in Ohio--Extract from the Cincinnati Speech--Visits
+ the East--Celebrated Speech at the Cooper Institute, New
+ York--Interesting Incident 34
+
+
+ CHAPTER IV.
+
+ NOMINATED AND ELECTED PRESIDENT.
+
+ The Republican National Convention--Democratic Convention--
+ Constitutional Union Convention--Ballotings at Chicago--
+ The Result--Enthusiastic Reception--Visit to Springfield--
+ Address and Letter of Acceptance--The Campaign--Result
+ of the Election--South Carolina's Movements--Buchanan's
+ Pusillanimity--Secession of States--Confederate Constitution--
+ Peace Convention--Constitutional Amendments--Terms of the Rebels 60
+
+
+ CHAPTER V.
+
+ TO WASHINGTON.
+
+ The Departure--Farewell Remarks--Speech at Toledo--At
+ Indianapolis--At Cincinnati--At Columbus--At Steubenville--
+ At Pittsburgh--At Cleveland--At Buffalo--At Albany--At
+ Poughkeepsie--At New York--At Trenton--At Philadelphia--At
+ "Independence Hall"--Flag Raising--Speech at Harrisburg--
+ Secret Departure for Washington--Comments 67
+
+
+ CHAPTER VI.
+
+ THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
+
+ Speeches at Washington--The Inaugural Address--Its Effect--
+ The Cabinet--Commissioners from Montgomery--Extracts from A.
+ H. Stephens' Speech--Virginia Commissioners--Fall of Fort
+ Sumter 90
+
+
+ CHAPTER VII.
+
+ PREPARING FOR WAR.
+
+ Effects of Sumter's Fall--President's Call for Troops--
+ Response in the Loyal States--In the Border States--Baltimore
+ Riots--Maryland's Position--President's Letter to Maryland
+ Authorities--Blockade Proclamation--Additional Proclamation--
+ Comments Abroad--Second Call for Troops--Special Order for
+ Florida--Military Movements 108
+
+
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ THE FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS.
+
+ Opening of Congress--President's First Message--Its Nature--
+ Action of Congress--Resolution Declaring the Object of the
+ War--Bull Run--Its Effect 117
+
+
+ CHAPTER IX.
+
+ CLOSE OF 1861.
+
+ Election of the Rebels--Davis' Boast--McClellan appointed
+ Commander of Potomac Army--Proclamation of a National Fast--
+ Intercourse with Rebels Forbidden--Fugitive Slaves--Gen.
+ Butler's Views--Gen. McClellan's Letter from Secretary
+ Cameron--Act of August 6th, 1861--Gen. Fremont's Order--
+ Letter of the President Modifying the Same--Instructions to
+ Gen. Sherman--Ball's Bluff--Gen. Scott's Retirement--Army of
+ the Potomac 137
+
+
+ CHAPTER X.
+
+ THE CONGRESS OF 1861-62.
+
+ The Military Situation--Seizure of Mason and Slidell--
+ Opposition to the Administration--President's Message--
+ Financial Legislation--Committee on the Conduct of the War--
+ Confiscation Bill 148
+
+
+ CHAPTER XI.
+
+ THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
+
+ Situation of the President--His Policy--Gradual Emancipation--
+ Message--Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia--
+ Repudiation of Gen. Hunter's Emancipation Order--Conference with
+ Congressmen from the Border Slave States--Address to the Same--
+ Military Order--Proclamation under the Conscription Act 171
+
+
+ CHAPTER XII.
+
+ THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
+
+ President's War Order--Reason for the Same--Results in West
+ and South-west--Army of the Potomac--Presidential Orders--
+ Letter to McClellan--Order for Army Corps--The Issue of the
+ Campaign--Unfortunate Circumstances--President's Speech
+ at Union Meeting--Comments--Operations in Virginia and
+ Maryland--In the West and South-west 181
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+
+ FREEDOM TO MILLIONS.
+
+ Tribune Editorial--Letter to Mr. Greeley--Announcement of the
+ Emancipation Proclamation--Suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_
+ in certain Cases--Order for Observance of the Sabbath--The
+ Emancipation Proclamation 190
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ LAST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
+
+ Situation of the Country--Opposition to the Administration--
+ President's Message 199
+
+
+ CHAPTER XV.
+
+ THE TIDE TURNED.
+
+ Military Successes--Favorable Elections--Emancipation Policy--
+ Letter to Manchester (Eng.) Workingmen--Proclamation for a
+ National Fast--Letter to Erastus Corning--Letter to a Committee
+ on Recalling Vallandigham 226
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ LETTERS AND SPEECHES.
+
+ Speech at Washington--Letter to Gen. Grant--Thanksgiving
+ Proclamation--Letter Concerning the Emancipation Proclamation--
+ Proclamation for Annual Thanksgiving--Dedicatory Speech at
+ Gettysburg 242
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVII.
+
+ THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
+
+ Organization of the House--Different Opinions as to
+ Reconstruction--Provisions for Pardon of Rebels--President's
+ Proclamation of Pardon--Annual Message--Explanatory
+ Proclamation 263
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+ PROGRESS.
+
+ President's Speech at Washington--Speech to a New York
+ Committee--Speech in Baltimore--Letter to a Kentuckian--
+ Employment of Colored Troops--Davis' Threat--General Order--
+ President's Order on the Subject 275
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIX.
+
+ RENOMINATED.
+
+ Lieut. Gen. Grant--His Military Record--Continued Movements--
+ Correspondence with the President--Across the Rapidan--
+ Richmond Invested--President's Letter to a Grant Meeting--
+ Meeting of Republican National Convention--The Platform--
+ The Nomination--Mr. Lincoln's Reply to the Committee of
+ Notification--Remarks to Union League Committee--Speech at a
+ Serenade--Speech to Ohio Troops 285
+
+
+ CHAPTER XX.
+
+ RECONSTRUCTION.
+
+ President's Speech at Philadelphia--Philadelphia Fair--
+ Correspondence with Committee of National Convention--
+ Proclamation of Martial Law in Kentucky--Question of
+ Reconstruction--President's Proclamation on the Subject--
+ Congressional Plan 298
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXI.
+
+ PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
+
+ Proclamation for a Fast--Speech to Soldiers--Another Speech--
+ "To Whom it may Concern"--Chicago Convention--Opposition
+ Embarrassed--Resolution No. 2--McClellan's Acceptance--
+ Capture of the Mobile Forts and Atlanta--Proclamation for
+ Thanksgiving--Remarks on Employment of Negro Soldiers--
+ Address to Loyal Marylanders 314
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXII.
+
+ RE-ELECTED
+
+ Presidential Campaign of 1864--Fremont's Withdrawal--Wade
+ and Davis--Peace and War Democrats--Rebel Sympathizers--
+ October Election--Result of Presidential Election--Speech to
+ Pennsylvanians--Speech at a Serenade--Letter to a Soldier's
+ Mother--Opening of Congress--Last Annual Message 325
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+ TIGHTENING THE LINES.
+
+ Speech at a Serenade--Reply to a Presentation Address--Peace
+ Rumors--Rebel Commissioners--Instructions to Secretary
+ Seward--The Conference in Hampton Roads--Result--Extra
+ Session of the Senate--Military Situation--Sherman--
+ Charleston--Columbia--Wilmington--Fort Fisher--Sheridan--
+ Grant--Rebel Congress--Second Inauguration--Inaugural--
+ English Comment--Proclamation to Deserters 350
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+ IN RICHMOND.
+
+ President Visits City Point--Lee's Failure--Grant's Movement--
+ Abraham Lincoln in Richmond--Lee's Surrender--President's
+ Impromptu Speech--Speech on Reconstruction--Proclamation Closing
+ Certain Ports--Proclamation Relative to Maritime Rights--
+ Supplementary Proclamation--Orders from the War Department--
+ The Traitor President 362
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXV.
+
+ THE LAST ACT.
+
+ Interview with Mr. Colfax--Cabinet Meeting--Incident--
+ Evening Conversation--Possibility of Assassination--Leaves
+ for the Theatre--In the Theatre--Precautions for the
+ Murder--The Pistol Shot--Escape of the Assassin--Death of
+ the President--Pledges Redeemed--Situation of the Country--
+ Effect of the Murder--Obsequies at Washington--Borne Home--
+ Grief of the People--At Rest 374
+
+
+ CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+ THE MAN.
+
+ Reasons for His Re-election--What was Accomplished--Leaning on
+ the People--State Papers--His Tenacity of Purpose--Washington
+ and Lincoln--As a Man--Favorite Poem--Autobiography--His Modesty
+ --A Christian--Conclusion 382
+
+
+ APPENDIX.
+
+ Mr. Lincoln's Speeches in Congress and Elsewhere, Proclamations,
+ Letters, etc., not included in the Body of the Work.
+
+ Speech on the Mexican War, (In Congress, Jan. 12, 1848) 391
+
+ Speech on Internal Improvements, (In Congress, June 20, 1848)
+ 403
+
+ Speech on the Presidency and General Politics, (In Congress,
+ July 27, 1848) 417
+
+ Speech in Reply to Mr. Douglas, on Kansas, the Dred Scott
+ Decision, and the Utah Question, (At Springfield, June 26,
+ 1857) 431
+
+ Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas, (At Chicago, July 10, 1858) 442
+
+ Opening Passages of his Speech at Freeport 459
+
+ Letter to Gen. McClellan 464
+
+ Letter to Gen. Schofield Relative to the Removal of Gen. Curtis 466
+
+ Three Hundred Thousand Men Called For 466
+
+ Rev. Dr. McPheeters--President's Reply to an Appeal for
+ Interference 468
+
+ An Election Ordered in the State of Arkansas 470
+
+ Letter to William Fishback on the Election in Arkansas 471
+
+ Call for Five Hundred Thousand Men 471
+
+ Letter to Mrs. Gurney 473
+
+ The Tennessee Test Oath 474
+
+
+
+
+LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+BOYHOOD AND EARLY MANHOOD.
+
+ Preliminary--Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal from Kentucky--
+ At Work--Self Education--Personal Characteristics--Another
+ Removal--Trip to New Orleans--Becomes Clerk--Black Hawk War--
+ Engages in Politics--Successive Elections to the Legislature--
+ Anti-Slavery Protest--Commences Practice as a Lawyer--Traits of
+ Character--Marriage--Return to Politics--Election to Congress.
+
+
+The leading incidents in the early life of the men who have most
+decidedly influenced the destinies of our republic, present a striking
+similarity. The details, indeed, differ; but the story, in outline, is
+the same--"the short and simple annals of the poor."
+
+Of obscure parentage--accustomed to toil from their tender years--with
+few facilities for the education of the school--the most struggled
+on, independent, self-reliant, till by their own right hands they had
+hewed their way to the positions for which their individual talents
+and peculiarities stamped them as best fitted. Children of nature,
+rather than of art, they have ever in their later years--amid scenes
+and associations entirely dissimilar to those with which in youth and
+early manhood, they were familiar--retained somewhat indicative of
+their origin and training. In speech or in action--often in both--they
+have smacked of their native soil. If they have lacked the grace of
+the courtier, ample compensation has been afforded in the honesty of
+the man. If their address was at times abrupt, it was at least frank
+and unmistakable. Both friend and foe knew exactly where to find them.
+Unskilled in the doublings of the mere politician or the trimmer, they
+have borne themselves straight forward to the points whither their
+judgment and conscience directed. Such men may have been deemed fit
+subjects for the jests and sneers of more cultivated Europeans, but
+they are none the less dear to us as Americans--will none the less take
+their place among those whose names the good, throughout the world,
+will not willingly let die.
+
+Of this class, pre-eminently, was the statesman whose life and public
+services the following pages are to exhibit.
+
+ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Sixteenth President of the United States, son
+of Thomas and Nancy Lincoln--the former a Kentuckian, the latter
+a Virginian--was born February 12th, 1809, near Hodgenville, the
+county-seat of what is now known as La Rue county, Kentucky. He had one
+sister, two years his senior, who died, married, in early womanhood;
+and his only brother, his junior by two years, died in childhood.
+
+When nine years of age, he lost his mother, the family having, two
+years previously, removed to what was then the territory of Indiana,
+and settled in the southern part, near the Ohio river, about midway
+between Louisville and Evansville. The thirteen years which the lad
+spent here inured him to all the exposures and hardships of frontier
+life. An active assistant in farm duties, he neglected no opportunity
+of strengthening his mind, reading with avidity such instructive works
+as he could procure--on winter evenings, oftentimes, by the light of
+the blazing fire-place. As satisfaction for damage accidentally done to
+a borrowed copy of Weems' Life of Washington--the only one known to be
+in the neighborhood--he pulled fodder for two days for the owner.
+
+At twenty years of age, he had reached the height of nearly six feet
+and four inches, with a comparatively slender yet uncommonly strong
+muscular frame--a youthful giant among a race of giants. Morally, he
+was proverbially honest, conscientious, and upright.
+
+In 1830, his father again emigrated, halting for a year on the north
+fork of the Sangamon river, Illinois, but afterwards pushing on to
+Coles county, some seventy miles to the eastward, on the upper waters
+of the Kaskaskia and Embarrass, where his adventurous life ended in
+1851, he being in his seventy-third year. The first year in Illinois
+the son spent with the father; the next he aided in constructing
+a flat-boat, on which, with other hands, a successful trip to New
+Orleans and back was made. This city--then the El Dorado of the Western
+frontiersman--had been visited by the young man, in the same capacity,
+when he was nineteen years of age.
+
+Returning from this expedition, he acted for a year as clerk for
+his former employer, who was engaged in a store and flouring mill
+at New Salem, twenty miles below Springfield. While thus occupied,
+tidings reached him of an Indian invasion on the western border of
+the State--since known as the Black Hawk war, from an old Sac chief
+of that name, who was the prominent mover in the matter. In New Salem
+and vicinity, a company of volunteers was promptly raised, of which
+young Lincoln was elected captain--his first promotion. The company,
+however, having disbanded, he again enlisted as a private, and during
+the three months' service of this, his first short military campaign,
+he faithfully discharged his duty to his country, persevering amid
+peculiar hardships and against the influences of older men around him.
+
+With characteristic humor and sarcasm, while commenting, in a
+Congressional speech during the canvass of 1848, upon the efforts of
+General Cass's biographers to exalt their idol into a military hero, he
+thus alluded to this episode in his life:
+
+"By the way, Mr. Speaker, did you know I am a military hero? Yes, sir,
+in the days of the Black Hawk war, I fought, bled, and came away.
+Speaking of General Cass's career, reminds me of my own. I was not
+at Stillman's defeat, but I was about as near it as Cass to Hull's
+surrender; and like him, I saw the place very soon afterward. It is
+quite certain I did not break my sword, for I had none to break; but I
+bent a musket pretty badly on one occasion. If Cass broke his sword,
+the idea is, he broke it in desperation; I bent the musket by accident.
+If General Cass went in advance of me in picking whortleberries, I
+guess I surpassed him in charges upon the wild onions. If he saw any
+live, fighting Indians, it was more than I did, but I had a good many
+bloody struggles with the mosquitoes; and although I never fainted from
+loss of blood, I can truly say I was often very hungry.
+
+"Mr. Speaker, if I should ever conclude to doff whatever our Democratic
+friends may suppose there is of black-cockade Federalism about me,
+and, thereupon, they should take me up as their candidate for the
+Presidency, I protest they shall not make fun of me as they have of
+General Cass, by attempting to write me into a military hero."
+
+This bit of adventure over, Mr. Lincoln--who had determined to become a
+lawyer, in common with most energetic, enterprising young men of that
+period and section--embarked in politics, warmly espousing the cause
+of Henry Clay, in a State at that time decidedly opposed to his great
+leader, and received a gratifying evidence of his personal popularity
+where he was best known, in securing an almost unanimous vote in his
+own precinct in Sangamon county as a candidate for representative in
+the State Legislature, although a little later in the same canvass
+General Jackson, the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, led his
+competitor, Clay, one hundred and fifty-five votes.
+
+While pursuing his law studies, he engaged in land surveying as a
+means of support. In 1834, not yet having been admitted to the bar--a
+backwoodsman in manner, dress, and expression--tall, lank, and by no
+means prepossessing--he was first elected to the Legislature of his
+adopted State, being the youngest member, with a single exception.
+During this session he rarely took the floor to speak, content to
+play the part of an observer rather than of an actor. It was at this
+period that he became acquainted with Stephen A. Douglas, then a recent
+immigrant from Vermont, in connection with whom he was destined to
+figure so prominently before the country.
+
+In 1836, he was elected for a second term. During this session, he put
+upon record, together with one of his colleagues, his views relative to
+slavery, in the following protest, bearing date March 3d, 1837:--
+
+"Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed
+both branches of the General Assembly, at its present session, the
+undersigned hereby protest against the passage of the same.
+
+"They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both
+injustice and bad policy; but that the promulgation of abolition
+doctrines tends rather to increase than abate its evils.
+
+"They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power,
+under the Constitution, to interfere with the institution of slavery in
+the different States.
+
+"They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power,
+under the Constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia;
+but that the power ought not to be exercised, unless at the request of
+the people of said district."
+
+In 1838 and 1840, he was again elected and received the vote of his
+party for the speakership. First elected at twenty-five, he had
+been continued so long as his inclination allowed, and until by his
+kind manners, his ability, and unquestioned integrity, he had won a
+position, when but a little past thirty, as the virtual leader of his
+party in Illinois. His reputation as a close and logical debater had
+been established; his native talent as an orator had been developed;
+his earnest zeal for his party had brought around him troops of
+friends; while his acknowledged goodness of heart had knit many to
+him, who, upon purely political grounds, would have held themselves
+aloof.
+
+While a member of the Legislature, he had devoted himself, as best he
+could--considering the necessity he was under of eking out a support
+for himself, and the demands made upon his time by his political
+associates--to mastering his chosen profession, and in 1836 was
+admitted to practice. Securing at once a good amount of business, he
+began to rise as a most effective jury advocate, who could readily
+perceive, and promptly avail himself of, the turning points of a
+case. A certain quaint humor, withal, which he was wont to employ
+in illustration--combined with his sterling, practical sense, going
+straight to the core of things--stamped him as an original. Disdaining
+the tricks of the mere rhetorician, he spoke from the heart to the
+heart, and was universally regarded by those with whom he came in
+contact as every inch a man, in the best and broadest sense of that
+term. His thoughts, his manner, his address were eminently his own.
+Affecting none of the cant of the demagogue, the people trusted him,
+revered him as one of the best, if not the best, among them. Their
+sympathies were his--their weal his desire, their interests a common
+stock with his own.
+
+Having permanently located himself at Springfield, the seat of Sangamon
+county--which ever after he called his home--he devoted himself to the
+practice of his profession, and on the 4th of November, 1842, married
+Mary Todd, daughter of the Hon. Robert S. Todd of Lexington, Kentucky,
+a lady of accomplished manners and refined social tastes.
+
+Although he had determined to retire from the political arena and taste
+the sweets which a life with one's own family can alone secure, his
+earnest wishes were at length overruled by the as earnest demands of
+that party with the success of which he firmly believed his country's
+best interests identified, and in 1844 he thoroughly canvassed his
+State in behalf of Clay--afterward passing into Indiana, and daily
+addressing immense gatherings until the day of election. Over the
+defeat of the great Kentuckian he sorrowed as one almost without hope;
+feeling it, indeed, far more keenly than his generous nature would have
+done, had it been a merely personal discomfiture.
+
+Two years later, in 1846, Mr. Lincoln was persuaded to accept the Whig
+nomination for Congress in the Sangamon district, and was elected by
+an unprecedently large majority. Texas had meanwhile been annexed; the
+Mexican war was in progress; the Tariff of 1842 had been repealed.
+
+With the opening of the Thirtieth Congress--December 6th, 1847--Mr.
+Lincoln took his seat in the lower house of Congress, Stephen A.
+Douglas also appearing for the first time as a member of the Senate.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+IN CONGRESS AND ON THE STUMP.
+
+ The Mexican War--Internal Improvements--Slavery in the
+ District of Columbia--Public Lands--Retires to Private Life--
+ Kansas-Nebraska Bill--Withdraws in favor of Senator Trumbull--
+ Formation of Republican Party--Nominated for U. S. Senator--
+ Opening Speech of Mr. Lincoln--Douglas Campaign--The Canvass--
+ Tribute to the Declaration of Independence--Result of the Contest.
+
+
+Mr. Lincoln was early recognized as one of the foremost of the Western
+men upon the floor of the House. His Congressional record is that
+of a Whig of those days. Believing that Mr. Polk's administration
+had mismanaged affairs with Mexico at the outset, he, in common with
+others of his party, was unwilling, while voting supplies and favoring
+suitable rewards for our gallant soldiers, to be forced into an
+unqualified indorsement of the war with that country from its beginning
+to its close.
+
+Accordingly, December 22d, 1847, he introduced a series of resolutions
+of inquiry concerning the origin of the war, calling for definite
+official information, which were laid over under the rule, and never
+acted upon. Upon a test question on abandoning the war, without any
+material result accomplished, he voted with the minority in favor of
+laying that resolution upon the table.
+
+In all questions bearing upon the matter of internal improvements,
+he took an active interest. He took manly ground in favor of the
+unrestricted right of petition, and favored a liberal policy toward the
+people in disposing of the public lands. He exerted himself during the
+canvass of 1848, to secure the election of General Taylor, delivering
+several effective campaign speeches in New England and the West.
+
+At the second session of the Thirtieth Congress, he voted in favor of
+laying upon the table a resolution instructing the Committee on the
+District of Columbia to report a bill prohibiting the slave-trade in
+the District, and subsequently read a substitute which he favored. This
+substitute contained the form of a bill enacting that no person not
+already within the District, should be held in slavery therein, and
+providing for the gradual emancipation of the slaves already within the
+District, with compensation to the owners, if a majority of the legal
+voters of the District should assent to the act, at an election to be
+holden for the purpose. It made an exception of the right of citizens
+of the slave-holding States coming to the District on public business,
+to "be attended into and out of said District, and while there, by the
+necessary servants of themselves and their families."
+
+In regard to the grant of public lands to the new States, to aid in the
+construction of railways and canals, he favored the interests of his
+own constituents, under such restrictions as the proper scope of these
+grants required.
+
+Having declined to be a candidate for re-election, he retired once
+more to private life, resuming the professional practice which had been
+temporarily interrupted by his public duties, and taking no active part
+in politics through the period of General Taylor's administration, or
+in any of the exciting scenes of 1850.
+
+The introduction of the Kansas-Nebraska bill by Stephen A. Douglas, in
+1854, aroused him from his repose, and summoned him once more to battle
+for the right. In the canvass of that year, he was one of the most
+active leaders of the anti-Nebraska movement, addressing the people
+repeatedly from the stump, with all his characteristic earnestness and
+energy, and powerfully aided in effecting the remarkable political
+changes of that year in Illinois.
+
+The Legislature that year having to choose a United States Senator, and
+for the first time in the history of the State, the election of one
+opposed to the Democratic party being within the reach of possibility,
+Mr. Lincoln, although the first choice of the great body of the
+opposition, with characteristic self-sacrificing disposition, appealed
+to his old Whig friends to go over in a solid body to Mr. Trumbull,
+a man of Democratic antecedents, who could command the full vote of
+the anti-Nebraska Democrats; and the latter was consequently elected.
+Mr. Lincoln was subsequently offered the nomination for Governor of
+Illinois, but declined the honor in favor of Col. William H. Bissell,
+who was elected by a decisive majority.
+
+In the formation of the Republican party as such, Mr. Lincoln bore
+an active and influential part, his name being presented, but
+ineffectually, at the first National Convention of that party, for
+Vice-President; laboring earnestly during the canvass of 1856, for the
+election of General Fremont, whose electoral ticket he headed.
+
+After Mr. Douglas had taken ground against Mr. Buchanan's
+administration relative to the so-called Lecompton Constitution of
+Kansas, and had received the indorsement of the Democratic party of
+Illinois--his re-election as Senator depending upon the result of the
+State election in 1858--the Republican Convention of that year with
+shouts of applause, unanimously resolved that Abraham Lincoln was "the
+first and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois for the United
+States Senate, as the successor of Stephen A. Douglas." At the close of
+the proceedings, he delivered the following speech, which struck the
+key-note of his contest with Senator Douglas, one of the most exciting
+and remarkable ever witnessed in this country:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:--If we could first know where we
+ are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what
+ to do, and how to do it. We are now far on into the fifth year,
+ since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident
+ promise of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation
+ of that policy, that agitation had not only not ceased, but has
+ constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until
+ a crisis shall have been reached, and passed. 'A house divided
+ against itself can not stand.' I believe this Government can not
+ endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the
+ Union to be dissolved--I do not expect the house to fall--but I do
+ expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing,
+ or all the other. Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the
+ further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest
+ in the belief that it is in course of ultimate extinction, or its
+ advocates will push it forward, till it shall become alike lawful
+ in all the States, old as well as new--North as well as South.
+
+ "Have we no tendency to the latter condition? Let any one who
+ doubts, carefully contemplate that now almost complete legal
+ combination--piece of machinery, so to speak--compounded of the
+ Nebraska doctrine, and the Dred Scott decision. Let him consider
+ not only what work the machinery is adapted to do, and how well
+ adapted, but also let him study the history of its construction,
+ and trace, if he can, or rather fail, if he can, to trace the
+ evidences of design, and concert of action, among its chief
+ master-workers from the beginning.
+
+ "But, so far, Congress only had acted; and an indorsement by
+ the people, real or apparent, was indispensable, to save the
+ point already gained, and give chance for more. The new year of
+ 1854 found slavery excluded from more than half the States by
+ State Constitutions, and from most of the national territory by
+ Congressional prohibition. Four days later commenced the struggle,
+ which ended in repealing that Congressional prohibition. This
+ opened all the national territory to slavery, and was the first
+ point gained.
+
+ "This necessity had not been overlooked, but had been
+ provided for, as well as might be, in the notable argument of
+ '_squatter sovereignty_,' otherwise called '_sacred right of
+ self-government_,' which latter phrase, though expressive of the
+ only rightful basis of any government, was so perverted in this
+ attempted use of it as to amount to just this: that if any one man
+ choose to enslave another, no third man shall be allowed to object.
+ That argument was incorporated into the Nebraska Bill itself, in
+ the language which follows: 'It being the true intent and meaning
+ of this act not to legislate slavery into any Territory or State,
+ nor exclude it therefrom; but to leave the people thereof perfectly
+ free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own
+ way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States.'
+
+ "Then opened the roar of loose declamation in favor of 'squatter
+ sovereignty,' and 'sacred right of self-government.'
+
+ "'But,' said opposition members, 'let us be more specific--let us
+ _amend_ the bill so as to expressly declare that the people of the
+ territory _may_ exclude slavery.' 'Not we,' said the friends of the
+ measure; and down they voted the amendment.
+
+ "While the Nebraska Bill was passing through Congress, a law case,
+ involving the question of a negro's freedom, by reason of his
+ owner having voluntarily taken him first into a free State and then
+ a territory covered by the Congressional prohibition, and held him
+ as a slave--for a long time in each--was passing through the U. S.
+ Circuit Court for the District of Missouri; and both the Nebraska
+ Bill and law suit were brought to a decision in the same month
+ of May, 1854. The negro's name was 'Dred Scott,' which name now
+ designates the decision finally made in the case.
+
+ "Before the then next Presidential election case, the law came
+ to, and was argued in the Supreme Court of the United States;
+ but the decision of it was deferred until _after_ the election.
+ Still, _before_ the election, Senator Trumbull, on the floor of the
+ Senate, requests the leading advocate of the Nebraska Bill to state
+ _his opinion_ whether a people of a territory can constitutionally
+ exclude slavery from their limits; and the latter answers, 'That is
+ a question for the Supreme Court.'
+
+ "The election came. Mr. Buchanan was elected, and the
+ _indorsement_, such as it was, secured. That was the _second_ point
+ gained. The indorsement, however, fell short of a clear popular
+ majority by nearly four hundred thousand votes, and so, perhaps,
+ was not overwhelmingly reliable and satisfactory. The outgoing
+ President in his last annual message, as impressively as possible
+ echoed back upon the people the weight and authority of the
+ indorsement.
+
+ "The Supreme Court met again; did not announce their decision, but
+ ordered a re-argument. The Presidential inauguration came, and
+ still no decision of the court; but the incoming President, in his
+ Inaugural Address, fervently exhorted the people to abide by the
+ forthcoming decision, _whatever it might be_. Then, in a few days
+ came the decision.
+
+ "This was the third point gained.
+
+ "The reputed author of the Nebraska Bill finds an early occasion
+ to make a speech at this capitol indorsing the Dred Scott
+ decision and vehemently denouncing all opposition to it. The new
+ President, too, seizes the early occasion of the Silliman letter
+ to indorse and strongly construe that decision, and to express his
+ astonishment that any different view had ever been entertained. At
+ length a squabble springs up between the President and the author
+ of the Nebraska Bill on the mere question of fact, whether the
+ Lecompton Constitution was or was not, in any just sense, made by
+ the people of Kansas; and, in that squabble, the latter declares
+ that all he wants is a fair vote for the people, and that he cares
+ not whether slavery be voted down or voted up. I do not understand
+ his declaration that he cares not whether slavery be voted down or
+ voted up, to be intended by him other than as an apt definition of
+ the policy he would impress upon the public mind--the principle for
+ which he declares he has suffered much, and is ready to suffer to
+ the end.
+
+ "And well may he cling to that principle. If he has any parental
+ feeling, well may he cling to it. That principle is the only shred
+ left of his original Nebraska doctrine. Under the Dred Scott
+ decision, 'squatter sovereignty' squatted out of existence, tumbled
+ down like temporary scaffolding--like the mould at the foundry,
+ served through one blast, and fell back into loose sand--helped to
+ carry an election, and then was kicked to the winds. His late joint
+ struggle with the Republicans, against the Lecompton Constitution,
+ involves nothing of the original Nebraska doctrine. That struggle
+ was made on a point--the right of a people to make their own
+ Constitution--upon which he and the Republicans have never differed.
+
+ "The several points of the Dred Scott decision, in connection
+ with Senator Douglas's 'care not' policy, constitute the piece of
+ machinery in its present state of advancement. The working points
+ of that machinery are:
+
+ "First, That no negro slave, imported as such from Africa, and no
+ descendant of such, can ever be a citizen of any State in the
+ sense of that term as used in the Constitution of the United States.
+
+ "This point is made in order to deprive the negro, in every
+ possible event, of the benefit of this provision of the United
+ States Constitution, which declares that--'The citizens of each
+ State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of
+ citizens in the several States.'
+
+ "Secondly, that 'subject to the Constitution of the United States,'
+ neither Congress nor a Territorial Legislature can exclude slavery
+ from any United States Territory.
+
+ "This point is made in order that individual men may fill up the
+ Territories with slaves, without danger of losing them as property,
+ and thus to enhance the chances of permanency to the institution
+ through all the future.
+
+ "Thirdly, that whether the holding a negro in actual slavery in
+ a free State makes him free, as against the holder, the United
+ States courts will not decide, but will leave it to be decided by
+ the courts of any slave State the negro may be forced into by the
+ master.
+
+ "This point is made, not to be pressed immediately; but, if
+ acquiesced in for a while, and apparently indorsed by the people at
+ an election, then, to sustain the logical conclusion that what Dred
+ Scott's master might lawfully do with Dred Scott, in the free State
+ of Illinois, every other master may lawfully do with any other one,
+ or one thousand slaves, in Illinois, or in any other free State.
+
+ "Auxiliary to all this, and working hand in hand with it, the
+ Nebraska doctrine, or what is left of it, is to educate and mould
+ public opinion, at least Northern public opinion, not to care
+ whether slavery is voted down or voted up.
+
+ "This shows exactly where we now are, and partially also, whither
+ we are tending.
+
+ "It will throw additional light on the latter, to go back and
+ run the mind over the string of historical facts already stated.
+ Several things will now appear less dark and mysterious than
+ they did when they were transpiring. The people were to be left
+ "perfectly free," "subject only to the Constitution." What the
+ Constitution had to do with it, outsiders could not then see.
+ Plainly enough now, it was an exactly fitted niche for the Dred
+ Scott decision afterward to come in, and declare that perfect
+ freedom of the people to be just no freedom at all.
+
+ "Why was the amendment expressly declaring the right of the people
+ to exclude slavery, voted down? Plainly enough now, the adoption of
+ it would have spoiled the niche for the Dred Scott decision.
+
+ "Why was the court decision held up? Why even a Senator's
+ individual opinion withheld till after the Presidential election?
+ Plainly enough now; the speaking out then would have damaged the
+ "_perfectly free_" argument upon which the election was to be
+ carried.
+
+ "Why the outgoing President's felicitation on the indorsement? Why
+ the delay of a re-argument? Why the incoming President's advance
+ exhortation in favor of the decision? These things look like the
+ cautious patting and petting of a spirited horse preparatory to
+ mounting him, when it is dreaded that he may give the rider a
+ fall. And why the hasty after-indorsements of the decision, by the
+ President and others?
+
+ "We cannot absolutely know that all these exact adaptations are the
+ result of pre-concert. But when we see a lot of framed timbers,
+ different portions of which we know have been gotten out, at
+ different times and places, and by different workmen--Stephen,
+ Franklin, Roger, and James, for instance--and when we see these
+ timbers joined together, and see they exactly make the frame of a
+ house or a mill, all the tenons and mortices exactly fitting, and
+ all the lengths and proportions of the different pieces exactly
+ adapted to their respective places, and not a piece too many or
+ too few--not omitting even scaffolding--or, if a single piece be
+ lacking, we can see the place in the frame exactly fitted and
+ prepared to yet bring such piece in--in such a case, we find it
+ impossible not to believe that Stephen and Franklin and Roger and
+ James all understood one another from the beginning, and all worked
+ upon a common plan or draft drawn up before the first blow was
+ struck.
+
+ "It should not be overlooked that, by the Nebraska bill, the people
+ of a State as well as Territory, were to be left '_perfectly
+ free_,' '_subject only to the Constitution_.' Why mention a State?
+ They were legislating for Territories, and not for or about States.
+ Certainly the people of a State are and ought to be subject to
+ the Constitution of the United States; but why is mention of this
+ lugged into this merely territorial law? Why are the people of
+ a Territory and the people of a State therein lumped together,
+ and their relation to the Constitution therein treated as being
+ precisely the same?
+
+ "While the opinion of the court, by Chief Justice Taney, in the
+ Dred Scott case, and the separate opinions of all the concurring
+ judges, expressly declare that the Constitution of the United
+ States neither permits Congress nor a Territorial Legislature, to
+ exclude slavery from any United States Territory, they all omit to
+ declare whether or not the same Constitution permits a State, or
+ the people of a State, to exclude it. _Possibly_, this was a mere
+ _omission_; but who can be quite sure, if McLean or Curtis had
+ sought to get into the opinion a declaration of unlimited power in
+ the people of a State to exclude slavery from their limits, just
+ as Chase and Mace sought to get such declaration, in behalf of the
+ people of a Territory, into the Nebraska bill--I ask, who can be
+ quite sure that it would not have been voted down, in the one case
+ as it had been in the other.
+
+ "The nearest approach to the point of declaring the power of a
+ State over slavery, is made by Judge Nelson. He approaches it more
+ than once, using the precise idea, and almost the language, too,
+ of the Nebraska Act. On one occasion his exact language is, 'except
+ in cases where the power is restrained by the Constitution of the
+ United States, the law of the State is supreme over the subject of
+ slavery within its jurisdiction.'
+
+ "In what cases the power of the State is so restrained by the
+ United States Constitution, is left an open question, precisely
+ as the same question, as to the restraint on the power of the
+ Territories was left open in the Nebraska Act. Put that and that
+ together, and we have another nice little niche, which we may ere
+ long, see filled with another Supreme Court decision, declaring
+ that the Constitution of the United States does not permit a State
+ to exclude slavery from its limits. And this may especially be
+ expected if the doctrine of 'care not whether slavery be voted down
+ or voted up,' shall gain upon the public mind sufficiently to give
+ promise that such a decision can be maintained when made.
+
+ "Such a decision is all that slavery now lacks of being alike
+ lawful in all the States. Welcome or unwelcome, such decision is
+ probably coming, and will soon be upon us, unless the power of the
+ present political dynasty shall be met and overthrown. We shall
+ lie down pleasantly dreaming that the people of Missouri are on
+ the verge of making their State free; and we shall awake to the
+ reality, instead, that the Supreme Court has made Illinois a slave
+ State.
+
+ "To meet and overthrow the power of that dynasty, is the work now
+ before all those who would prevent that consummation. That is what
+ we have to do. But how can we best do it?
+
+ "There are those who denounce us openly to their own friends, and
+ yet whisper softly, that Senator Douglas is the _aptest_ instrument
+ there is, with which to effect that object. They do not tell us,
+ nor has he told us, that he wishes any such object to be effected.
+ They wish us to infer all, from the facts that he now has a little
+ quarrel with the present head of the dynasty; and that he has
+ regularly voted with us, on a single point, upon which he and we
+ have never differed.
+
+ "They remind us that _he_ is a very _great man_, and that the
+ largest of us are very small ones. Let this be granted. But 'a
+ _living dog_ is better than a _dead lion_.' Judge Douglas, if not
+ a _dead_ lion for this work, is at least a _caged_ and _toothless_
+ one. How can he oppose the advances of slavery? He don't care
+ anything about it. His avowed mission is impressing the 'public
+ heart' to care nothing about it.
+
+ "A leading Douglas Democrat newspaper thinks Douglas's superior
+ talent will be needed to resist the revival of the African
+ slave-trade. Does Douglas believe an effort to revive that trade
+ is approaching? He has not said so. Does he _really_ think so? But
+ if it is, how can he resist it? For years he has labored to prove
+ it a _sacred right_ of white men to take negro slaves into the new
+ Territories. Can he possibly show that it is less a sacred right
+ to buy them where they can be bought cheapest? And, unquestionably
+ they can be bought cheaper in Africa than in Virginia.
+
+ "He has done all in his power to reduce the whole question of
+ slavery to one of a mere right of property; and as such, how can
+ he oppose the foreign slave-trade--how can he refuse that trade in
+ that 'property' shall be 'perfectly free'--unless he does it as a
+ _protection_ to the home production? And as the home _producers_
+ will probably not ask the protection, he will be wholly without a
+ ground of opposition.
+
+ "Senator Douglas holds, we know, that a man may rightfully be wiser
+ to-day than he was yesterday--that he may rightfully change when he
+ finds himself wrong. But can we for that reason run ahead and infer
+ that he will make any particular change, of which he himself has
+ given no intimation? Can we safely base our action upon any such
+ vague inferences?
+
+ "Now, as ever, I wish not to misrepresent Judge Douglas's position,
+ question his motives, or do aught that can be personally offensive
+ to him. Whenever, _if ever_, he and we can come together on
+ _principle_, so that our great cause may have assistance from his
+ great ability, I hope to have interposed no adventitious obstacle.
+
+ "But clearly, he is not now with us--he does not pretend to be--he
+ does not promise ever to be. Our cause, then, must be intrusted to,
+ and conducted by its own undoubted friends--those whose hands are
+ free, whose hearts are in the work--who do care for the result.
+
+ "Two years ago the Republicans of the nation mustered over thirteen
+ hundred thousand strong. We did this under the single impulse of
+ resistance to a common danger, with every external circumstance
+ against us. Of strange, discordant, and even hostile elements, we
+ gathered from the four winds, and formed and fought the battle
+ through, under the constant hot fire of a disciplined, proud and
+ pampered enemy. Did we brave all then to falter now?--_now_--when
+ that same enemy is wavering, dissevered and belligerent?
+
+ "The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail--if we stand firm,
+ we shall not fail. _Wise counsels_ may _accelerate_ or _mistakes
+ delay_ it, but, sooner or later, the victory is _sure_ to come."
+
+In this most vigorously prosecuted canvass Illinois was stumped
+throughout its length and breadth by both candidates and their
+respective advocates, and the struggle was watched with interest by the
+country at large. From county to county, from township to township, and
+village to village the two champions travelled, frequently in the same
+car or carriage, and in the presence of immense crowds of men, women,
+and children--for the wives and daughters of the hardy yeomanry were
+naturally interested--argued, face to face, the important points of
+their political belief and contended nobly for the mastery.
+
+In one of his speeches during this memorable campaign, Mr. Lincoln paid
+the following tribute to the Declaration of Independence:--
+
+ "These communities, (the thirteen colonies,) by their
+ representatives in old Independence Hall, said to the world of men,
+ 'we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are born
+ equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inalienable
+ rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
+ happiness.' This was their majestic interpretation of the economy
+ of the universe. This was their lofty, and wise, and noble
+ understanding of the justice of the Creator to His creatures.
+ Yes, gentlemen, to all His creatures, to the whole great family
+ of man. In their enlightened belief, nothing stamped with the
+ Divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be trodden on,
+ and degraded, and imbruted by its fellows. They grasped not only
+ the race of men then living, but they reached forward and seized
+ upon the furthest posterity. They created a beacon to guide their
+ children and their children's children, and the countless myriads
+ who should inhabit the earth in other ages. Wise statesmen as they
+ were, they knew the tendency of prosperity to breed tyrants, and
+ so they established these great self-evident truths that when, in
+ the distant future, some man, some faction, some interest, should
+ set up the doctrine that none but rich men, or none but white men,
+ or none but Anglo-Saxon white men, were entitled to life, liberty,
+ and the pursuit of happiness, their posterity might look up again
+ to the Declaration of Independence, and take courage to renew the
+ battle, which their fathers began, so that truth, and justice,
+ and mercy, and all the humane and Christian virtues might not be
+ extinguished from the land; so that no man would hereafter dare to
+ limit and circumscribe the great principles on which the temple of
+ liberty was being built.
+
+ "Now, my countrymen, if you have been taught doctrines conflicting
+ with the great landmarks of the Declaration of Independence; if
+ you have listened to suggestions which would take away from its
+ grandeur, and mutilate the fair symmetry of its proportions; if you
+ have been inclined to believe that all men are not created equal in
+ those inalienable rights enumerated by our chart of liberty, let
+ me entreat you to come back--return to the fountain whose waters
+ spring close by the blood of the Revolution. Think nothing of me,
+ take no thought for the political fate of any man whomsoever, but
+ come back to the truths that are in the Declaration of Independence.
+
+ "You may do any thing with me you choose, if you will but heed
+ these sacred principles. You may not only defeat me for the
+ Senate, but you may take me and put me to death. While pretending
+ no indifference to earthly honors, I _do claim_ to be actuated
+ in this contest by something higher than an anxiety for office.
+ I charge you to drop every paltry and insignificant thought for
+ any man's success. It is nothing; I am nothing; Judge Douglas is
+ nothing. _But do not destroy that immortal emblem of humanity--the
+ Declaration of American Independence._"
+
+In the election which closed this contest, the Republican candidate
+received 126,084 votes; the Douglas Democrats, 121,940; and the
+Lecompton Democrats, 5,091. Mr. Douglas was, however, re-elected
+to the Senate by the Legislature, in which, owing to the peculiar
+apportionment of the legislative districts his supporters had a
+majority of eight in joint ballot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+BEFORE THE NATION.
+
+ Speeches in Ohio--Extract from his Cincinnati Speech--Visits
+ the East--Celebrated Speech at the Cooper Institute, New York--
+ Interesting Incident.
+
+
+The issue of this contest with Douglas, seemingly a defeat, was
+destined in due time to prove a decisive triumph. Mr. Lincoln's
+reputation as a skillful debater and master of political fence was
+secure, and admitted throughout the land. During the year ensuing
+he again devoted himself almost exclusively to professional labors,
+delivering, however, in the campaign of 1859, at the earnest
+solicitation of the Republicans of Ohio, two most convincing speeches
+in that State, one at Columbus, and the other at Cincinnati.
+
+In his speech in the latter city, alluding to the certainty of a speedy
+Republican triumph in the nation, Mr. Lincoln thus sketched what he
+regarded as the inevitable results of such a victory:
+
+ "I will tell you, so far as I am authorized to speak for the
+ opposition, what we mean to do with you. We mean to treat you, as
+ nearly as we possibly can, as Washington, Jefferson, and Madison
+ treated you. We mean to leave you alone, and in no way interfere
+ with your institution; to abide by all and every compromise of
+ the Constitution; and, in a word, coming back to the original
+ proposition to treat you, so far as degenerated men (if we have
+ degenerated) may, imitating the example of those noble fathers,
+ Washington, Jefferson, and Madison. We mean to remember that you
+ are as good as we; that there is no difference between us other
+ than the difference of circumstances. We mean to recognize and
+ bear in mind always that you have as good hearts in your bosoms as
+ other people, or as we claim to have, and treat you accordingly.
+ We mean to marry your girls when we have a chance--the white ones
+ I mean--and I have the honor to inform you that I once did get a
+ chance in that way.
+
+ "I have told you what we mean to do. I want to know, now, when that
+ thing takes place, what you mean to do. I often hear it intimated
+ that you mean to divide the Union whenever a Republican, or any
+ thing like it, is elected President of the United States. [A voice,
+ 'That is so.'] 'That is so,' one of them says. I wonder if he is a
+ Kentuckian? [A voice, 'He is a Douglas man.'] Well, then, I want to
+ know what you are going to do with your half of it? Are you going
+ to split the Ohio down through, and push your half off a piece? Or
+ are you going to keep it right alongside of us outrageous fellows?
+ Or are you going to build up a wall some way between your country
+ and ours, by which that movable property of yours can't come
+ over here any more, and you lose it? Do you think you can better
+ yourselves on that subject, by leaving us here under no obligation
+ whatever to return those specimens of your movable property that
+ come hither? You have divided the Union because we would not do
+ right with you, as you think, upon that subject; when we cease to
+ be under obligations to do any thing for you, how much better off
+ do you think you will be? Will you make war upon us and kill us
+ all? Why, gentlemen, I think you are as gallant and as brave men
+ as live; that you can fight as bravely in a good cause, man for
+ man, as any other people living; that you have shown yourselves
+ capable of this upon various occasions; but, man for man, you are
+ not better than we are, and there are not so many of you as there
+ are of us. You will never make much of a hand at whipping us. If
+ we were fewer in numbers than you, I think that you could whip us;
+ if we were equal it would likely be a drawn battle; but being
+ inferior in numbers, you will make nothing by attempting to master
+ us.
+
+ "I say that we must not interfere with the institution of Slavery
+ in the States where it exists, because the Constitution forbids it,
+ and the general welfare does not require us to do so. We must not
+ withhold an efficient fugitive slave law because the Constitution
+ requires us, as I understand it, not to withhold such a law, but we
+ must prevent the outspreading of the institution, because neither
+ the constitution nor the general welfare requires us to extend it.
+ We must prevent the revival of the African slave-trade and the
+ enacting by Congress of a Territorial slave code. We must prevent
+ each of these things being done by either Congresses or Courts.
+ THE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES ARE THE RIGHTFUL MASTERS OF BOTH
+ CONGRESSES AND COURTS, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to
+ overthrow the men who pervert that Constitution."
+
+In the spring of 1860, Mr. Lincoln yielded to the urgent calls which
+came to him from the East for his aid in the exciting canvasses then in
+progress in that section, and spoke at various places in Connecticut,
+New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and also in New York city, and was
+everywhere warmly welcomed by immense audiences.
+
+Without doubt, one of the greatest speeches of his life was that
+delivered by him in the Cooper Institute, in New York, on the 27th of
+February, 1860, in the presence of a crowded assembly which received
+him with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. We subjoin a full report
+of this masterly analysis of men and measures. After being introduced
+in highly complimentary terms by the venerable William Cullen Bryant,
+who presided on the occasion, he proceeded:
+
+ "MR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW CITIZENS OF NEW YORK:--The facts with
+ which I shall deal this evening are mainly old and familiar; nor
+ is there any thing new in the general use I shall make of them. If
+ there shall be any novelty, it will be in the mode of presenting
+ the facts, and the inferences and observations following that
+ presentation.
+
+ "In his speech last autumn, at Columbus, Ohio, as reported in _The
+ New York Times_, Senator Douglas said:
+
+ "'Our fathers, when they framed the Government under which we live,
+ understood this question just as well, and even better than we do
+ now.'
+
+ "I fully indorse this and I adopt it as a text for this discourse.
+ I so adopt it because it furnishes a precise and agreed starting
+ point for the discussion between Republicans and that wing of
+ Democracy headed by Senator Douglas. It simply leaves the inquiry:
+ 'What was the understanding those fathers had of the questions
+ mentioned?'
+
+ "What is the frame of Government under which we live?
+
+ "The answer must be: 'The Constitution of the United States.' That
+ Constitution consists of the original, framed in 1787 (and under
+ which the present Government first went into operation), and twelve
+ subsequently framed amendments, the first ten of which were framed
+ in 1789.
+
+ "Who were our fathers that framed the Constitution? I suppose
+ the 'thirty-nine' who signed the original instrument may be
+ fairly called our fathers who framed that part of the present
+ Government. It is almost exactly true to say they framed it, and
+ it is altogether true to say they fairly represented the opinion
+ and sentiment of the whole nation at that time. Their names being
+ familiar to nearly all, and accessible to quite all, need not now
+ be repeated.
+
+ "I take these 'thirty-nine,' for the present, as being 'our fathers
+ who framed the Government under which we live.'
+
+ "What is the question which, according to the text, those fathers
+ understood just as well, and even better than we do now?
+
+ "It is this: Does the proper division of local from federal
+ authority, or any thing in the Constitution, forbid our Federal
+ Government control as to slavery in our Federal Territories?
+
+ "Upon this, Douglas holds the affirmative, and Republicans the
+ negative. This affirmative and denial form an issue; and this
+ issue--this question--is precisely what the text declares our
+ fathers understood better than we.
+
+ "Let us now inquire whether the 'thirty-nine,' or any of them, ever
+ acted upon this question; and if they did, how they acted upon
+ it--how they expressed that better understanding.
+
+ "In 1784--three years before the Constitution--the United States
+ then owning the Northwestern Territory, and no other--the Congress
+ of the Confederation had before them the question of prohibiting
+ slavery in that Territory; and four of the 'thirty-nine' who
+ afterward framed the Constitution were in that Congress, and voted
+ on that question. Of these, Roger Sherman, Thomas Mifflin, and Hugh
+ Williamson voted for the prohibition--thus showing that, in their
+ understanding, no line dividing local from federal authority, nor
+ any thing else, properly forbade the Federal Government to control
+ as to slavery in federal territory. The other of the four--James
+ McHenry--voted against the prohibition, showing that, for some
+ cause, he thought it improper to vote for it.
+
+ "In 1787, still before the Constitution, but while the Convention
+ was in session framing it, and while the Northwestern Territory
+ still was the only territory owned by the United States--the
+ same question of prohibiting slavery in the territory again came
+ before the Congress of the Confederation; and three more of the
+ 'thirty-nine' who afterward signed the Constitution, were in that
+ Congress, and voted on the question. They were William Blount,
+ William Few, and Abraham Baldwin; and they all voted for the
+ prohibition--thus showing that, in their understanding, no line
+ dividing local from federal authority, nor any thing else, properly
+ forbids the Federal Government to control as to slavery in federal
+ territory. This time the prohibition became a law, being part of
+ what is now well known as the Ordinance of '87.
+
+ "The question of federal control of slavery in the territories,
+ seems not to have been directly before the Convention which framed
+ the original Constitution; and hence it is not recorded that the
+ 'thirty-nine' or any of them, while engaged on that instrument,
+ expressed any opinion on that precise question.
+
+ "In 1789, by the First congress which sat under the Constitution,
+ an act was passed to enforce the Ordinance of '87 including the
+ prohibition of slavery in the Northwestern Territory. The bill
+ for this act was reported by one of the 'thirty-nine,' Thomas
+ Fitzsimmons, then a member of the House of Representatives from
+ Pennsylvania. It went through all its stages without a word of
+ opposition, and finally passed both branches without yeas and nays,
+ which is equivalent to an unanimous passage. In this Congress there
+ were sixteen of the 'thirty-nine' fathers who framed the original
+ Constitution. They were John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman, Wm. S.
+ Johnson, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, Thos. Fitzsimmons, William
+ Few, Abraham Baldwin, Rufus King, William Patterson, George Clymer,
+ Richard Bassett, George Read, Pierce Butler, Daniel Carrol, James
+ Madison.
+
+ "This shows that, in their understanding, no line dividing local
+ from federal authority, nor any thing in the Constitution, properly
+ forbade Congress to prohibit slavery in the federal territory;
+ else both their fidelity to correct principle, and their oath to
+ support the Constitution, would have constrained them to oppose the
+ prohibition.
+
+ "Again, George Washington, another of the 'thirty-nine,' was then
+ President of the United States, and, as such, approved and signed
+ the bill, thus completing its validity as a law, and thus showing
+ that, in his understanding, no line dividing local from federal
+ authority, nor any thing in the Constitution, forbade the Federal
+ Government to control as to slavery in Federal territory.
+
+ "No great while after the adoption of the original Constitution,
+ North Carolina ceded to the Federal Government the country now
+ constituting the State of Tennessee; and a few years later Georgia
+ ceded that which now constitutes the States of Mississippi and
+ Alabama. In both deeds of cession it was made a condition by the
+ ceding States that the Federal Government should not prohibit
+ slavery in the ceded country. Besides this, slavery was then
+ actually in the ceded country. Under these circumstances, Congress,
+ on taking charge of these countries did not absolutely prohibit
+ slavery within them. But they did interfere with it--take control
+ of it--even there, to a certain extent. In 1798, Congress organized
+ the Territory of Mississippi. In the act of organization they
+ prohibited the bringing of slaves into the Territory, from any
+ place without the United States, by fine and giving freedom to
+ slaves so brought. This act passed both branches of Congress
+ without yeas and nays. In that Congress were three of the
+ 'thirty-nine' who framed the original Constitution. They were John
+ Langdon, George Read, and Abraham Baldwin. They all, probably,
+ voted for it. Certainly they would have placed their opposition to
+ it upon record, if, in their understanding, any line dividing local
+ from Federal authority, or any thing in the Constitution, properly
+ forbade the Federal Government to control as to slavery in Federal
+ territory.
+
+ "In 1803, the Federal Government purchased the Louisiana country.
+ Our former territorial acquisitions came from certain of our own
+ States; but this Louisiana country was acquired from a foreign
+ nation. In 1804, Congress gave a territorial organization to that
+ part of it which now constitutes the State of Louisiana. New
+ Orleans, lying within that part, was an old and comparatively
+ large city. There were other considerable towns and settlements,
+ and slavery was extensively and thoroughly intermingled with
+ the people. Congress did not, in the Territorial Act, prohibit
+ slavery; but they did interfere with it--take control of it--in
+ a more marked and extensive way than they did in the case of
+ Mississippi. The substance of the provision therein made, in
+ relation to slaves, was:
+
+ "_First._ That no slave should be imported into the territory from
+ foreign parts.
+
+ "_Second._ That no slave should be carried into it who had been
+ imported into the United States since the first day of May, 1798.
+
+ "_Third._ That no slave should be carried into it, except by the
+ owner, and for his own use as a settler; the penalty in all the
+ cases being a fine upon the violator of the law, and freedom to the
+ slave.
+
+ "This act also was passed without yeas and nays. In the Congress
+ which passed it, there were two of the 'thirty-nine.' They were
+ Abraham Baldwin and Jonathan Dayton. As stated in the case of
+ Mississippi, it is probable they both voted for it. They would not
+ have allowed it to pass without recording their opposition to it,
+ if, in their understanding, it violated either the line proper
+ dividing local from Federal authority or any provision of the
+ Constitution.
+
+ "In 1819-20, came and passed the Missouri question. Many votes
+ were taken, by yeas and nays, in both branches of Congress,
+ upon the various phases of the general question. Two of the
+ 'thirty-nine'--Rufus King and Charles Pinckney--were members of
+ that Congress. Mr. King steadily voted for slavery prohibition
+ and against all compromises, while Mr. Pinckney as steadily voted
+ against slavery prohibition and against all compromises. By this
+ Mr. King showed that, in his understanding, no line dividing local
+ from Federal authority, nor any thing in the Constitution, was
+ violated by Congress prohibiting slavery in Federal territory;
+ while Mr. Pinckney, by his votes, showed that in his understanding
+ there was some sufficient reason for opposing such prohibition in
+ that case.
+
+ "The cases I have mentioned are the only acts of the 'thirty-nine,'
+ or of any of them, upon the direct issue, which I have been able to
+ discover.
+
+ "To enumerate the persons who thus acted, as being four in 1784,
+ three in 1787, seventeen in 1789, three in 1798, two in 1804, and
+ two in 1819-20--there would be thirty-one of them. But this would
+ be counting John Langdon, Roger Sherman, William Few, Rufus King,
+ and George Read, each twice, and Abraham Baldwin four times. The
+ true number of those of the 'thirty-nine' whom I have shown to have
+ acted upon the question, which, by the text they understood better
+ than we, is twenty-three, leaving sixteen not shown to have acted
+ upon it in any way.
+
+ "Here, then, we have twenty-three out of our 'thirty-nine' fathers
+ who framed the government under which we live, who have, upon
+ their official responsibility and their corporal oaths, acted upon
+ the very question which the text affirms they 'understood just as
+ well, and even better than we do now;' and twenty-one of them--a
+ clear majority of the 'thirty-nine'--so acting upon it as to make
+ them guilty of gross political impropriety, and wilful perjury,
+ if, in their understanding, any proper division between local and
+ Federal authority, or any thing in the Constitution they had made
+ themselves, and sworn to support, forbade the Federal Government
+ to control as to slavery in the Federal territories. Thus the
+ twenty-one acted; and, as actions speak louder than words, so
+ actions under such responsibility speak still louder.
+
+ "Two of the twenty-three voted against Congressional prohibition of
+ slavery in the Federal Territories, in the instances in which they
+ acted upon the question. But for what reasons they so voted is not
+ known. They may have done so because they thought a proper division
+ of local from Federal authority, or some provision or principle of
+ the Constitution, stood in the way; or they may, without any such
+ question, have voted against the prohibition, on what appeared to
+ them to be sufficient grounds of expediency. No one who has sworn
+ to support the Constitution, can conscientiously vote for what he
+ understands to be an unconstitutional measure, however expedient
+ he may think it; but one may and ought to vote against a measure
+ which he deems constitutional, if, at the same time, he deems it
+ inexpedient. It, therefore, would be unsafe to set down even the
+ two who voted against the prohibition, as having done so because,
+ in their understanding, any proper division of local from Federal
+ authority, or any thing in the Constitution, forbade the Federal
+ Government to control as to slavery in Federal Territory.
+
+ "The remaining sixteen of the 'thirty-nine,' so far as I have
+ discovered, have left no record of their understanding upon the
+ direct question of Federal control of slavery in the Federal
+ Territories. But there is much reason to believe that their
+ understanding upon that question would not have appeared different
+ from that of their twenty-three compeers, had it been manifested at
+ all.
+
+ "For the purpose of adhering rigidly to the text, I have purposely
+ omitted whatever understanding may have been manifested, by any
+ person, however distinguished, other than the 'thirty-nine' fathers
+ who framed the original Constitution; and, for the same reason, I
+ have also omitted whatever understanding may have been manifested
+ by any of the 'thirty-nine' even, on any other phase of the
+ general question of slavery. If we should look into their acts and
+ declarations on those other phases, as the foreign slave-trade,
+ and the morality and policy of slavery generally, it would appear
+ to us that on the direct question of Federal control of slavery
+ in Federal Territories, the sixteen, if they had acted at all,
+ would probably have acted just as the twenty-three did. Among
+ that sixteen were several of the most noted anti-slavery men of
+ those times--as Dr. Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Governeur
+ Morris--while there was not one now known to have been otherwise,
+ unless it may be John Rutledge, of South Carolina.
+
+ "The sum of the whole is, that of our 'thirty-nine' fathers who
+ framed the original Constitution, twenty-one--a clear majority
+ of the whole--certainly understood that no proper division of
+ local from Federal authority nor any part of the Constitution,
+ forbade the Federal Government to control slavery in the
+ Federal Territories, while all the rest probably had the same
+ understanding. Such, unquestionably, was the understanding of our
+ fathers who framed the original Constitution; and the text affirms
+ that they understood the question better than we.
+
+ "But, so far, I have been considering the understanding of the
+ question manifested by the framers of the original Constitution. In
+ and by the original instrument, a mode was provided for amending
+ it; and, as I have already stated, the present frame of government
+ under which we live consists of that original, and twelve
+ amendatory articles framed and adopted since. Those who now insist
+ that Federal control of slavery in Federal territories violates
+ the Constitution, point us to the provisions which they suppose it
+ thus violates; and, as I understand, they all fix upon provisions
+ in these amendatory articles, and not in the original instrument.
+ The Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case, plant themselves upon the
+ fifth amendment, which provides that 'no person shall be deprived
+ of property without due process of law;' while Senator Douglas and
+ his peculiar adherents plant themselves upon the tenth commandment,
+ providing that 'the powers not granted by the Constitution are
+ reserved to the States respectively, and to the people.'
+
+ "Now, it so happens that these amendments were framed by the first
+ Congress which sat under the Constitution--the identical Congress
+ which passed the act already mentioned, enforcing the prohibition
+ of slavery in the north-western territory. Not only was it the
+ same Congress, but they were the identical, same individual men
+ who, at the same time within the session, had under consideration,
+ and in progress toward maturity, these Constitutional amendments,
+ and this act prohibiting slavery in all the territory the nation
+ then owned. The Constitutional amendments were introduced before,
+ and passed after the act enforcing the Ordinance of '87; so that
+ during the whole pendency of the act to enforce the Ordinance, the
+ Constitutional amendments were also pending.
+
+ "That Congress, consisting in all of seventy-six members, including
+ sixteen of the framers of the original Constitution, as before
+ stated, were pre-eminently our fathers who framed that part of
+ the government under which we live, which is now claimed as
+ forbidding the Federal Government to control slavery in the Federal
+ Territories.
+
+ "Is it not a little presumptuous in any one at this day, to
+ affirm that the two things which that Congress deliberately
+ framed, and carried to maturity at the same time, are absolutely
+ inconsistent with each other? And does not such affirmation become
+ impudently absurd when coupled with the other affirmation, from
+ the same mouth, that those who did the two things alleged to be
+ inconsistent, understood whether they were really inconsistent,
+ better than we--better than he who affirms that they are
+ inconsistent.
+
+ "It is surely safe to assume that the 'thirty-nine' framers of the
+ original Constitution, and the seventy-six members of the Congress
+ which framed the amendments thereto, taken together, do certainly
+ include those who may be fairly called 'our fathers who framed the
+ government under which we live.' And so assuming, I defy any man to
+ show that any one of them ever, in his whole life, declared that,
+ in his understanding, any proper division of local from Federal
+ authority, or any part of the Constitution, forbade the Federal
+ government to control as to slavery in the Federal territories. I
+ go a step further. I defy any one to show that any living man in
+ the whole world ever did, prior to the beginning of the present
+ century (and I might almost say prior to the beginning of the last
+ half of the present century), declare that, in his understanding,
+ any proper division of local from Federal authority, or any part of
+ the Constitution, forbade the Federal government to control as to
+ slavery in the Federal territories. To those who now so declare, I
+ give, not only 'our fathers who framed the government under which
+ we live,' but with them all other living men within the century in
+ which it was framed, among whom to search, and they shall not be
+ able to find the evidence of a single man agreeing with them.
+
+ "Now, and here, let me guard a little against being misunderstood.
+ I do not mean to say we are bound to follow implicitly in whatever
+ our fathers did. To do so would be to discard all the lights of
+ current experience--we reject all progress--all improvement. What I
+ do say is, that if we would supplant the opinions and policy of our
+ fathers in any case, we should do so upon evidence so conclusive,
+ and argument so clear, that even their great authority, fairly
+ considered and weighed, cannot stand; and most surely not in a case
+ whereof we ourselves declare they understood the question better
+ than we.
+
+ "If any man, at this day, sincerely believes that a proper division
+ of local from Federal authority, or any part of the Constitution,
+ forbids the Federal government to control as to slavery in the
+ Federal territories, he is right to say so, and to enforce his
+ position by all truthful evidence and fair argument which he can.
+ But he has no right to mislead others, who have less access to
+ history and less leisure to study it, into the false belief that
+ 'our fathers, who framed the government under which we live,' were
+ of the same opinion, thus substituting falsehood and deception for
+ truthful evidence and fair argument. If any man, at this day,
+ sincerely believes 'our fathers, who framed the government under
+ which we live,' used and applied principles, in other cases, which
+ ought to have led them to understand that a proper division of
+ local from Federal authority, or some part of the Constitution,
+ forbids the Federal government to control as to slavery in the
+ Federal territories, he is right to say so. But he should, at the
+ same time, brave the responsibility of declaring that, in his
+ opinion, he understands their principles better than they did
+ themselves; and especially should he not shirk that responsibility
+ by asserting that they 'understood the question just as well, and
+ even better than we do now.'
+
+ "But enough. Let all who believe that 'our fathers, who framed the
+ government under which we live,' understood this question just as
+ well, and even better than we do now,' speak as they spoke, and act
+ as they acted upon it. This is all Republicans ask, all Republicans
+ desire, in relation to slavery. As those fathers marked it, so
+ let it be again marked, as an evil not to be extended, but to be
+ tolerated and protected only because of and so far as its actual
+ presence among us makes that toleration and protection a necessity.
+ Let all the guaranties those fathers gave it, be, not grudgingly,
+ but fully and fairly maintained. For this Republicans contend, and
+ with this, so far as I know or believe, they will be content.
+
+ "And now, if they would listen--as I suppose they will not--I would
+ address a few words to the Southern people.
+
+ "I would say to them: You consider yourselves a reasonable and
+ a just people; and I consider that, in the general qualities of
+ reason and justice, you are not inferior to any other people.
+ Still, when you speak of us Republicans, you do so only to
+ denounce us as reptiles, or, at the best, as no better than
+ outlaws. You will grant a hearing to pirates or murderers, but
+ nothing like it to 'Black Republicans.' In all your contentions
+ with one another, each of you deems an unconditional condemnation
+ of 'Black Republicanism' as the first thing to be attended to.
+ Indeed, such condemnation of us seems to be an indispensable
+ prerequisite--license, so to speak--among you to be admitted or
+ permitted to speak at all.
+
+ "Now can you, or not, be prevailed upon to pause and to consider
+ whether this is quite just to us, or even to yourselves?
+
+ "Bring forward your charges and specifications, and then be patient
+ long enough to hear us deny or justify.
+
+ "You say we are sectional. We deny it. That makes an issue; and
+ the burden of proof is upon you. You produce your proof; and what
+ is it? Why, that our party has no existence in your section--gets
+ no votes in your section. The fact is substantially true; but
+ does it prove the issue? If it does, then, in case we should,
+ without change of principle, begin to get votes in your section,
+ we should thereby cease to be sectional. You cannot escape this
+ conclusion; and yet, are you willing to abide by it? If you are,
+ you will probably soon find that we have ceased to be sectional,
+ for we shall get votes in your section this very year. You will
+ then begin to discover, as the truth plainly is, that your proof
+ does not touch the issue. The fact that we get no votes in your
+ section is a fact of your making, and not of ours. And if there
+ be fault in that fact, that fault is primarily yours, and remains
+ so until you show that we repel you by some wrong principle or
+ practice. If we do repel you by any wrong principle or practice,
+ the fault is ours; but this brings us to where you ought to have
+ started--to a discussion of the right or wrong of our principle. If
+ our principle, put in practice, would wrong your section for the
+ benefit of ours, or for any other object, then our principle, and
+ we with it, are sectional, and are justly opposed and denounced as
+ such. Meet us, then, on the question of whether our principle, put
+ in practice, would wrong your section; and so meet it as if it were
+ possible that something may be said on our side. Do you accept the
+ challenge? No? Then you really believe that the principle which
+ our fathers, who framed the government under which we live, thought
+ so clearly right as to adopt it, and indorse it again and again
+ upon their official oaths, is, in fact, so clearly wrong as to
+ demand your condemnation without a moment's consideration.
+
+ "Some of you delight to flaunt in our faces the warning against
+ sectional parties given by Washington in his Farewell Address.
+ Less than eight years before Washington gave that warning, he had,
+ as President of the United States, approved and signed an act of
+ Congress enforcing the prohibition of slavery in the Northwestern
+ Territory, which act embodied the policy of the government upon
+ that subject, up to and at the very moment he penned that warning;
+ and about one year after he penned it he wrote Lafayette that he
+ considered that prohibition a wise measure, expressing, in the same
+ connection, his hope that we should some time have a confederacy of
+ free States.
+
+ "Bearing this in mind, and seeing that sectionalism has since
+ arisen upon this same subject, is that warning a weapon in your
+ hands against us, or in our hands against you? Could Washington
+ himself speak, would he cast the blame of that sectionalism upon
+ us, who sustain his policy, or upon you, who repudiate it? We
+ respect that warning of Washington, and we commend it to you,
+ together with his example pointing to the right application of it.
+
+ "But you say you are conservative--eminently conservative--while
+ we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What
+ is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried against
+ the new and untried? We stick to, contend for, the identical
+ old policy on the point in controversy which was adopted by our
+ fathers who framed the government under which we live; while
+ you, with one accord, reject, and scout, and spit upon that old
+ policy, and insist upon substituting something new. True, you
+ disagree among yourselves as to what that substitute shall be.
+ You have considerable variety of new propositions and plans, but
+ you are unanimous in rejecting and denouncing the old policy of
+ the fathers. Some of you are for reviving the foreign slave-trade;
+ some for a Congressional Slave-Code for the Territories; some for
+ Congress forbidding the Territories to prohibit slavery within
+ their limits; some for maintaining slavery in the Territories
+ through the Judiciary; some for the 'gur-reat pur-rinciple' that,
+ 'if one man would enslave another, no third man should object,'
+ fantastically called 'Popular Sovereignty;' but never a man
+ among you in favor of Federal prohibition of slavery in Federal
+ Territories, according to the practice of our fathers who framed
+ the government under which we live. Not one of all your various
+ plans can show a precedent or an advocate in the century within
+ which our government originated. Consider, then, whether your claim
+ of conservatism for yourselves, and your charge of destructiveness
+ against us, are based on the most clear and stable foundations.
+
+ "Again, you say we have made the slavery question more prominent
+ than it formerly was. We deny it. We admit that it is more
+ prominent, but we deny that we made it so. It was not we, but you,
+ who discarded the old policy of the fathers. We resisted, and still
+ resist, your innovation; and thence comes the greater prominence of
+ the question. Would you have that question reduced to its former
+ proportions? Go back to that old policy. What has been will be
+ again, under the same conditions. If you would have the peace of
+ the old times, re-adopt the precepts and policy of the old times.
+
+ "You charge that we stir up insurrections among your slaves. We
+ deny it. And what is your proof? Harper's Ferry! John Brown! John
+ Brown was no Republican; and you have failed to implicate a single
+ Republican in his Harper's Ferry enterprise. If any member of our
+ party is guilty in that matter, you know it, or you do not know
+ it. If you do know it, you are inexcusable to not designate the
+ man, and prove the fact. If you do not know it, you are inexcusable
+ to assert it, and especially to persist in the assertion after you
+ have tried and failed to make the proof. You need not be told that
+ persisting in a charge which one does not know to be true is simply
+ malicious slander.
+
+ "Some of you admit that no Republican designedly aided or
+ encouraged the Harper's Ferry affair; but still insist that our
+ doctrines and declarations necessarily lead to such results. We
+ do not believe it. We know we hold to no doctrine, and make no
+ declarations which were not held to and made by our fathers who
+ framed the government under which we live. You never deal fairly by
+ us in relation to this affair. When it occurred, some important
+ State elections were near at hand, and you were in evident glee
+ with the belief that, by charging the blame upon us, you could get
+ an advantage of us in those elections. The elections came, and
+ your expectations were not quite fulfilled. Every Republican man
+ knew that, as to himself, at least, your charge was a slander,
+ and he was not much inclined by it to cast his vote in your
+ favor. Republican doctrines and declarations are accompanied with
+ a continual protest against any interference whatever with your
+ slaves, or with you about your slaves. Surely, this does not
+ encourage them to revolt. True, we do, in common with our fathers,
+ who framed the government under which we live, declare our belief
+ that slavery is wrong; but the slaves do not hear us declare even
+ this. For any thing we say or do, the slaves would scarcely know
+ there is a Republican party. I believe they would not, in fact,
+ generally know it but for your misrepresentations of us in their
+ hearing. In your political contest among yourselves, each faction
+ charges the other with sympathy with Black Republicanism; and then,
+ to give point to the charge, defines Black Republicanism to simply
+ be insurrection, blood and thunder among the slaves.
+
+ "Slave insurrections are no more common now than they were before
+ the Republican party was organized. What induced the Southampton
+ insurrection, twenty-eight years ago, in which, at least, three
+ times as many lives were lost as at Harper's Ferry? You can
+ scarcely stretch your very elastic fancy to the conclusion that
+ Southampton was got up by Black Republicanism. In the present state
+ of things in the United States, I do not think a general, or even a
+ very extensive slave insurrection, is possible. The indispensable
+ concert of action cannot be attained. The slaves have no means of
+ rapid communication; nor can incendiary free men, black or white,
+ supply it. The explosive materials are everywhere in parcels;
+ but there neither are, nor can be supplied, the indispensable
+ connecting trains.
+
+ "Much is said by southern people about the affection of slaves for
+ their masters and mistresses; and a part of it, at least, is true.
+ A plot for an uprising could scarcely be devised and communicated
+ to twenty individuals before some one of them, to save the life of
+ a favorite master or mistress, would divulge it. This is the rule;
+ and the slave revolution in Hayti was not an exception to it, but a
+ case occurring under peculiar circumstances. The gunpowder plot of
+ British history, though not connected with the slaves, was more in
+ point. In that case, only about twenty were admitted to the secret;
+ and yet one of them, in his anxiety to save a friend, betrayed the
+ plot to that friend, and, by consequence, averted the calamity.
+ Occasional poisoning from the kitchen, and open or stealthy
+ assassinations in the field, and local revolts extending to a score
+ or so, will continue to occur as the natural results of slavery;
+ but no general insurrection of slaves, as I think, can happen in
+ this country for a long time. Whoever much fears, or much hopes,
+ for such an event, will be alike disappointed.
+
+ "In the language of Mr. Jefferson, uttered many years ago, 'It is
+ still in our power to direct the process of emancipation, and
+ deportation, peaceably, and in such slow degrees, as that the evil
+ will wear off insensibly; and their places be, _pari passu_, filled
+ up by free white laborers. If, on the contrary, it is left to force
+ itself on, human nature must shudder at the prospect held up.'
+
+ "Mr. Jefferson did not mean to say, nor do I, that the power of
+ emancipation is in the Federal Government. He spoke of Virginia;
+ and, as to the power of emancipation, I speak of the slaveholding
+ States only.
+
+ "The Federal Government, however, as we insist, has the power of
+ restraining the extension of the institution--the power to insure
+ that a slave insurrection shall never occur on any American soil
+ which is now free from slavery.
+
+ "John Brown's effort was peculiar. It was not a slave insurrection.
+ It was an attempt by white men to get up a revolt among slaves, in
+ which the slaves refused to participate. In fact, it was so absurd
+ that the slaves, with all their ignorance, saw plainly enough it
+ could not succeed. That affair, in its philosophy, corresponds
+ with the many attempts, related in history, at the assassination
+ of kings and emperors. An enthusiast broods over the oppression
+ of a people till he fancies himself commissioned by Heaven to
+ liberate them. He ventures the attempt, which ends in little else
+ than in his own execution. Orsini's attempt on Louis Napoleon, and
+ John Brown's attempt at Harper's Ferry were, in their philosophy,
+ precisely the same. The eagerness to cast blame on old England in
+ the one case, and on New England in the other, does not disprove
+ the sameness of the two things.
+
+ "And how much would it avail you, if you could, by the use of
+ John Brown, Helper's book, and the like, break up the Republican
+ organization? Human action can be modified to some extent, but
+ human nature cannot be changed. There is a judgment and a feeling
+ against slavery in this nation, which cast at least a million and a
+ half of votes. You cannot destroy that judgment and feeling--that
+ sentiment--by breaking up the political organization which rallies
+ around it. You can scarcely scatter and disperse an army which has
+ been formed into order in the face of your heaviest fire; but if
+ you could, how much would you gain by forcing the sentiment which
+ created it out of the peaceful channel of the ballot-box, into some
+ other channel? What would that other channel probably be? Would the
+ number of John Browns be lessened or enlarged by the operation?
+
+ "But you will break up the Union rather than submit to a denial of
+ your Constitutional rights.
+
+ "That has a somewhat reckless sound; but it would be palliated,
+ if not fully justified, were we proposing by the mere force of
+ numbers, to deprive you of some right plainly written down in the
+ Constitution. But we are proposing no such thing.
+
+ "When you make these declarations, you have a specific and
+ well-understood allusion to an assumed Constitutional right of
+ yours, to take slaves into the federal territories, and hold them
+ there as property, but no such right is specifically written in
+ the Constitution. That instrument is literally silent about any
+ such right. We, on the contrary, deny that such a right has any
+ existence in the Constitution, even by implication.
+
+ "Your purpose, then, plainly stated, is, that you will destroy
+ the Government, unless you be allowed to construe and enforce the
+ Constitution as you please, on all points in dispute between you
+ and us. You will rule or ruin in all events.
+
+ "This, plainly stated, is your language to us. Perhaps you will say
+ the Supreme Court has decided the disputed Constitutional question
+ in your favor. Not quite so. But waiving the lawyer's distinction
+ between dictum and decision, the Courts have decided the question
+ for you in a sort of way. The Courts have substantially said,
+ it is your Constitutional right to take slaves into the Federal
+ Territories, and to hold them there as property.
+
+ "When I say the decision was made in a sort of way, I mean it was
+ made in a divided Court by a bare majority of the Judges, and they
+ not quite agreeing with one another in the reasons for making it;
+ that it is so made as that its avowed supporters disagree with one
+ another about its meaning, and that it was mainly based upon a
+ mistaken statement of fact--the statement in the opinion that 'the
+ right of property in a slave is distinctly and expressly affirmed
+ in the Constitution.'
+
+ "An inspection of the Constitution will show that the right of
+ property in a slave is not distinctly and expressly affirmed in
+ it. Bear in mind the Judges do not pledge their judicial opinion
+ that such right is impliedly affirmed in the Constitution; but
+ they pledge their veracity that it is distinctly and expressly
+ affirmed there--'distinctly' that is, not mingled with anything
+ else--'expressly' that is, in words meaning just that, without the
+ aid of any inference, and susceptible of no other meaning.
+
+ "If they had only pledged their judicial opinion that such right
+ is affirmed in the instrument by implication, it would be open
+ to others to show that neither the word 'slave' nor 'slavery' is
+ to be found in the Constitution, nor the word 'property' even,
+ in any connection with language alluding to the things slave, or
+ slavery, and that wherever in that instrument the slave is alluded
+ to, he is called a 'person;' and wherever his master's legal right
+ in relation to him is alluded to, it is spoken of as 'service or
+ labor due,' as a 'debt' payable in service or labor. Also, it would
+ be open to show, by contemporaneous history, that this mode of
+ alluding to slaves and slavery, instead of speaking of them, was
+ employed on purpose to exclude from the Constitution the idea that
+ there could be property in man.
+
+ "To show all this is easy and certain.
+
+ "When this obvious mistake of the Judges shall be brought to their
+ notice, is it not reasonable to expect that they will withdraw the
+ mistaken statement, and reconsider the conclusion based upon it?
+
+ "And then it is to be remembered that 'our fathers, who framed
+ the Government under which we live'--the men who made the
+ Constitution--decided this same Constitutional question in our
+ favor, long ago--decided it without a division among themselves,
+ when making the decision; without division among themselves about
+ the meaning of it after it was made, and so far as any evidence is
+ left, without basing it upon any mistaken statement of facts.
+
+ "Under all these circumstances, do you really feel yourselves
+ justified to break up this Government, unless such a court decision
+ as yours is shall be at once submitted to, as a conclusive and
+ final rule of political action.
+
+ "But you will not abide the election of a Republican President. In
+ that supposed event, you say, you will destroy the Union; and then,
+ you say, the great crime of having destroyed it will be upon us!
+
+ "That is cool. A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters
+ through his teeth, 'stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and
+ then you will be a murderer!'
+
+ "To be sure, what the robber demanded of me--my money--was my own;
+ and I had a clear right to keep it; but it was no more my own than
+ my vote is my own; and threat of death to me, to extort my money,
+ and threat of destruction to the Union, to extort my vote, can
+ scarcely be distinguished in principle.
+
+ "A few words now to Republicans. It is exceedingly desirable that
+ all parts of this great Confederacy shall be at peace, and in
+ harmony, one with another. Let us Republicans do our part to have
+ it so. Even though much provoked, let us do nothing through passion
+ and ill-temper. Even though the southern people will not so much
+ as listen to us, let us calmly consider their demands, and yield
+ to them if, in our deliberate view of our duty, we possibly can.
+ Judging by all they say and do, and by the subject and nature of
+ their controversy with us, let us determine, if we can, what will
+ satisfy them?
+
+ "Will they be satisfied if the Territories be unconditionally
+ surrendered to them? We know they will not. In all their present
+ complaints against us, the Territories are scarcely mentioned.
+ Invasions and insurrections are the rage now. Will it satisfy
+ them if, in the future, we have nothing to do with invasions and
+ insurrections? We know it will not. We so know because we know we
+ never had any thing to do with invasions and insurrections; and yet
+ this total abstaining does not exempt us from the charge and the
+ denunciation.
+
+ "The question recurs, what will satisfy them? Simply this: We
+ must not only let them alone, but we must, somehow, convince them
+ that we do let them alone. This we know by experience, is no
+ easy task. We have been so trying to convince them from the very
+ beginning of our organization, but with no success. In all our
+ platforms and speeches we have constantly protested our purpose
+ to let them alone; but this has had no tendency to convince them.
+ Alike unavailing to convince them is the fact that they have never
+ detected a man of us in any attempt to disturb them.
+
+ "These natural, and apparently adequate means all failing, what
+ will convince them? This, and this only: cease to call slavery
+ _wrong_, and join them in calling it _right_. And this must be done
+ thoroughly--done in _acts_ as well as in _words_. Silence will not
+ be tolerated--we must place ourselves avowedly with them. Douglas's
+ new sedition law must be enacted and enforced, suppressing all
+ declarations that slavery is wrong, whether made in politics, in
+ presses, in pulpits, or in private. We must arrest and return
+ their fugitive slaves with greedy pleasure. We must pull down our
+ Free-State Constitutions. The whole atmosphere must be disinfected
+ from all taint of opposition to slavery, before they will cease to
+ believe that all their troubles proceed from us.
+
+ "I am quite aware they do not state their case precisely in this
+ way. Most of them would probably say to us, 'Let us alone, do
+ nothing to us, and say what you please about slavery.' But we do
+ let them alone--have never disturbed them--so that, after all,
+ it is what we say which dissatisfies them. They will continue to
+ accuse us of doing, until we cease saying.
+
+ "I am also aware they have not, as yet, in terms, demanded the
+ overthrow of our Free-State Constitutions. Yet those Constitutions
+ declare the wrong of slavery, with more solemn emphasis than do all
+ other sayings against it; and when all these other sayings shall
+ have been silenced, the overthrow of these Constitutions will be
+ demanded, and nothing be left to resist the demand. It is nothing
+ to the contrary, that they do not demand the whole of this just
+ now. Demanding what they do, and for the reason they do, they can
+ voluntarily stop nowhere short of this consummation. Holding, as
+ they do, that slavery is morally right, and socially elevating,
+ they cannot cease to demand a full national recognition of it, as a
+ legal right and a social blessing.
+
+ "Nor can we justifiably withhold this, on any ground save our
+ conviction that slavery is wrong. If slavery is right, all words,
+ acts, laws, and constitutions against it, are themselves wrong, and
+ should be silenced and swept away. If it is right, we cannot justly
+ object to its nationality--its universality; if it is wrong, they
+ cannot justly insist upon its extension--its enlargement. All they
+ ask, we could readily grant, if we thought slavery right; all we
+ ask, they could as readily grant, if they thought it wrong. Their
+ thinking it right, and our thinking it wrong, is the precise fact
+ upon which depends the whole controversy. Thinking it right, as
+ they do, they are not to blame for desiring its full recognition,
+ as being right; but, thinking it wrong, as we do, can we yield to
+ them? Can we cast our votes with their view, and against our own?
+ In view of our moral, social, and political responsibilities, can
+ we do this?
+
+ "Wrong as we think slavery is, we can yet afford to let it alone
+ where it is, because that much is due to the necessity arising from
+ its actual presence in the nation; but can we, while our votes will
+ prevent it, allow it to spread into the National Territories, and
+ to overrun us here in these Free States?
+
+ "If our sense of duty forbids this, then let us stand by our
+ duty, fearlessly and effectively. Let us be diverted by none of
+ those sophistical contrivances wherewith we are so industriously
+ plied and belabored--contrivances such as groping for some middle
+ ground between the right and the wrong, vain as the search for a
+ man who should be neither a living man nor a dead man--such as a
+ policy of 'dont care' on a question about which all true men do
+ care--such as Union appeals beseeching true Union men to yield
+ to Disunionists, reversing the Divine rule, and calling, not the
+ sinners, but the righteous to repentance--such as invocations to
+ Washington, imploring men to unsay what Washington said, and undo
+ what Washington did.
+
+ "Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations
+ against us, not frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the
+ Government, nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that
+ right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to
+ do our duty as we understand it."
+
+It was during this visit to New York that the following incident
+occurred, as related by a teacher in the Five-Points House of Industry,
+in that city:
+
+ "Our Sunday-school in the Five-Points was assembled, one
+ Sabbath morning, a few months since, when I noticed a tall and
+ remarkable-looking man enter the room and take a seat among
+ us. He listened with fixed attention to our exercises, and his
+ countenance manifested such genuine interest that I approached him
+ and suggested that he might be willing to say something to the
+ children. He accepted the invitation with evident pleasure, and,
+ coming forward, began a simple address, which at once fascinated
+ every little hearer, and hushed the room into silence. His language
+ was strikingly beautiful, and his tones musical with intensest
+ feeling. The little faces around would droop into sad conviction as
+ he uttered sentences of warning, and would brighten into sunshine
+ as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once or twice he attempted
+ to close his remarks, but the imperative shout of 'Go on!' 'Oh,
+ do go on!' would compel him to resume. As I looked upon the gaunt
+ and sinewy frame of the stranger, and marked his powerful head and
+ determined features, now touched into softness by the impressions
+ of the moment, I felt an irrepressible curiosity to learn something
+ more about him, and when he was quietly leaving the room I begged
+ to know his name. He courteously replied, 'It is Abra'm Lincoln,
+ from Illinois!'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+NOMINATED AND ELECTED PRESIDENT.
+
+ The Republican National Convention--Democratic Convention--
+ Constitutional Union Convention--Ballotings at Chicago--The
+ Result--Enthusiastic Reception--Visit to Springfield--Address
+ and Letter of Acceptance--The Campaign--Result of the Election--
+ South Carolina's Movements--Buchanan's pusillanimity--Secession
+ of states--Confederate Constitution--Peace Convention--
+ Constitutional Amendments--Terms of the Rebels.
+
+
+On the 16th of May, 1860, the Republican National Convention met at
+Chicago, to present candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency.
+The Democratic Convention had previously adjourned, after a stormy
+session of some two weeks, at which it was apparent that, if Mr.
+Douglas's friends persisted in placing him in nomination, another
+candidate would be presented by the wing opposed to his peculiar views
+on the slavery question, and the great party would thus be disrupted.
+Another convention, claiming to represent, in a peculiarly individual
+manner, the party in favor of the Constitution and the Union, had met
+at Baltimore and put in nomination John Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward
+Everett, of Massachusetts.
+
+The aspect seemed favorable for the election of the Republican
+candidates, and that convention, on the morning of the 18th of May--one
+day having been spent in organizing and another in the adoption of
+a platform of principles--amid the intense excitement of the twelve
+thousand people inside of the "Wigwam" (as the building was styled in
+which the body was in session), voted to proceed at once to ballot for
+a candidate for President of the United States.
+
+Seven names were formally presented in the following order: William H.
+Seward, of New York; Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois; William L. Dayton,
+of New Jersey; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania; Salmon P. Chase, of
+Ohio; Edward Bates, of Missouri; and John McLean, of Ohio.
+
+On the first ballot Mr. Seward received 173 votes, Mr. Lincoln 102,
+Mr. Cameron 50, Mr. Chase 49, Mr. Bates 48, Mr. Dayton 14, Mr. McLean
+12, and there were 16 votes scattered among candidates not put in
+nomination. For a choice, 233 votes were required.
+
+On the second ballot (Mr. Cameron's name having been withdrawn) the
+vote for the several candidates was as follows: Mr. Seward 184, Mr.
+Lincoln 181, Mr. Chase 42, Mr. Bates 35, Mr. Dayton 10, Mr. McLean 8,
+scattering 4.
+
+The third ballot was immediately taken, and, when the call of the roll
+was ended, the footings were as follows: For Mr. Lincoln 231, Mr.
+Seward 180, Mr. Chase 24, Mr. Bates. 22, all others 7. Immediately
+before the result was announced, four Ohio delegates changed their
+votes to Mr. Lincoln, giving him a majority.
+
+The scene which followed--the wild, almost delirious outburst of
+applause within and without the building, the congratulations, the
+hand-shakings, the various manifestations of joy, continued with
+scarcely any interruption for some three-quarters of an hour--was
+probably never before witnessed in a popular assembly.
+
+The nomination having been made unanimous, the ticket was completed by
+the selection of Senator Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, as Vice-President.
+
+The country then felt that the right man had for once been put in the
+right place. As a man of the people, in cordial sympathy with the
+masses, Mr. Lincoln enjoyed the unhesitating confidence of the sincere
+friends of free labor, regardless of party distinctions. His tried
+integrity and incorruptible honesty gave promise of a return to the
+better days of the republic. Every man, laboring for the advancement
+of his fellow, knew that in him humanity, irrespective of race or
+condition, had a tried and trusty friend.
+
+The committee, appointed to apprise him of his nomination, found him
+at his home, in Springfield, a frame two-storied house, apparently
+about thirty-five or forty feet square, standing at the corner of two
+streets. After entering the parlor, which was very plainly furnished,
+though in good taste, a brief address was made by the chairman of the
+convention, upon the utterance of the first sentence of which a smile
+played round Mr. Lincoln's large, firm-set mouth, his eyes lit up, and
+his face conveyed to those who then for the first time met him, an
+impression of that sincere, loving nature which those who had known him
+long and well had learned in some measure to comprehend and revere.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+In response to this address, Mr. Lincoln said:
+
+ "MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE: I tender to you,
+ and through you to the Republican National Convention, and all
+ the people represented in it, my profoundest thanks for the high
+ honor done me, which you now formally announce. Deeply, and
+ even painfully sensible of the great responsibility which is
+ inseparable from this high honor--a responsibility which I could
+ almost wish had fallen upon some one of the far more eminent men
+ and experienced statesmen whose distinguished names were before
+ the Convention, I shall, by your leave, consider more fully the
+ resolutions of the Convention, denominated the platform, and
+ without unnecessary and unreasonable delay, respond to you, Mr.
+ Chairman, in writing, not doubting that the platform will be found
+ satisfactory, and the nomination gratefully accepted. And now I
+ will not longer defer the pleasure of taking you, and each of you,
+ by the hand."
+
+In reply to the formal letter of the President of the Convention,
+apprising him of the nomination, Mr. Lincoln addressed the following:
+
+ "_Springfield, Illinois_, May 23d, 1860.
+
+ "HON. GEORGE ASHMAN, _President of the Republican National
+ Convention_.
+
+ "SIR: I accept the nomination tendered me by the Convention
+ over which you presided, and of which I am formally apprised in
+ the letter of yourself and others, acting as a Committee of the
+ Convention for that purpose.
+
+ "The declaration of principles and sentiments, which accompanies
+ your letter, meets my approval; and it shall be my care not to
+ violate, or disregard it, in any part.
+
+ "Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence, and with due regard
+ to the views and feelings of all who were represented in the
+ Convention; to the rights of all the States and Territories, and
+ people of the nation; to the inviolability of the Constitution, and
+ the perpetual union, harmony and prosperity of all, I am most happy
+ to co-operate for the practical success of the principles declared
+ by the Convention,
+
+ "Your obliged friend and fellow-citizen,
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+The breach in the Democratic party, threatened at Charleston, was
+subsequently effected by the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas
+and Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, by one wing, and of John C.
+Breckinridge, of Kentucky, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, by the other.
+
+Although the election of Mr. Lincoln was, under the circumstances,
+almost a foregone conclusion, yet the canvass which ensued was
+acrimonious and vindictive in the extreme, the choicest selections from
+the rank Billingsgate vocabularies being lavished on the head of Mr.
+Lincoln and his supporters.
+
+On the 6th of November, 1860, Mr. Lincoln received 1,866,452 votes,
+securing the electoral votes of the States of Maine, New Hampshire,
+Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
+Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin,
+Minnesota, California, Oregon, and four votes of New Jersey, 180 in
+all; Douglas, 1,375,157 votes, and the electoral votes of Missouri, and
+three of New Jersey, 12 in all; Breckinridge, 847,953, and the votes of
+Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
+Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas, 72 in all; and
+Bell, 590,631, and the votes of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, 39
+in all.
+
+And now was to be tested whether words were to ripen into
+deeds--whether threats would be reduced to practice--whether, indeed,
+there were madness enough in any State or States to attempt the life of
+the republic. Unfortunately, a short space of time elapsed before all
+doubts were at an end. Men were to be found--not confined to a single
+State, but representatives of nearly, if not quite all--not to be
+counted by scores or hundreds even, but by thousands, and soon by tens
+of thousands--ready to lay their unhallowed hands upon the Union, the
+ark of our nation's glory and strength.
+
+To South Carolina belongs the bold, bad eminence of taking the
+initiation in this conspiracy against the interests of humanity. While
+this State--doomed forever after to an ignominy from which centuries
+of unquestioned loyalty cannot free her--was taking the requisite
+steps toward secession, the then President, James Buchanan, with a
+pusillanimity--to use no stronger term--which modern history certainly
+has never paralleled, in his annual message, after having urged the
+unconstitutionality of the proceeding, gave explicit notification that
+he had no constitutional power to prevent the proposed measures being
+hastened to successful completion. Neither, though appealed to, at a
+still earlier day, by the veteran chief of the army, to occupy and hold
+the United States on the Southern coast, could he find any warrant for
+protecting and defending the national property.
+
+Surely nothing more could the conspirators have desired. On the 20th of
+December, 1860, South Carolina claims to secede--Government forts and
+arsenals are seized, and placed under the protection of the flag of the
+State. Georgia's Governor lays hand on the United States forts on the
+coast of that State, on the 3d of January, 1861; as did the Executive
+of Alabama on the following day.
+
+Events of a startling nature follow in rapid succession. On the 9th
+of January, hostile shots are fired upon a vessel bringing tardy
+reinforcements to Fort Sumter, and Mississippi assumes to put herself
+out of the Union. Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are not laggard;
+nor are Texas and Louisiana found wanting. Cabinet officers from
+the slave States either resigned, after having aided the fell work
+to their utmost, or remained only to hasten its consummation. A new
+constitution, "temporary" in its nature, was declared by delegates from
+the seven States then in rebellion, and a President and Vice-President
+appointed.
+
+Meanwhile a convention, composed of delegates from most of the Free
+States, and from all the border Slave States, was striving, at
+Washington, to heal existing difficulties by compromise. Of its members
+some were acting in good faith, others were using it as a breakwater
+for the States already in overt rebellion. A series of resolutions,
+however, aiming at peace on the basis of a preserved Union was agreed
+to by a majority, and the body adjourned on the 1st of March.
+
+On the 11th of February, moreover, the National House of
+Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution--shortly afterward
+concurred in by the Senate--providing for an amendment to the
+Constitution, forever prohibiting any Congressional legislation
+interfering with slavery in any State. Some there were, too, who were
+willing to concede almost every thing and surrender the long mooted
+question of slavery in the territories by the adoption of the so-called
+Crittenden resolutions, which were killed in cold blood by Southern
+Senators.
+
+But no concession, short of actual national degradation, would satisfy
+the recusants. Jefferson Davis, the head of the "Confederacy," on
+placing himself at the head of the rebellion, at Montgomery, Alabama,
+February 18th, modestly defined the position of himself and his
+co-conspirators thus:
+
+"If a just perception of neutral interest shall permit us peaceably
+to pursue our separate political career, my most earnest desire will
+have been fulfilled. But if this be denied us, and the integrity of our
+territory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will but remain for us with
+firm resolve to appeal to arms, and invoke the blessing of Providence
+on a just cause."
+
+This was at once clinched by a recommendation that "a well-instructed,
+disciplined army, more numerous than would usually be required, on a
+peace establishment," should be at once organized and put in training
+for the emergency.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+TO WASHINGTON.
+
+ The Departure--Farewell Remarks--Speech at Toledo--At
+ Indianapolis--At Cincinnati--At Columbus--At Steubenville--
+ At Pittsburgh--At Cleveland--At Buffalo--At Albany--At
+ Poughkeepsie--At New York--At Trenton--At Philadelphia--At
+ "Independence Hall"--Flag-raising--Speech at Harrisburg--Secret
+ Departure for Washington--Comments.
+
+
+Thus matters stood--the air filled with mutterings of an approaching
+storm--the most filled with a certain undefinable anxiety--the hearts
+of many failing them through fear--when, on the morning of the 11th of
+February, 1861, the President elect with his family, bade adieu to that
+prairie home which, alas! he was never again to see.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The large throng which had assembled at the railway station on the
+occasion of his departure, he addressed in words replete with the
+pathos of every true manly nature:
+
+ "MY FRIENDS:--No one, not in my position, can appreciate the
+ sadness I feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I
+ am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century; here my
+ children were born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not
+ how soon I shall see you again. A duty devolves upon me which
+ is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved upon any other
+ man since the days of Washington. He never could have succeeded
+ except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times
+ relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid
+ which sustained him; and in the same Almighty being I place my
+ reliance for support, and I hope you, my friends, will all pray
+ that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I can not
+ succeed, but with which success is certain. Again, I bid you all an
+ affectionate farewell."
+
+Along the route, multitudes gathered at the stations to greet him. At
+Toledo, Ohio, in reply to repeated calls, he appeared on the platform
+of the car and said:
+
+ "I am leaving you on an errand of national importance, attended, as
+ you are aware, with considerable difficulties. Let us believe, as
+ some poet has expressed it, 'Behind the cloud the sun is shining
+ still.' I bid you an affectionate farewell."
+
+At Indianapolis, on the evening of the same day, in reply to an
+official address of welcome, he gave the first direct public intimation
+of his views concerning the absorbing topics of the day, in which
+homely sense and cheerful pleasantry were blended with a skill beyond
+the power of mere art:
+
+ "FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA:--I am here to thank you
+ for this magnificent welcome, and still more for the very generous
+ support given by your State to that political cause, which, I
+ think, is the true and just cause of the whole country, and the
+ whole world. Solomon says, 'there is a time to keep silence;' and
+ when men wrangle by the mouth, with no certainty that they mean the
+ same thing while using the same words, it perhaps were as well if
+ they would keep silence.
+
+ "The words 'coercion' and 'invasion' are much used in these days,
+ and often with some temper and hot blood. Let us make sure, if we
+ can, that we do not misunderstand the meaning of those who use
+ them. Let us get the exact definitions of these words, not from
+ dictionaries, but from the men themselves, who certainly deprecate
+ the things they would represent by the use of the words.
+
+ "What, then, is coercion? What is invasion? Would the marching of
+ an army into South Carolina, without the consent of her people, and
+ with hostile intent toward them, be invasion? I certainly think it
+ would, and it would be coercion also, if the South Carolinians were
+ forced to submit. But if the United States should merely hold and
+ retake its own forts and other property, and collect the duties on
+ foreign importations, or even withhold the mails from places where
+ they were habitually violated, would any or all of these things be
+ invasion or coercion? Do our professed lovers of the Union, who
+ spitefully resolve that they will resist coercion and invasion,
+ understand that such things as these, on the part of the United
+ States, would be coercion or invasion of a State? If so, their idea
+ of means to preserve the object of their great affection would seem
+ to be exceedingly thin and airy. If sick, the little pills of the
+ homeopathist would be much too large for it to swallow. In their
+ view, the Union, as a family relation, would seem to be no regular
+ marriage, but rather a sort of 'free-love' arrangement, to be
+ maintained on passional attraction.
+
+ "By the way, in what consists the special sacredness of a State?
+ I speak not of the position assigned to a State in the Union
+ by the Constitution, for that is a bond we all recognize. That
+ position, however, a State cannot carry out of the Union with
+ it. I speak of that assumed primary right of a State to rule all
+ which is less than itself, and to ruin all which is larger than
+ itself. If a State and a County, in a given case, should be equal
+ in number of inhabitants, in what, as a matter of principle, is
+ the State better than the County? Would an exchange of name be
+ an exchange of rights? Upon what principle, upon what rightful
+ principle, may a State, being no more than one-fiftieth part of
+ the nation in soil and population, break up the nation, and then
+ coerce a proportionally large sub-division of itself in the most
+ arbitrary way? What mysterious right to play tyrant is conferred
+ on a district or country with its people, by merely calling it a
+ State? Fellow citizens, I am not asserting any thing. I am merely
+ asking questions for you to consider. And now allow me to bid you
+ farewell."
+
+Proceeding to Cincinnati, he received a most enthusiastic welcome.
+Having been addressed by the mayor of the city, and escorted by a
+civic and military procession to the Burnet House, he addressed the
+assemblage in these words:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS: I have spoken but once before this in Cincinnati.
+ That was a year previous to the late Presidential election. On that
+ occasion in a playful manner, but with sincere words, I addressed
+ much of what I said to the Kentuckians. I gave my opinion that we,
+ as Republicans, would ultimately beat them as Democrats, but that
+ they could postpone the result longer by nominating Senator Douglas
+ for the Presidency than they could in any other way. They did not,
+ in any true sense of the word, nominate Mr. Douglas, and the result
+ has come certainly as soon as ever I expected.
+
+ "I also told them how I expected they would be treated after they
+ should have been beaten, and now wish to call their attention to
+ what I then said:
+
+ "'When we do, as we say we will, beat you, you perhaps want to
+ know what we will do with you. I will tell you--as far as I
+ am authorized to speak for the opposition--what we mean to do
+ with you. We mean to treat you as near as we possibly can, as
+ Washington, Jefferson, and Madison treated you. We mean to leave
+ you alone, and in no way to interfere with your institutions; to
+ abide by all and every compromise of the Constitution. In a word,
+ coming back to the original proposition, to treat you, as far as
+ degenerate men--if we have degenerated--may, according to the
+ example of those noble fathers, Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.
+ We mean to remember that you are as good as we; that there is no
+ difference between us other than the difference of circumstances.
+ We mean to recognize and bear in mind always that you have as good
+ hearts in your bosoms as other people, or as we claim to have, and
+ to treat you accordingly.'
+
+ "Fellow-citizens of Kentucky, friends, brethren: May I call you
+ such? In my new position I see no occasion and feel no inclination
+ to retract a word of this. If it shall not be made good be assured
+ that the fault shall not be mine."
+
+On the next morning he left Cincinnati, and arrived at Columbus, where
+he was received with every demonstration of enthusiasm. He visited the
+Governor in the Executive Chamber, and was subsequently introduced to
+the members of the Legislature in joint session, when he was formally
+welcomed by the Lieutenant-Governor, to whom Mr. Lincoln responded in
+these words:
+
+ "It is true, as has been said by the President of the Senate,
+ that very great responsibility rests upon me in the position to
+ which the votes of the American people have called me. I am deeply
+ sensible of that weighty responsibility. I cannot but know, what
+ you all know, that without a name--perhaps without a reason why I
+ should have a name--there has fallen upon me a task such as did not
+ rest upon the Father of his Country. And so feeling, I cannot but
+ turn and look for the support without which it will be impossible
+ for me to perform that great task. I turn, then, and look to the
+ American people, and to that God who has never forsaken them.
+
+ "Allusion has been made to the interest felt in relation to the
+ policy of the new Administration. In this, I have received from
+ some a degree of credit for having kept silence, from others
+ some depreciation. I still think I was right. In the varying and
+ repeatedly shifting scenes of the present, without a precedent
+ which could enable me to judge for the past, it has seemed fitting,
+ that before speaking upon the difficulties of the country I should
+ have gained a view of the whole field. To be sure, after all, I
+ would be at liberty to modify and change the course of policy as
+ future events might make a change necessary.
+
+ "I have not maintained silence from any want of real anxiety. It
+ is a good thing that there is no more than anxiety, for there is
+ nothing going wrong. It is a consoling circumstance that when we
+ look out there is nothing that really hurts anybody. We entertain
+ different views upon political questions, but nobody is suffering
+ any thing. This is a most consoling circumstance, and from it I
+ judge that all we want is time and patience, and a reliance on that
+ God who has never forsaken this people."
+
+On the 14th of February, Mr. Lincoln proceeded to Pittsburgh. At
+Steubenville, on the route, in reply to an address, he said:
+
+ "I fear the great confidence placed in my ability is unfounded.
+ Indeed, I am sure it is. Encompassed by vast difficulties, as I am,
+ nothing shall be wanted on my part, if sustained by the American
+ people and God. I believe the devotion to the Constitution is
+ equally great on both sides of the river. It is only the different
+ understanding of that instrument that causes difficulties. The only
+ dispute is 'What are their rights?' If the majority should not
+ rule who should be the judge? Where is such a judge to be found?
+ We should all be bound by the majority of the American people--if
+ not, then the minority must control. Would that be right? Would it
+ be just or generous? Assuredly not." He reiterated, the majority
+ should rule. If he adopted a wrong policy, then the opportunity to
+ condemn him would occur in four years' time. "Then I can be turned
+ out and a better man with better views put in my place."
+
+The next morning he left for Cleveland, but before his departure he
+made an address to the people of Pittsburgh, in which he said:
+
+ "In every short address I have made to the people, and in every
+ crowd through which I have passed of late, some allusion has
+ been made to the present distracted condition of the country.
+ It is naturally expected that I should say something upon this
+ subject, but to touch upon it at all would involve an elaborate
+ discussion of a great many questions and circumstances, would
+ require more time than I can at present command, and would perhaps
+ unnecessarily commit me upon matters which have not yet fully
+ developed themselves.
+
+ "The condition of the country, fellow-citizens, is an extraordinary
+ one, and fills the mind of every patriot with anxiety and
+ solicitude. My intention is to give this subject all the
+ consideration which I possibly can before I speak fully and
+ definitely in regard to it, so that, when I do speak, I may be as
+ nearly right as possible. And when I do speak, fellow-citizens,
+ I hope to say nothing in opposition to the spirit of the
+ Constitution, contrary to the integrity of the Union, or which will
+ in any way prove inimical to the liberties of the people or to the
+ peace of the whole country. And, furthermore, when the time arrives
+ for me to speak on this great subject, I hope to say nothing
+ which will disappoint the reasonable expectations of any man, or
+ disappoint the people generally throughout the country, especially
+ if their expectations have been based upon any thing which I may
+ have heretofore said.
+
+ "Notwithstanding the troubles across the river [the speaker,
+ smiling, pointed southwardly to the Monongahela river], there is
+ really no crisis springing from any thing in the Government itself.
+ In plain words, there is really no crisis except an artificial one.
+ What is there now to warrant the condition of affairs presented
+ by our friends 'over the river?' Take even their own view of the
+ questions involved, and there is nothing to justify the course
+ which they are pursuing. I repeat it, then, there is no crisis,
+ except such a one as may be gotten up at any time by turbulent
+ men, aided by designing politicians. My advice, then, under such
+ circumstances, is to keep cool. If the great American people will
+ only keep their temper on both sides of the line, the trouble will
+ come to an end, and the question which now distracts the country
+ will be settled just as surely as all other difficulties of like
+ character which have originated in this government have been
+ adjusted. Let the people on both sides keep their self-possession,
+ and just as other clouds have cleared away in due time, so
+ will this, and this great nation shall continue to prosper as
+ heretofore."
+
+He then referred to the subject of the tariff, and said:
+
+ "According to my political education, I am inclined to believe that
+ the people in the various portions of the country should have their
+ own views carried out through their representatives in Congress.
+ That consideration of the tariff bill should not be postponed until
+ the next session of the National Legislature. No subject should
+ engage your representatives more closely than that of the tariff.
+ If I have any recommendation to make, it will be that every man who
+ is called upon to serve the people, in a representative capacity,
+ should study the whole subject thoroughly, as I intend to do
+ myself, looking to all the varied interests of the common country,
+ so that, when the time for action arrives, adequate protection
+ shall be extended to the coal and iron of Pennsylvania, and the
+ corn of Illinois. Permit me to express the hope that this important
+ subject may receive such consideration at the hands of your
+ representatives that the interests of no part of the country may be
+ overlooked, but that all sections may share in the common benefits
+ of a just and equitable tariff."
+
+Mr. Lincoln, upon his arrival in Cleveland, adverted to the same
+subject in the following terms:
+
+ "It is with you, the people, to advance the great cause of the
+ Union and the Constitution, and not with any one man. It rests
+ with you alone. This fact is strongly impressed on my mind at
+ present. In a community like this, whose appearance testifies to
+ their intelligence, I am convinced that the cause of liberty and
+ the Union can never be in danger. Frequent allusion is made to the
+ excitement at present existing in national politics. I think there
+ is no occasion for any excitement. The crisis, as it is called, is
+ altogether an artificial crisis. In all parts of the nation, there
+ are differences of opinion in politics. There are differences
+ of opinion even here. You did not all vote for the person who
+ now addresses you. And how is it with those who are not here?
+ Have they not all their rights as they ever had? Do they not have
+ their fugitive slaves returned now as ever? Have they not the same
+ Constitution that they have lived under for seventy odd years? Have
+ they not a position as citizens of this common country, and have
+ we any power to change that position? What, then, is the matter
+ with them? Why all this excitement? Why all these complaints? As I
+ said before, this crisis is all artificial. It has no foundation in
+ fact. It was 'argued up,' as the saying is, and cannot be argued
+ down. Let it alone, and it will go down itself."
+
+On Saturday he proceeded to Buffalo, where he arrived at evening, and
+was met by an immense concourse of citizens headed by Ex-President
+Fillmore.
+
+Arriving at the hotel, Mr. Lincoln was welcomed in a brief speech by
+the acting chief magistrate, to which he made a brief reply, as follows:
+
+ "MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW CITIZENS:--I am here to thank you briefly
+ for this grand reception given to me not personally, but as the
+ representative of our great and beloved country. Your worthy Mayor
+ has been pleased to mention in his address to me, the fortunate and
+ agreeable journey which I have had from home--only it is rather
+ a circuitous route to the Federal Capitol. I am very happy that
+ he was enabled, in truth, to congratulate myself and company on
+ that fact. It is true, we have had nothing thus far to mar the
+ pleasure of the trip. We have not been met alone by those who
+ assisted in giving the election to me; I say not alone, but by
+ the whole population of the country through which we have passed.
+ This is as it should be. Had the election fallen to any other of
+ the distinguished candidates instead of myself, under the peculiar
+ circumstances, to say the least, it would have been proper for
+ all citizens to have greeted him as you now greet me. It is an
+ evidence of the devotion of the whole people to the Constitution,
+ the Union, and the perpetuity of the liberties of this country. I
+ am unwilling, on any occasion, that I should be so meanly thought
+ of as to have it supposed for a moment that these demonstrations
+ are tendered to me personally. They are tendered to the country,
+ to the institutions of the country, and to the perpetuity of the
+ liberties of the country for which these institutions were made
+ and created. Your worthy mayor has thought fit to express the hope
+ that I may be able to relieve the country from the present, or, I
+ should say, the threatened difficulties. I am sure I bring a heart
+ true to the work. For the ability to perform it, I trust in that
+ Supreme Being who has never forsaken this favored land, through the
+ instrumentality of this great and intelligent people. Without that
+ assistance I should surely fail; with it I cannot fail. When we
+ speak of the threatened difficulties to the country, it is natural
+ that it should be expected that something should be said by myself
+ with regard to particular measures. Upon more mature reflection,
+ however, I think,--and others will agree with me--that, when it is
+ considered that these difficulties are without precedent, and never
+ have been acted upon by any individual situated as I am, it is most
+ proper that I should wait and see the developments, and get all the
+ light possible, so that, when I do speak authoritatively, I may
+ be as near right as possible. When I shall speak authoritatively,
+ I hope to say nothing inconsistent with the Constitution, the
+ Union, the rights of all the States, of each State, and of each
+ section of the country, and not to disappoint the reasonable
+ expectations of those who have confided to me their votes. In this
+ connection, allow me to say that you, as a portion of the great
+ American people, need only to maintain your composure, stand up
+ to your sober convictions of right, to your obligations to the
+ Constitution, and act in accordance with those sober convictions,
+ and the clouds which now arise in the horizon will be dispelled,
+ and we shall have a bright and glorious future; and, when this
+ generation shall have passed away, tens of thousands shall inhabit
+ this country where only thousands inhabit it now. I do not propose
+ to address you at length. I have no voice for it. Allow me again to
+ thank you for this magnificent reception, and bid you farewell."
+
+Mr. Lincoln then proceeded from Buffalo to Albany. Here he was met by
+the Mayor, the City Councils, and the Legislative Committees, and was
+conducted to the Capitol, where he was welcomed by Governor Morgan, and
+responded briefly, as follows:
+
+ "GOVERNOR MORGAN:--I was pleased to receive an invitation to visit
+ the capital of the great Empire State of this nation, while on my
+ way to the Federal capital. I now thank you, and you, the people
+ of the capital of the State of New York, for this most hearty
+ and magnificent welcome. If I am not at fault, the great Empire
+ State at this time contains a larger population than did the whole
+ of the United States of America at the time they achieved their
+ national independence; and I was proud to be invited to visit its
+ capital, to meet its citizens as I now have the honor to do. I
+ am notified by your governor that this reception is tendered by
+ citizens without distinction of party. Because of this, I accept it
+ the more gladly. In this country, and in any country where freedom
+ of thought is tolerated, citizens attach themselves to political
+ parties. It is but an ordinary degree of charity to attribute this
+ act to the supposition that, in thus attaching themselves to the
+ various parties, each man, in his own judgment, supposes he thereby
+ best advances the interests of the whole country. And when an
+ election is passed, it is altogether befitting a free people that,
+ until the next election, they should be one people. The reception
+ you have extended me to-day is not given to me personally. It
+ should not be so, but as the representative, for the time being, of
+ the majority of the nation. If the election had fallen to any of
+ the more distinguished citizens, who received the support of the
+ people, this same honor should have greeted him that greets me this
+ day, in testimony of the unanimous devotion of the whole people
+ to the Constitution, the Union, and to the perpetual liberties of
+ succeeding generations in this country. I have neither the voice
+ nor the strength to address you at any greater length. I beg you
+ will, therefore, accept my most grateful thanks for this manifest
+ devotion--not to me but to the institutions of this great and
+ glorious country."
+
+He was then conducted to the Legislative halls, where, in reply to an
+address of welcome, he again adverted to the troubles of the country in
+the following terms:
+
+ "MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
+ NEW YORK:--It is with feelings of great diffidence, and, I may
+ say, feelings even of awe, perhaps greater than I have recently
+ experienced, that I meet you here in this place. The history of
+ this great State, the renown of its great men, who have stood in
+ this chamber, and have spoken their thoughts, all crowd around my
+ fancy, and incline me to shrink from an attempt to address you. Yet
+ I have some confidence given me by the generous manner in which
+ you have invited me, and the still more generous manner in which
+ you have received me. You have invited me and received me without
+ distinction of party. I could not for a moment suppose that this
+ has been done in any considerable degree with any reference to
+ my personal self. It is very much more grateful to me that this
+ reception and the invitation preceding it were given to me as
+ the representative of a free people, than it could possibly have
+ been were they but the evidence of devotion to me or to any one
+ man. It is true that, while I hold myself, without mock-modesty,
+ the humblest of all the individuals who have ever been elected
+ President of the United States, I yet have a more difficult task to
+ perform than any one of them has ever encountered. You have here
+ generously tendered me the support, the united support, of the
+ great Empire State. For this, in behalf of the nation--in behalf
+ of the President and of the future of the nation--in behalf of
+ the cause of civil liberty in all time to come--I most gratefully
+ thank you. I do not propose now to enter upon any expressions as
+ to the particular line of policy to be adopted with reference
+ to the difficulties that stand before us in the opening of the
+ incoming administration. I deem that it is just to the country, to
+ myself, to you, that I should see every thing, hear every thing,
+ and have every light that can possibly be brought within my reach
+ to aid me before I shall speak officially, in order that, when I
+ do speak, I may have the best possible means of taking correct and
+ true grounds. For this reason, I do not now announce any thing in
+ the way of policy for the new Administration. When the time comes,
+ according to the custom of the Government, I shall speak, and speak
+ as well as I am able for the good of the present and of the future
+ of this country--for the good of the North and of the South--for
+ the good of one and of the other, and of all sections of it. In
+ the meantime, if we have patience, if we maintain our equanimity,
+ though some may allow themselves to run off in a burst of passion,
+ I still have confidence that the Almighty Ruler of the Universe,
+ through the instrumentality of this great and intelligent people,
+ can and will bring us through this difficulty, as he has heretofore
+ brought us through all preceding difficulties of the country.
+ Relying upon this, and again thanking you, as I forever shall, in
+ my heart, for this generous reception you have given me, I bid you
+ farewell."
+
+At Albany, he was met by a delegation from the city authorities of New
+York, and on the 19th started for that city. At Poughkeepsie, he was
+welcomed by the Mayor of the city. Mr. Lincoln, in reply, said:
+
+ "I am grateful for this cordial welcome, and I am gratified
+ that this immense multitude has come together not to meet the
+ individual man, but the man who, for the time being, will humbly
+ but earnestly represent the majesty of the nation. These receptions
+ have been given me at other places, and, as here, by men of
+ different parties, and not by one party alone. It shows an earnest
+ effort on the part of all to save, not the country, for the country
+ can save itself, but to save the institutions of the country--those
+ institutions under which, for at least three-quarters of a
+ century, we have become the greatest, the most intelligent, and
+ the happiest people in the world. These manifestations show that
+ we all make common cause for these objects; that if some of us
+ are successful in an election, and others are beaten, those who
+ are beaten are not in favor of sinking the ship in consequence
+ of defeat, but are earnest in their purpose to sail it safely
+ through the voyage in hand, and, in so far as they may think there
+ has been any mistake in the election, satisfying themselves to
+ take their chance of setting the matter right the next time. That
+ course is entirely right. I am not sure--I do not pretend to be
+ sure--that in the election of the individual who has been elected
+ this term, the wisest choice has been made. I fear it has not. In
+ the purposes and in the principles that have been sustained, I
+ have been the instrument selected to carry forward the affairs of
+ this Government. I can rely upon you, and upon the people of the
+ country; and with their sustaining hand, I think that even I shall
+ not fail in carrying the Ship of State through the storm."
+
+The reception of President Lincoln in New York City was a most imposing
+demonstration. Places of business were generally closed, and hundreds
+of thousands were in the streets. On the next day, he was welcomed to
+the city by Mayor Wood, and replied as follows:
+
+ "MR. MAYOR: It is with feelings of deep gratitude that I make my
+ acknowledgments for the reception given me in the great commercial
+ city of New York. I cannot but remember that this is done by
+ a people who do not, by a majority, agree with me in political
+ sentiment. It is the more grateful, because in this I see that,
+ for the great principles of our Government, the people are almost
+ unanimous. In regard to the difficulties that confront us at
+ this time, and of which your Honor has thought fit to speak so
+ becomingly and so justly, as I suppose, I can only say that I agree
+ in the sentiments expressed. In my devotion to the Union, I hope I
+ am behind no man in the nation. In the wisdom with which to conduct
+ the affairs tending to the preservation of the Union, I fear that
+ too great confidence may have been reposed in me; but I am sure I
+ bring a heart devoted to the work. There is nothing that could ever
+ bring me to willingly consent to the destruction of this Union,
+ under which not only the great commercial city of New York, but the
+ whole country, acquired its greatness, except it be the purpose
+ for which the Union itself was formed. I understand the ship to be
+ made for the carrying and the preservation of the cargo, and so
+ long as the ship can be saved with the cargo, it should never be
+ abandoned, unless it fails the possibility of its preservation,
+ and shall cease to exist, except at the risk of throwing overboard
+ both freight and passengers. So long, then, as it is possible that
+ the prosperity and the liberties of the people be preserved in this
+ Union, it shall be my purpose at all times to use all my powers to
+ aid in its perpetuation. Again thanking you for the reception given
+ me, allow me to come to a close."
+
+On the next day he left for Philadelphia. At Trenton he remained a few
+hours, and visited both Houses of the Legislature. On being received in
+the Senate, he thus addressed that body:
+
+ "MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW
+ JERSEY:--I am very grateful to you for the honorable reception of
+ which I have been the object. I cannot but remember the place that
+ New Jersey holds in our early history. In the early Revolutionary
+ struggle, few of the States among the old Thirteen had more of the
+ battle-fields of the country within its limits than old New Jersey.
+ May I be pardoned, if, upon this occasion, I mention that away back
+ in my childhood, the earliest days of my being able to read, I got
+ hold of a small book, such a one as few of the younger members have
+ ever seen, 'Weems' Life of Washington.' I remember all the accounts
+ there given of the battle-fields and struggles for the liberties
+ of the country, and none fixed themselves upon my imagination so
+ deeply as the struggle here at Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing
+ of the river--the contest with the Hessians--the great hardships
+ endured at that time--all fixed themselves on my memory more than
+ any single revolutionary event; and you all know, for you have all
+ been boys, how these early impressions last longer than any others.
+ I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there must
+ have been something more than common that those men struggled for.
+ I am exceedingly anxious that that thing which they struggled
+ for--that something even more than National Independence--that
+ something that held out a great promise to all the people of the
+ world to all time to come--I am exceedingly anxious that this
+ Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people, shall be
+ perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that
+ struggle was made, and I shall be most happy indeed, if I shall be
+ an humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, His
+ almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great
+ struggle. You give me this reception, as I understand, without
+ distinction of party. I learn that this body is composed of a
+ majority of gentlemen who, in the exercise of their best judgment
+ in the choice of a Chief Magistrate, did not think I was the man. I
+ understand, nevertheless, that they came forward here to greet me
+ as the Constitutional President of the United States--as citizens
+ of the United States, to meet the man who, for the time being,
+ is the representative man of the nation, united by a purpose to
+ perpetuate the Union and liberties of the people. As such, I accept
+ this reception more gratefully than I could do did I believe it was
+ tendered to me as an individual."
+
+He then passed into the Chamber of the Assembly, and upon being
+introduced by the Speaker, addressed that body as follows:
+
+ "MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN:--I have just enjoyed the honor of a
+ reception by the other branch of this Legislature, and I return to
+ you and them my thanks for the reception which the people of New
+ Jersey have given, through their chosen representatives, to me,
+ as the representative, for the time being, of the majesty of the
+ people of the United States. I appropriate to myself very little
+ of the demonstrations of respect with which I have been greeted.
+ I think little should be given to any man, but that it should be
+ a manifestation of adherence to the Union and the Constitution. I
+ understand myself to be received here by the representatives of the
+ people of New Jersey, a majority of whom differ in opinion from
+ those with whom I have acted. This manifestation is therefore to
+ be regarded by me as expressing their devotion to the Union, the
+ Constitution, and the liberties of the people. You, Mr. Speaker,
+ have well said, that this is the time when the bravest and wisest
+ look with doubt and awe upon the aspect presented by our national
+ affairs. Under these circumstances, you will readily see why I
+ should not speak in detail of the course I shall deem it best
+ to pursue. It is proper that I should avail myself of all the
+ information and all the time at my command, in order that when the
+ time arrives in which I must speak officially, I shall be able to
+ take the ground which I deem the best and safest, and from which I
+ may have no occasion to swerve. I shall endeavor to take the ground
+ I deem most just to the North, the East, the West, the South, and
+ the whole country. I take it, I hope, in good temper--certainly
+ with no malice towards any section. I shall do all that may be in
+ my power to promote a peaceful settlement of all our difficulties.
+ The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am--none
+ who would do more to preserve it. But it may be necessary to put
+ the foot down firmly. And if I do my duty, and do right, you will
+ sustain me, will you not? Received, as I am, by the members of a
+ Legislature, the majority of whom do not agree with me in political
+ sentiments, I trust that I may have their assistance in piloting
+ the Ship of State through this voyage, surrounded by perils as it
+ is; for if it should suffer shipwreck now, there will be no pilot
+ ever needed for another voyage."
+
+On his arrival in Philadelphia, he was received with great enthusiasm,
+and to an address from the Mayor Mr. Lincoln replied:
+
+ "MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW-CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA:--I appear before
+ you to make no lengthy speech but to thank you for this reception.
+ The reception you have given me to-night is not to me, the man, the
+ individual, but to the man who temporarily represents, or should
+ represent, the majesty of the nation. It is true, as your worthy
+ Mayor has said, that there is anxiety among the citizens of the
+ United States at this time. I deem it a happy circumstance that
+ this dissatisfied portion of our fellow-citizens do not point us
+ to any thing in which they are being injured, or are about to be
+ injured; for which reason I have felt all the while justified in
+ concluding that the crisis, the panic, the anxiety of the country
+ at this time, is artificial. If there be those who differ with
+ me upon this subject, they have not pointed out the substantial
+ difficulty that exists. I do not mean to say that an artificial
+ panic may not do considerable harm; that it has done such I do not
+ deny. The hope that has been expressed by your Mayor, that I may be
+ able to restore peace, harmony, and prosperity to the country, is
+ most worthy of him; and happy indeed will I be if I shall be able
+ to verify and fulfil that hope. I promise you, in all sincerity,
+ that I bring to the work a sincere heart. Whether I will bring a
+ head equal to that heart, will be for future times to determine.
+ It were useless for me to speak of details or plans now; I shall
+ speak officially next Monday week, if ever. If I should not speak
+ then, it were useless for me to do so now. If I do speak then,
+ it is useless for me to do so now. When I do speak, I shall take
+ such grounds as I deem best calculated to restore peace, harmony,
+ and prosperity to the country, and tend to the perpetuity of the
+ nation, and the liberty of these States and these people. Your
+ worthy Mayor has expressed the wish, in which I join with him, that
+ if it were convenient for me to remain with your city long enough
+ to consult your merchants and manufacturers; or, as it were, to
+ listen to those breathings rising within the consecrated walls
+ wherein the Constitution of the United States, and, I will add, the
+ Declaration of Independence, were originally framed and adopted.
+ I assure you and your Mayor, that I had hoped on this occasion,
+ and upon all occasions during my life, that I shall do nothing
+ inconsistent with the teachings of these holy and most sacred
+ walls. I never asked any thing that does not breathe from those
+ walls. All my political warfare has been in favor of the teachings
+ that come forth from these sacred walls. May my right hand forget
+ its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if ever
+ I prove false to those teachings. Fellow-citizens, now allow me to
+ bid you good-night."
+
+On the next morning Mr. Lincoln visited the old "Independence Hall,"
+for the purpose of raising the national flag over it. Here he was
+received with a warm welcome, and made the following address:
+
+ "I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here,
+ in this place, where were collected the wisdom, the patriotism,
+ the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions
+ under which we live. You have kindly suggested to me that in my
+ hands is the task of restoring peace to the present distracted
+ condition of the country. I can say in return, sir, that all the
+ political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have
+ been able to draw them, from the sentiments which originated and
+ were given to the world from this hall. I have never had a feeling
+ politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the
+ Declaration of Independence. I have often pondered over the dangers
+ which were incurred by the men who assembled here, and framed and
+ adopted that Declaration of Independence. I have pondered over the
+ toils that were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army
+ who achieved that independence. I have often inquired of myself
+ what great principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy
+ so long together. It was not the mere matter of the separation
+ of the colonies from the mother-land, but that sentiment in the
+ Declaration of Independence which gave liberty, not alone to the
+ people of this country, but, I hope, to the world for all future
+ time. It was that which gave promise that in due time the weight
+ would be lifted from the shoulders of all men. This is a sentiment
+ embodied in the Declaration of Independence. Now, my friends, can
+ this country be saved upon this basis? If it can, I will consider
+ myself one of the happiest men in the world if I can help to save
+ it. If it cannot be saved upon that principle, it will be truly
+ awful. But if this country cannot be saved without giving up that
+ principle, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated
+ on this spot than surrender it. Now, in my view of the present
+ aspect of affairs, there need be no bloodshed or war. There is no
+ necessity for it. I am not in favor of such a course, and I may
+ say, in advance, that there will be no blood shed unless it be
+ forced upon the government, and then it will be compelled to act in
+ self-defence.
+
+ "My friends, this is wholly an unexpected speech, and I did not
+ expect to be called upon to say a word when I came here. I supposed
+ it was merely to do something towards raising the flag. I may,
+ therefore, have said something indiscreet. I have said nothing
+ but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of
+ Almighty God, to die by."
+
+The party then proceeded to a platform erected in front of the State
+House, when the President-elect was invited to raise the flag. Mr.
+Lincoln responded in a brief speech, stating his cheerful compliance
+with the request, and alluded to the original flag of thirteen
+stars, saying that the number had increased as time rolled on, and
+we now became a happy and a powerful people, each star adding to its
+prosperity. "The future," he added, "is in the hands of the people. It
+is on such an occasion as this that we can reason together, reaffirm
+our devotion to the country and the principles of the Declaration of
+Independence. Let us make up our mind, that when we do put a new star
+upon our banner, it shall be a fixed one, never to be dimmed by the
+horrors of war, but brightened by the contentment and prosperity of
+peace. Let us go on to extend the area of our usefulness, add star upon
+star, until their light shall shine upon five hundred millions of a
+free and happy people."
+
+The President-elect then raised the flag to the top of the staff.
+
+At half-past 9 o'clock the party left for Harrisburg. Both Houses of
+the Legislature were visited by Mr. Lincoln, and to an address of
+welcome he thus replied:
+
+ "I appear before you only for a very few brief remarks, in response
+ to what has been said to me. I thank you most sincerely for this
+ reception, and the generous words in which support has been
+ promised me upon this occasion. I thank your great commonwealth for
+ the overwhelming support it recently gave, not to me personally,
+ but the cause, which I think a just one, in the late election.
+ Allusion has been made to the fact--the interesting fact, perhaps
+ we should say--that I, for the first time, appear at the Capital
+ of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon the birthday of the
+ Father of his Country, in connection with that beloved anniversary
+ connected with the history of this country. I have already gone
+ through one exceedingly interesting scene this morning in the
+ ceremonies at Philadelphia. Under the high conduct of gentlemen
+ there, I was, for the first time, allowed the privilege of standing
+ in Old Independence Hall, to have a few words addressed to me
+ there, and opening up to me an opportunity of expressing, with much
+ regret, that I had not more time to express something of my own
+ feelings, excited by the occasion, somewhat to harmonize and give
+ shape to the feelings that had been really the feelings of my whole
+ life. Besides this, our friends there had provided a magnificent
+ flag of the country. They had arranged it so that I was given the
+ honor of raising it to the head of its staff. And when it went
+ up I was pleased that it went to its place by the strength of my
+ own feeble arm; when, according to the arrangement, the cord was
+ pulled, and it flaunted gloriously to the wind without an accident,
+ in the bright glowing sunshine of the morning, I could not help
+ hoping that there was in the entire success of that beautiful
+ ceremony at least something of an omen of what is to come. Nor
+ could I help feeling then, as I often have felt, in the whole of
+ that proceeding, I was a very humble instrument. I had not provided
+ the flag; I had not made the arrangements for elevating it to its
+ place. I had applied but a very small portion of my feeble strength
+ in raising it. In the whole transaction I was in the hands of the
+ people who had arranged it; and if I can have the same generous
+ cooeperation of the people of the nation, I think the flag of
+ our country may yet be kept flaunting gloriously. I recur for a
+ moment but to repeat some words uttered at the hotel in regard to
+ what has been said about the military support which the General
+ Government may expect from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
+ a proper emergency. To guard against any possible mistake do I
+ recur to this. It is not with any pleasure that I contemplate the
+ possibility that a necessity may arise in this country for the use
+ of the military arm. While I am exceedingly gratified to see the
+ manifestation upon your streets of your military force here, and
+ exceedingly gratified at your promise here to use that force upon
+ a proper emergency--while I make these acknowledgements, I desire
+ to repeat, in order to preclude any possible misconstruction,
+ that I do most sincerely hope that we shall have no use for them;
+ that it will never become their duty to shed blood, and most
+ especially never to shed fraternal blood. I promise that, so far
+ as I have wisdom to direct, if so painful a result shall in any
+ wise be brought about, it shall be through no fault of mine.
+ Allusion has also been made by one of your honored speakers to some
+ remark recently made by myself at Pittsburg, in regard to what is
+ supposed to be the especial interest of this great Commonwealth of
+ Pennsylvania. I now wish only to say, in regard to that matter,
+ that the few remarks which I uttered on that occasion were rather
+ carefully worded. I took pains that they should be so. I have seen
+ no occasion since to add to them or subtract from them. I leave
+ them precisely as they stand, adding only now, that I am pleased to
+ have an expression from you, gentlemen of Pennsylvania, significant
+ that they are satisfactory to you. And now, gentlemen of the
+ General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, allow me to
+ return you again my most sincere thanks."
+
+Arrangements had been made for his departure from Harrisburg on the
+following morning; but the timely discovery of a plot to assassinate
+him on his way through Baltimore--a plot in which several of the
+leading citizens of that place were believed to be interested, although
+the work was to be done by other hands--caused a change in the
+schedule, and on the evening of the day on which he had been received
+by the Legislature, he left on a special train for Philadelphia, and
+thence proceeded in the sleeping-car attached to the regular midnight
+train to Washington, where he arrived at an early hour on the morning
+of the 23d.
+
+As an evidence how little the extent to which unscrupulous men were
+prepared to go, was understood at this time, it may be remarked that
+not a few made themselves very merry over this midnight ride--a
+leading pictorial even indulging itself in an attempt at a humorous
+illustration of it, an act which, viewed in the light of a startling
+event but little more than four years later, in which a native of the
+same city was directly concerned, would hardly have been repeated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
+
+ Speeches at Washington--The Inaugural Address--Its Effect--
+ The Cabinet--Commissioners from Montgomery--Extract from A. H.
+ Stephens's speech--Virginia Commissioners--Fall of Fort Sumter.
+
+
+A few days after his arrival in Washington, the President elect was
+waited upon by the Mayor and other municipal authorities, welcoming him
+the city, to whom he made the following reply:
+
+ "Mr. MAYOR: I thank you, and through you the municipal authorities
+ of this city who accompany you, for this welcome. And as it is
+ the first time in my life since the present phase of politics
+ has presented itself in this country, that I have said anything
+ publicly within a region of country where the institution of
+ slavery exists, I will take this occasion to say that I think
+ very much of the ill feeling which has existed, and still exists,
+ between the people in the sections from whence I came and the
+ people here, is dependent upon a misunderstanding of one another.
+ I therefore avail myself of this opportunity to assure you, Mr.
+ Mayor, and all the gentlemen present, that I have not now, and
+ never have had, any other than as kindly feelings towards you as
+ towards the people of my own section. I have not now, nor never
+ have had, any disposition to treat you in any respect otherwise
+ than as my own neighbors. I have not now any purpose to withhold
+ from you any of the benefits of the Constitution, under any
+ circumstances, that I would not feel myself constrained to withhold
+ from my neighbors; and I hope, in a word, that when we shall become
+ better acquainted, and I say it with great confidence, we shall
+ like each other the more. I thank you for the kindness of this
+ reception."
+
+On the following evening, at the close of a serenade tendered him by
+the Republican Association, he thus addressed the crowd:
+
+ "MY FRIENDS: I suppose that I may take this as a compliment paid
+ to me, and as such please accept my thanks for it. I have reached
+ this city of Washington under circumstances considerably differing
+ from those under which any other man has ever reached it. I am
+ here for the purpose of taking an official position amongst the
+ people, almost all of whom were politically opposed to me, and are
+ yet opposed to me as I suppose. I propose no lengthy address to
+ you. I only propose to say, as I did on yesterday, when your worthy
+ Mayor and Board of Aldermen called upon me, that I thought much
+ of the ill feeling that has existed between you and the people of
+ your surroundings and that people from amongst whom I came, has
+ depended, and now depends, upon a misunderstanding.
+
+ "I hope that, if things shall go on as prosperously as I believe we
+ all desire they may, I may have it in my power to remove something
+ of this misunderstanding, that I may be enabled to convince you,
+ and the people of your section of the country, that we regard you
+ as in all things our equals, and in all things entitled to the same
+ respect and the same treatment that we claim for ourselves; that
+ we are in nowise disposed, if it were in our power, to oppress you,
+ to deprive you of any of your rights under the Constitution of the
+ United States, or even narrowly to split hairs with you in regard
+ to those rights, but are determined to give you, as far as lies in
+ our hands, all your rights under the Constitution--not grudgingly,
+ but fully and fairly. I hope that, by thus dealing with you, we
+ will become better acquainted, and be better friends. And now, my
+ friends, with these few remarks, and again returning my thanks for
+ this compliment, and expressing my desire to hear a little more of
+ your good music, I bid you good-night."
+
+Never, in the history of the country, has the inaugural address of any
+President been so anxiously awaited as was that of Mr. Lincoln. The
+most of his countrymen, even in States whose loyalty to the Government
+was beyond suspicion, were certain to be disappointed, whatever that
+inaugural might prove to be. An impression prevailed, for which no good
+grounds could be shown, that somehow, in some inexplicable way, this
+particular address would operate as a panacea to heal the nation's
+malady. One class, who knew not the man, hoped, almost against hope,
+that such concessions would be made to the rebels as would bridge
+over existing difficulties, and restore the good old times when men
+could vend their goods and principles--or what served them in lieu
+thereof--without being annoyed by war or rumor of war. Another would
+be satisfied with nothing short of the most positive and unqualified
+denunciations of the rebels, coupled with the details in advance of
+dealing with them. Still another were simply curious in the premises to
+know what could be said. Whisperings, too, that the address would be
+prevented by violence, and hints of assassination were heard here and
+there.
+
+All necessary precautions, however, having been taken to guard against
+the latter contingencies, Mr. Lincoln appeared at the east front
+of the capitol, and received, at the hour appointed, the oath of
+office from Chief Justice Taney. Then followed, in a clear, steady
+tone of voice, in the presence of more than ten thousand of his
+fellow-citizens, the address:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES:--In compliance with a custom
+ as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address
+ you briefly, and to take, in your presence, the oath prescribed by
+ the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President
+ before he enters on the execution of his office.
+
+ "I do not consider it necessary, at present, for me to discuss
+ those matters of administration about which there is no special
+ anxiety or excitement. Apprehension seems to exist among the people
+ of the Southern States, that, by the accession of a Republican
+ Administration, their property and their peace and personal
+ security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable
+ cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to
+ the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to their
+ inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him
+ who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches,
+ when I declare that 'I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to
+ interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it
+ exists.' I believe I have no lawful right to do so; and I have no
+ inclination to do so. Those who nominated and elected me, did so
+ with the full knowledge that I had made this, and made many similar
+ declarations, and had never recanted them. And, more than this,
+ they placed in the platform, for my acceptance, and as a law to
+ themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now
+ read:
+
+ "'_Resolved_, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of
+ the States, and especially the right of each State to order and
+ control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment
+ exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the
+ perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend; and we
+ denounce the lawless invasion, by armed force, of the soil of any
+ State or Territory, no matter under what pretext, as among the
+ gravest of crimes.'
+
+ "I now reiterate these sentiments; and in doing so I only press
+ upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of which
+ the case is susceptible, that the property, peace and security of
+ no section are to be in anywise endangered by the now incoming
+ administration.
+
+ "I add, too, that all the protection which, consistently with the
+ Constitution and the laws, can be given, will be cheerfully given
+ to all the States when lawfully demanded, for whatever cause, as
+ cheerfully to one section as to another.
+
+ "There is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives
+ from service or labor. The clause I now read is as plainly written
+ in the Constitution as any other of its provisions:
+
+ "'No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws
+ thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or
+ regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but
+ shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or
+ labor may be due.'
+
+ "It is scarcely questioned that this provision was intended by
+ those who made it for the reclaiming of what we call fugitive
+ slaves; and the intention of the lawgiver is the law.
+
+ "All members of Congress swear their support to the whole
+ Constitution--to this provision as well as any other. To the
+ proposition, then, that slaves whose cases come within the terms
+ of this clause 'shall be delivered up,' their oaths are unanimous.
+ Now, if they would make the effort in good temper, could they not,
+ with nearly equal unanimity, frame and pass a law by means of which
+ to keep good that unanimous oath?
+
+ "There is some difference of opinion whether this clause should
+ be enforced by National or by State authority; but surely that
+ difference is not a very material one. If the slave is to be
+ surrendered, it can be of but little consequence to him or to
+ others by which authority it is done; and should any one, in
+ any case, be content that this oath shall go unkept on a merely
+ unsubstantial controversy as to how it shall be kept?
+
+ "Again, in any law upon this subject, ought not all the safeguards
+ of liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be
+ introduced, so that a free man be not, in any case, surrendered as
+ a slave? And might it not be well at the same time to provide by
+ law for the enforcement of that clause in the Constitution which
+ guarantees that 'the citizens of each State shall be entitled
+ to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several
+ States?'
+
+ "I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservations,
+ and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any
+ hypercritical rules; and while I do not choose now to specify
+ particular acts of Congress as proper to be enforced, I do suggest
+ that it will be much safer for all, both in official and private
+ stations, to conform to and abide by all those acts which stand
+ unrepealed, than to violate any of them, trusting to find impunity
+ in having them held to be unconstitutional.
+
+ "It is seventy-two years since the first inauguration of a
+ President under our National Constitution. During that period,
+ fifteen different and very distinguished citizens have in
+ succession administered the executive branch of the Government.
+ They have conducted it through many perils, and generally with
+ great success. Yet, with all this scope for precedent, I now enter
+ upon the same task, for the brief constitutional term of four
+ years, under great and peculiar difficulties.
+
+ "A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is
+ now formidably attempted. I hold that in the contemplation of
+ universal law and of the Constitution, the Union of these States
+ is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the
+ fundamental law of all national governments. It is safe to assert
+ that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic
+ law for its own termination. Continue to execute all the express
+ provisions of our National Constitution, and the Union will endure
+ forever, it being impossible to destroy it, except by some action
+ not provided for in the instrument itself.
+
+ "Again, if the United States be not a government proper, but an
+ association of States in the nature of a contract merely, can it,
+ as a contract, be peaceably unmade by less than all the parties
+ who made it? One party to a contract may violate it--break it,
+ so to speak; but does it not require all to lawfully rescind it?
+ Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition
+ that in legal contemplation the Union is perpetual, confirmed by
+ the history of the Union itself.
+
+ "The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed,
+ in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was matured
+ and continued in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was
+ further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States
+ expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by
+ the Articles of the Confederation, in 1778; and, finally, in
+ 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing
+ the Constitution was to form a more perfect Union. But if the
+ destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be
+ lawfully possible, the Union is less than before, the Constitution
+ having lost the vital element of perpetuity.
+
+ "It follows from these views that no State, upon its own mere
+ motion, can lawfully get out of the Union; that resolves and
+ ordinances to that effect, are legally void; and that acts of
+ violence within any State or States against the authority of the
+ United States, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to
+ circumstances.
+
+ "I therefore consider that, in view of the Constitution and the
+ laws, the Union is unbroken, and, to the extent of my ability, I
+ shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon
+ me, that the laws of the Union shall be faithfully executed in all
+ the States. Doing this, which I deem to be only a simple duty on
+ my part, I shall perfectly perform it, so far as is practicable,
+ unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the
+ requisition, or in some authoritative manner direct the contrary.
+
+ "I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the
+ declared purpose of the Union that it will constitutionally defend
+ and maintain itself.
+
+ "In doing this there need be no bloodshed or violence, and there
+ shall be none unless it is forced upon the National authority.
+
+ "The power confided to me _will be used to hold, occupy, and
+ possess the property and plants belonging to the Government_, and
+ collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary
+ for these objects there will be no invasion, no using of force
+ against or among the people anywhere.
+
+ "Where hostility to the United States shall be so great and so
+ universal as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding
+ Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious
+ strangers among the people that object. While the strict legal
+ right may exist of the Government to enforce the exercise of these
+ offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating, and so nearly
+ impracticable withal, that I deem it best to forego, for the time,
+ the uses of such offices.
+
+ "The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all
+ parts of the Union.
+
+ "So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense
+ of perfect security which is most favorable to calm thought and
+ reflection.
+
+ "The course here indicated will be followed, unless current events
+ and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper;
+ and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised
+ according to the circumstances actually existing, and with a view
+ and hope of a peaceful solution of the National troubles and the
+ restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections.
+
+ "That there are persons, in one section or another, who seek to
+ destroy the Union at all events, and are glad of any pretext to do
+ it, I will neither affirm nor deny. But if there be such, I need
+ address no word to them.
+
+ "To those, however, who really love the Union, may I not speak,
+ before entering upon so grave a matter as the destruction of our
+ National fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, and its
+ hopes? Would it not be well to ascertain why we do it? Will you
+ hazard so desperate a step, while any portion of the ills you fly
+ from have no real existence? Will you, while the certain ills
+ you fly to are greater than all the real ones you fly from? Will
+ you risk the commission of so fearful a mistake? All profess
+ to be content in the Union if all constitutional rights can be
+ maintained. Is it true, then, that any right, plainly written in
+ the Constitution, has been denied? I think not. Happily the human
+ mind is so constituted, that no party can reach to the audacity of
+ doing this.
+
+ "Think, if you can, of a single instance in which a plainly-written
+ provision of the Constitution has ever been denied. If, by the
+ mere force of numbers, a majority should deprive a minority of any
+ clearly-written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of
+ view, justify revolution; it certainly would, if such right were a
+ vital one. But such is not our case.
+
+ "All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so
+ plainly assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties
+ and prohibitions in the Constitution, that controversies never
+ arise concerning them. But no organic law can ever be framed with
+ a provision specifically applicable to every question which may
+ occur in practical administration. No foresight can anticipate, nor
+ any document of reasonable length contain, express provisions for
+ all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered
+ by National or by State authorities? The Constitution does not
+ expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery in the Territories?
+ The Constitution does not expressly say. From questions of this
+ class, spring all our constitutional controversies, and we divide
+ upon them into majorities and minorities.
+
+ "If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the
+ Government must cease. There is no alternative for continuing the
+ Government but acquiescence on the one side or the other. If a
+ minority in such a case will secede rather than acquiesce, they
+ make a precedent which, in turn, will ruin and divide them, for a
+ minority of their own will secede from them whenever a majority
+ refuses to be controlled by such a minority. For instance, why not
+ any portion of a new Confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily
+ secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim
+ to secede from it? All who cherish disunion sentiments are now
+ being educated to the exact temper of doing this. Is there such
+ perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new
+ Union as to produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession?
+ Plainly, the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy.
+
+ "A majority held in restraint by constitutional check and
+ limitation, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of
+ popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a
+ free people. Whoever rejects it, does, of necessity, fly to anarchy
+ or to despotism. Unanimity is impossible; the rule of a majority,
+ as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible. So that,
+ rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or despotism, in some
+ form, is all that is left.
+
+ "I do not forget the position assumed by some that constitutional
+ questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court, nor do I deny
+ that such decisions must be binding in any case upon the parties
+ to a suit, as to the object of that suit, while they are also
+ entitled to a very high respect and consideration in all parallel
+ cases by all other departments of the Government; and while it is
+ obviously possible that such decision may be erroneous in any given
+ case, still the evil effect following it, being limited to that
+ particular case, with the chance that it may be overruled and never
+ become a precedent for other cases, can better be borne than could
+ the evils of a different practice.
+
+ "At the same time the candid citizen must confess that if the
+ policy of the Government upon the vital question affecting the
+ whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by the decisions of the
+ Supreme Court, the instant they are made, as in ordinary litigation
+ between parties in personal actions, the people will have ceased
+ to be their own masters, unless having to that extent practically
+ resigned their Government into the hands of that eminent tribunal.
+
+ "Nor is there in this view any assault upon the Court or the
+ Judges. It is a duty from which they may not shrink, to decide
+ cases properly brought before them; and it is no fault of theirs
+ if others seek to turn their decisions to political purposes. One
+ section of our country believes slavery is right and ought to be
+ extended, while the other believes it is wrong and ought not to
+ be extended; and this is the only substantial dispute; and the
+ fugitive slave clause of the Constitution, and the law for the
+ suppression of the foreign slave-trade, are each as well enforced,
+ perhaps, as any law can ever be in a community where the moral
+ sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself. The great
+ body of the people abide by the dry legal obligation in both cases,
+ and a few break over in each. This, I think, can not be perfectly
+ cured, and it would be worse in both cases after the separation of
+ the sections than before. The foreign slave-trade, now imperfectly
+ suppressed, would be ultimately revived, without restriction, in
+ one section; while fugitive slaves, now only partially surrendered,
+ would not be surrendered at all by the other.
+
+ "Physically speaking we can not separate; we can not remove our
+ respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall
+ between them. A husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of
+ the presence and beyond the reach of each other, but the different
+ parts of our country can not do this. They can not but remain face
+ to face; and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue
+ between them. Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse more
+ advantageous or more satisfactory after separation than before?
+ Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can
+ treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws can
+ among friends? Suppose you go to war, you can not fight always; and
+ when, after much loss on both sides, and no gain on either, you
+ cease fighting, the identical questions as to terms of intercourse
+ are again upon you.
+
+ "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people
+ who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing
+ government, they can exercise their constitutional right of
+ amending, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow
+ it. I can not be ignorant of the fact that many worthy and
+ patriotic citizens are desirous of having the National Constitution
+ amended. While I make no recommendation of amendment, I fully
+ recognize the full authority of the people over the whole subject,
+ to be exercised in either of the modes prescribed in the instrument
+ itself, and I should, under existing circumstances, favor rather
+ than oppose, a fair opportunity being afforded the people to act
+ upon it.
+
+ "I will venture to add, that to me the Convention mode seems
+ preferable, in that it allows amendments to originate with the
+ people themselves, instead of only permitting them to take or
+ reject propositions originated by others not especially chosen for
+ the purpose, and which might not be precisely such as they would
+ wish either to accept or refuse. I understand that a proposed
+ amendment to the Constitution (which amendment, however, I have
+ not seen) has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal
+ Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions
+ of States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid
+ misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not
+ to speak of particular amendments, so far as to say that, holding
+ such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no
+ objection to its being made express and irrevocable.
+
+ "The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people,
+ and they have conferred none upon him to fix the terms for the
+ separation of the States. The people themselves, also, can do
+ this if they choose, but the Executive, as such, has nothing to
+ do with it. His duty is to administer the present government as
+ it came to his hands, and to transmit it unimpaired by him to his
+ successor. Why should there not be a patient confidence in the
+ ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope
+ in the world? In our present differences is either party without
+ faith of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of nations, with
+ his eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on
+ yours of the South, that truth and that justice will surely prevail
+ by the judgment of this great tribunal, the American people. By the
+ frame of the government under which we live, this same people have
+ wisely given their public servants but little power for mischief,
+ and have with equal wisdom provided for the return of that little
+ to their own hands at very short intervals. While the people retain
+ their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme
+ wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in
+ the short space of four years.
+
+ "My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well upon this whole
+ subject. Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.
+
+ "If there be an object to hurry any of you, in hot haste, to a
+ step which you would never take deliberately, that object will be
+ frustrated by taking time: but no good object can be frustrated by
+ it.
+
+ "Such of you as are now dissatisfied, still have the old
+ Constitution unimpaired, and on the sensitive point, the laws of
+ your own framing under it; while the new administration will have
+ no immediate power, if it would, to change either.
+
+ "If it were admitted that you who are dissatisfied hold the
+ right side in the dispute, there is still no single reason for
+ precipitate action. Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a
+ firm reliance on Him who has never yet forsaken this favored land,
+ are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present
+ difficulties.
+
+ "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine,
+ is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail
+ you.
+
+ "You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors.
+ You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the Government;
+ while I shall have the most solemn one to 'preserve, protect, and
+ defend' it.
+
+ "I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not
+ be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our
+ bonds of affection.
+
+ "The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battle-field
+ and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over
+ this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when
+ again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our
+ nature."
+
+One point was established, at least, by this inaugural, whatever
+uncertainties might cluster about it--we had, at last, a Government. No
+Buchanan ruled the hour. Loyal men of every shade breathed more freely.
+At the same time, the whole drift was toward securing, if possible, an
+honorable reconciliation. If, after this lucid, temperate statement
+of the plans and purposes of the new Administration, the blow must
+fall, which all wished to avoid, it was encouraging to feel--as every
+one who heard Mr. Lincoln on that eventful day must have felt--that a
+man was at the helm who had firm faith that the organic law, so far
+from providing for the dissolution of the Union, had vitality and force
+within itself sufficient to defend the nation against dangers from
+within as well as from without.
+
+The announcement of the President's cabinet, likewise--composed, as it
+was, of the ablest men in his own party, the majority of whom had been
+deemed worthy of presentation as candidates for the high office which
+he held--imparted confidence to all who wished well to the country. The
+able pen of the Secretary of State was at once called into requisition
+to communicate, through the newly appointed ministers abroad, the true
+state of affairs to the European powers. As speedily as possible the
+Departments were purged of disloyal officials, although the deceptions
+and subterfuges which constituted a goodly portion of the stock in
+trade of the rebellion rendered this a work of more time than was
+satisfactory to many.
+
+The Davis dynasty, at Montgomery, having, on the 9th of March, passed
+an act to organize a Confederate army, two persons--one from Alabama
+and the other from Georgia--announced themselves, three days later, as
+"Confederate Commissioners," accredited for the purpose of negotiating
+a treaty. The President declined to recognize these "Commissioners,"
+who were referred to a copy of his inaugural enclosed for a full
+statement of his views.
+
+On the 21st of March, Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President
+of the Montgomery traitors, up to that time regarded as one of the most
+moderate--as he certainly was one of the ablest--of the conspirators,
+in a speech at Savannah, silenced all questionings as to the intent of
+himself and co-workers.
+
+He said on that occasion:
+
+ "The new Constitution (that adopted at Montgomery) has put at
+ rest forever all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar
+ institutions--African slavery as it exists among us--the proper
+ status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the
+ immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution.
+ Jefferson, in his forecast, had anticipated this as the rock upon
+ which the old Union would split. He was right. What was conjecture
+ with him, is now a realized fact. But whether he fully comprehended
+ the great truth upon which that rock stood and stands, may be
+ doubted. The prevailing ideas, entertained by him and most of
+ the leading statesmen, at the time of the formation of the old
+ Constitution, were, that the enslavement of the African was in
+ violation of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle,
+ socially, morally, and politically. It was an evil they knew not
+ well how to deal with; but the general opinion of the men of that
+ day was, that, somehow or other, in the order of Providence, the
+ institution would be evanescent and pass away. * * *
+
+ "Our new Government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas.
+ Its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests upon the great
+ truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery,
+ subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal
+ condition. This, our new Government, is the first in the history
+ of the world based upon this great physical, philosophical, and
+ moral truth. * * * It is upon this, as I have stated, our social
+ fabric is firmly planted; and I can not permit myself to doubt the
+ ultimate success of a full recognition of this principle throughout
+ the civilized and enlightened world. * * * This stone, which was
+ rejected by the first builders, 'is become the chief stone of the
+ corner' in our new edifice."
+
+On the 13th of April, the President was waited upon by a committee from
+a Convention of the State of Virginia, which Convention was discussing
+the question whether to go with the States already in rebellion, or to
+remain in the Union, for the sake of furthering the ends of the rebels.
+The object of the visit, and its result, may be determined from Mr.
+Lincoln's response:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--As a committee of the Virginia Convention, now in
+ session, you present me a preamble and resolution, in these words:
+
+ "'WHEREAS, In the opinion of this Convention, the uncertainty which
+ prevails in the public mind as to the policy which the Federal
+ Executive intends to pursue towards the seceded States is extremely
+ injurious to the industrial and commercial interests of the
+ country, tends to keep up an excitement which is unfavorable to the
+ adjustment of the pending difficulties, and threatens a disturbance
+ of the public peace; therefore,
+
+ "_Resolved_, That a committee of three delegates be appointed
+ to wait on the President of the United States, present to him
+ this preamble, and respectfully ask him to communicate to this
+ Convention the policy which the Federal Executive intends to pursue
+ in regard to the Confederate States.'
+
+ "In answer, I have to say, that having, at the beginning of my
+ official term, expressed my intended policy as plainly as I was
+ able, it is with deep regret and mortification I now learn there
+ is great and injurious uncertainty in the public mind as to what
+ that policy is, and what course I intend to pursue. Not having as
+ yet seen occasion to change, it is now my purpose to pursue the
+ course marked out in the inaugural address. I commend a careful
+ consideration of the whole document as the best expression I can
+ give to my purposes. As I then and therein said, I now repeat, 'The
+ power confided in me, will be used to hold, occupy, and possess
+ property and places belonging to the Government, and to collect
+ the duties and imposts; but beyond what is necessary for these
+ objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against
+ or among the people anywhere.' By the words 'property and places
+ belonging to the Government,' I chiefly allude to the military
+ posts and property which were in possession of the government
+ when it came into my hands. But if, as now appears to be true, in
+ pursuit of a purpose to drive the United States authority from
+ these places, an unprovoked assault has been made upon Fort Sumter,
+ I shall hold myself at liberty to repossess it, if I can, like
+ places which had been seized before the Government was devolved
+ upon me, and in any event I shall, to the best of my ability,
+ repel force by force. In case it proves true that Fort Sumter has
+ been assaulted, as is reported, I shall, perhaps, cause the United
+ States mails to be withdrawn from all the States which claim to
+ have seceded, believing that the commencement of actual war against
+ the Government justifies and possibly demands it. I scarcely need
+ to say that I consider the military forts and property, situated
+ within the States which claim to have seceded, as yet belonging to
+ the Government of the United States, as much as they did before the
+ supposed secession. Whatever else I may do for the purpose, I shall
+ not attempt to collect the duties and imposts by any armed invasion
+ of any part of the country--not meaning by this, however, that I
+ may not land a force deemed necessary to relieve a fort upon the
+ border of the country. From the fact that I have quoted a part of
+ the inaugural address, it must not be inferred that I repudiate any
+ other part, the whole of which I reaffirm, except so far as what I
+ now say of the mails may be regarded as a modification."
+
+Fort Sumter fell on the day following the reception of these
+commissioners, after every effort, consistent with the means at the
+disposal of the government, had been made to prevent what then seemed
+a catastrophe. This action could bear but one interpretation. A
+reconciliation of difficulties was utterly impracticable. An appeal
+had been made to the sword. The power and authority of the United
+States had been defied and insulted. No loyal man could now hesitate.
+If, however, there were any who, even then, clung to the fallacy that
+compromise could save us, Abraham Lincoln was not of the number.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PREPARING FOR WAR.
+
+ Effects of Sumter's Fall--President's Call for Troops--Response
+ in the Loyal States--In the Border States--Baltimore Riot--
+ Maryland's Position--President's Letter to Maryland Authorities--
+ Blockade Proclamation--Additional Proclamation--Comments Abroad--
+ Second Call for Troops--Special Order for Florida--Military
+ Movements.
+
+
+Sumter fell, but the nation arose. With one mind the Free States
+determined that the rebellion must be put down. All were ablaze with
+patriotic fire. The traitors at heart, who lurked in the loyal States,
+found it a wise precaution to float with the current. The shrewder ones
+among them saw well how such a course would give them vantage-ground
+when the reaction, which they hoped, and for which in secret they
+labored, should come. But the great mass of the people would not have
+admitted the possibility of any reaction--action was to continue the
+order of the day until the business in hand was finished.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+On the 15th of April, 1861, the President issued his first proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been for some time
+ past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed,
+ in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
+ Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to
+ be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or
+ by the powers vested in the marshals by law; now, therefore, I,
+ ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in virtue of the
+ power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws, have thought
+ fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the
+ several States of the Union to the aggregate number of seventy-five
+ thousand, in order to suppress said combinations and to cause the
+ laws to be duly executed.
+
+ "The details for this object will be immediately communicated to
+ the State authorities through the War Department. I appeal to
+ all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to
+ maintain the honor, the integrity, and existence of our national
+ Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress
+ wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that
+ the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth, will
+ probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have
+ been seized from the Union; and in every event the utmost care will
+ be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any
+ devastation, any destruction of, or interference with property, or
+ any disturbance of peaceful citizens of any part of the country;
+ and I hereby command the persons composing the combinations
+ aforesaid, to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective
+ abodes, within twenty days from this date.
+
+ "Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an
+ extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue of the power in me
+ vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. The
+ Senators and Representatives are, therefore, summoned to assemble
+ at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock, noon, on Thursday,
+ the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and
+ determine such measures as in their wisdom, the public safety and
+ interest may seem to demand.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this fifteenth day of April, in
+ the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one,
+ and of the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+In response to this proclamation enthusiastic public meetings were
+held throughout the loyal States; all party lines seemed obliterated;
+enlistments were almost universal; Washington, which was at one time
+in imminent danger, was soon considered amply defended. The majority
+entertained no doubt that with the force summoned the rebellion would
+be nipped in the bud; the more sagacious minority shook their heads,
+and wished that a million of men had been asked.
+
+An excellent opportunity was afforded to the border slave States for
+pronouncing their election--whether to stand by the Government, or,
+practically, to furnish aid and comfort to the rebels. Magoffin,
+Governor of Kentucky, was soon heard from: "Kentucky will furnish
+no troops," said he, "for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister
+Southern States." Letcher, of Virginia: "The militia of Virginia
+will not be furnished to the powers at Washington for any such case
+or purpose as they have in view;" and on the 17th, the State was
+dragooned into passing, in secret, an ordinance of secession, and
+immediately commenced those warlike preparations, whose evil fruits
+she was destined so soon and in so much sorrow to reap. The Executives
+of Tennessee and North Carolina refused compliance; and those States,
+together with Arkansas, went over to the "Confederacy."
+
+How was the call for troops received by the rebel conclave at
+Montgomery? They laughed.
+
+The first blood shed in the war was in the streets of Baltimore, on
+the 19th of April. Massachusetts troops, passing through that city for
+the defence of the common capitol, were attacked by a mob, instigated
+and encouraged by men of property and social standing. The State
+hung trembling in the balance between loyalty and treason. Had its
+geographical position been other than it was, it would have undeniably
+embraced the fortune of the South. Its Governor was, however, strongly
+inclined to support the Government, although the peculiar circumstances
+in which he was placed called for peculiar tact and dexterity in
+management. It was seriously proposed that no more troops should be
+sent through Baltimore.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The day following this attack, the President sent the following letter
+in reply to a communication broaching this modest proposition:
+
+ "_Washington_, April 20th, 1861.
+
+ "GOVERNOR HICKS AND MAYOR BROWN:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--Your letter by Messrs. Bond, Dobbin, and Brune, is
+ received. I tender you both my sincere thanks for your efforts to
+ keep the peace in the trying situation in which you are placed. For
+ the future, troops _must_ be brought here, but I make no point of
+ bringing them _through_ Baltimore.
+
+ "Without any military knowledge myself, of course I must leave
+ details to General Scott. He hastily said this morning in presence
+ of those gentlemen, 'March them _around_ Baltimore, and not through
+ it.'
+
+ "I sincerely hope the General, on fuller reflection, will consider
+ this practical and proper, and that you will not object to it. By
+ this a collision of the people of Baltimore with the troops will
+ be avoided, unless they go out of the way to seek it. I hope you
+ will exert your influence to prevent this. Now and ever, I shall
+ do all in my power for peace, consistently with the maintenance of
+ government.
+
+ "Your obedient servant,
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+To a delegation of rebel sympathizers from the same State, who demanded
+a cessation of hostilities until Congress should assemble, and
+accompanied their demand with the statement that seventy-five thousand
+Marylanders would dispute the passage of any more United States troops
+over the soil of that State, he quietly remarked that he presumed there
+was room enough in the State to bury that number, and declined to
+accede to their proposal. The Maryland imbroglio was, after no great
+time, adjusted, and ample precautions taken to guard against any future
+trouble in that quarter.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+On the 19th of April, every port of the States in rebellion was
+declared blockaded by the following proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, An insurrection against the Government of the United
+ States has broken out in the States of South Carolina, Georgia,
+ Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and the laws
+ of the United States for the collection of the revenue can not be
+ efficiently executed therein conformably to that provision of the
+ Constitution which requires duties to be uniform throughout the
+ United States:
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, A combination of persons, engaged in such
+ insurrection, have threatened to grant pretended letters of marque
+ to authorize the bearers thereof to commit assaults on the lives,
+ vessels, and property of good citizens of the country lawfully
+ engaged in commerce on the high seas, and in waters of the United
+ States:
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, An Executive Proclamation has already been issued,
+ requiring the persons engaged in these disorderly proceedings to
+ desist therefrom, calling out a militia force for the purpose
+ of repressing the same, and convening Congress in extraordinary
+ session to deliberate and determine thereon:
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, with a view to the same purposes before mentioned, and to
+ the protection of the public peace, and the lives and property
+ of quiet and orderly citizens pursuing their lawful occupations,
+ until Congress shall have assembled and deliberated on the said
+ unlawful proceedings, or until the same shall have ceased, have
+ further deemed it advisable to set on foot a blockade of the ports
+ within the States aforesaid, in pursuance of the laws of the United
+ States, and of the laws of nations in such cases provided. For this
+ purpose a competent force will be posted so as to prevent entrance
+ and exit of vessels from the ports aforesaid. If, therefore, with
+ a view to violate such blockade, a vessel shall approach, or shall
+ attempt to leave any of the said ports, she will be duly warned by
+ the commander of one of the blockading vessels, who will indorse
+ on her register the fact and date of such warning; and if the same
+ vessel shall again attempt to enter or leave the blockaded port,
+ she will be captured and sent to the nearest convenient port, for
+ such proceedings against her and her cargo as prize, as may be
+ deemed advisable.
+
+ "And I hereby proclaim and declare, that if any person, under the
+ pretended authority of said States, or under any other pretence,
+ shall molest a vessel of the United States, or the persons or cargo
+ on board of her, such person will be held amenable to the laws of
+ the United States for the prevention and punishment of piracy.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+On the 27th of April, the following additional proclamation was issued:
+
+ "WHEREAS, For the reasons assigned in my proclamation of the 19th
+ instant, a blockade of the ports of the States of South Carolina,
+ Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas was
+ ordered to be established; AND WHEREAS, since that date public
+ property of the United States has been seized, the collection of
+ the revenue obstructed, and duly commissioned officers of the
+ United States, while engaged in executing the orders of their
+ superiors, have been arrested and held in custody as prisoners,
+ or have been impeded in the discharge of their official duties,
+ without due legal process, by persons claiming to act under
+ authority of the States of Virginia and North Carolina, an
+ efficient blockade of the ports of these States will therefore also
+ be established.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this 27th day of April, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of
+ the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+This greatly affected the commercial interests of the European powers,
+who made haste to announce that the blockade must be an effectual one,
+in order to be respected; supposing, in common with the rebels, that
+they were demanding what would prove to be an impossibility. To say
+that they erred decidedly in this opinion, is but stating a matter
+of general notoriety, and simply adds another to the list of serious
+mistakes made, during the progress of the war, by the two European
+nations most deeply interested in its issue.
+
+It was soon perceived that more men would be needed in the field,
+Davis, in a message to his Congress, having proposed "to organize and
+hold in readiness for instant action, in view of the exigencies of
+the country, an army of six hundred thousand men." On the 3d of May,
+accordingly, another call was made, in anticipation of its ratification
+at the extra session of Congress, which ratification took place,
+without opposition.
+
+ "WHEREAS, Existing exigencies demand immediate and adequate
+ measures for the protection of the national Constitution and
+ the preservation of the national Union by the suppression of the
+ insurrectionary combinations now existing in several States for
+ opposing the laws of the Union and obstructing the execution
+ thereof, to which end a military force, in addition to that
+ called forth by my Proclamation of the fifteenth day of April,
+ in the present year, appears to be indispensably necessary, now,
+ therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,
+ and Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy thereof, and of the
+ militia of the several States, when called into actual service,
+ do hereby call into the service of the United States forty-two
+ thousand and thirty-four volunteers, to serve for a period of three
+ years, unless sooner discharged, and to be mustered into service
+ as infantry and cavalry. The proportions of each arm, and the
+ details of enrolment and organization will be made known through
+ the Department of War; and I also direct that the regular army of
+ the United States be increased by the addition of eight regiments
+ of infantry, one regiment of cavalry and one regiment of artillery,
+ making altogether a maximum aggregate increase of twenty-two
+ thousand seven hundred and fourteen officers and enlisted men,
+ the details of which increase will also be made known through the
+ Department of War; and I further direct the enlistment, for not
+ less than one nor more than three years, of eighteen thousand
+ seamen, in addition to the present force, for the naval service of
+ the United States. The details of the enlistment and organization
+ will be made known through the Department of the Navy. The call
+ for volunteers, hereby made, and the direction of the increase of
+ the regular army, and for the enlistment of seamen hereby given,
+ together with the plan of organization adopted for the volunteers
+ and for the regular forces hereby authorized, will be submitted to
+ Congress as soon as assembled.
+
+ "In the meantime, I earnestly invoke the cooeperation of all
+ good citizens in the measures hereby adopted for the effectual
+ suppression of unlawful violence, for the impartial enforcement of
+ constitutional laws, and for the speediest possible restoration
+ of peace and order, and with those of happiness and prosperity
+ throughout our country.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this third day of May, in the year
+ of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the
+ Independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+On the 10th of May, 1861, the following proclamation was promulgated:
+
+ "Whereas, An insurrection exists in the State of Florida, by which
+ the lives, liberty, and property of loyal citizens of the United
+ States are endangered.
+
+ "And Whereas, It is deemed proper that all needful measures should
+ be taken for the protection of such citizens and all officers of
+ the United States in the discharge of their public duties in the
+ State aforesaid:
+
+ "Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of
+ the United States, do hereby direct the commander of the forces
+ of the United States on the Florida coast to permit no person to
+ exercise any office or authority upon the islands of Key West, the
+ Tortugas, and Santa Rosa, which may be inconsistent with the laws
+ and Constitution of the United States, authorizing him at the same
+ time, if he shall find it necessary, to suspend there the writ of
+ _habeas corpus_, and to remove from the vicinity of the United
+ States fortresses all dangerous or suspected persons.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this tenth day of May, in the
+ year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of
+ the Independence of the United States the eighty-fifth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+Volunteers meanwhile presented themselves for the defence of the
+country in numbers greater than could be accepted, and the strife was
+who should secure the coveted distinction of a citizen soldier. An
+early movement upon the rebel army in Virginia was contemplated, and it
+was confidently anticipated that to advance was to put the enemies of
+the Government to flight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS.
+
+ Opening of Congress--President's First Message--Its Nature--
+ Action of Congress--Resolution Declaring the Object of the War--
+ Bull Run--Its Effect.
+
+
+The first session of Congress during Mr. Lincoln's Administration
+commenced on the 4th of July, 1861, in pursuance of his call to that
+effect. The following message was transmitted from the Executive:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
+ REPRESENTATIVES:--Having been convened on an extraordinary
+ occasion, as authorized by the Constitution, your attention is not
+ called to any ordinary subject of legislation. At the beginning
+ of the present Presidential term, four months ago, the functions
+ of the Federal Government were found to be generally suspended
+ within the several States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
+ Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, excepting only those of the
+ Post-office Department.
+
+ "Within these States, all the Forts, Arsenals, Dock-Yards,
+ Custom-Houses, and the like, including the movable and stationary
+ property in and about them, had been seized, and were held in open
+ hostility to this Government, excepting only Forts Pickens, Taylor
+ and Jefferson, on and near the Florida coast, and Fort Sumter in
+ Charleston harbor, South Carolina. The forts thus seized had been
+ put in improved condition, new ones had been built, and armed
+ forces had been organized, and were organizing, all avowedly with
+ the same hostile purpose.
+
+ "The forts remaining in possession of the Federal Government in
+ and near these States were either besieged or menaced by warlike
+ preparations, and especially Fort Sumter was nearly surrounded by
+ well-protected hostile batteries, with guns equal in quality to the
+ best of its own, and outnumbering the latter as, perhaps, ten to
+ one--a disproportionate share of the Federal muskets and rifles had
+ somehow found their way into these States, and had been seized to
+ be used against the Government.
+
+ "Accumulations of the public revenue lying within them had been
+ seized for the same object. The navy was scattered in distant seas,
+ leaving but a very small part of it within the immediate reach of
+ the Government.
+
+ "Officers of the Federal Army had resigned in great numbers, and of
+ those resigning a large proportion had taken up arms against the
+ Government.
+
+ "Simultaneously, and in connection with all this, the purpose to
+ sever the Federal Union was openly avowed. In accordance with this
+ purpose an ordinance had been adopted in each of these States,
+ declaring the States respectively to be separated from the National
+ Union. A formula for instituting a combined Government of those
+ States had been promulgated, and this illegal organization, in
+ the character of the 'Confederate States,' was already invoking
+ recognition, aid and intervention from foreign powers.
+
+ "Finding this condition of things, and believing it to be an
+ imperative duty upon the incoming Executive to prevent, if
+ possible, the consummation of such attempt to destroy the Federal
+ Union, a choice of means to that end became indispensable. This
+ choice was made and was declared in the Inaugural Address.
+
+ "The policy chosen looked to the exhaustion of all peaceful
+ measures before a resort to any stronger ones. It sought only to
+ hold the public places and property not already wrested from the
+ Government, and to collect the revenue, relying for the rest on
+ time, discussion, and the ballot-box. It promised a continuance
+ of the mails, at Government expense, to the very people who were
+ resisting the Government, and it gave repeated pledges against
+ any disturbances to any of the people, or any of their rights, of
+ all that which a President might constitutionally and justifiably
+ do in such a case; every thing was forborne, without which it was
+ believed possible to keep the Government on foot.
+
+ "On the 5th of March, the present incumbent's first full day in
+ office, a letter from Major Anderson, commanding at Fort Sumter,
+ written on the 28th of February, and received at the War Department
+ on the 4th of March, was by that Department placed in his hands.
+ This letter expressed the professional opinion of the writer,
+ that reinforcements could not be thrown into that fort within the
+ time for its relief rendered necessary by the limited supply of
+ provisions, and with a view of holding possession of the same,
+ with a force less than twenty thousand good and well-disciplined
+ men. This opinion was concurred in by all the officers of his
+ command, and their memoranda on the subject were made inclosures
+ of Major Anderson's letter. The whole was immediately laid before
+ Lieutenant-General Scott, who at once concurred with Major Anderson
+ in his opinion. On reflection, however, he took full time,
+ consulting with other officers, both of the Army and Navy, and at
+ the end of four days came reluctantly but decidedly to the same
+ conclusion as before. He also stated at the same time that no such
+ sufficient force was then at the control of the Government, or
+ could be raised and brought to the ground, within the time when the
+ provisions in the fort would be exhausted. In a purely military
+ point of view, this reduced the duty of the Administration in the
+ case to the mere matter of getting the garrison safely out of the
+ fort.
+
+ "It was believed, however, that to so abandon that position, under
+ the circumstances, would be utterly ruinous; that the necessity
+ under which it was to be done would not be fully understood; that
+ by many it would be construed as a part of a voluntary policy; that
+ at home it would discourage the friends of the Union, embolden
+ its adversaries, and go far to insure to the latter a recognition
+ abroad; that, in fact, it would be our national destruction
+ consummated. This could not be allowed. Starvation was not yet upon
+ the garrison, and ere it would be reached, Fort Pickens might be
+ reinforced. This last would be a clear indication of policy, and
+ would better enable the country to accept the evacuation of Fort
+ Sumter as a military necessity. An order was at once directed to
+ be sent for the landing of the troops from the steamship Brooklyn
+ into Fort Pickens. This order could not go by land, but must take
+ the longer and slower route by sea. The first return news from the
+ order was received just one week before the fall of Sumter. The
+ news itself was that the officer commanding the Sabine, to which
+ vessel the troops had been transferred from the Brooklyn, acting
+ upon some quasi armistice of the late Administration, and of the
+ existence of which the present Administration, up to the time the
+ order was dispatched, had only too vague and uncertain rumors to
+ fix attention, had refused to land the troops. To now reinforce
+ Fort Pickens before a crisis would be reached at Fort Sumter, was
+ impossible, rendered so by the near exhaustion of provisions at the
+ latter named fort. In precaution against such a conjuncture the
+ Government had a few days before commenced preparing an expedition,
+ as well adapted as might be, to relieve Fort Sumter, which
+ expedition was intended to be ultimately used or not, according
+ to circumstances. The strongest anticipated case for using it was
+ now presented, and it was resolved to send it forward as had been
+ intended. In this contingency it was also resolved to notify the
+ Governor of South Carolina that he might expect an attempt would
+ be made to provision the fort, and that if the attempt should not
+ be resisted there would be no attempt to throw in men, arms or
+ ammunition, without further notice, or in case of an attack upon
+ the fort. This notice was accordingly given, whereupon the fort
+ was attacked and bombarded to its fall, without even awaiting the
+ arrival of the provisioning expedition.
+
+ "It is thus seen that the assault upon and reduction of Fort
+ Sumter, was in no sense, a matter of self-defense on the part of
+ the assailants. They well knew that the garrison in the fort could
+ by no possibility commit aggression upon them; they knew they were
+ expressly notified that the giving of bread to the few brave and
+ hungry men of the garrison was all which would, on that occasion,
+ be attempted, unless themselves, by resisting so much, should
+ provoke more. They knew that this Government desired to keep the
+ garrison in the fort, not to assail them, but merely to maintain
+ visible possession, and thus to preserve the Union from actual and
+ immediate dissolution; trusting, as hereinbefore stated, to time,
+ discussion, and the ballot-box for final adjustment, and they
+ assailed and reduced the fort, for precisely the reverse object,
+ to drive out the visible authority of the Federal Union, and thus
+ force it to immediate dissolution; that this was their object the
+ Executive well understood, having said to them in the Inaugural
+ Address, 'You can have no conflict without being yourselves the
+ aggressors.' He took pains not only to keep this declaration
+ good, but also to keep the case so far from ingenious sophistry
+ as that the world should not misunderstand it. By the affair at
+ Fort Sumter, with its surrounding circumstances, that point was
+ reached. Then and thereby the assailants of the Government began
+ the conflict of arms--without a gun in sight, or in expectancy,
+ to return their fire, save only the few in the fort sent to that
+ harbor years before, for their own protection, and still ready
+ to give that protection in whatever was lawful. In this act,
+ discarding all else, they have forced upon the country the distinct
+ issue, immediate dissolution or blood, and this issue embraces more
+ than the fate of these United States. It presents to the whole
+ family of man the question whether a Constitutional Republic or
+ Democracy, a Government of the people, by the same people, can or
+ can not maintain its territorial integrity against its own domestic
+ foes. It presents the question whether discontented individuals,
+ too few in numbers to control the Administration according to
+ the organic law in any case, can always, upon the pretenses made
+ in this case, or any other pretenses, or arbitrarily without any
+ pretense, break up their Government, and thus practically put an
+ end to free government upon the earth. It forces us to ask, 'Is
+ there in all republics this inherent and fatal weakness?' 'Must
+ a Government of necessity be too strong for the liberties of its
+ own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence?' So viewing
+ the issue, no choice was left but to call out the war power of the
+ Government, and so to resist the force employed for its destruction
+ by force for its preservation. The call was made, and the response
+ of the country was most gratifying, surpassing, in unanimity and
+ spirit, the most sanguine expectation. Yet none of the States,
+ commonly called Slave States, except Delaware, gave a regiment
+ through the regular State organization. A few regiments have
+ been organized within some others of those States by individual
+ enterprise, and received into the Government service. Of course
+ the seceded States so called, and to which Texas had been joined
+ about the time of the inauguration, gave no troops to the cause of
+ the Union. The Border States, so called, were not uniform in their
+ action, some of them being almost for the Union, while in others,
+ as in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas, the Union
+ sentiment was nearly repressed and silenced. The course taken in
+ Virginia was the most remarkable, perhaps the most important. A
+ Convention, elected by the people of that State to consider this
+ very question of disrupting the Federal Union, was in session at
+ the capitol of Virginia when Fort Sumter fell.
+
+ "To this body the people had chosen a large majority of professed
+ Union men. Almost immediately after the fall of Sumter many members
+ of that majority went over to the original disunion minority, and
+ with them adopted an ordinance for withdrawing the State from the
+ Union. Whether this change was wrought by their great approval
+ of the assault upon Sumter, or their great resentment at the
+ Government's resistance to that assault, is not definitely known.
+ Although they submitted the ordinance for ratification to a vote of
+ the people, to be taken on a day then somewhat more than a month
+ distant, the Convention, and the Legislature, which was also in
+ session at the same time and place, with leading men of the State,
+ not members of either, immediately commenced acting as if the State
+ was already out of the Union. They pushed military preparations
+ vigorously forward all over the State. They seized the United
+ States Armory at Harper's Ferry, and the Navy Yard at Gosport,
+ near Norfolk. They received, perhaps invited into their State,
+ large bodies of troops, with their warlike appointments, from the
+ so-called seceded States.
+
+ "They formally entered into a treaty of temporary alliance with the
+ so-called Confederate States, and sent members to their Congress
+ at Montgomery, and finally they permitted the insurrectionary
+ Government to be transferred to their capitol at Richmond. The
+ people of Virginia have thus allowed this giant insurrection to
+ make its nest within her borders, and this Government has no
+ choice left but to deal with it where it finds it, and it has the
+ less to regret as the loyal citizens have, in due form, claimed
+ its protection. Those loyal citizens this Government is bound to
+ recognize and protect as being in Virginia. In the Border States,
+ so called, in fact the Middle States, there are those who favor
+ a policy which they call armed neutrality, that is, an arming of
+ those States to prevent the Union forces passing one way or the
+ disunion forces the other, over their soil. This would be disunion
+ completed. Figuratively speaking, it would be the building of an
+ impassable wall along the line of separation, and yet not quite an
+ impassable one, for under the guise of neutrality it would tie the
+ hands of the Union men, and freely pass supplies from among them,
+ to the insurrectionists, which it could not do as an open enemy. At
+ a stroke it would take all the trouble off the hands of secession,
+ except only what proceeds from the external blockade. It would do
+ for the disunionists that which of all things they most desire,
+ feed them well, and give them disunion, without a struggle of their
+ own. It recognizes no fidelity to the Constitution, no obligation
+ to maintain the Union, and while very many who have favored it are
+ doubtless loyal citizens, it is, nevertheless, very injurious in
+ effect.
+
+ "Recurring to the action of the Government, it may be stated that
+ at first a call was made for seventy-five thousand militia, and
+ rapidly following this, a proclamation was issued for closing the
+ ports of the insurrectionary districts by proceedings in the nature
+ of a blockade. So far all was believed to be strictly legal.
+
+ "At this point the insurrectionists announced their purpose to
+ enter upon the practice of privateering.
+
+ "Other calls were made for volunteers, to serve three years, unless
+ sooner discharged, and also for large additions to the regular
+ army and navy. These measures, whether strictly legal or not, were
+ ventured upon under what appeared to be a popular demand and a
+ public necessity, trusting then, as now, that Congress would ratify
+ them.
+
+ "It is believed that nothing has been done beyond the
+ constitutional competency of Congress. Soon after the first call
+ for militia it was considered a duty to authorize the commanding
+ general, in proper cases, according to his discretion, to suspend
+ the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus; or, in other words,
+ to arrest and detain, without resort to the ordinary processes
+ and forms of law, such individuals as he might deem dangerous to
+ the public safety. This authority has purposely been exercised,
+ but very sparingly. Nevertheless, the legality and propriety of
+ what has been done under it are questioned, and the attention of
+ the country has been called to the proposition, that one who is
+ sworn to take care that the laws be faithfully executed should not
+ himself violate them. Of course some consideration was given to
+ the questions of power and propriety before this matter was acted
+ upon. The whole of the laws, which were required to be faithfully
+ executed, were being resisted, and failing of execution in nearly
+ one-third of the States. Must they be allowed to finally fail of
+ execution, even had it been perfectly clear that, by use of the
+ means necessary to their execution, some single law, made in such
+ extreme tenderness of the citizen's liberty that practically it
+ relieves more of the guilty than the innocent, should, to a very
+ great extent, be violated? To state the question more directly, are
+ all the laws but one to go unexecuted, and the Government itself
+ to go to pieces, lest that one be violated? Even in such a case
+ would not the official oath be broken, if the Government should be
+ overthrown when it was believed that disregarding the single law
+ would tend to preserve it?
+
+ "But it was not believed that this question was presented. It was
+ not believed that any law was violated. The provision of the
+ Constitution, that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
+ shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or
+ invasion, the public safety may require it, is equivalent to a
+ provision that such privilege may be suspended when, in cases of
+ rebellion or invasion, the public safety does require it. It was
+ decided that we have a case of rebellion, and that the public
+ safety does require the qualified suspension of the privilege of
+ the writ, which was authorized to be made. Now, it is insisted
+ that Congress, and not the Executive, is vested with this power.
+ But the Constitution itself is silent as to which or who is to
+ exercise the power; and as the provision was plainly made for a
+ dangerous emergency, it cannot be believed that the framers of the
+ instrument intended that in every case the danger should run its
+ course until Congress could be called together, the very assembling
+ of which might be prevented, as was intended in this case by the
+ rebellion. No more extended argument is now afforded, as an opinion
+ at some length will probably be presented by the Attorney-General.
+ Whether there shall be any legislation on the subject, and if so,
+ what, is subject entirely to the better judgment of Congress.
+ The forbearance of this Government had been so extraordinary,
+ and so long continued, as to lead some foreign nations to shape
+ their action as if they supposed the early destruction of our
+ National Union was probable. While this, on discovery, gave the
+ Executive some concern, he is now happy to say that the sovereignty
+ and rights of the United States are now everywhere practically
+ respected by foreign powers, and a general sympathy with the
+ country is manifested throughout the world.
+
+ "The reports of the Secretaries of the Treasury, War, and the
+ Navy, will give the information, in detail, deemed necessary and
+ convenient for your deliberation and action, while the Executive
+ and all the Departments will stand ready to supply omissions or to
+ communicate new facts considered important for you to know.
+
+ "It is now recommended that you give the legal means for making
+ this contest a short and decisive one; that you place at the
+ control of the Government for the work, at least 400,000 men and
+ $400,000,000; that number of men is about one-tenth of those of
+ proper ages within the regions where apparently all are willing to
+ engage, and the sum is less than a twenty-third part of the money
+ value owned by the men who seem ready to devote the whole. A debt
+ of $600,000,000 now is a less sum per head than was the debt of our
+ Revolution when we came out of that struggle, and the money value
+ in the country bears even a greater proportion to what it was then
+ than does the population. Surely each man has as strong a motive
+ now to preserve our liberties, as each had then to establish them.
+
+ "A right result at this time will be worth more to the world than
+ ten times the men and ten times the money. The evidence reaching us
+ from the country, leaves no doubt that the material for the work
+ is abundant, and that it needs only the hand of legislation to
+ give it legal sanction, and the hand of the Executive to give it
+ practical shape and efficiency. One of the greatest perplexities
+ of the Government is to avoid receiving troops faster than it
+ can provide for them; in a word, the people will save their
+ Government if the Government will do its part only indifferently
+ well. It might seem at first thought to be of little difference
+ whether the present movement at the South be called secession or
+ rebellion. The movers, however, well understand the difference. At
+ the beginning they knew that they could never raise their treason
+ to any respectable magnitude by any name which implies violation
+ of law; they knew their people possessed as much of moral sense,
+ as much of devotion to law and order, and as much pride in its
+ reverence for the history and government of their common country,
+ as any other civilized and patriotic people. They knew they could
+ make no advancement directly in the teeth of these strong and noble
+ sentiments. Accordingly they commenced by an insidious debauching
+ of the public mind; they invented an ingenious sophism, which, if
+ conceded, was followed by perfectly logical steps through all the
+ incidents of the complete destruction of the Union. The sophism
+ itself is that any State of the Union may, consistently with the
+ nation's Constitution, and therefore lawfully and peacefully,
+ withdraw from the Union without the consent of the Union or of any
+ other State.
+
+ "The little disguise that the supposed right, is to be exercised
+ only for just cause, themselves to be the sole judge of its
+ justice, is too thin to merit any notice with rebellion. Thus
+ sugar-coated, they have been drugging the public mind of their
+ section for more than thirty years, and until at length they have
+ brought many good men to a willingness to take up arms against
+ the Government the day after some assemblage of men have enacted
+ the farcical pretence of taking their State out of the Union, who
+ could have been brought to no such thing the day before. This
+ sophism derives much, perhaps the whole of its currency, from the
+ assumption that there is some omnipotent and sacred supremacy
+ pertaining to a State, to each State of our Federal Union. Our
+ States have neither more nor less power than that reserved to
+ them in the Union by the Constitution, no one of them ever having
+ been a State out of the Union. The original ones passed into the
+ Union before they cast off their British Colonial dependence,
+ and the new ones came into the Union directly from a condition
+ of dependence, excepting Texas, and even Texas, in its temporary
+ independence, was never designated as a State. The new ones
+ only took the designation of States on coming into the Union,
+ while that name was first adopted for the old ones in and by the
+ Declaration of Independence. Therein the United Colonies were
+ declared to be _free_ and _independent_ States. But even then
+ the object plainly was not to declare their independence of one
+ another of the Union, but directly the contrary, as their mutual
+ pledge and their mutual action before, at the time, and afterward,
+ abundantly show. The express plight of faith by each and all of
+ the original thirteen States in the Articles of Confederation two
+ years later that the Union shall be perpetual, is most conclusive.
+ Having never been States either in substance or in name outside
+ of the Union, whence this magical omnipotence of State rights,
+ asserting a claim of power to lawfully destroy the Union itself?
+ Much is said about the sovereignty of the States, but the word
+ even is not in the National Constitution, nor, as is believed,
+ in any of the State constitutions. What is sovereignty in the
+ political sense of the word? Would it be far wrong to define it a
+ political community without a political superior? Tested by this,
+ no one of our States, except Texas, was a sovereignty, and even
+ Texas gave up the character on coming into the Union, by which
+ act she acknowledged the Constitution of the United States; and
+ the laws and treaties of the United States, made in pursuance
+ of States, have their status in the Union, made in pursuance of
+ the Constitution, to be for her the supreme law. The States have
+ their status in the Union, and they have no other legal status.
+ If they break from this, they can only do so against law and by
+ revolution. The Union and not themselves, separately procured
+ their independence and their liberty by conquest or purchase. The
+ Union gave each of them whatever of independence and liberty it
+ has. The Union is older than any of the States, and, in fact, it
+ created them as States. Originally, some dependent Colonies made
+ the Union, and in turn the Union threw off their old dependence for
+ them, and made them States, such as they are. Not one of them ever
+ had a State constitution independent of the Union. Of course it is
+ not forgotten that all the new States formed their constitutions
+ before they entered the Union; nevertheless, dependent upon, and
+ preparatory to coming into the Union. Unquestionably the States
+ have the powers and rights reserved to them in and by the National
+ Constitution.
+
+ "But among these surely are not included all conceivable powers,
+ however mischievous or destructive, but at most such only as
+ were known in the world at the time as governmental powers, and
+ certainly a power to destroy the Government itself had never
+ been known as a governmental, as a merely administrative power.
+ This relative matter of National power and State rights as a
+ principle, is no other than the principle of generality and
+ locality. Whatever concerns the whole should be conferred on the
+ whole General Government, while whatever concerns only the State
+ should be left exclusively to the State. This is all there is of
+ original principle about it. Whether the National Constitution,
+ in defining boundaries between the two, has applied the principle
+ with exact accuracy, is not to be questioned. We are all bound
+ by that defining without question. What is now combatted is the
+ position that secession is consistent with the Constitution, is
+ lawful and peaceful. It is not contended that there is any express
+ law for it, and nothing should ever be implied as law which leads
+ to unjust or absurd consequences. The nation purchased with money
+ the countries out of which several of these States were formed. Is
+ it just that they shall go off without leave and without refunding?
+ The nation paid very large sums in the aggregate, I believe nearly
+ a hundred millions, to relieve Florida of the aboriginal tribes.
+ Is it just that she shall now be off without consent, or without
+ any return? The nation is now in debt for money applied to the
+ benefit of these so-called seceding States, in common with the
+ rest. Is it just, either that creditors shall go unpaid, or the
+ remaining States pay the whole? A part of the present National debt
+ was contracted to pay the old debt of Texas. Is it just that she
+ shall leave and pay no part of this herself? Again, if one State
+ may secede, so may another, and when all shall have seceded none
+ is left to pay the debts. Is this quite just to creditors? Did
+ we notify them of this sage view of ours when we borrowed their
+ money? If we now recognize this doctrine by allowing the seceders
+ to go in peace, it is difficult to see what we can do if others
+ choose to go, or to extort terms upon which they will promise
+ to remain. The seceders insist that our Constitution admits of
+ secession. They have assumed to make a National Constitution of
+ their own, in which, of necessity, they have either discarded or
+ retained the right of secession, as they insist exists in ours. If
+ they have discarded it, they thereby admit that on principle it
+ ought not to exist in ours; if they have retained it, by their own
+ construction of ours that shows that to be consistent, they must
+ secede from one another whenever they shall find it the easiest way
+ of settling their debts, or effecting any other selfish or unjust
+ object. The principle itself is one of disintegration, and upon
+ which no Government can possibly endure. If all the States save one
+ should assert the power to drive that one out of the Union, it is
+ presumed the whole class of seceder politicians would at once deny
+ the power, and denounce the act as the greatest outrage upon State
+ rights. But suppose that precisely the same act, instead of being
+ called driving the one out, should be called the seceding of the
+ others from that one, it would be exactly what the seceders claim
+ to do, unless, indeed, they made the point that the one, because
+ it is a minority, may rightfully do what the others, because they
+ are a majority, may not rightfully do. These politicians are
+ subtle, and profound in the rights of minorities. They are not
+ partial to that power which made the Constitution, and speaks
+ from the preamble, calling itself, 'We, the people.' It may be
+ well questioned whether there is to-day a majority of the legally
+ qualified voters of any State, except, perhaps, South Carolina, in
+ favor of disunion. There is much reason to believe that the Union
+ men are the majority in many, if not in every one of the so-called
+ seceded States. The contrary has not been demonstrated in any
+ one of them. It is ventured to affirm this, even of Virginia and
+ Tennessee, for the result of an election held in military camps,
+ where the bayonets are all on one side of the question voted upon,
+ can scarcely be considered as demonstrating popular sentiment. At
+ such an election all that large class who are at once for the Union
+ and against coercion would be coerced to vote against the Union. It
+ may be affirmed, without extravagance, that the free institutions
+ we enjoy have developed the powers and improved the condition of
+ our whole people beyond any example in the world. Of this we now
+ have a striking and impressive illustration. So large an army as
+ the Government has now on foot was never before known, without a
+ soldier in it but who has taken his place there of his own free
+ choice. But more than this, there are many single regiments whose
+ members, one and another, possess full practical knowledge of all
+ the arts, sciences, professions, and whatever else, whether useful
+ or elegant, is known in the whole world, and there is scarcely one
+ from which there could not be selected a President, a Cabinet, a
+ Congress, and perhaps a Court, abundantly competent to administer
+ the Government itself. Nor do I say this is not true also in the
+ army of our late friends, now adversaries, in this contest. But
+ it is so much better the reason why the Government which has
+ conferred such benefits on both them and us should not be broken
+ up. Whoever in any section proposes to abandon such a Government,
+ would do well to consider in deference to what principle it is that
+ he does it. What better he is likely to get in its stead, whether
+ the substitute will give, or be intended to give so much of good
+ to the people. There are some foreshadowings on this subject.
+ Our adversaries have adopted some declarations of independence
+ in which, unlike our good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit
+ the words, 'all men are created equal.' Why? They have adopted a
+ temporary National Constitution, in the preamble of which, unlike
+ our good old one signed by Washington, they omit, 'We, the people,'
+ and substitute, 'We, the deputies of the sovereign and independent
+ States.' Why? Why this deliberate pressing out of view the rights
+ of men and the authority of the people? This is essentially a
+ people's contest. On the side of the Union it is a struggle for
+ maintaining in the world that form and substance of Government
+ whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men, to lift
+ artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the paths of
+ laudable pursuit for all, to afford all an unfettered start and a
+ fair chance in the race of life, yielding to partial and temporary
+ departures from necessity. This is the leading object of the
+ Government for whose existence we contend.
+
+ "I am most happy to believe that the plain people understand and
+ appreciate this. It is worthy of note that while in this, the
+ Government's hour of trial, large numbers of those in the army
+ and navy who have been favored with the offices, have resigned
+ and proved false to the hand which pampered them, not one common
+ soldier or common sailor is known to have deserted his flag. Great
+ honor is due to those officers who remained true despite the
+ example of their treacherous associates, but the greatest honor
+ and the most important fact of all, is the unanimous firmness
+ of the common soldiers and common sailors. To the last man, so
+ far as known, they have successfully resisted the traitorous
+ efforts of those whose commands but an hour before they obeyed as
+ absolute law. This is the patriotic instinct of plain people. They
+ understand without an argument that the destroying the Government
+ which was made by Washington means no good to them. Our popular
+ Government has often been called an experiment. Two points in
+ it our people have settled: the successful establishing and the
+ successful administering of it. One still remains. Its successful
+ maintenance against a formidable internal attempt to overthrow
+ it. It is now for them to demonstrate to the world that those
+ who can fairly carry an election, can also suppress a rebellion;
+ that ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors of bullets,
+ and that when ballots have fairly and constitutionally decided,
+ there can be no successful appeal except to ballots themselves
+ at succeeding elections. Such will be a great lesson of peace,
+ teaching men that what they cannot take by an election, neither can
+ they take by a war, teaching all the folly of being the beginners
+ of a war.
+
+ "Lest there should be some uneasiness in the minds of candid
+ men as to what is to be the course of the Government toward the
+ Southern States after the rebellion shall have been suppressed,
+ the Executive deems it proper to say it will be his purpose then,
+ as ever, to be guided by the Constitution and the laws, and that
+ he probably will have no different understanding of the powers
+ and duties of the Federal Government relatively to the rights
+ of the United States and the people under the Constitution than
+ that expressed in the Inaugural Address. He desires to preserve
+ the Government that it may be administered for all, as it was
+ administered by the men who made it. Loyal citizens everywhere have
+ a right to claim this of their Government, and the Government has
+ no right to withhold or neglect it. It is not perceived that in
+ giving it there is any coercion, conquest or subjugation in any
+ sense of these terms.
+
+ "The Constitution provided, and all the States have accepted the
+ provision, 'that the United States shall guarantee to every State
+ in this Union a Republican form of government,' but if a State
+ may lawfully go out of the Union, having done so, it may also
+ discard the Republican form of Government. So that to prevent its
+ going out is an indispensable means to the end of maintaining the
+ guaranty mentioned; and when an end is lawful and obligatory, the
+ indispensable means to it are also lawful and obligatory.
+
+ "It was with the deepest regret that the Executive found the duty
+ of employing the war power. In defence of the Government forced
+ upon him, he could but perform this duty or surrender the existence
+ of the Government. No compromise by public servants could in this
+ case be a cure, not that compromises are not often proper, but
+ that no popular government can long survive a marked precedent,
+ that those who carry an election can only save the Government
+ from immediate destruction by giving up the main point upon which
+ the people gave the election. The people themselves and not their
+ servants can safely reverse their own deliberate decisions.
+
+ "As a private citizen the Executive could not have consented that
+ these institutions shall perish, much less could he, in betrayal
+ of so vast and so sacred a trust as these free people had confided
+ to him. He felt that he had no moral right to shrink, nor even to
+ count the chances of his own life in what might follow.
+
+ "In full view of his great responsibility, he has so far done
+ what he has deemed his duty. You will now, according to your own
+ judgment, perform yours. He sincerely hopes that your views and
+ your actions may so accord with his as to assure all faithful
+ citizens who have been disturbed in their rights, of a certain and
+ speedy restoration to them, under the Constitution and laws; and
+ having thus chosen our cause without guile, and with pure purpose,
+ let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear and with
+ manly hearts.
+
+ "July 4, 1861. ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+This document, it will be observed, sets forth in temperate language
+the facts bearing upon the rebellion in its then stage--facts so stated
+that the common people could readily comprehend the exact situation of
+affairs. Such a message, always in place, was never more needed than at
+a juncture when--as seemed not altogether impossible to many--an appeal
+might yet have to be made again and again to the great mass of the
+people for men and money to maintain the unity of the nation. It may
+be safely asserted, that the messages of none of our Presidents have
+been so generally read and so thoroughly mastered by the average mind,
+as those of Mr. Lincoln, himself the tribune of the people.
+
+Congress granted five hundred millions in money, and directed a call
+for five hundred thousand volunteers for the army; made provisions
+for a popular national loan; revised the tariff; passed a direct tax
+bill; adopted measures, moderate in their scope, for the confiscation
+of rebel property; legalized the official acts of the President during
+the emergency in which the country had been placed; and the House
+of Representatives, with but two dissentients, passed the following
+resolution:
+
+ "_Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Congress of the
+ United States_, That the present deplorable civil war has been
+ forced upon the country by the disunionists of the Southern States,
+ now in revolt against the Constitutional Government, and in arms
+ around the capital; that in this national emergency Congress,
+ banishing all feeling of mere passion or resentment, will recollect
+ only its duty to the whole country; that this war is not waged
+ on our part in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of
+ conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of authorizing or interfering
+ with the rights or established institutions of the States, but
+ to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to
+ preserve the Union, with all the dignities, equality, and rights of
+ the several States unimpaired, and that as soon as these objects
+ are accomplished the war ought to cease."
+
+On the 21st of July, the Army of the Union, under the direct command
+of General McDowell, and the general supervision of the veteran
+Scott--from whose onward movement against the rebels in Virginia
+so much had been expected--met with a serious reverse at Bull Run.
+They went forth, exulting in victory as certain; they came back a
+panic-stricken mob. For an instant, despondency took possession of
+every loyal heart; all manner of vague fears seized the people;
+Washington would be captured; the cause was lost.
+
+It was but for an instant, however. The rebound came. Washington which
+might easily have been captured and sacked, had the rebels known how to
+improve their success, was securely fortified and amply garrisoned. One
+did not then comprehend what now the most concede--that Bull Run was a
+necessary discipline--a school in which all learned somewhat--though,
+unfortunately, not all of us as much as we should. That came later.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+CLOSE OF 1861.
+
+ Elation of the Rebels--Davis's boast--McClellan appointed
+ Commander of Potomac Army--Proclamation of a National Fast--
+ Intercourse with rebels forbidden--Fugitive slaves--Gen. Butler's
+ views--Gen. McClellan's letter from Secretary Cameron--Act of
+ August 6th, 1861--Gen. Fremont's order--Letter of the President
+ modifying the same--Instructions to Gen. Sherman--Ball's Bluff--
+ Gen. Scott's retirement--Army of the Potomac.
+
+
+The victory of the conspirators at Bull Run, as was to have been
+expected, elated them no little. Their President in his message was
+supercilious and confident. Lauding the prowess and determination of
+his confederates, he said:
+
+"To speak of subjugating such a people, so united and determined, is
+to speak in a language incomprehensible to them: to resist attack on
+their rights or their liberties is with them an instinct. Whether this
+war shall last one, or three, or five years, is a problem they leave
+to be solved by the enemy alone. It will last till the enemy shall
+have withdrawn from their borders; till their political rights, their
+altars, and their homes are freed from invasion. Then, and then only,
+will they rest from this struggle to enjoy in peace, the blessings
+which, with the favor of Providence, they have secured by the aid of
+their own strong hearts and steady arms."
+
+On the 25th of July, a new commander was assigned to the Army of
+the Potomac, upon the warm recommendation of Gen. Scott; George B.
+McClellan, who had already become favorably known from his conducting
+a successful campaign in Western Virginia. With the extravagance so
+characteristic of the American people, this commander--whose laurels
+were yet to be won--was hailed as a young Napoleon, lauded to the
+skies, and failure under him regarded as an utter impossibility.
+
+And the General betook himself to the organizing, disciplining, and
+supplying his army, to which large accessions were continually making
+from week to week.
+
+On the 12th day of August was issued the following proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, A joint committee of both Houses of Congress has waited
+ on the President of the United States, and requested him to
+ 'recommend a day of public humiliation, prayer, and fasting, to
+ be observed by the people of the United States with religious
+ solemnities, and the offering of fervent supplications to Almighty
+ God for the safety and welfare of these States, His blessings on
+ their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace.'
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, It is fit and becoming in all people, at all times,
+ to acknowledge and revere the Supreme Government of God; to bow
+ in humble submission to his chastisements; to confess and deplore
+ their sins and transgressions, in the full conviction that the
+ fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to pray, with all
+ fervency and contrition, for the pardon of their past offences, and
+ for a blessing upon their present and prospective action.
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, When our own beloved country, once, by the blessing
+ of God, united, prosperous, and happy, is now afflicted with faction
+ and civil war, it is peculiarly fit for us to recognize the hand
+ of God in this terrible visitation, and, in sorrowful remembrance
+ of our own faults and crimes as a nation, and as individuals, to
+ humble ourselves before Him, and to pray for His mercy--to pray
+ that we may be spared further punishment, though most justly
+ deserved; that our arms may be blessed and made effectual for the
+ re-establishment of law, order, and peace throughout the wide
+ extent of our country; and that the inestimable boon of civil and
+ religious liberty, earned under His guidance and blessing by the
+ labors and sufferings of our fathers, may be restored in all its
+ original excellence;
+
+ "_Therefore, I_, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,
+ do appoint the last Thursday in September next as a day of
+ humiliation, prayer, and fasting for all the people of the nation.
+ And I do earnestly recommend to all the people, and especially to
+ all ministers and teachers of religion, of all denominations, and
+ to all heads of families, to observe and keep that day, according
+ to their several creeds and modes of worship, in all humility, and
+ with all religious solemnity, to the end that the united prayer
+ of the nation may ascend to the Throne of Grace, and bring down
+ plentiful blessings upon our country.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed, this 12th day of August,
+ A. D. 1861, and of the Independence of the United States of America
+ the eighty-sixth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+And four days later the following:
+
+ "WHEREAS, On the 15th day of April, the President of the United
+ States, in view of an insurrection against the laws, Constitution,
+ and Government of the United States, which had broken out
+ within the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
+ Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, and in pursuance of the
+ provisions of an act entitled an act to provide for calling
+ forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress
+ insurrections and repel invasions, and to repeal the act now in
+ force for that purpose, approved February 28th, 1795, did call
+ forth the militia to suppress said insurrection and cause the laws
+ of the Union to be duly executed--and the insurgents have failed
+ to disperse by the time directed by the President; AND WHEREAS,
+ such insurrection has since broken out and yet exists within the
+ States of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas; AND
+ WHEREAS, the insurgents in all the said States claim to act under
+ authority thereof, and such claim is not discarded or repudiated by
+ the persons exercising the functions of government in such State or
+ States, or in the part or parts thereof, in which such combinations
+ exist, nor has such insurrection been suppressed by said States.
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, in pursuance of the Act of Congress approved July 13th,
+ 1861, do hereby declare that the inhabitants of the said States
+ of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas,
+ Arkansas, Mississippi, and Florida, except the inhabitants of
+ that part of the State of Virginia lying west of the Allegheny
+ Mountains, and of such other parts of that State and the other
+ States hereinbefore named as may maintain a loyal adhesion to the
+ Union and the Constitution, or may be, from time to time occupied
+ and controlled by the forces of the United States engaged in the
+ dispersion of said insurgents, are in a state of insurrection
+ against the United States, and that all commercial intercourse
+ between the same and the inhabitants thereof, with the exception
+ aforesaid, and the citizens of other States and other parts of the
+ United States, is unlawful, and will remain unlawful until such
+ insurrection shall cease or has been suppressed; that all goods
+ and chattels, wares and merchandise, coming from any of the said
+ States, with the exceptions aforesaid, into other parts of the
+ United States, without the special license and permission of the
+ President, through the Secretary of the Treasury, or proceeding
+ to any of the said States, with the exception aforesaid, by land
+ or water, together with the vessel or vehicle conveying the same,
+ or conveying persons to and from the said States, with the said
+ exceptions, will be forfeited to the United States; and that, from
+ and after fifteen days from the issuing of this proclamation, all
+ ships and vessels belonging, in whole or in part, to any citizen
+ or inhabitant of any of the said States, with the said exceptions,
+ found at sea in any part of the United States, will be forfeited to
+ the United States; and I hereby enjoin upon all District Attorneys,
+ Marshals, and officers of the revenue of the military and naval
+ forces of the United States, to be vigilant in the execution of the
+ said act, and in the enforcement of the penalties and forfeitures
+ imposed or declared by it, leaving any party who may think himself
+ aggrieved thereby, to his application to the Secretary of the
+ Treasury for the remission of any penalty or forfeiture, which the
+ said Secretary is authorized by law to grant, if in his judgment,
+ the special circumstances of any case shall require such a
+ remission.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done in the City of Washington, this, the 16th day of August, in
+ the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one,
+ and of the Independence of the United States of America the
+ eighty-sixth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The question as to the disposition to be made of the slaves of
+rebel masters presented itself early in the contest, and it was at
+once perceived that its settlement would be attended with no little
+embarrassment.
+
+As early as May 27th, 1861, General Butler, in command at Fortress
+Monroe, had informed the War Department as to his views relative to
+the fugitive slaves--that they were to be regarded as "contraband of
+war"--and Secretary Cameron, under date of May 30th, had instructed
+that commander neither to permit any interference by persons under
+his command with the relations of persons held to service under the
+laws of any State; nor, on the other hand, while such States remained
+in rebellion, to surrender such persons to their alleged masters, but
+to employ them in such service as would be most advantageous, keeping
+an account of the value of their labor and the expenses of their
+support--the question of their final disposition to be reserved for
+future determination.
+
+At about the same time, General McClellan, advancing into Western
+Virginia to the aid of the loyal men of that section, used this
+language in his address to the people:
+
+ "Notwithstanding all that has been said by the traitors to induce
+ you to believe that our advent among you will be signalized by
+ interference with your slaves, understand one thing clearly--not
+ only will we abstain from all such interference, but we will, on
+ the contrary, with an iron hand, crush any attempt at insurrection
+ on their part."
+
+On the 8th of August, Secretary Cameron, in reply to a second letter
+from General Butler upon the same subject, said:
+
+ "GENERAL:--The important question of the proper disposition to
+ be made of fugitives from service in the States in insurrection
+ against the Federal Government, to which you have again directed
+ my attention, in your letter of July 20th, has received my most
+ attentive consideration. It is the desire of the President that
+ all existing rights in all the States be fully respected and
+ maintained. The war now prosecuted on the part of the Federal
+ Government is a war for the Union, for the preservation of all the
+ Constitutional rights of the States and the citizens of the States
+ in the Union; hence no question can arise as to fugitives from
+ service within the States and Territories in which the authority
+ of the Union is fully acknowledged. The ordinary forms of judicial
+ proceedings must be respected by the military and civil authorities
+ alike for the enforcement of legal forms. But in the States wholly
+ or in part under insurrectionary control, where the laws of the
+ United States are so far opposed and resisted that they can not
+ be effectually enforced, it is obvious that the rights dependent
+ upon the execution of these laws must temporarily fail, and it is
+ equally obvious that the rights dependent on the laws of the States
+ within which military operations are conducted must necessarily be
+ subordinate to the military exigencies created by the insurrection,
+ if not wholly forfeited by the treasonable conduct of the parties
+ claiming them. To this the general rule of the right to service
+ forms an exception. The act of Congress approved August 6, 1861,
+ declares that if persons held to service shall be employed in
+ hostility to the United States, the right to their services shall
+ be discharged therefrom. It follows of necessity that no claim
+ can be recognized by the military authority of the Union to the
+ services of such persons when fugitives.
+
+ "A more difficult question is presented in respect to persons
+ escaping from the service of loyal masters. It is quite apparent
+ that the laws of the State under which only the service of such
+ fugitives can be claimed must needs be wholly or almost wholly
+ superseded, as to the remedies, by the insurrection and the
+ military measures necessitated by it; and it is equally apparent
+ that the substitution of military for judicial measures for the
+ enforcement of such claims must be attended by great inconvenience,
+ embarrassments and injuries. Under these circumstances, it seems
+ quite clear that the substantial rights of loyal masters are still
+ best protected by receiving such fugitives, as well as fugitives
+ from disloyal masters, into the service of the United States, and
+ employing them under such organizations and in such occupations as
+ circumstances may suggest or require. Of course a record should
+ be kept showing the names and descriptions of the fugitives, the
+ names and characters, as loyal or disloyal, of their masters, and
+ such facts as may be necessary to a correct understanding of the
+ circumstances of each case.
+
+ "After tranquility shall have been restored upon the return of
+ peace, Congress will doubtless properly provide for all the persons
+ thus received into the service of the Union, and for a just
+ compensation to loyal masters. In this way only, it would seem,
+ can the duty and safety of the Government and just rights of all
+ be fully reconciled and harmonized. You will, therefore, consider
+ yourself instructed to govern your future action in respect to
+ fugitives from service by the premises herein stated, and will
+ report from time to time, and at least twice in each month, your
+ action in the premises to this Department. You will, however,
+ neither authorize nor permit any interference by the troops under
+ your command with the servants of peaceable citizens in a house or
+ field, nor will you in any manner encourage such citizens to leave
+ the lawful service of their masters, nor will you, except in cases
+ where the public good may seem to require it, prevent the voluntary
+ return of any fugitive to the service from which he may have
+ escaped."
+
+The Act of Congress to which allusion has already been made, as
+providing for the confiscation of the estates of persons in open
+rebellion against the Government, limited the penalty to property
+actually employed in the service of the rebellion, with the knowledge
+and consent of its owners; and, instead of emancipating slaves thus
+employed, left the disposition to be made of them to be determined by
+the United States Courts, or by subsequent legislation.
+
+General Fremont, in command of the Department of Missouri, in an order
+dated August 30th, declaring martial law established throughout that
+State, used the following language:
+
+ "Real and personal property of those who shall take up arms
+ against the United States, or who shall be directly proven to have
+ taken an active part with their enemies in the field, is declared
+ confiscated to public use, and their slaves if any they have, are
+ hereby declared free men."
+
+This order violated the above-named act, and could only be justified
+upon the ground of imperative military necessity. Some correspondence
+which passed between the President and General Fremont upon this topic,
+resulted in the following official letter, dated Washington, D. C.,
+Sept. 11, 1861:
+
+ "MAJOR GENERAL JOHN C. FREMONT:--
+
+ "SIR,--Yours of the 8th, in answer to mine of the 2d inst., is just
+ received. Assured that you, upon the ground, could better judge of
+ the necessities of your position than I could at this distance,
+ on seeing your proclamation of August 30, I perceived no general
+ objection to it; the particular clause however, in relation to the
+ confiscation of property and the liberation of slaves, appeared to
+ me to be objectionable in its non-conformity to the Act of Congress
+ passed the 6th of last August, upon the same subjects, and hence I
+ wrote you, expressing my wish that that clause should be modified
+ accordingly. Your answer just received expresses the preference on
+ your part that I should make an open order for the modification,
+ which I very cheerfully do. It is, therefore, ordered that the said
+ clause of the said proclamation be so modified, held and construed,
+ as to conform with, and not to transcend the provisions on the
+ same subject contained in the Act of Congress entitled 'An Act to
+ confiscate property used for insurrectionary purposes,' approved
+ August 6, 1861, and that said Act be published at length with this
+ order.
+
+ "Your obedient servant,
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+In the instructions from the War Department to General Sherman, in
+command of the land forces destined to operate on the South Carolina
+coast, that commander was directed to govern himself relative to
+this class of persons, by the principles of the letters addressed to
+General Butler, exercising, however, his own discretion as to special
+cases. If particular circumstances seemed to require it, they were
+to be employed in any capacity, with such organization in squads,
+companies, or otherwise, as should be by him deemed most beneficial to
+the service. This, however, not to mean a general arming of them for
+military service. All loyal masters were to be assured that Congress
+would provide just compensation to them for any loss of the services of
+persons so employed.
+
+This phase--varying and indefinite--at that time did that question
+present, which was at a later period to take, under the moulding hand
+of the President, body and form clearly defined and unmistakable.
+
+The battle of Ball's Bluff--the first under the direction of the
+new commander on the Potomac--fought October 21st was but Bull Run
+repeated; happily, however, on a somewhat smaller scale. A convenient
+scapegoat upon whom to throw the responsibility--General Stone--was
+found, and the indignation of the country was measurably, and for the
+time, appeased.
+
+Directly after this affair, the veteran Scott having asked to be
+relieved from active service, his request was granted in the following
+highly complimentary order:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion, Washington_, Nov. 1, 1861.
+
+ "On the 1st day of November, A. D., 1861, upon his own application
+ to the President of the United States, Brevet Lieutenant-General
+ Winfield Scott is ordered to be placed, and hereby is placed, upon
+ the list of retired officers of the Army of the United States,
+ without reduction in his current pay, subsistence, or allowances.
+
+ "The American people will hear with sadness and deep emotion that
+ General Scott has withdrawn from the active control of the army,
+ while the President and the unanimous Cabinet express their own
+ and the nation's sympathy in his personal affliction, and their
+ profound sense of the important public services rendered by him
+ to his country during his long and brilliant career, among which
+ will ever be gratefully distinguished his faithful devotion to
+ the Constitution, the Union, and the flag, when assailed by a
+ parricidal rebellion.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+To General McClellan, now the ranking officer of the army, the duties
+of General-in-chief were assigned by the President.
+
+The autumnal months passed away--gorgeous and golden--men thought them
+made for fighting, if fighting must be; but no fighting for the Army of
+the Potomac--an occasional skirmish only--mainly reviews.
+
+The winter months came--the dry season had passed. The Grand Army
+being now thoroughly organized, disciplined, and equipped went--to
+fight?--no--into winter quarters.
+
+And the people, patient ever and forgiving, when inclination impels,
+forgot Ball's Bluff--forgot what they had hoped for--trusted in
+the prudent caution of the general in command, and waited for the
+springtide.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE CONGRESS OF 1861-2.
+
+ The Military Situation--Seizure of Mason and Slidell--Opposition
+ to the Administration--President's Message--Financial
+ Legislation--Committee on the Conduct of the War--Confiscation
+ Bill.
+
+
+At the time of the re-assembling of Congress, December 2d, 1861,
+the military situation was by no means as promising as the liberal
+expenditure of money and the earnest efforts of the Administration
+toward a vigorous prosecution of the war might have led the people to
+expect. True, the National Capitol had been protected, and Maryland,
+West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri had not, as had been at various
+times threatened, been brought in subjection to the rebels. Nothing
+more, however--though this would have been judged no little, had the
+people been less sanguine of great results immediately at hand--than
+this had been accomplished in the East; and in the West, large rebel
+forces threatened Kentucky and Missouri, and the Mississippi river was
+in their possession from its mouth to within a short distance of the
+mouth of the Ohio.
+
+The seizure of the emissaries, Mason and Slidell likewise--though
+afterwards disposed of by the Government in such a way as to secure
+the acquiescence of the nation--taken in connection with the position
+assumed by the British Government--in every way unpalatable to the mass
+of the people--seemed likely to entangle us in foreign complications
+exceedingly undesirable at that juncture. It was generally believed
+that England and France, while neutral on the surface, were in reality
+affording very material aid and comfort to the rebel cause, our
+commercial interests being very seriously impaired by the construction
+which those powers saw fit to place upon their duties as neutrals.
+
+Efforts, moreover, were making to organize a formidable party in
+antagonism to the Administration, comprising the loose ends of every
+class of malcontents; those who had always opposed the war, though for
+a time cowed down by the outburst which followed the fall of Sumter;
+those who were satisfied that no more progress had been made; those
+who were inclined, constitutionally, to oppose any thing which any
+Administration, under any circumstances, might do; those who were
+beginning to tire of the war, and were ready to patch matters up in any
+way, so only that it should come to an end; and those who were on the
+alert for some chance whereby to make capital, political or pecuniary,
+for their own dear selves.
+
+As a whole, affairs were by no means a cheering aspect at the opening
+of this Session.
+
+That the President was fully alive to the true state of the case, the
+views announced in the following message clearly show:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--In
+ the midst of unprecedented political troubles, we have cause of
+ great gratitude to God for unusual good health and most abundant
+ harvests.
+
+ "You will not be surprised to learn that, in the peculiar exigences
+ of the times, our intercourse with foreign nations has been
+ attended with profound solicitude, chiefly turning upon our own
+ domestic affairs.
+
+ "A disloyal portion of the American people have, during the whole
+ year, been engaged in an attempt to divide and destroy the Union.
+ A nation which endures factious domestic division, is exposed to
+ disrespect abroad; and one party, if not both, is sure, sooner or
+ later, to invoke foreign intervention.
+
+ "Nations thus tempted to interfere, are not always able to resist
+ the counsels of seeming expediency and ungenerous ambition,
+ although measures adopted under such influences seldom fail to be
+ unfortunate and injurious to those adopting them.
+
+ "The disloyal citizens of the United States who have offered the
+ ruin of our country, in return for the aid and comfort which they
+ have invoked abroad, have received less patronage and encouragement
+ than they probably expected. If it were just to suppose, as the
+ insurgents have seemed to assume, that foreign nations, in this
+ case, discarding all moral, social and treaty obligations, would
+ act solely, and selfishly, for the most speedy restoration of
+ commerce, including, especially, the acquisition of cotton, those
+ nations appear, as yet, not to have seen their way to their objects
+ more directly, or clearly, through the destruction than through
+ the preservation of the Union. If we could dare to believe that
+ foreign nations are actuated by no higher principle than this, I am
+ quite sure a sound argument could be made to show them that they
+ can reach their aim more readily and easily by aiding to crush this
+ rebellion than by giving encouragement to it.
+
+ "The principal lever relied on by the insurgents for exciting
+ foreign nations to hostility against us, as already intimated,
+ is the embarrassment of commerce. Those nations, however, not
+ improbably, saw from the first, that it was the Union which made,
+ as well our foreign, as our domestic commerce. They can scarcely
+ have failed to perceive that the effort for disunion produces
+ the existing difficulty; and that one strong nation promises
+ more durable peace, and a more extensive, valuable and reliable
+ commerce, than can the same nation broken into hostile fragments.
+
+ "It is not my purpose to review our discussions with foreign
+ States; because whatever might be their wishes or dispositions, the
+ integrity of our country and the stability of our Government mainly
+ depend, not upon them, but on the loyalty, virtue, patriotism and
+ intelligence of the American people. The correspondence itself,
+ with the usual reservations, is herewith submitted.
+
+ "I venture to hope it will appear that we have practiced prudence
+ and liberality toward foreign powers, averting causes of
+ irritation, and with firmness maintaining our own rights and honor.
+
+ "Since, however, it is apparent that here, as in every other
+ State, foreign dangers necessarily attend domestic difficulties,
+ I recommend that adequate and ample measures be adopted for
+ maintaining the public defences on every side. While, under this
+ general recommendation, provision for defending our sea-coast line
+ readily occurs to the mind, I also, in the same connection, ask the
+ attention of Congress to our great lakes and rivers. It is believed
+ that some fortifications and depots of arms and munitions, with
+ harbor and navigation improvements, all at well-selected points
+ upon these, would be of great importance to the National defence
+ and preservation. I ask attention to the views of the Secretary of
+ War, expressed in his report, upon the same general subject.
+
+ "I deem it of importance that the loyal regions of East Tennessee
+ and Western North Carolina should be connected with Kentucky,
+ and other faithful parts of the Union, by railroad. I therefore
+ recommend, as a military measure, that Congress provide for the
+ construction of such road as speedily as possible. Kentucky, no
+ doubt, will co-operate, and, through her Legislature, make the most
+ judicious selection of a line. The northern terminus must connect
+ with some existing railroad; and whether the route shall be from
+ Lexington or Nicholasville to the Cumberland Gap, or from Lebanon
+ to the Tennessee line, in the direction of Knoxville, or on some
+ still different line, can easily be determined. Kentucky and the
+ General Government cooeperating, the work can be completed in a very
+ short time; and when done, it will be not only of vast present
+ usefulness, but also a valuable permanent improvement, worth its
+ cost in all the future.
+
+ "Some treaties, designed chiefly for the interests of commerce, and
+ having no grave political importance, have been negotiated, and
+ will be submitted to the Senate for their consideration.
+
+ "Although we have failed to induce some of the commercial powers
+ to adopt a desirable amelioration of the rigor of maritime war, we
+ have removed all obstructions from the way of this humane reform,
+ except such as are merely of temporary and accidental occurrence.
+
+ "I invite your attention to the correspondence between Her
+ Britannic Majesty's Minister, accredited to this Government, and
+ the Secretary of State, relative to the detention of the British
+ ship Perthshire, in June last, by the United States steamer
+ Massachusetts, for a supposed breach of the blockade. As this
+ detention was occasioned by an obvious misapprehension of the
+ facts, and as justice requires that we should commit no belligerent
+ act not founded in strict right, as sanctioned by public law, I
+ recommend that an appropriation be made to satisfy the reasonable
+ demand of the owners of the vessel for her detention.
+
+ "I repeat the recommendation of my predecessor, in his annual
+ message to Congress in December last, in regard to the disposition
+ of the surplus which will probably remain after satisfying the
+ claims of the American citizens against China, pursuant to the
+ awards of the commissioners under the act of the 3d of March,
+ 1859. If, however, it should not be deemed advisable to carry that
+ recommendation into effect, I would suggest that authority be given
+ for investing the principal, over the proceeds of the surplus
+ referred to, in good securities, with a view to the satisfaction
+ of such other just claims of our citizens against China as are not
+ unlikely to arise hereafter in the course of our extensive trade
+ with that empire.
+
+ "By the act of the 5th of August last, Congress authorized the
+ President to instruct the commanders of suitable vessels to defend
+ themselves against and to capture pirates. This authority has
+ been exercised in a single instance only. For the more effectual
+ protection of our extensive and valuable commerce, in the Eastern
+ seas especially, it seems to me that it would also be advisable
+ to authorize the commanders of sailing vessels to recapture any
+ prizes which pirates may make of United States vessels and their
+ cargoes, and the consular courts, now established by law in Eastern
+ countries, to adjudicate the cases, in the event that this should
+ not be objected to by the local authorities.
+
+ "If any good reason exists why we should persevere longer in
+ withholding our recognition of the independence and sovereignty
+ of Hayti and Liberia, I am unable to discern it. Unwilling,
+ however, to inaugurate a novel policy in regard to them without
+ the approbation of Congress, I submit for your consideration the
+ expediency of an appropriation for maintaining a charge d'affaires
+ near each of those new States. It does not admit of doubt that
+ important commercial advantages might be secured by favorable
+ treaties with them.
+
+ "The operations of the treasury during the period which has elapsed
+ since your adjournment, have been conducted with signal success.
+ The patriotism of the people has placed at the disposal of the
+ Government the large means demanded by the public exigencies. Much
+ of the national loan has been taken by citizens of the industrial
+ classes, whose confidence in their country's faith, and zeal for
+ their country's deliverance from present peril, have induced them
+ to contribute to the support of the Government the whole of their
+ limited acquisitions. This fact imposes peculiar obligations to
+ economy in disbursement, and energy in action.
+
+ "The revenue from all sources, including loans, for the financial
+ year ending on the 30th of June, 1861, was eighty-six million
+ eight hundred and thirty-five thousand nine hundred dollars and
+ twenty-seven cents, and the expenditures for the same period,
+ including payments on account of the public debt, were eighty-four
+ million five hundred and seventy-eight thousand eight hundred and
+ thirty-four dollars and forty-seven cents; leaving a balance in
+ the treasury on the 1st of July of two million two hundred and
+ fifty-seven thousand sixty-five dollars and eighty cents. For
+ the first quarter of the financial year, ending on the 30th of
+ September, 1861, the receipts from all sources, including the
+ balance of the 1st of July, were one hundred and two million five
+ hundred and thirty-two thousand five hundred and nine dollars and
+ twenty-seven cents, and the expenses ninety-eight million two
+ hundred and thirty-nine thousand seven hundred and thirty-three
+ dollars and nine cents; leaving a balance on the 1st of October,
+ 1861, of four million two hundred and ninety-two thousand seven
+ hundred and seventy-six dollars and eighteen cents.
+
+ "Estimates for the remaining three-quarters of the year, and for
+ the financial year 1863, together with his views of ways and means
+ for meeting the demands contemplated by them, will be submitted
+ to Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury. It is gratifying to
+ know that the expenditures made necessary by the rebellion are not
+ beyond the resources of the loyal people, and to believe that the
+ same patriotism which has thus far sustained the Government will
+ continue to sustain it till peace and Union shall again bless the
+ land.
+
+ "I respectfully refer to the report of the Secretary of War for
+ information respecting the numerical strength of the Army, and for
+ recommendations having in view an increase of its efficiency and
+ the well-being of the various branches of the service intrusted
+ to his care. It is gratifying to know that the patriotism of the
+ people has proved equal to the occasion, and that the number of
+ troops tendered greatly exceeds the force which Congress authorized
+ me to call into the field.
+
+ "I refer with pleasure to those portions of his report which make
+ allusion to the creditable degree of discipline already attained by
+ our troops, and to the excellent sanitary condition of the entire
+ army.
+
+ "The recommendation of the Secretary for an organization of the
+ militia upon a uniform basis is a subject of vital importance to
+ the future safety of the country, and is commended to the serious
+ attention of Congress.
+
+ "The large addition to the regular army, in connection with the
+ defection that has so considerably diminished the number of its
+ officers, gives peculiar importance to his recommendation for
+ increasing the corps of cadets to the greatest capacity of the
+ Military Academy.
+
+ "By mere omission, I presume, Congress has failed to provide
+ chaplains for hospitals occupied by volunteers. This subject was
+ brought to my notice, and I was induced to draw up the form of a
+ letter, one copy of which, properly addressed, has been delivered
+ to each of the persons, and at the dates respectively named and
+ stated, in a schedule, containing also the form of the letter,
+ marked A, and herewith transmitted.
+
+ "These gentlemen, I understand, entered upon the duties designated,
+ at the times respectively stated in the schedule, and have labored
+ faithfully therein ever since. I therefore recommend that they be
+ compensated at the same rate as chaplains in the army. I further
+ suggest that general provision be made for chaplains to serve at
+ hospitals, as well as with regiments.
+
+ "The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents in detail the
+ operations of that branch of the service, the activity and energy
+ which have characterized its administration, and the results of
+ measures to increase its efficiency and power. Such have been the
+ additions, by construction and purchase, that it may almost be
+ said a navy has been created and brought into service since our
+ difficulties commenced.
+
+ "Besides blockading our extensive coast, squadrons larger than
+ ever before assembled under our flag have been put afloat, and
+ performed deeds which have increased our naval renown.
+
+ "I would invite special attention to the recommendation of
+ the Secretary for a more perfect organization of the Navy by
+ introducing additional grades in the service.
+
+ "The present organization is defective and unsatisfactory, and the
+ suggestions submitted by the Department will, it is believed, if
+ adopted, obviate the difficulties alluded to promote harmony, and
+ increase the efficiency of the Navy.
+
+ "There are three vacancies on the bench of the Supreme Court--two
+ by the decease of Justices Daniel and McLean, and one by the
+ resignation of Justice Campbell. I have so far forborne making
+ nominations to fill these vacancies for reasons which I will now
+ state. Two of the outgoing judges resided within the States now
+ overrun by revolt; so that if successors were appointed in the
+ same localities, they could not now serve upon their circuits;
+ and many of the most competent men there probably would not take
+ the personal hazard of accepting to serve, even here, upon the
+ Supreme Bench. I have been unwilling to throw all the appointments
+ northward, thus disabling myself from doing justice to the South on
+ the return of peace; although I may remark that to transfer to the
+ North one which has heretofore been in the South would not, with
+ reference to territory and population, be unjust.
+
+ "During the long and brilliant judicial career of Judge McLean, his
+ circuit grew into an empire--altogether too large for any one judge
+ to give the courts therein more than a nominal attendance--rising
+ in population from one million four hundred and seventy thousand
+ and eighteen, in 1830, to six million one hundred and fifty-one
+ thousand four hundred and five, in 1860.
+
+ "Besides this, the country generally has outgrown our present
+ judicial system. If uniformity was at all intended, the system
+ requires that all the States shall be accommodated with circuit
+ courts, attended by supreme judges, while, in fact, Wisconsin,
+ Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, California, and Oregon,
+ have never had any such courts. Nor can this well be remedied
+ without a change in the system; because the adding of judges to
+ the Supreme Court, enough for the accommodation of all parts of
+ the country, with circuit courts, would create a court altogether
+ too numerous for a judicial body of any sort. And the evil, if it
+ be one, will increase as new States come into the Union. Circuit
+ courts are useful, or they are not useful; if useful, no State
+ should be denied them; if not useful, no State should have them.
+ Let them be provided for all, or abolished as to all.
+
+ "Three modifications occur to me, either of which, I think, would
+ be an improvement upon our present system. Let the Supreme Court
+ be of convenient number in every event. Then, first, let the
+ whole country be divided into circuits of convenient size, the
+ supreme judges to serve in a number of them corresponding to their
+ own number, and independent circuit judges be provided for all
+ the rest. Or, secondly, let the supreme judges be relieved from
+ circuit duties, and circuit judges provided for all the circuits.
+ Or, thirdly, dispense with circuit courts altogether, leaving
+ the judicial functions wholly to the district courts, and an
+ independent Supreme Court.
+
+ "I respectfully recommend to the consideration of Congress the
+ present condition of the statute laws, with the hope that Congress
+ will be able to find an easy remedy for many of the inconveniences
+ and evils which constantly embarrass those engaged in the practical
+ administration of them. Since the organization of the Government,
+ Congress has enacted some five thousand acts and joint resolutions,
+ which fill more than six thousand closely printed pages, and are
+ scattered through many volumes. Many of these acts have been drawn
+ in haste and without sufficient caution, so that their provisions
+ are often obscure in themselves, or in conflict with each other, or
+ at least so doubtful as to render it very difficult for even the
+ best informed persons to ascertain precisely what the statute law
+ really is.
+
+ "It seems to me very important that the statute laws should be made
+ as plain and intelligible as possible, and be reduced to as small a
+ compass as may consist with the fulness and precision of the will
+ of the legislature and the perspicuity of its language. This well
+ done, would, I think, greatly facilitate the labors of those whose
+ duty it is to assist in the administration of the laws, and would
+ be a lasting benefit to the people, by placing before them in a
+ more accessible and intelligible form, the laws which so deeply
+ concern their interests and their duties.
+
+ "I am informed by some whose opinions I respect, that all the acts
+ of Congress now in force, and of a permanent and general nature,
+ might be revised and re-written, so as to be embraced in one volume
+ (or at most, two volumes) of ordinary and convenient size. And I
+ respectfully recommend to Congress to consider the subject, and, if
+ my suggestion be approved, to devise such plan as to their wisdom
+ shall seem most proper for the attainment of the end proposed.
+
+ "One of the unavoidable consequences of the present insurrection,
+ is the entire suppression, in many places, of all the ordinary
+ means of administering civil justice by the officers and in the
+ forms of existing law. This is the case, in whole or in part, in
+ all insurgent States; and as our armies advance upon and take
+ possession of parts of those States the practical evil becomes more
+ apparent. There are no courts nor officers to whom the citizens of
+ other States may apply for the enforcement of their lawful claims
+ against citizens of the insurgent States; and there is a vast
+ amount of debt constituting such claims. Some have estimated it
+ as high as two hundred million dollars, due in large part, from
+ insurgents in open rebellion to loyal citizens, who are even now
+ making great sacrifices in the discharge of their patriotic duty,
+ to support the Government.
+
+ "Under these circumstances, I have been urgently solicited to
+ establish by military power, courts to administer summary justice
+ in such cases. I have thus far declined to do it, not because I had
+ any doubt that the end proposed--the collection of the debts--was
+ just and right in itself, but because I have been unwilling to go
+ beyond the pressure of necessity in the unusual exercise of power.
+ But the powers of Congress, I suppose, are equal to the anomalous
+ occasion, and therefore I refer the whole matter to Congress, with
+ the hope that a plan may be devised for the administration of
+ justice in all such parts of the insurgent States and Territories
+ as may be under the control of this Government, whether by a
+ voluntary return to allegiance and order, or by the power of our
+ arms. This, however, not to be a permanent institution, but a
+ temporary substitute, and to cease as soon as the ordinary courts
+ can be re-established in peace.
+
+ "It is important that some more convenient means should be
+ provided, if possible, for the adjustment of claims against the
+ Government, especially in view of their increased number by
+ reason of the war. It is as much the duty of Government to render
+ prompt justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to
+ administer the same between private individuals. The investigation
+ and adjudication of claims, in their nature, belong to the judicial
+ department; besides, it is apparent that the attention of Congress
+ will be more than usually engaged for some time to come with great
+ national questions. It was intended, by the organization of the
+ Court of Claims, mainly to remove this branch of business from
+ the halls of Congress; but while the court has proved to be an
+ effective and valuable means of investigation, it in a great degree
+ fails to effect the object of its creation for want of power to
+ make its judgments final.
+
+ "Fully aware of the delicacy, not to say the danger, of the
+ subject, I commend to your careful consideration whether this power
+ of making judgments final may not properly be given to the court,
+ reserving the right of appeal on questions of law to the Supreme
+ Court, with such other provisions as experience may have shown to
+ be necessary.
+
+ "I ask attention to the report of the Postmaster General, the
+ following being a summary statement of the condition of the
+ department:
+
+ "The revenue from all sources during the fiscal year ending June
+ 30th, 1861, including the annual permanent appropriation of seven
+ hundred thousand dollars for the transportation of 'free mail
+ matter,' was nine million forty-nine thousand two hundred and
+ ninety-six dollars and forty cents, being about two per cent. less
+ than the revenue for 1860.
+
+ "The expenditures were thirteen million six hundred and six
+ thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine dollars and eleven cents,
+ showing a decrease of more than eight per cent. as compared with
+ those of the previous year, and leaving an excess of expenditure
+ over the revenue for the last fiscal year of four million five
+ hundred and fifty-seven thousand four hundred and sixty-two dollars
+ and seventy-one cents.
+
+ "The gross revenue for the year ending June 30th, 1863, is
+ estimated at an increase of four per cent. on that of 1861, making
+ eight million six hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars, to
+ which should be added the earnings of the department in carrying
+ free matter, viz: seven hundred thousand dollars, making nine
+ million three hundred and eighty-three thousand dollars.
+
+ "The total expenditures for 1863 are estimated at twelve million
+ five hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars, leaving an
+ estimated deficiency of three million one hundred and forty-five
+ thousand dollars to be supplied from the treasury, in addition to
+ the permanent appropriation.
+
+ "The present insurrection shows, I think, that the extension of
+ this District across the Potomac river, at the time of establishing
+ the capital here, was eminently wise, and consequently that the
+ relinquishment of that portion of it which lies within the State of
+ Virginia was unwise and dangerous. I submit for your consideration
+ the expediency of regaining that part of the District, and
+ the restoration of the original boundaries thereof, through
+ negotiations with the state of Virginia.
+
+ "The report of the Secretary of the Interior, with the accompanying
+ documents, exhibits the condition of the several branches of the
+ public business pertaining to that department. The depressing
+ influences of the insurrection have been specially felt in the
+ operations of the Patent and General Land Offices. The cash
+ receipts from the sales of public lands during the past year have
+ exceeded the expenses of our land system only about two hundred
+ thousand dollars. The sales have been entirely suspended in the
+ Southern States, while the interruptions to the business of the
+ country, and the diversions of large numbers of men from labor to
+ military service, have obstructed settlements in the new States and
+ Territories of the North-west.
+
+ "The receipts of the Patent Office have declined in nine months
+ about one hundred thousand dollars, rendering a large reduction of
+ the force employed necessary to make it self-sustaining.
+
+ "The demands upon the Pension Office will be largely increased by
+ the insurrection. Numerous applications for pensions, based upon
+ the casualties of the existing war, have already been made. There
+ is reason to believe that many who are now upon the pension rolls,
+ and in receipt of the bounty of the Government, are in the ranks of
+ the insurgent army, or giving them aid and comfort. The Secretary
+ of the Interior has directed a suspension of the payment of the
+ pensions of such persons upon the proof of their disloyalty. I
+ recommend that Congress authorize that officer to cause the names
+ of such persons to be stricken from the pension rolls.
+
+ "The relations of the Government with the Indian tribes have been
+ greatly disturbed by the insurrection, especially in the Southern
+ Superintendency and in that of New Mexico. The Indian country
+ south of Kansas is in the possession of insurgents from Texas and
+ Arkansas. The agents of the United States appointed since the
+ 4th of March for this superintendency have been unable to reach
+ their posts, while the most of those who were in office before
+ that time have espoused the insurrectionary cause, and assume to
+ exercise the powers of agents by virtue of commissions from the
+ insurrectionists. It has been stated in the public press that a
+ portion of those Indians have been organized as a military force,
+ and are attached to the army of the insurgents. Although the
+ Government has no official information upon this subject, letters
+ have been written to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs by several
+ prominent chiefs, giving assurance of their loyalty to the United
+ States, and expressing a wish for the presence of Federal troops
+ to protect them. It is believed that upon the repossession of the
+ country by the Federal forces the Indians will readily cease all
+ hostile demonstrations, and resume their former relations to the
+ Government.
+
+ "Agriculture, confessedly the largest interest of the nation, has
+ not a department, nor a bureau, but a clerkship only, assigned
+ to it in the Government. While it is fortunate that this great
+ interest is so independent in its nature as to not have demanded
+ and extorted more from the Government, I respectfully ask Congress
+ to consider whether something more can not be given voluntarily
+ with general advantage.
+
+ "Annual reports exhibiting the condition of our agriculture,
+ commerce, and manufactures, would present a fund of information of
+ great practical value to the country. While I make no suggestion
+ as to details, I venture the opinion that an agricultural and
+ statistical bureau might profitably be organized.
+
+ "The execution of the laws for the suppression of the African
+ slave-trade has been confided to the Department of the Interior.
+ It is a subject of gratulation that the efforts which have been
+ made for the suppression of this inhuman traffic have been recently
+ attended with unusual success. Five vessels being fitted out for
+ the slave-trade have been seized and condemned. Two mates of
+ vessels engaged in the trade, and one person in equipping a vessel
+ as a slaver, have been convicted and subjected to the penalty of
+ fine and imprisonment, and one captain, taken with a cargo of
+ Africans on board his vessel, has been convicted of the highest
+ grade of offence under our laws, the punishment of which is death.
+
+ "The Territories of Colorado, Dakota, and Nevada, created by the
+ last Congress, have been organized, and civil administration has
+ been inaugurated therein under auspices especially gratifying, when
+ it is considered that the leaven of treason was found existing in
+ some of these new countries when the Federal officers arrived there.
+
+ "The abundant natural resources of these Territories, with the
+ security and protection afforded by organized government, will
+ doubtless invite to them a large immigration when peace shall
+ restore the business of the country to its accustomed channels.
+ I submit the resolutions of the Legislature of Colorado, which
+ evidence the patriotic spirit of the people of the Territory. So
+ far, the authority of the United States has been upheld in all the
+ Territories, as it is hoped it will be in the future. I commend
+ their interests and defence to the enlightened and generous care of
+ Congress.
+
+ "I recommend to the favorable consideration of Congress the
+ interests of the District of Columbia. The insurrection has been
+ the cause of much suffering and sacrifice to its inhabitants, and
+ as they have no representative in Congress, that body should not
+ overlook their just claims upon the Government.
+
+ "At your late session a joint resolution was adopted authorizing
+ the President to take measures for facilitating a proper
+ representation of the industrial interests of the United States
+ at the exhibition of the industry of all nations, to be holden
+ in London in the year 1862. I regret to say I have been unable
+ to give personal attention to this subject--a subject at once so
+ interesting in itself, and so extensively and intimately connected
+ with the material prosperity of the world. Through the Secretaries
+ of State and of the Interior a plan, or system, has been devised,
+ and partly matured, and which will be laid before you.
+
+ "Under and by virtue of the act of Congress entitled 'An act to
+ confiscate property used for insurrectionary purposes,' approved
+ August 6, 1861, the legal claims of certain persons to the labor
+ and service of certain other persons have become forfeited; and
+ numbers of the latter, thus liberated, are already dependent on
+ the United States, and must be provided for in some way. Besides
+ this, it is not impossible that some of the States will pass
+ similar enactments for their own benefit respectively, and by
+ operation of which persons of the same class will be thrown upon
+ them for disposal. In such case I recommend that Congress provide
+ for accepting such persons from such States according to some
+ mode of valuation, in lieu, _pro tanto_, of direct taxes, or upon
+ some other plan to be agreed on with such States, respectively;
+ that such persons, on such acceptance by the General Government,
+ be at once deemed free; and, that, in any event, steps be taken
+ for colonizing both classes (or the one first mentioned, if the
+ other shall not be brought into existence) at some place or places
+ in a climate congenial to them. It might be well to consider,
+ too, whether the free colored people already in the United States
+ could not, so far as individuals may desire, be included in such
+ colonization.
+
+ "To carry out the plan of colonization may involve the acquiring
+ of territory, and also the appropriation of money beyond that to
+ be expended in the territorial acquisition. Having practiced the
+ acquisition of territory for nearly sixty years, the question of
+ constitutional power to do so is no longer an open one with us.
+ The power was questioned at first by Mr. Jefferson, who, however,
+ in the purchase of Louisiana, yielded his scruples on the plea of
+ great expediency. If it be said that the only legitimate object
+ of acquiring territory is to furnish homes for white men, this
+ measure effects that object, for the emigration of colored men
+ leaves additional room for white men remaining or coming here. Mr.
+ Jefferson, however, placed the importance of procuring Louisiana
+ more on political and commercial grounds than on providing room for
+ population.
+
+ "On this whole proposition, including the appropriation of money
+ with the acquisition of territory, does not the expediency amount
+ to absolute necessity--that without which the Government itself
+ cannot be perpetuated?
+
+ "The war continues. In considering the policy to be adopted for
+ suppressing the insurrection, I have been anxious and careful that
+ the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate
+ into a violent and remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have,
+ therefore, in every case thought it proper to keep the integrity
+ of the Union prominent as the primary object of the contest on
+ our part, leaving all questions which are not of vital military
+ importance to the more deliberate action of the legislature.
+
+ "In the exercise of my best discretion, I have adhered to the
+ blockade of the ports held by the insurgents, instead of putting
+ in force, by proclamation, the law of Congress enacted at the late
+ session for closing those ports.
+
+ "So, also, obeying the dictates of prudence, as well as the
+ obligations of law, instead of transcending, I have adhered to the
+ act of Congress to confiscate property used for insurrectionary
+ purposes. If a new law upon the same subject shall be proposed, its
+ propriety will be duly considered. The Union must be preserved; and
+ hence all indispensable means must be employed. We should not be in
+ haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may
+ reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable.
+
+ "The inaugural address at the beginning of the administration,
+ and the message to Congress at the late special session, were
+ both mainly devoted to the domestic controversy out of which the
+ insurrection and consequent war have sprung. Nothing now occurs
+ to add or subtract to or from the principles or general purposes
+ stated and expressed in those documents.
+
+ "The last ray of hope for preserving the Union peaceably expired
+ at the assault upon Fort Sumter; and a general review of what
+ has occurred since may not be unprofitable. What was painfully
+ uncertain then is much better defined and more distinct now; and
+ the progress of events is plainly in the right direction. The
+ insurgents confidently claimed a strong support from north of
+ Mason and Dixon's line, and the friends of the Union were not free
+ from apprehension on the point. This, however, was soon settled
+ definitely, and on the right side. South of the line, noble little
+ Delaware led off right from the first. Maryland was made to _seem_
+ against the Union. Our soldiers were assaulted, bridges were
+ burned, and railroads torn up within her limits, and we were many
+ days, at one time, without the ability to bring a single regiment
+ over her soil to the capital. Now her bridges and railroads are
+ repaired and open to the Government; she already gives seven
+ regiments to the cause of the Union and none to the enemy; and her
+ people, at a regular election, have sustained the Union by a larger
+ majority and a larger aggregate vote than they ever before gave
+ to any candidate or any question. Kentucky, too, for some time in
+ doubt, is now decidedly, and, I think, unchangeably, ranged on the
+ side of the Union. Missouri is comparatively quiet, and I believe
+ can not again be overrun by the insurrectionists. These three
+ States of Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, neither of which would
+ promise a single soldier at first, have now an aggregate of not
+ less than forty thousand in the field for the union; while of their
+ citizens certainly not more than a third of that number, and they
+ of doubtful whereabouts and doubtful existence, are in arms against
+ it. After a somewhat bloody struggle of months, winter closes on
+ the Union people of Western Virginia, leaving them masters of their
+ own country.
+
+ "An insurgent force of about fifteen hundred, for months dominating
+ the narrow peninsular region, constituting the counties of Accomac
+ and Northampton, and known as the eastern shore of Virginia,
+ together with some contiguous parts of Maryland, have laid down
+ their arms; and the people there have renewed their allegiance to,
+ and accepted the protection of the old flag. This leaves no armed
+ insurrectionist north of the Potomac or east of the Chesapeake.
+
+ "Also we have obtained a footing at each of the isolated points,
+ on the southern coast, of Hatteras, Port Royal, Tybee Island,
+ near Savannah, and Ship Island; and we likewise have some general
+ accounts of popular movements, in behalf of the Union, in North
+ Carolina and Tennessee.
+
+ "These things demonstrate that the cause of the Union is advancing
+ steadily and certainly southward.
+
+ "Since your last adjournment, Lieut.-Gen. Scott has retired from
+ the head of the army. During his long life, the nation has not been
+ unmindful of his merit; yet, on calling to mind how faithfully,
+ ably and brilliantly he has served the country, from a time far
+ back in our history, when few of the now living had been born, and
+ thenceforward continually, I can not but think we are still his
+ debtors. I submit, therefore, for your consideration, what further
+ mark of recognition is due to him, and to ourselves, as a grateful
+ people.
+
+ "With the retirement of Gen. Scott came the Executive duty of
+ appointing, in his stead, a General-in-chief of the army. It is
+ a fortunate circumstance that neither in council nor country
+ was there, so far as I know, any difference of opinion as to
+ the proper person to be selected. The retiring chief repeatedly
+ expressed his judgment in favor of Gen. McClellan for the position,
+ and in this the nation seemed to give a unanimous concurrence.
+ The designation of Gen. McClellan is, therefore, in considerable
+ degree, the selection of the country as well as of the Executive;
+ and hence there is better reason to hope there will be given him
+ the confidence and cordial support thus, by fair implication,
+ promised, and without which he can not, with so full efficiency,
+ serve the country.
+
+ "It has been said that one bad General is better than two good
+ ones; and the saying is true, if taken to mean no more than that an
+ army is better directed by a single mind, though inferior, than by
+ two superior ones at variance and cross-purposes with each other.
+
+ "And the same is true in all joint operations wherein those engaged
+ _can_ have none but a common end in view, and _can_ differ only as
+ to the choice of means. In a storm at sea, no one on board _can_
+ wish the ship to sink, and yet, not unfrequently, all go down
+ together because too many will direct and no single mind can be
+ allowed to control.
+
+ "It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely, if
+ not exclusively, a war upon the first principle of popular
+ government--the rights of the people. Conclusive evidence of
+ this is found in the most grave and maturely-considered public
+ documents, as well as in the general tone of the insurgents. In
+ those documents we find the abridgment of the existing right of
+ suffrage and the denial to the people of all right to participate
+ in the selection of public officers, except the legislative, boldly
+ advocated, with labored arguments to prove that large control of
+ the people in government is the source of all political evil.
+ Monarchy itself is sometimes hinted at as a possible refuge from
+ the power of the people.
+
+ "In my present position I could scarcely be justified were I to
+ omit raising a warning voice against this approach of returning
+ despotism.
+
+ "It is not needed nor fitting here that a general argument should
+ be made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point,
+ with its connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which
+ I ask a brief attention. It is the effort to place _capital_ on
+ an equal footing with, if not above _labor_, in the structure
+ of government. It is assumed that labor is available only in
+ connection with capital--that nobody labors unless somebody else,
+ owning capital, somehow by the use of it induces him to labor. This
+ assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that capital
+ shall _hire_ laborers, and thus induce them to work by their
+ own consent, or _buy_ them, and drive them to it without their
+ consent. Having proceeded so far, it is naturally concluded that
+ all laborers are either _hired_ laborers, or what we call slaves.
+ And further, it is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer is
+ fixed in that condition for life.
+
+ "Now, there is no such relation between capital and labor as
+ assumed; nor is there any such thing as a free man being fixed for
+ life in the condition of a hired laborer. Both these assumptions
+ are false, and all inferences from them are groundless.
+
+ "Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only
+ the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not
+ first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much
+ the higher consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as
+ worthy of protection as any other rights. Nor is it denied that
+ there is, and probably always will be, a relation between labor and
+ capital producing mutual benefits. The error is in assuming that
+ the whole labor of community exists within that relation. A few men
+ own capital, and that few avoid labor themselves, and with their
+ capital hire or buy another few to labor for them. A large majority
+ belong to neither class--neither work for others nor have others
+ working for them. In most of the Southern States a majority of the
+ whole people, of all colors, are neither slaves nor masters, while
+ in the Northern a large majority are neither hirers nor hired.
+ Men, with their families--wives, sons, and daughters--work for
+ themselves, on their farms, in their houses, and in their shops,
+ taking the whole product to themselves, and asking no favors of
+ capital, on the one hand, nor of hired laborers or slaves on the
+ other. It is not forgotten that a considerable number of persons
+ mingle their own labor with capital--that is, they labor with their
+ own hands, and also buy or hire others to labor for them; but this
+ is only a mixed, and not a distinct class. No principle stated is
+ disturbed by the existence of this mixed class.
+
+ "Again, as has already been said, there is not, of necessity, any
+ such thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition
+ for life. Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few
+ years back in their lives, were hired laborers. The prudent,
+ penniless beginner in the world, labors for wages awhile, saves a
+ surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself, then labors
+ on his own account another while, and at length hires another
+ new beginner to help him. This is the just, and generous, and
+ prosperous system, which opens the way to all--gives hope to all,
+ and consequent energy, and progress, and improvement of condition
+ to all. No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those
+ who toil up from poverty; none less inclined to take or touch
+ aught which they have not honestly earned. Let them beware of
+ surrendering a political power which they already possess, and
+ which, if surrendered, will surely be used to close the door of
+ advancement against such as they, and to fix new disabilities and
+ burdens upon them, till all of liberty shall be lost.
+
+ "From the first taking of our National Census to the last are
+ seventy years; and we find our population at the end of the period
+ eight times as great as it was at the beginning. The increase of
+ those other things which men deem desirable has been even greater.
+ We thus have at one view what the popular principle, applied to
+ Government through the machinery of the States and the Union, has
+ produced in a given time, and also what if firmly maintained, it
+ promises for the future. There are already among us those who, if
+ the Union be preserved, will live to see it contain two hundred and
+ fifty millions. The struggle _of_ to-day is not altogether _for_
+ to-day; it is for a vast future also. With a reliance on Providence
+ all the more firm and earnest, let us proceed in the great task
+ which events have devolved upon us.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WASHINGTON, December 3, 1861."
+
+At this session, provision was made for the issue of legal tender
+notes, and an internal revenue bill was matured, for the purposing of
+increasing largely the receipts of the Treasury, affording a basis for
+the payment of interest on authorized loans, and insuring confidence in
+the National currency.
+
+A Congressional committee on the conduct of the war was also appointed,
+the evidence obtained by which was submitted to the President for his
+consideration and eventually given to the public.
+
+A confiscation bill was passed, with a special provision for
+conditional pardon and amnesty, limiting the forfeiture of real estate
+to the lifetime of its rebel owners.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
+
+ Situation of the President--His Policy--Gradual Emancipation
+ Message--Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia--
+ Repudiation of General Hunter's Emancipation Order--Conference
+ with Congressmen from the Border Slave States--Address to the
+ same--Military Order--Proclamation under the Confiscation Act.
+
+
+What was to be the final disposition of the question of slavery could
+not be thrust aside. The intimate connection of this institution with
+our military operations, was perpetually forcing it upon the attention
+of the nation. This subject had, since it had been rendered patent to
+all, that it was to be no holiday struggle in which we were engaged,
+but a life and death grapple with desperate and determined foes, been
+ever present to Mr. Lincoln's mind. His action was, however, to a
+certain extent, not suffered to be independent. Could he have boldly
+assumed the initiative, assured that the great mass of the people were
+at his back, he could have acted far otherwise than he was necessitated
+to act, considering the delicate nature of the question, the utter lack
+of precedents, the intertwining of interests, the dangers resulting
+from a single misstep, the divisions on this point, existing in the
+ranks even of his own political supporters, and the conflicting
+views held by men whose loyalty and devotion to the country were
+unimpeachable.
+
+He chose not to go far ahead of popular indications; he deemed it the
+wiser statesmanship, in the existing state of affairs, to keep in the
+lead but a little, feeling, so to speak, his way along--making haste
+slowly. That this would dissatisfy many of his political friends he
+well knew; but he, upon mature deliberation, decided that it was for
+the interest of the country, and that to that consideration everything
+else must yield.
+
+On the 6th of March, 1862, he sent to the Congress the following
+message concerning this question, the resolution embodied in which, was
+passed by both Houses:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--I
+ recommend the adoption of a joint resolution by your honorable
+ bodies, which shall be substantially as follows:
+
+ "_Resolved_, That the United States ought to cooeperate with any
+ State which may adopt gradual abolishment of slavery, giving
+ to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State in its
+ discretion, to compensate for the inconveniences, public and
+ private, produced by such change of system.
+
+ "If the proposition contained in the resolution does not meet the
+ approval of Congress and the country, there is the end; but if it
+ does command such approval, I deem it of importance that the States
+ and people immediately interested, should be at once distinctly
+ notified of the fact, so that they may begin to consider whether to
+ accept or reject it. The Federal Government would find its highest
+ interest in such a measure as one of the most efficient means
+ of self-preservation. The leaders of the existing insurrection
+ entertain the hope that this Government will ultimately be forced
+ to acknowledge the independence of some part of the disaffected
+ region, and that all the slave States north of such part will then
+ say, 'the Union for which we have struggled being already gone, we
+ now choose to go with the southern section.' To deprive them of
+ this hope substantially ends the rebellion, and the initiation of
+ emancipation completely deprives them of it as to all the States
+ initiating it. The point is not that _all_ the States tolerating
+ slavery would very soon, if at all, initiate emancipation, but
+ that, while the offer is equally made to all, the more northern
+ shall, by such initiation, make it certain to the more southern
+ that in no event will the former ever join the latter in their
+ proposed confederacy. I say 'initiation,' because in my judgment,
+ gradual, and not sudden emancipation, is better for all. In the
+ mere financial or pecuniary view, any member of Congress, with the
+ census tables and treasury reports before him, can readily see for
+ himself how very soon the current expenditures of this war would
+ purchase, at fair valuation, all the slaves in any named State.
+ Such a proposition on the part of the general Government sets up
+ no claim of a right by Federal authority to interfere with slavery
+ within State limits, referring, as it does, the absolute control of
+ the subject in each case to the State and its people immediately
+ interested. It is proposed as a matter of perfectly free choice
+ with them.
+
+ "In the annual message last December, I thought fit to say, 'the
+ Union must be preserved; and hence all indispensable means must be
+ employed.' I said this not hastily, but deliberately. War has been
+ made, and continues to be an indispensable means to this end. A
+ practical re-acknowledgment of the national authority would render
+ the war unnecessary, and it would at once cease. If, however,
+ resistance continues, the war must also continue, and it is
+ impossible to foresee all the incidents which may attend, and all
+ the ruin which may follow it. Such as may seem indispensable, or
+ may obviously promise great efficiency toward ending the struggle,
+ must and will come.
+
+ "The proposition now made, though an offer only, I hope it may be
+ esteemed no offence to ask whether the pecuniary consideration
+ tendered would not be of more value to the States and private
+ persons concerned, than are the institutions and property in it, in
+ the present aspect of affairs.
+
+ "While it is true that the adoption of the proposed resolution
+ would be merely initiatory, and not within itself a practical
+ measure, it is recommended in the hope that it would soon
+ lead to important practical results. In full view of my great
+ responsibility to my God and to my country, I earnestly beg the
+ attention of Congress and the people to the subject.
+
+ "March 6, 1862. ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+A bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia having passed
+both Houses of Congress early in April, the President, in communicating
+his approval of the measure, judged it necessary to accompany the same
+with the following message:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--The
+ act entitled 'An act for the release of certain persons held to
+ service or labor in the District of Columbia,' has this day been
+ approved and signed.
+
+ "I have never doubted the constitutional authority of Congress
+ to abolish slavery in this District, and I have ever desired to
+ see the National Capital freed from the institution in some
+ satisfactory way. Hence there has never been, in my mind, any
+ question upon the subject except the one of expediency, arising in
+ view of all the circumstances. If there be matters within and about
+ this act which might have taken a course or shape more satisfactory
+ to my judgment, I do not attempt to specify them. I am gratified
+ that the two principles of compensation and colonization are both
+ recognized and practically applied in the act.
+
+ "In the matter of compensation it is provided that claims may be
+ presented within ninety days from the passage of the act, 'but not
+ thereafter,' and there is no saving for minors, _femes-covert_,
+ insane or absent persons. I presume this is an omission by mere
+ oversight, and I recommend that it be supplied by an amendatory or
+ supplemental act.
+
+ "April 16, 1862. ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+The President's repudiation, by the following proclamation, of an
+emancipation order of General Hunter, was conclusive evidence that he
+was determined to keep the control of this vexed question in his own
+hands, and to suffer no military commander to exercise jurisdiction
+over it:
+
+ "WHEREAS, There appears in the public prints what purports to be
+ a proclamation of Major-General Hunter, in the words and figures
+ following, to wit:
+
+ 'Head-Quarters, Department of the South,
+
+ '_Hilton Head, S. C._, May 9th, 1862.
+
+ 'GENERAL ORDERS No. 11.
+
+ 'The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina,
+ comprising the Military Department of the South, having
+ deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of
+ the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the
+ said United States, it becomes a military necessity to declare them
+ under martial law. This was accordingly done on the twenty-fifth
+ day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country
+ are altogether incompatible. The persons in these three States,
+ Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, heretofore held as slaves,
+ are therefore declared forever free.
+
+ 'DAVID HUNTER, _Major-General Commanding_.
+
+ 'Official:
+
+ 'ED. W. SMITH, _Acting Assistant Adjutant-General_.'
+
+"AND WHEREAS, The same is producing some excitement and
+misunderstanding,
+
+"_Therefore_, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States,
+proclaim and declare that the government of the United States had no
+knowledge or belief of an intention, on the part of General Hunter, to
+issue such a proclamation, nor has it yet any authentic information
+that the document is genuine; and further, that neither General Hunter
+nor any other commander or person has been authorized by the government
+of the United States to make proclamation declaring the slaves of
+any State free, and that the supposed proclamation now in question,
+whether genuine or false, is altogether void, so far as respects such
+declaration.
+
+"I further make known, that whether it be competent for me as
+commander-in-chief of the army and navy to declare the slaves of any
+State or States free, and whether at any time, or in any case, it shall
+become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the Government
+to exercise such supposed power, are questions which, under my
+responsibility, I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel justified
+in leaving to the decision of commanders in the field. These are
+totally different questions from those of police regulations in armies
+and camps.
+
+"On the sixth day of March last, by a special message, I recommended
+to Congress the adoption of a joint resolution, to be substantially as
+follows:
+
+"_Resolved_, That the United States ought to cooeperate with any State
+which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such
+State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State in its discretion, to
+compensate for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such
+change of system.'
+
+"The resolution, in the language above quoted, was adopted by large
+majorities in both branches of Congress, and now stands an authentic,
+definite and solemn proposal of the nation to the States and people
+most immediately interested in the subject matter. To the people of
+these States I now earnestly appeal. I do not argue; I beseech you
+to make the arguments for yourselves. You cannot, if you would, be
+blind to the signs of the times. I beg of you a calm and enlarged
+consideration of them, ranging, if it may be, far above personal and
+partisan politics. This proposal makes common cause for a common
+object, casting no reproaches upon any. It acts not the Pharisee. The
+change it contemplates would come gently as the dews of Heaven, not
+rending or wrecking any thing. Will you not embrace it? So much good
+has not been done by one effort in all past time, as in the Providence
+of God it is now your high privilege to do. May the vast future not
+have to lament that you have neglected it.
+
+"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal
+of the United States to be affixed.
+
+"Done at the City of Washington, this nineteenth day of May, in the
+year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the
+Independence of the United States the eighty-sixth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+A short time before the adjournment of Congress, while the country
+was in a state of great despondency, owing to the miscarriage of the
+Peninsular Campaign, the President, knowing that whatever measures
+events should point out as necessary to put down the rebellion must be
+adopted, and anticipating that a blow directed at the institution of
+slavery would, probably, at no distant period have to be dealt, invited
+the Senators and Representatives of the Border Slave States to a
+conference, for the purpose of preparing their minds for the happening
+of such a contingency. On this occasion he read to them the following
+carefully prepared address, to which he received an approving response
+from but nine of the twenty-nine:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--After the adjournment of Congress, now near, I shall
+ have no opportunity of seeing you for several months. Believing
+ that you of the Border States held more power for good than any
+ other equal number of members, I feel it a duty which I can not
+ justifiably waive to make this appeal to you.
+
+ "I intend no reproach or complaint when I assure you that, in
+ my opinion, if you all had voted for the resolution in the
+ gradual emancipation message of last March, the war would now be
+ substantially ended. And the plan therein proposed is yet one of
+ the most potent and swift means of ending it. Let the States which
+ are in rebellion see definitely and certainly that in no event will
+ the States you represent ever join their proposed Confederacy, and
+ they can not much longer maintain the contest. But you can not
+ divest them of their hope to ultimately have you with them so long
+ as you show a determination to perpetuate the institution within
+ your own States. Beat them at elections, as you have overwhelmingly
+ done, and, nothing daunted, they still claim you as their own.
+ You and I know what the lever of their power is. Break that lever
+ before their faces, and they can shake you no more forever.
+
+ "Most of you have treated me with kindness and consideration,
+ and I trust you will not now think I improperly touch what is
+ exclusively your own, when, for the sake of the whole country, I
+ ask, 'Can you, for your States, do better than to take the course I
+ urge?' Discarding _punctilio_ and maxims adapted to more manageable
+ times, and looking only to the unprecedentedly stern facts of our
+ case, can you do better in any possible event? You prefer that
+ the constitutional relations of the States to the nation shall
+ be practically restored without disturbance of the institution;
+ and, if this were done, my whole duty in this respect, under the
+ Constitution and my oath of office, would be performed. But it is
+ not done, and we are trying to accomplish it by war. The incidents
+ of the war can not be avoided. If the war continues long, as it
+ must if the object be not sooner attained, the institution in your
+ States will be extinguished by mere friction and abrasion--by the
+ mere incidents of the war. It will be gone, and you will have
+ nothing valuable in lieu of it. Much of its value is gone already.
+ How much better for you and for your people to take the step which
+ at once shortens the war, and secures substantial compensation
+ for that which is sure to be wholly lost in any other event! How
+ much better to thus save the money which else we sink forever in
+ the war! How much better to do it while we can, lest the war, ere
+ long, render us pecuniarily unable to do it! How much better for
+ you, as seller, and the nation, as buyer, to sell out and buy out
+ that without which the war could never have been, than to sink both
+ the thing to be sold and the price of it, in cutting one another's
+ throats!
+
+ "I do not speak of emancipation at once, but of a decision at once
+ to emancipate gradually. Room in South America for colonization can
+ be obtained cheaply and in abundance, and when numbers shall be
+ large enough to be company and encouragement for one another, the
+ freed people will not be so reluctant to go.
+
+ "I am pressed with a difficulty not yet mentioned--one which
+ threatens division among those who, united, are none too strong. An
+ instance of it is known to you. General Hunter is an honest man. He
+ was, and I hope still is, my friend. I valued him none the less for
+ his agreeing with me in the general wish that all men everywhere
+ could be freed. He proclaimed all men free within certain States,
+ and I repudiated the proclamation. He expected more good and less
+ harm from the measure than I could believe would follow. Yet, in
+ repudiating it, I gave dissatisfaction, if not offence, to many
+ whose support the country can not afford to lose. And this is not
+ the end of it. The pressure in this direction is still upon me, and
+ is increasing. By conceding what I now ask you can relieve me, and,
+ much more, can relieve the country in this important point.
+
+ "Upon these considerations, I have again begged your attention to
+ the Message of March last. Before leaving the Capitol, consider
+ and discuss it among yourselves. You are patriots and statesmen,
+ and as such, I pray you consider this proposition, and, at the
+ least, commend it to the consideration of your States and people.
+ As you would perpetuate popular government for the best people in
+ the world, I beseech you that you do in no wise omit this. Our
+ common country is in great peril, demanding the loftiest views and
+ boldest action to bring a speedy relief. Once relieved, its form of
+ government saved to the world, its beloved history and cherished
+ memories are vindicated, and its happy future fully assured and
+ rendered inconceivably grand. To you, more than to any others,
+ the privilege is given to assure that happiness, and swell that
+ grandeur, and to link your own names therewith forever."
+
+On the twenty-second of July, the following order was issued:
+
+ "WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington_, July 22d, 1862.
+
+ "_First._ Ordered that military commanders within the States of
+ Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
+ Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas, in an ordinary manner seize and
+ use any property, real or personal, which may be necessary or
+ convenient for their several commands, for supplies, or for other
+ military purposes; and that while property may be destroyed for
+ proper military objects, none shall be destroyed in wantonness or
+ malice.
+
+ "_Second._ That military and naval commanders shall employ as
+ laborers, within and from said States, so many persons of African
+ descent as can be advantageously used for military or naval
+ purposes, giving them reasonable wages for their labor.
+
+ "_Third._ That, as to both property, and persons of African
+ descent, accounts shall be kept sufficiently accurate and in detail
+ to show quantities and amounts, and from whom both property and
+ such persons shall have come, as a basis upon which compensation
+ can be made in proper cases; and the several departments of this
+ government shall attend to and perform their appropriate parts
+ toward the execution of these orders.
+
+ "By order of the President.
+
+ "EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War."
+
+And on the twenty-fifth of July, by proclamation, the President
+warned all persons to cease participating in aiding, countenancing,
+or abetting the rebellion, and to return to their allegiance, under
+penalty of the forfeitures and seizures provided by an act "to suppress
+insurrections, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate
+the property of rebels, and for other purposes," approved July 17th,
+1862.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
+
+ President's War Order--Reason for the same--Results in West and
+ South-west--Army of the Potomac--Presidential Orders--Letter
+ to McClellan--Order for Army Corps--The Issue of the Campaign--
+ Unfortunate Circumstances--President's Speech at Union Meeting--
+ Comments--Operations in Virginia and Maryland--In the West and
+ South-west.
+
+
+Early in 1862 appeared the following:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion, Washington_, January 27th, 1862.
+
+ [President's General War Order, No. 1.]
+
+ "ORDERED, That the 22d day of February, 1862, be the day for a
+ general movement of the land and naval forces of the United States
+ against the insurgent forces.
+
+ "That especially the Army at and about Fortress Monroe, the Army
+ of the Potomac, the Army of Western Virginia, the Army near
+ Mumfordsville, Kentucky, the Army and Flotilla at Cairo, and a
+ Naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, be ready for a movement on that
+ day.
+
+ "That all other forces, both land and naval, with their respective
+ commanders, obey existing orders for the time, and be ready to obey
+ additional orders when duly given.
+
+ "That the Heads of Departments, and especially the Secretaries
+ of War and of the Navy, with all their subordinates, and the
+ General-in-chief, with all other commanders and subordinates of
+ land and naval forces, will severally be held to their strict and
+ full responsibilities for the prompt execution of this order.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+In thus resuming whatever of his constitutional duties as
+Commander-in-chief of the army and navy might have been temporarily
+devolved upon others, and directing immediate and energetic aggressive
+measures, the President only acted as the exponent of the popular
+feeling, which had become manifest, of dissatisfaction at the
+apparently inexcusable want of action in military affairs.
+
+In the West and South-west followed the successful battle at Mill
+Spring, Kentucky; the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, compelling
+the evacuation of Nashville, and ridding Kentucky of any organized
+rebel force; the hardly contested, but successful battle of Pea Ridge,
+Arkansas, relieving Missouri, in a great degree; victory for our arms
+wrested from the jaws of defeat at Shiloh; and the occupation of New
+Orleans, giving control of the Mouth of the Mississippi.
+
+What at the East?--Roanoke Island.
+
+Touching the movements of the Army of the Potomac, to which the country
+looked so expectantly for grand results, efficiently officered,
+thoroughly disciplined, and splendidly equipped as it was known or
+supposed to be, the first difficulty was to fix upon a plan. For the
+purpose of leading the attention of its General to something like a
+definite decision however, the order of January 27th was succeeded by
+the following:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion, Washington_, January 31st, 1862.
+
+ "ORDERED, That all the disposable force of the Army of the
+ Potomac, after providing safely for the defence of Washington, be
+ formed into an expedition for the immediate object of seizing and
+ occupying a point upon the railroad south-westward of what is known
+ as Manassas Junction; all details to be in the discretion of the
+ Commander-in-chief, and the expedition to move before, or on the
+ twenty-second day of February next.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+General McClellan objecting to this movement and earnestly urging a
+plan of advance upon Richmond by the Lower Rappahannock with Urbana as
+a base, the President addressed him the following letter:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion, Washington_, February 3d, 1862.
+
+ "MY DEAR SIR:--You and I have distinct and different plans for
+ a movement of the Army of the Potomac; yours to be done by the
+ Chesapeake, up the Rappahannock to Urbana, and across land to the
+ terminus of the railroad on the York river; mine to move directly
+ to a point on the railroad south-west of Manassas.
+
+ "If you will give satisfactory answers to the following questions,
+ I shall gladly yield my plan to yours:
+
+ "First. Does not your plan involve a greatly larger expenditure of
+ _time_ and _money_ than mine?
+
+ "Second. Wherein is a victory _more certain_ by your plan than mine?
+
+ "Third. Wherein is a victory _more valuable_ by your plan than mine?
+
+ "Fourth. In fact, would it not be _less_ valuable in this that it
+ would break no great line of the enemy's communications, while mine
+ would?
+
+ "Fifth. In case of disaster, would not a retreat be more difficult
+ by your plan than mine?
+
+ "Yours, truly, A. LINCOLN.
+
+ "MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN."
+
+Which plain, practical questions were never directly answered.
+
+This army being without any organization into Army Corps, the
+President, on the 8th of March, as a movement was about to be made
+toward Manassas, issued a peremptory order to the Commanding General
+to attend forthwith to such organization, naming the Corps and their
+Commanders, according to seniority of rank.
+
+On the same day, the President, who had, against his own judgment,
+yielded the plan for an advance upon Richmond which should at the same
+time cover Washington, wise through experience, issued the following:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion, Washington_, March 8th, 1862.
+
+ "ORDERED. That no change of the base of operations of the Army of
+ the Potomac shall be made without leaving in and about Washington
+ such a force as, in the opinion of the General-in-chief and the
+ commanders of Army Corps, shall leave said city entirely secure.
+
+ "That no more than two Army Corps (about fifty thousand troops) of
+ said Army of the Potomac shall be moved _en route_ for a new base
+ of operations until the navigation of the Potomac, from Washington
+ to the Chesapeake Bay, shall be freed from the enemy's batteries,
+ and other obstructions, or until the President shall hereafter give
+ express permission.
+
+ "That any movement as aforesaid, _en route_ for a new base of
+ operations, which may be ordered by the General-in-chief, and
+ which may be intended to move upon Chesapeake Bay, shall begin to
+ move upon the bay as early as the 18th of March, instant, and the
+ General-in-chief shall be responsible that it moves as early as
+ that day.
+
+ "ORDERED, That the Army and Navy cooeperate in an immediate
+ effort to capture the enemy's batteries upon the Potomac between
+ Washington and the Chesapeake Bay.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General."
+
+Finally--after delays manifold, correspondence voluminous, discussions
+heated, and patience nearly worn threadbare--commenced that military
+movement, which has passed into history as the American Peninsular
+Campaign; by virtue of which, commencing about the middle of March,
+1862, a large body of finely disciplined troops--their numbers varying,
+according to various accounts, from one hundred thousand nine hundred
+and seventy, to one hundred and twenty-one thousand five hundred
+men--left Alexandria for Richmond, _via_ Yorktown, and succeeded, after
+sanguinary battles, swamp sickness, severe exposures, and terrible
+hardships, in returning (how many of them?) to Alexandria _via_
+Harrison's Landing, by about the middle of August, 1862.
+
+That campaign was the most disastrous drawback of the war, not merely
+in the loss of men, nor in the failure to reach the end aimed at, but
+mainly in its enervating effect upon the supporters of the Government.
+It was Bull Run over again, only immensely magnified, indefinitely
+prolonged. Fortune seemed determined never to favor our Eastern braves.
+
+Into the details of that campaign it is needless to enter here. Every
+schoolboy knows them by heart, so far as they are spread upon the
+record. Equally idle is it to attempt a criticism upon the campaign in
+a military point of view. That has been already done to a nauseating
+extent; yet will, doubtless, continue to be done while the reader lives.
+
+No details, nor military criticism therefore here. But that President
+Lincoln may fairly be presented in his relations to this campaign,
+certain observations must be made. And this is the place to make them.
+
+Conceding to General McClellan all the ability, patriotism, and bravery
+which have been claimed for him by his warmest admirers, there still
+remain some unfortunate circumstances connected with him, by reason of
+which--even though he, personally, were responsible for no single one
+of them--not all the ability, patriotism, and bravery of a Napoleon,
+Tell, and Bayard combined, could have secured in his person what this
+country needed for the rooting out of the great rebellion.
+
+It was unfortunate for him that, at the very outset--when so little was
+known of him, when he had done so little--sycophantic flatterers should
+have exalted him at once into a great military chieftain. Peculiarly
+unfortunate was this, considering that the changeable American people
+were to pass upon him and his actions--that people, in their relations
+to their leading men, with their "Hosannas" to-day and their "Crucify
+him's" to-morrow. The sequel of "going up like a rocket" is not
+generally supposed to be particularly agreeable.
+
+It was unfortunate for him that the opinion obtained, in the minds of
+many, impartial and competent to judge, that, in his case, caution had
+passed the bounds of prudence and run mad. There are emergencies when
+every thing must be risked that nothing be lost.
+
+It was unfortunate for him that he was made the especial pet of those
+individuals who were most clamorous against an Administration which,
+whatever its short comings, every candid man knew was earnestly intent
+upon ending the war upon such a basis as could alone, in its judgment,
+secure permanent peace. If a subordinate general could not agree with
+his superiors, or content himself with matters purely military, he
+should have declined to remain in the service.
+
+It was unfortunate for him that his especial friends sought, in print,
+and public speech, and private conversation, to create the impression
+that the President did not desire that he should succeed, owing
+to a fear that he might prove a formidable competitor at the next
+Presidential election. Peculiarly unfortunate, when one remembers that
+this President had, at the outbreak of the war, put at the head of
+three important military departments three of the most decided of his
+political opponents--Patterson, Butler, and McClellan--that no man ever
+occupied the Presidential chair, unless it be its first occupant, who
+had less selfishness and more disinterestedness in his composition than
+President Lincoln.
+
+It was unfortunate for him that such desperate efforts were made by
+his supporters to fasten the responsibility for admitted failures upon
+other parties. This began at Ball's Bluff, as has already been noted.
+The Secretary of War was dragged in, as well as the President, in
+connection with the Peninsular Campaign. As to this last, nothing more
+to the point can be adduced than the words of a man, whose honesty and
+truthfulness were known wherever he was known--Abraham Lincoln--in a
+characteristic speech made by him at a Union meeting in Washington,
+August 6th, 1862, when the issue of the campaign was certain:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I believe there is no precedent for my appearing
+ before you on this occasion; but it is also true that there is
+ no precedent for your being here yourselves, and I offer, in
+ justification of myself and of you, that, upon examination, I have
+ found nothing in the Constitution against it. I, however, have an
+ impression that there are younger gentlemen who will entertain you
+ better, and better address your understanding than I will or could,
+ and therefore I propose but to detain you a moment longer.
+
+ "I am very little inclined on any occasion to say any thing unless
+ I hope to produce some good by it. The only thing I think of just
+ now not likely to be better said by some one else is a matter
+ in which we have heard some other persons blamed for what I did
+ myself. There has been a very widespread attempt to have a quarrel
+ between General McClellan and the Secretary of War. Now, I occupy
+ a position that enables me to observe, that at least these two
+ gentlemen are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as some pretending
+ to be their friends. General McClellan's attitude is such that,
+ in the very selfishness of his nature, he cannot but wish to be
+ successful, and I hope he will--and the Secretary of War is in
+ precisely the same situation. If the military commanders in the
+ field cannot be successful, not only the Secretary of War, but
+ myself, for the time being the master of them both, can not be but
+ failures. I know that General McClellan wishes to be successful,
+ and I know he does not wish it any more than the Secretary of
+ War for him, and both of them together no more than I wish it.
+ Sometimes we have a dispute about how many men General McClellan
+ has had, and those who would disparage him say that he has had a
+ very large number, and those who would disparage the Secretary of
+ War insist that General McClellan has had a very small number.
+ The basis for this is, there is always a wide difference, and on
+ this occasion perhaps a wider one, between the grand total on
+ McClellan's rolls and the men actually fit for duty; and those who
+ would disparage him talk of the grand total on paper, and those who
+ would disparage the Secretary of War talk of those at present fit
+ for duty. General McClellan has sometimes asked for things that
+ the Secretary of War did not give him. General McClellan is not to
+ blame for asking what he wanted and needed, and the Secretary of
+ War is not to blame for not giving when he had none to give. And I
+ say here, as far as I know, the Secretary of War has withheld no
+ one thing at any time in my power to give him. I have no accusation
+ against him. I believe he is a brave and able man, and I stand
+ here, as justice requires me to do, to take upon myself what has
+ been charged on the Secretary of War, as withholding from him. I
+ have talked longer than I expected to, and now I avail myself of my
+ privilege of saying no more."
+
+It was unfortunate for him that the precedents were so numerous in
+American history for making a successful military man President. This
+must have embarrassed him no little, and tempted him into much of that
+correspondence which otherwise he would have avoided. Had it not been
+for these fatal precedents, he, assuredly, would not have leisurely
+seated himself at Harrison's Landing to write to the President a
+lengthy homily on affairs of State at a moment when it was doubtful
+whether he would long have an army of which he could be General in
+command.
+
+Finally, it was unfortunate for him that he had not, when learning to
+command, learned also to obey. This would have spared himself and the
+country and the cause several entirely superfluous inflictions.
+
+Whoever would form a correct estimate of President Lincoln's connection
+with the Peninsular campaign and its commander, must bear these facts
+in mind. Aside from all considerations of a purely military nature,
+they are indispensable in reaching an unbiassed decision.
+
+What dogged the heels of the unfortunate campaign must be briefly told.
+Vigorous orders from Pope, "headquarters in the saddle," turned into
+most melancholy bombast by his failure, occasioned either by want of
+brains or willful lack of cooeperation; a rebel invasion of Maryland;
+the battle of South Mountain gained under McClellan; Antietam, not the
+victory it might have been, for which a ream of reasons were given; the
+withdrawal of the rebels; Government hard at work urging McClellan to
+follow; supersedure of the latter by the President, who survived his
+cabinet in clinging to him; appointment of Burnside, much against his
+wishes; another defeat at Fredericksburg; and the Army of the Potomac
+in winter-quarters again.
+
+Such is the summary in the East for A. D. 1862.
+
+In the West, the year closed with the opening of the battle of
+Murfreesboro and Vicksburg still held out against all our attempts to
+take it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+FREEDOM TO MILLIONS.
+
+ Tribune Editorial--Letter to Mr. Greeley--Announcement of the
+ Emancipation Proclamation--Suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_
+ in certain cases--Order for Observance of the Sabbath--The
+ Emancipation Proclamation.
+
+
+An editorial article having appeared in the _New York Tribune_, in
+the month of August, 1862, in the form of a letter addressed to the
+President, severely criticising his action relative to the question
+of slavery--a letter written in ignorance of the fact that a definite
+policy had already been matured, which would be announced at a suitable
+moment--Mr. Lincoln responded as follows:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, Aug. 22, 1862.
+
+ HON. HORACE GREELEY--_Dear Sir_: I have just read yours of the
+ 19th, addressed to myself through the _New York Tribune_. If there
+ be in it any statements or assumptions of fact which I may know to
+ be erroneous, I do not now and here controvert them. If there be in
+ it any inference which I may believe to be falsely drawn, I do not
+ now and here argue against them. If there be perceptible in it an
+ impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old
+ friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right.
+
+ "As to the policy I 'seem to be pursuing,' as you say, I have not
+ meant to leave any one in doubt.
+
+ "I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the
+ Constitution. The sooner the National authority can be restored,
+ the nearer the Union will be 'the Union as it was.' If there be
+ those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same
+ time _save_ Slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those
+ who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time
+ _destroy_ Slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object
+ in this struggle _is_ to save the Union, and is _not_ either to
+ save or destroy Slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing
+ _any_ slave, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing _all_
+ the slaves, I would do it; and if I could do it by freeing some and
+ leaving others alone, I would also do that. What I do about Slavery
+ and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save this
+ Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do _not_ believe it
+ would help to save the Union. I shall do _less_ whenever I shall
+ believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do _more_
+ whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall
+ try to correct errors when shown to be errors; and I shall adopt
+ new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views. I have
+ here stated my purpose according to my view of _official_ duty, and
+ I intend no modification of my oft-expressed _personal_ wish that
+ all men, every where, could be free.
+
+ "Yours, A. LINCOLN."
+
+What that policy was, every manly heart learned with delight when the
+following Proclamation appeared, the most important state-paper ever
+penned by any American President:
+
+ "I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States of America,
+ and Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy thereof, do hereby
+ proclaim and declare, that hereafter, as heretofore, the war
+ will be prosecuted for the object of practically restoring the
+ constitutional relation between the United States and the people
+ thereof, in those States in which that relation is, or may be,
+ suspended or disturbed; that it is my purpose, upon the next
+ meeting of Congress, to again recommend the adoption of a practical
+ measure tendering pecuniary aid to the free acceptance or rejection
+ of all the Slave States, so-called, the people whereof may not
+ then be in rebellion against the United States, and which States
+ may then have voluntarily adopted, or thereafter may voluntarily
+ adopt, the immediate or gradual abolishment of slavery within
+ their respective limits, and that the effort to colonize persons
+ of African descent, with their consent, upon the continent or
+ elsewhere, with the previously obtained consent of the government
+ existing there, will be continued; that on the first day of
+ January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
+ sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State, or any
+ designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in
+ rebellion against the United States, SHALL BE THEN, THENCEFORWARD
+ AND FOREVER, FREE, and the Executive Government of the United
+ States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will
+ recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no
+ act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts
+ they may make for their actual freedom; that the Executive will, on
+ the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the
+ States, and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof
+ respectively shall be in rebellion against the United States; and
+ the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day
+ be in good faith represented in the Congress of the United States
+ by members chosen thereto, at elections wherein a majority of the
+ qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall,
+ in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed
+ conclusive evidence that such State and the people thereof have not
+ been in rebellion against the United States.
+
+ "That attention is hereby called to an act of Congress, entitled,
+ 'An act to make an additional article of war,' approved March 13,
+ 1862, and which act is in the words and figures following:
+
+ "'_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
+ United States of America, in Congress assembled_, That hereafter
+ the following shall be promulgated as an additional Article of War
+ for the government of the Army of the United States, and shall be
+ observed and obeyed as such.
+
+ "'_Article --._ All officers or persons of the military or naval
+ service of the United States, are prohibited from employing any
+ of the forces under their respective commands for the purpose of
+ returning fugitives from service or labor who may have escaped from
+ any persons to whom such service or labor is claimed to be due;
+ and any officer who shall be found guilty by a court-martial of
+ violating this article shall be dismissed from the service.
+
+ "'_Section 2._ And be it further enacted, That this act shall take
+ effect from and after its passage.'
+
+ "Also to the ninth and tenth sections of an act entitled, 'An act
+ to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to
+ seize and confiscate property of rebels, and for other purposes,'
+ approved July 17, 1862, and which sections are in the words and
+ figures following:
+
+ "'_Section 9._ And be it further enacted, That all slaves of
+ persons who shall hereafter be engaged in rebellion against the
+ government of the United States, or who shall in any way give aid
+ or comfort thereto, escaping from such persons and taking refuge
+ within the lines of the army; and all slaves captured from such
+ persons or deserted by them, and coming under the control of the
+ government of the United States, and all slaves of such persons
+ found on (or being within) any place occupied by rebel forces and
+ afterwards occupied by the forces of the United States, shall
+ be deemed captives of war, and shall be forever free of their
+ servitude, and not again held as slaves.
+
+ "_Section 10._ And be it further enacted, That no slave escaping
+ into any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia, from any
+ of the States, shall be delivered up, or in any way impeded or
+ hindered of his liberty, except for crime, or some offence against
+ the laws, unless the person claiming said fugitive shall first make
+ oath that the person to whom the labor or service of such fugitive
+ is alleged to be due, is his lawful owner, and has not been in
+ arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in
+ any way given aid and comfort thereto; and no person engaged in
+ the military or naval service of the United States shall, under
+ any pretence whatever, assume to decide on the validity of the
+ claim of any person to the service or labor of any other person,
+ or surrender up any such person to the claimant, on pain of being
+ dismissed from the service.
+
+ "And I do hereby enjoin upon, and order all persons engaged in the
+ military and naval service of the United States to observe, obey
+ and enforce within their respective spheres of service, the act and
+ sections above recited.
+
+ "And the executive will in due time recommend that all citizens of
+ the United States who shall have remained loyal thereto throughout
+ the rebellion, shall (upon the restoration of the constitutional
+ relation between the United States and their respective States and
+ people, if the relation shall have been suspended or disturbed) be
+ compensated for all losses by acts of the United States, including
+ the loss of slaves.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this twenty-second day of
+ September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
+ and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States the
+ eighty-seventh.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+This herald of freedom to millions was, of course, intensely disliked
+by those who omitted no opportunity to cavil at the Administration. As
+efforts were making--not entirely without success--to embarrass the
+Government in securing the necessary reinforcements for the army, and
+certain lewd fellows of the baser sort holding themselves in readiness
+to take advantage of the bitter prejudices existing in the minds of
+a portion of the people against the negroes among us, the following
+proclamation was issued two days later, that no one might plead
+ignorance of results, if such treasonable practices should be persisted
+in:
+
+ "WHEREAS, It has become necessary to call into service, not only
+ volunteers, but also portions of the militia of the States by
+ draft, in order to suppress the insurrection existing in the United
+ States, and disloyal persons are not adequately restrained by the
+ ordinary processes of law from hindering this measure, and from
+ giving aid and comfort in various ways to the insurrection:
+
+ "Now, therefore, be it ordered:
+
+ "_First._ That during the existing insurrection, and as a necessary
+ measure for suppressing the same, all rebels and insurgents, their
+ aiders and abettors, within the United States, and all persons
+ discouraging volunteer enlistments, resisting militia drafts,
+ or guilty of any disloyal practice affording aid and comfort to
+ the rebels against the authority of the United States, shall be
+ subject to martial law, and liable to trial and punishment by
+ courts-martial or military commission.
+
+ "_Third._ That the writ of _habeas corpus_ is suspended in respect
+ to all persons arrested, or who are now, or hereafter during the
+ rebellion shall be imprisoned in any fort, camp, arsenal, military
+ prison, or other place of confinement, by any military authority or
+ by the sentence of any court-martial or military commission.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this twenty-fourth day of
+ September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred
+ and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States the
+ eighty-seventh.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+It would be paying but a poor compliment to the sagacity which prompted
+this proclamation, if one were not obliged to say that it was
+exceedingly distasteful to many. Truth, however, compels us to add that
+the evils aimed at ceased, to a very great extent, shortly after its
+appearance.
+
+The following order, issued November 16th, 1862, is but one among the
+many evidences of that deep and earnest reverence for Christianity
+which formed a noticeable feature, not only in most of Mr. Lincoln's
+official papers, but also in the character of the man:
+
+ "The President, Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, desires
+ and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sabbath, by the officers
+ and men in the military and naval service. The importance, for man
+ and beast, of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of
+ Christian soldiers and sailors, a becoming deference to the best
+ sentiment of a Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine
+ will, demand that Sunday labor in the army and navy be reduced to
+ the measure of strict necessity.
+
+ "The discipline and character of the National forces should not
+ suffer, nor the cause they defend be imperiled, by the profanation
+ of the day or name of the Most High. 'At this time of public
+ distress,' adopting the words of Washington in 1776, 'men may find
+ enough to do in the service of God and their country, without
+ abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.' The first general
+ order issued by the Father of his Country, after the Declaration of
+ Independence, indicates the spirit in which our institutions were
+ founded and should ever be defended: 'The General hopes and trusts
+ that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes
+ a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of
+ his country.'
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+On the 1st day of January, 1863, appeared that proclamation which was
+to supplement that of September 22d, 1862, crowning with complete
+fullness that great work and giving it health and being:
+
+ "WHEREAS, On the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our
+ Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was
+ issued by the President of the United States, containing, among
+ other things, the following, to wit:
+
+ "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one
+ thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves
+ within any State, or any designated part of a State the people
+ whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall
+ be thenceforward and forever free, and the Executive Government
+ of the United States, including the military and naval authority
+ thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons,
+ and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them,
+ in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.
+
+ "That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by
+ proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in
+ which the people thereof respectively shall then be in rebellion
+ against the United States, and the fact that any State, or the
+ people thereof, shall on that day be in good faith represented
+ in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto
+ at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such
+ State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong
+ countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such
+ State and the people thereof are not then in rebellion against the
+ United States.
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-chief
+ of the Army and Navy of the United States, in time of actual armed
+ rebellion against the authority and Government of the United
+ States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for repressing said
+ rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our
+ Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance
+ with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed for the full period
+ of one hundred days from the day of the first above-mentioned
+ order designate, as the States and parts of States wherein the
+ people thereof respectively are this day in rebellion against the
+ United States, the following, to wit: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana,
+ except the parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St.
+ John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terre Bonne,
+ Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the city
+ of New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South
+ Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, except the forty-eight
+ counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of
+ Berkeley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann,
+ and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and
+ which excepted parts are, for the present, left precisely as if
+ this proclamation were not issued.
+
+ "And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do
+ order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said
+ designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward
+ shall be free; and that the Executive Government of the United
+ States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will
+ recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.
+
+ "And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, to
+ abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence, and
+ I recommend to them, that in all cases, when allowed, they labor
+ faithfully for reasonable wages.
+
+ "And I further declare and make known that such persons of suitable
+ condition will be received into the armed service of the United
+ States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places,
+ and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.
+
+ "And upon this, sincerely believed to be an act of justice,
+ warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke
+ the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of
+ Almighty God.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the city of Washington, this first day of January, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of
+ the Independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+LAST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.
+
+ Situation of the Country--Opposition to the Administration--
+ President's Message.
+
+
+Dark days for the friends of freedom in this country were those at
+the close of 1862. Prior to the autumn of that year the elections
+had shown a popular indorsement of the acts of the Administration.
+Then came a change. The three leading States--New York, Ohio, and
+Pennsylvania--through manifestations and misrepresentations which it is
+unnecessary here to detail, had been induced to give majorities against
+the Government. Not the least singular of the many remarkable instances
+of inconsistency which our political annals afford, was furnished in
+the State first-named, which had actually elected a "Peace" man as its
+Governor, on the platform of "a more vigorous prosecution of the war."
+
+The failure of the Peninsular Campaign was charged upon the President.
+The war, it was asserted, had been perverted from its original purpose.
+It was no longer waged to preserve the Union, but to free the slave;
+or, in the more elegant phraseology of the day, it had become "a nigger
+war." With the ignorant and unthinking such statements passed as
+truths.
+
+The number of those who, never having invested any principle in the
+struggle, had become tired of the war, had largely increased. The
+expectation of a draft--or a "conscription," as it better suited the
+objects of the disaffected to term it--which was passed at the next
+session of Congress, made the lukewarm love of many to wax cold.
+
+Newspapers and stump-speakers had the hardihood to demand peace upon
+any terms. It was even claimed that an opposition majority had been
+secured in the lower House of the next Congress. Their representatives
+in the Congress of 1862 began to re-assume those airs of insolence and
+defiance which they had previously found it convenient to lay aside for
+the time.
+
+Dark days, indeed, when the Thirty-seventh Congress assembled for its
+last session, on the 1st of December, 1862.
+
+Yet there was one who never faltered in purpose, however discouraging
+the prospect; one, who, assured that he was right, was determined
+to follow the right, wherever it might lead him. And, though his
+careworn expression and anxious look told plainly how the fearful
+responsibilities of his office weighed upon him, he had ever a cheerful
+word, a happy illustration, a kindly smile, or a look of sympathy for
+those with whom he came in contact.
+
+ * * * * *
+
+The essential portions of his Annual Message on this occasion are given
+below:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--Since
+ your last annual assembling, another year of health and bountiful
+ harvests has passed. And, while it has not pleased the Almighty to
+ bless us with a return of peace, we can but press on, guided by the
+ best light He gives us, trusting that, in His own good time and
+ wise way, all will yet be well....
+
+ "If the condition of our relations with other nations is less
+ gratifying than it has usually been at former periods, it is
+ certainly more satisfactory than a nation so unhappily distracted
+ as we are, might reasonably have apprehended. In the month of June
+ last there were some grounds to expect that the maritime powers
+ which, at the beginning of our domestic difficulties, so unwisely
+ and unnecessarily, as we think, recognized the insurgents as a
+ belligerent, would soon recede from that position, which has proved
+ only less injurious to themselves than to our own country. But the
+ temporary reverses which afterward befell the National arms, and
+ which were exaggerated by our own disloyal citizens abroad, have
+ hitherto delayed that act of simple justice.
+
+ "The civil war, which has so radically changed, for the moment,
+ the occupations and habits of the American people, has necessarily
+ disturbed the social condition, and affected very deeply the
+ prosperity of the nations with which we have carried on a commerce
+ that has been steadily increasing throughout a period of half a
+ century. It has, at the same time, excited political ambitions and
+ apprehensions which have produced a profound agitation throughout
+ the civilized world. In this unusual agitation we have forborne
+ from taking part in any controversy between foreign States, and
+ between parties or factions in such States. We have attempted
+ no propagandism, and acknowledged no revolution. But we have
+ left to every nation the exclusive conduct and management of its
+ own affairs. Our struggle has been, of course, contemplated by
+ foreign nations with reference less to its own merits, than to its
+ supposed, and often exaggerated, effects and consequences resulting
+ to those nations themselves. Nevertheless, complaint on the part of
+ this Government, even if it were just, would certainly be unwise.
+
+ "The treaty with Great Britain for the suppression of the
+ slave-trade, has been put into operation, with a good prospect
+ of complete success. It is an occasion of special pleasure to
+ acknowledge that the execution of it, on the part of Her Majesty's
+ Government, has been marked with a jealous respect for the
+ authority of the United States, and the rights of their moral and
+ loyal citizens....
+
+ "Applications have been made to me by many free Americans of
+ African descent to favor their emigration, with a view to such
+ colonization, as was contemplated in recent acts of Congress. Other
+ parties, at home and abroad--some from interested motives, others
+ upon patriotic considerations, and still others influenced by
+ philanthropic sentiments--have suggested similar measures; while,
+ on the other hand, several of the Spanish-American republics have
+ protested against the sending of such colonies to their respective
+ territories. Under these circumstances I have declined to move
+ any such colony to any State, without first obtaining the consent
+ of its Government, with an agreement on its part to receive and
+ protect such emigrants in all the rights of freemen; and I have,
+ at the same time, offered to the several States situated within
+ the tropics, or having colonies there, to negotiate with them,
+ subject to the advice and consent of the Senate, to favor the
+ voluntary emigration of persons of that class to their respective
+ territories, upon conditions which shall be equal, just, and
+ humane. Liberia and Hayti are, as yet, the only countries to which
+ colonists of African descent from here, could go with certainty of
+ being received and adopted as citizens; and I regret to say such
+ persons, contemplating colonization, do not seem so willing to
+ migrate to those countries, as to some others, nor so willing as
+ I think their interest demands. I believe, however, opinion among
+ them in this respect is improving; and that, ere long, there will
+ be an augmented and considerable migration to both these countries,
+ from the United States....
+
+ "I have favored the project for connecting the United States with
+ Europe by an Atlantic telegraph, and a similar project to extend
+ the telegraph from San Francisco, to connect by a Pacific telegraph
+ with the line which is being extended across the Russian Empire.
+
+ "The Territories of the United States, with unimportant exceptions,
+ have remained undisturbed by the civil war; and they are exhibiting
+ such evidence of prosperity as justifies an expectation that some
+ of them will soon be in a condition to be organized as States, and
+ be constitutionally admitted into the Federal Union.
+
+ "The immense mineral resources of some of those territories
+ ought to be developed as rapidly as possible. Every step in
+ that direction would have a tendency to improve the revenues of
+ the Government, and diminish the burdens of the people. It is
+ worthy of your serious consideration whether some extraordinary
+ measures to promote that end can not be adopted. The means which
+ suggests itself as most likely to be effective, is a scientific
+ exploration of the mineral regions in those Territories, with a
+ view to the publication of its results at home and in foreign
+ countries--results which can not fail to be auspicious.
+
+ "The condition of the finances will claim your most diligent
+ consideration. The vast expenditures incident to the military and
+ naval operations required for the suppression of the rebellion,
+ have hitherto been met with a promptitude and certainty unusual
+ in similar circumstances; and the public credit has been fully
+ maintained. The continuance of the war, however, and the increased
+ disbursements made necessary by the augmented forces now in the
+ field, demand your best reflections as to the best modes of
+ providing the necessary revenue, without injury to business, and
+ with the least possible burdens upon labor.
+
+ "The suspension of specie payments by the banks, soon after the
+ commencement of your last session, made large issues of United
+ States notes unavoidable. In no other way could the payment of
+ the troops, and the satisfaction of other just demands, be so
+ economically or so well provided for. The judicious legislation of
+ Congress, securing the receivability of these notes for loans and
+ internal duties, and making them a legal tender for other debts,
+ has made them a universal currency; and has satisfied, partially
+ at least, and for the time, the long felt want of an uniform
+ circulating medium, saving thereby to the people immense sums in
+ discounts and exchanges.
+
+ "A return to specie payments, however, at the earliest period
+ compatible with due regard to all interests concerned, should ever
+ be kept in view. Fluctuations in the value of currency are always
+ injurious, and to reduce these fluctuations to the lowest possible
+ point, will always be a leading purpose in wise legislation.
+ Convertibility, prompt and certain convertibility into coin, is
+ generally acknowledged to be the best and the surest safeguard
+ against them; and it is extremely doubtful whether a circulation of
+ United States notes, payable in coin, and sufficiently large for
+ the wants of the people, can be permanently, usefully and safely
+ maintained.
+
+ "Is there, then, any other mode in which the necessary provision
+ for the public wants can be made, and the great advantages of a
+ safe and uniform currency secured?
+
+ "I know of none which promises so certain results, and is, at the
+ same time, so unobjectionable, as the organization of banking
+ associations, under a general Act of Congress, well guarded
+ in its provisions. To such associations the Government might
+ furnish circulating notes, on the security of the United States
+ bonds deposited in the treasury. These notes, prepared under the
+ supervision of proper officers, being uniform in appearance and
+ security, and convertible always into coin, would at once protect
+ labor against the evils of a vicious currency, and facilitate
+ commerce by cheap and safe exchanges.
+
+ "A moderate reservation from the interest on the bonds would
+ compensate the United States for the preparation and distribution
+ of the notes, and a general supervision of the system, and would
+ lighten the burden of that part of the public debt employed
+ as securities. The public credit, moreover, would be greatly
+ improved, and the negotiation of new loans greatly facilitated by
+ the steady market demand for Government bonds which the adoption of
+ the proposed system would create.
+
+ "It is an additional recommendation of the measure of considerable
+ weight, in my judgment, that it would reconcile as far as possible,
+ all existing interests, by the opportunity offered to existing
+ institutions to reoerganize under the act, substituting only the
+ secured uniform national circulation for the local and various
+ circulation, secured and unsecured, now issued by them.
+
+ "The receipts into the treasury, from all sources, including loans,
+ and balance from the preceding year, for the fiscal year ending on
+ the 30th June, 1862, were $583,885,247 06, of which sum $49,056,397
+ 62 were derived from customs $1,795,331 73 from the direct tax;
+ from public lands, $152,203 77; from miscellaneous sources,
+ $931,787 64 from loans in all forms, $529,692,460 50. The remainder
+ $2,257,065 80, was the balance from last year.
+
+ "The disbursements during the same period were for Congressional,
+ Executive, and Judicial purposes, $5,939,009 29; for foreign
+ intercourse, $1,339,710 35; for miscellaneous expenses, including
+ the mints, loans, post office deficiencies, collection of revenue,
+ and other like charges, $14,129,771 50; for expenses under the
+ Interior Department, $3,102,985 52; under the War Department,
+ $394,368,407 36; under the Navy Department, $42,674,569 69; for
+ interest on public debt, $13,190,324 45; and for payment of public
+ debt, including reimbursement of temporary loan, and redemptions
+ $96,096,922 09; making an aggregate of $570,841,700 25, and leaving
+ a balance in the treasury on the first day of July, 1862, of
+ $13,043,546 81.
+
+ "It should be observed that the sum of $96,096,922 09, expended for
+ reimbursements and redemption of public debt, being included also
+ in the loans made, may be properly deducted, both from receipts
+ and expenditures, leaving the actual receipts for the year,
+ $487,788,324 97; and the expenditures $474,744,778 16....
+
+ "On the 22d day of September last a proclamation was issued by the
+ Executive, a copy of which is herewith submitted.
+
+ "In accordance with the purpose expressed in the second paragraph
+ of that paper, I now respectfully call your attention to what may
+ be called 'compensated emancipation.'
+
+ "A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people
+ and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain
+ durability. 'One generation passeth away and another generation
+ cometh, but the earth abideth forever.' It is of the first
+ importance to duly consider, and estimate, this ever-enduring part.
+ That portion of the earth's surface which is owned and inhabited by
+ the people of the United States, is well adapted to be the home of
+ one national family; and it is not well adapted for two or more.
+ Its vast extent, and its variety of climate and productions, are
+ of advantage, in this age, for one people, whatever they might
+ have been in former ages. Steam, telegraphs and intelligence have
+ brought these to be an advantageous combination for one united
+ people.
+
+ "In the inaugural address I briefly pointed out the total
+ inadequacy of disunion, as a remedy for the differences between the
+ people of the two sections. I did so in language which I can not
+ improve, and which, therefore, I beg to repeat:
+
+ "'One section of our country believes Slavery is _right_, and
+ ought to be extended, while the other believes it is _wrong_ and
+ ought not to be extended. This is the only substantial dispute.
+ The fugitive slave clause of the Constitution, and the law for the
+ suppression of the foreign slave-trade, are each as well enforced,
+ perhaps, as any law can ever be in a community where the moral
+ sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself. The great
+ body of the people abide by the dry legal obligation in both
+ cases, and a few break over in each. This, I think, can not be
+ perfectly cured; and it would be worse in both cases _after_ the
+ separation of the sections, than before. The foreign slave-trade,
+ now imperfectly suppressed, would be ultimately revived without
+ restriction in one section; while fugitive slaves, now only
+ partially surrendered, would not be surrendered at all by the other.
+
+ "'Physically speaking, we can not separate. We can not remove our
+ respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall
+ between them. A husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of the
+ presence, and beyond the reach of each other; but the different
+ parts of our country can not do this. They cannot but remain face
+ to face; and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue
+ between them. Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse
+ more advantageous, or more satisfactory, _after_ separation than
+ _before_? Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make
+ laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens,
+ than laws can among friends? Suppose you go to war, you can not
+ fight always; and when, after much loss on both sides, and no gain
+ on either, you cease fighting, the identical old questions, as to
+ terms of intercourse, are again upon you.
+
+ "'There is no line, straight or crooked, suitable for a National
+ boundary, upon which to divide. Trace through, from east to west,
+ upon the line between the free and slave country, and we shall
+ find a little more than one-third of its length are rivers, easy
+ to be crossed, and populated, or soon to be populated, thickly,
+ upon both sides; while nearly all its remaining length are merely
+ surveyors' lines, over which people may walk back and forth without
+ any consciousness of their presence. No part of this line can be
+ made any more difficult to pass, by writing it down on paper, or
+ parchment, as a national boundary. The fact of separation, if it
+ comes, gives up, on the part of the seceding, the fugitive slave
+ clause, along with all other constitutional obligations upon the
+ section seceded from, while I should expect no treaty stipulation
+ would ever be made to take its place.
+
+ "But there is another difficulty. The great interior region,
+ bounded east by the Alleghanies, north by the British Dominions,
+ west by the Rocky Mountains, and south by the line along which
+ the culture of corn and cotton meets, and which includes part
+ of Virginia, part of Tennessee, all of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana,
+ Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota,
+ and The territories of Dakota, Nebraska, and part of Colorado,
+ already has above ten millions of people, and will have fifty
+ million within fifty years, if not prevented by any political folly
+ or mistake. It contains more than one-third of the country owned
+ by the United States--certainly more than one million of square
+ miles. Once half as populous as Massachusetts already is, it would
+ have more than seventy-five millions of people. A glance at the
+ map shows that, territorially speaking, it is the great body of
+ the Republic. The other parts are but marginal borders to it; the
+ magnificent region sloping west from the Rocky Mountains to the
+ Pacific, being the deepest, and also the richest, in undeveloped
+ resources. In the production of provisions, grains, grasses,
+ and all which proceed from them, this great interior region is
+ naturally one of the most important in the world. Ascertain from
+ the statistics the small proportion of the region which has, as
+ yet, been brought into cultivation, and also the large and rapidly
+ increasing amount of its products, and we shall be overwhelmed with
+ the magnitude of the prospect presented. And yet this region has no
+ sea-coast, touches no ocean any where. As part of one nation, its
+ people now find, and may forever find, their way to Europe by New
+ York, to South America and Africa by New Orleans, and to Asia by
+ San Francisco. But separate our common country into two nations,
+ as designed by the present rebellion, and every man of this great
+ interior region is thereby cut off from some one or more of these
+ outlets, not, perhaps, by a physical barrier, but by embarrassing
+ and onerous trade regulations.
+
+ "And this is true, _wherever_ a dividing or boundary line may be
+ fixed. Place it between the now free and slave country, or place it
+ south of Kentucky, or north of Ohio, and still the truth remains,
+ that none south of it can trade to any port or place north of
+ it, and none north of it can trade to any port or place south of
+ it, except upon terms dictated by a government foreign to them.
+ These outlets, east, west, and south, are indispensable to the
+ well-being of the people inhabiting, and to inhabit, this vast
+ interior region. _Which_ of the three may be the best, is no proper
+ question. All are better than either; and all, of right, belong to
+ that people, and to their successors forever. True to themselves,
+ they will not ask _where_ a line of separation shall be, but will
+ vow, rather, that there shall be no such line. Nor are the marginal
+ regions less interested in these communications to, and through
+ them, to the great outside world. They, too, and each of them, must
+ have access to this Egypt of the West, without paying toll at the
+ crossing of any National boundary.
+
+ "Our National strife springs not from our permanent part; not from
+ the land we inhabit; not from our National homestead. There is no
+ possible severing of this, but would multiply, and not mitigate,
+ evils among us. In all its adaptations and aptitudes, it demands
+ union, and abhors separation. In fact it would, ere long, force
+ reunion, however much of blood and treasure the separation might
+ have cost.
+
+ "Our strife pertains to ourselves--to the passing generations of
+ men; and it can, without convulsion, be hushed forever with the
+ passing of one generation.
+
+ "In this view, I recommend the adoption of the following resolution
+ and articles amendatory to the Constitution of the United States:
+
+ "_Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
+ States of America in Congress assembled_, (two-thirds of both
+ Houses concurring,) That the following articles be proposed to the
+ Legislatures (or conventions) of the several States as amendments
+ to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which
+ articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures
+ (or conventions), to be valid as part or parts of the said
+ Constitution, viz.:
+
+ "_Article --._ Every State, wherein Slavery now exists, which shall
+ abolish the same therein, at any time, or times, before the first
+ day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand and nine
+ hundred, shall receive compensation from the United States as
+ follows, to wit:
+
+ "The President of the United States shall deliver, to every such
+ States, bonds of the United States, bearing interest at the rate
+ of ---- per cent. per annum, to an amount equal to the aggregate
+ sum of ---- for each slave shown to have been therein, by the
+ eighth census of the United States, said bonds to be delivered to
+ such State by installments, or in one parcel, at the completion of
+ the abolishment, accordingly as the same shall have been gradual,
+ or at one time, within such State; and interest shall begin to
+ run upon any such bond, only from the proper time of its delivery
+ as aforesaid. Any State, having received bonds as aforesaid, and
+ afterward re-introducing or tolerating slavery therein, shall
+ refund to the United States the bonds so received, or the value
+ thereof, and all interest paid thereon.
+
+ "_Article --._ All slaves who shall have enjoyed actual freedom
+ by the chances of the war, at any time before the end of the
+ rebellion, shall be forever free; but all owners of such, who shall
+ not have been disloyal, shall be compensated for them, at the same
+ rates as is provided for States adopting abolishment of slavery,
+ but in such way, that no slave shall be twice accounted for.
+
+ "_Article --._ Congress may appropriate money, and otherwise
+ provide for colonizing free colored persons, with their own
+ consent, at any place or places without the United States.
+
+ "I beg indulgence to discuss these proposed articles at some
+ length. Without slavery, the rebellion could never have existed;
+ without slavery, it could not continue.
+
+ "Among the friends of the Union, there is great diversity of
+ sentiment, and of policy, in regard to slavery, and the African
+ race among us. Some would perpetuate slavery; some would abolish
+ it suddenly, and without compensation; some would abolish it
+ gradually, and with compensation; some would remove the freed
+ people from us, and some would retain them with us; and there are
+ yet other minor diversities. Because of these diversities, we waste
+ much strength in struggles among ourselves. By mutual concession we
+ should harmonize, and act together. This would be compromise; but
+ it would be compromise among the friends, and not with the enemies
+ of the Union. These articles are intended to embody a plan of such
+ mutual concessions. If the plan shall be adopted, it is assumed
+ that emancipation will follow, at least in several of the States.
+
+ "As to the first article, the main points are: first, the
+ emancipation; secondly, the length of time for consummating
+ it--thirty-seven years; and thirdly, the compensation.
+
+ "The emancipation will be unsatisfactory to the advocates of
+ perpetual slavery; but the length of time should greatly mitigate
+ their dissatisfaction. The time spares both races from the
+ evils of sudden derangement--in fact, from the necessity of any
+ derangement--while most of those whose habitual course of thought
+ will be disturbed by the measure, will have passed away before its
+ consummation. They will never see it. Another class will hail the
+ prospect of emancipation, but will deprecate the length of time.
+ They will feel that it gives too little to the now living slaves.
+ But it really gives them much. It saves them from the vagrant
+ destitution which must largely attend immediate emancipation in
+ localities where their numbers are very great; and it gives the
+ inspiring assurance that their posterity shall be free forever. The
+ plan leaves to each State, choosing to act under it, to abolish
+ slavery now, or at the end of the century, or at any intermediate
+ time, or by degrees extending over the whole or any part of the
+ period; and it obliges no two States to proceed alike. It also
+ provides for compensation, and, generally, the mode of making it.
+ This, it would seem, must further mitigate the dissatisfaction of
+ those who favor perpetual slavery, and especially of those who
+ are to receive the compensation. Doubtless, some of those who are
+ to pay, and not to receive, will object. Yet the measure is both
+ just and economical. In a certain sense, the liberation of slaves
+ is the destruction of property--property acquired by descent, or
+ by purchase, the same as any other property. It is no less true
+ for having been often said, that the people of the South are not
+ more responsible for the original introduction of this property,
+ than are the people of the North; and when it is remembered how
+ unhesitatingly we all use cotton and sugar and share the profits of
+ dealing in them, it may not be quite safe to say, that the South
+ has been more responsible than the North for its continuance. If,
+ then, for a common object, this property is to be sacrificed, is it
+ not just that it be done at a common charge?
+
+ "And if, with less money, or money more easily paid, we can
+ preserve the benefits of the Union by this means, than we can by
+ the war alone, is it not also economical to do it? Let us consider
+ it then. Let us ascertain the sum we have expended in the war since
+ compensated emancipation was proposed last March, and consider
+ whether, if that measure had been promptly accepted, by even some
+ of the slave States, the same sum would not have done more to close
+ the war, than has been otherwise done. If so, the measure would
+ save money, and, in that view, would be a prudent and economical
+ measure. Certainly it is not so easy to pay _something_ as it is
+ to pay _nothing_; but it is easier to pay a _large_ sum, than it
+ is to pay a _larger_ one. And it is easier to pay any sum _when_
+ we are able, than it is to pay it _before_ we are able. The war
+ requires large sums, and requires them at once. The aggregate
+ sum necessary for compensated emancipation, of course, would be
+ large. But it would require no ready cash; nor the bonds even,
+ any faster than the emancipation progresses. This might not, and
+ probably would not, close before the end of the thirty-seven
+ years. At that time we shall probably have a hundred millions of
+ people to share the burden, instead of thirty-one millions, as
+ now. And not only so, but the increase of our population may be
+ expected to continue for a long time after that period, as rapidly
+ as before; because our territory will not have become full. I do
+ not state this inconsiderately. At the same ratio of increase
+ which we have maintained, on an average, from our first National
+ census, in 1790, until that of 1860, we should, in 1900, have a
+ population of one hundred and three million, two hundred and eight
+ thousand, four hundred and fifteen. And why may we not continue
+ that ratio far beyond that period? Our abundant room--our broad
+ National homestead--is our ample resource. Were our territory as
+ limited as are the British Isles, very certainly our population
+ could not expand as stated. Instead of receiving the foreign born,
+ as now, we should be compelled to send part of the native born
+ away. But such is not our condition. We have two millions nine
+ hundred and sixty-three thousand square miles. Europe has three
+ millions and eight hundred thousand, with a population averaging
+ seventy-three and one-third persons to the square mile. Why may not
+ our country, at some time, average as many? Is it less fertile? Has
+ it more waste surface, by mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, or
+ other causes? Is it inferior to Europe in any natural advantage?
+ If, then, we are, at some time, to be as populous as Europe, how
+ soon? As to when this _may_ be, we can judge by the past and the
+ present, as to when it _will_ be, if ever, depends much on whether
+ we maintain the Union. Several of our States are already above the
+ average of Europe--seventy-three and a third to the square mile.
+ Massachusetts has one hundred and fifty-seven; Rhode Island, one
+ hundred and thirty-three; Connecticut, ninety-nine; New York and
+ New Jersey, each, eighty. Also two other great States, Pennsylvania
+ and Ohio, are not far below, the former having sixty-three and the
+ latter fifty-nine. The States already above the European average,
+ except New York, have increased in as rapid a ratio, since passing
+ that point, as ever before; while no one of them is equal to some
+ other parts of our country, in natural capacity for sustaining a
+ dense population.
+
+ "Taking the nation in the aggregate, and we find its population
+ and ratio of increase, for the several decennial periods, to be as
+ follows:
+
+ 1790 3,929,827
+ 1800 5,305,937 35.02 per cent. ratio of increase
+ 1810 7,239,814 36.45 " "
+ 1820 9,638,131 33.13 " "
+ 1830 12,866,020 33.49 " "
+ 1840 17,069,453 32.67 " "
+ 1850 23,191,876 35.87 " "
+ 1860 31,443,790 35.58 " "
+
+ "This shows an average decennial increase of 34.60 per cent. in
+ population through the seventy years from our first to our last
+ census yet taken. It is seen that the ratio of increase, at one
+ of these seven periods, is either two per cent. below, or two
+ per cent. above, the average, thus showing how inflexible, and,
+ consequently, how reliable, the law of increase, in our case is.
+ Assuming that it will continue, gives the following results:
+
+ 1870 42,423,341
+ 1880 56,967,216
+ 1890 76,677,872
+ 1900 103,208,415
+ 1910 138,918,526
+ 1920 186,984,335
+ 1930 251,680,914
+
+ "These figures show that our country _may_ be as populous as Europe
+ now is, at some point between 1920 and 1930--say about 1925--our
+ territory, at seventy-three and a third persons to the square mile,
+ being the capacity to contain 217,186,000.
+
+ "And we _will_ reach this, too, if we do not ourselves relinquish
+ the chance, by the folly and evil of disunion, or by long and
+ exhausting war, springing from the only great element of National
+ discord among us. While it can not be foreseen exactly how much one
+ huge example of secession, breeding lesser ones indefinitely, would
+ retard population, civilization, and prosperity, no one can doubt
+ that the extent of it would be very great and injurious.
+
+ "The proposed emancipation would shorten the war, perpetuate peace,
+ insure this increase of population, and proportionately the wealth
+ of the country. With these, we should pay all the emancipation
+ would cost, together with our other debt, easier than we should
+ pay our other debt, without it. If we had allowed our old National
+ debt to run at six per cent. per annum, simple interest, from the
+ end of our Revolutionary struggle until to-day, without paying any
+ thing on either principal or interest, each man of us would owe
+ less upon that debt now, than each man owed upon it then; and this
+ because our increase of men, through the whole period, has been
+ greater than six per cent.; has run faster than the interest upon
+ the debt. Thus, time alone relieves a debtor nation, so long as its
+ population increases faster than unpaid interest accumulates on its
+ debt.
+
+ "This fact would be no excuse for delaying payment of what is
+ justly due; but it shows the great importance of time in this
+ connection--the great advantage of a policy by which we shall
+ not have to pay until we number a hundred millions, what, by a
+ different policy, we would have to pay now, when we number but
+ thirty-one millions. In a word, it shows that a dollar will be much
+ harder to pay for the war, than will be a dollar for emancipation
+ on the proposed plan. And then the latter will cost no blood, no
+ precious life. It will be a saving of both.
+
+ "As to the second article, I think it would be impracticable to
+ return to bondage the class of persons therein contemplated. Some
+ of them, doubtless, in the property sense, belong to loyal owners;
+ and hence, provision is made in this article for compensating such.
+
+ "The third article relates to the future of the freed people.
+ It does not oblige, but merely authorizes, Congress to aid in
+ colonizing such as may consent. This ought not to be regarded as
+ objectionable, on the one hand, or on the other, in so much as it
+ comes to nothing, unless by the mutual consent of the people to be
+ deported, and the American voters, through their representatives in
+ Congress.
+
+ "I can not make it better known than it already is, that I strongly
+ favor colonization. And yet I wish to say there is an objection
+ urged against free colored persons remaining in the country, which
+ is largely imaginary, if not sometimes malicious.
+
+ "It is insisted that their presence would injure, and displace
+ white labor and white laborers. If there ever could be a proper
+ time for mere catch arguments, that time surely is not now. In
+ times like the present, men should utter nothing for which they
+ would not willingly be responsible through time and in eternity.
+ Is it true, then, that colored people can displace any more
+ white labor by being free, than by remaining slaves? If they
+ stay in their old places, they jostle no white laborers; if they
+ leave their old places, they leave them open to white laborers.
+ Logically, there is neither more nor less of it. Emancipation,
+ even without deportation, would, probably enhance the wages of
+ white labor, and, very surely, would not reduce them. Thus, the
+ customary amount of labor would still have to be performed; the
+ freed people would surely not do more than their old proportion
+ of it, and very probably, for a time, would do less, leaving
+ an increased part to white laborers, bringing their labor into
+ greater demand, and, consequently, enhancing the wages of it. With
+ deportation, even to a limited extent, enhanced wages to white
+ labor is mathematically certain. Labor is like any other commodity
+ in the market--increase the demand for it, and you increase the
+ price of it. Reduce the supply of black labor, by colonizing the
+ black laborer out of the country, and, by precisely so much you
+ increase the demand for, and wages of, white labor.
+
+ "But it is dreaded that the freed people will swarm forth, and
+ cover the whole land. Are they not already in the land? Will
+ liberation make them any more numerous? Equally distributed among
+ the whites of the whole country, and there would be but one colored
+ to seven whites. Could the one, in any way, greatly disturb the
+ seven? There are many communities now, having more than one free
+ colored person to seven whites; and this without any apparent
+ consciousness of evil from it. The District of Columbia, and the
+ States of Maryland and Delaware, are all in this condition. The
+ District has more than one free colored to six whites; and yet,
+ in its frequent petitions to Congress, I believe it has never
+ presented the presence of free colored persons as one of its
+ grievances. But why should emancipation South send the freed people
+ North? People, of any color, seldom run, unless there be something
+ to run from. _Heretofore_, colored people, to some extent, have
+ fled North from bondage; and _now_, perhaps, from both bondage
+ and destitution. But if gradual emancipation and deportation be
+ adopted, they will have neither to flee from. Their old masters
+ will give them wages, at least until new laborers can be procured;
+ and the freed men, in turn, will gladly give their labor for the
+ wages, till new homes can be found for them, in congenial climes,
+ and with people of their own blood and race. This proposition can
+ be trusted on the mutual interests involved. And, in any event, can
+ not the North decide for itself, whether to receive them?
+
+ "Again, as practice proves more than theory, in any case has there
+ been any irruption of colored people northward, because of the
+ abolishment of slavery in this District last spring?
+
+ "What I have said of the proportion of free colored persons to the
+ whites, in the District, is from the census of 1860, having no
+ reference to persons called contrabands, nor to those made free by
+ the Act of Congress abolishing slavery here.
+
+ "The plan consisting of these articles is recommended, not but that
+ a restoration of the National authority would be accepted without
+ its adoption.
+
+ "Nor will the war, nor proceedings under the proclamation of
+ September 22d, 1862, be stayed because of the _recommendation_
+ of this plan. Its timely _adoption_, I doubt not, would bring
+ restoration, and thereby stay both.
+
+ "And, notwithstanding this plan, the recommendation that Congress
+ provide by law for compensating any State which may adopt
+ emancipation, before this plan shall have been acted upon, is
+ hereby earnestly renewed. Such would be only an advance part of the
+ plan, and the same arguments apply to both.
+
+ "This plan is recommended as a means, not in exclusion of,
+ but in addition to, all others for restoring and preserving
+ the National authority throughout the Union. The subject is
+ presented exclusively in its economical aspect. The plan would,
+ I am confident, secure peace more speedily, and maintain it more
+ permanently, than can be done by force alone; while all it would
+ cost, considering amounts, and manner of payment, and times of
+ payment, would be easier paid than will be the additional cost of
+ the war, if we rely solely upon force. It is much--very much--that
+ it would cost no blood at all.
+
+ "The plan is proposed as permanent constitutional law. It cannot
+ become such without the concurrence of, first, two-thirds of
+ Congress, and, afterward, three-fourths of the States. The
+ requisite three-fourths of the States, will necessarily include
+ seven of the slave States. Their concurrence, if obtained, will
+ give assurance of their severally adopting emancipation, at no very
+ distant day, upon the new constitutional terms. This assurance
+ would end the struggle now, and save the Union forever.
+
+ "I do not forget the gravity which should characterize a paper
+ addressed to the Congress of the nation, by the Chief Magistrate
+ of the nation. Nor do I forget that some of you are my seniors;
+ nor that many of you have more experience than I, in the conduct
+ of public affairs. Yet I trust that, in view of the great
+ responsibility resting upon me, you will perceive no want of
+ respect to yourselves, in any undue earnestness I may seem to
+ display.
+
+ "Is it doubted, then, that the plan I propose, if adopted, would
+ shorten the war, and thus lessen its expenditure of money and of
+ blood? Is it doubted that it would restore the national authority
+ and national prosperity, and perpetuate both indefinitely? Is
+ it doubted that we here--Congress and Executive--can secure its
+ adoption? Will not the good people respond to a united and earnest
+ appeal from us? Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly
+ or so speedily, assure these vital objects? We can succeed only
+ by concert. It is not, 'Can _any_ of us _imagine_ better?' but,
+ 'Can we _all_ do better?' Object whatsoever is possible, still the
+ question recurs, 'Can we do better?' The dogmas of the quiet past
+ are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high
+ with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case
+ is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disinthrall
+ ourselves, and then we shall save our country.
+
+ "Fellow-citizens, _we_ can not escape history. We of this Congress
+ and this Administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves.
+ No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or
+ another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light
+ us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation. We _say_
+ we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this.
+ We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how
+ to save it. We--even _we here_--hold the power, and bear the
+ responsibility. In _giving_ freedom to the _slave_, we _assure_
+ freedom to the _free_--honorable alike in what we give and what we
+ preserve. We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best hope
+ of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way
+ is plain, peaceful, generous, just--a way which, if followed, the
+ world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.
+
+ Dec. 1, 1862. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+THE TIDE TURNED.
+
+ Military Successes--Favorable Elections--Emancipation Policy--
+ Letter to Manchester (England) Workingmen--Proclamation for a
+ National Fast--Letter to Erastus Corning--Letter to a Committee
+ on recalling Vallandigham.
+
+
+It had been decreed by a kind Providence that the year 1863 was to mark
+a turn in the almost unbroken line of reverses which the Union army had
+experienced for some time previous.
+
+True, Hooker, who had superseded Burnside in command of the Army of
+the Potomac, had been signally repulsed at Chancellorsville; but this
+was more than compensated by the decided victory achieved by the same
+troops, under Meade, over the rebels at Gettysburg. Grant, by the
+capture of Vicksburg, and the surrender of Port Hudson, which was
+the inevitable result, had opened the Mississippi to the Gulf, and
+completely severed the bastard confederacy. We moreover secured East
+Tennessee, and by the victories of Lookout Mountain and Missionary
+Ridge, and the repulse of a rebel attempt to retake Knoxville, paved
+the way for an offensive movement into the vitals of Georgia.
+
+The sober, second thought of the people was manifest. Vallandigham in
+Ohio, who for his treasonable practices had been tried by Burnside's
+order, convicted, and ordered South to his friends, but who had been
+suffered to return _via_ Canada, and was put forward as the exponent
+of "Democracy" in Ohio, was shelved by some one hundred thousand
+majority. Pennsylvania, likewise, more than redeemed herself. In fact
+every loyal State--except New Jersey--showed decided majorities for the
+Administration.
+
+In this election, be it remembered, the emancipation policy of the
+President had entered largely as an element of discussion; and the
+results were the more gratifying as it established conclusively, that
+however unfavorable early indications might have been, the great pulse
+of the people beat in unison with freedom for man as man. If in a
+contest like that in which the nation was then engaged, all merely
+mercenary considerations could be overlooked, deep-rooted prejudices
+mastered, and long withheld rights cheerfully granted, there would be,
+indeed, strong grounds to hope for the progress of our race.
+
+At the beginning of the year, the President received a gratifying
+evidence of the appreciation in which his efforts for freedom were
+held, in a testimonial of sympathy and confidence from the workingmen
+of Manchester, England; to which address he made the following reply:
+
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, January 19, 1863.
+
+ "TO THE WORKINGMEN OF MANCHESTER:--I have the honor to acknowledge
+ the receipt of the address and resolutions which you sent me on the
+ eve of the new year.
+
+ "When I came, on the 4th of March, 1861, through a free and
+ constitutional election, to preside in the Government of the United
+ States, the country was found at the verge of civil war. Whatever
+ might have been the cause, or whosesoever the fault, one duty,
+ paramount to all others, was before me, namely, to maintain and
+ preserve at once the Constitution and the integrity of the Federal
+ Republic. A conscientious purpose to perform this duty is the key
+ to all the measures of administration which have been, and to all
+ which will hereafter be pursued. Under our frame of government and
+ my official oath, I could not depart from this purpose if I would.
+ It is not always in the power of governments to enlarge or restrict
+ the scope of moral results which follow the policies that they may
+ deem it necessary, for the public safety, from time to time to
+ adopt.
+
+ "I have understood well that the duty of self-preservation rests
+ solely with the American people. But I have, at the same time, been
+ aware that the favor or disfavor of foreign nations might have a
+ material influence in enlarging and prolonging the struggle with
+ disloyal men in which the country is engaged. A fair examination of
+ history has seemed to authorize a belief that the past action and
+ influences of the United States were generally regarded as having
+ been beneficial toward mankind. I have, therefore, reckoned upon
+ the forbearance of nations. Circumstances--to some of which you
+ kindly allude--induced me especially to expect that, if justice and
+ good faith should be practised by the United States, they would
+ encounter no hostile influence on the part of Great Britain. It
+ is now a pleasant duty to acknowledge the demonstration you have
+ given of your desire that a spirit of peace and amity toward this
+ country may prevail in the councils of your Queen, who is respected
+ and esteemed in your own country only more than she is by the
+ kindred nation which has its home on this side of the Atlantic.
+
+ "I know, and deeply deplore, the sufferings which the workingmen at
+ Manchester, and in all Europe, are called to endure in this crisis.
+ It has been often and studiously represented that the attempt to
+ overthrow this Government, which was built upon the foundation
+ of human rights, and to substitute for it one which should rest
+ exclusively on the basis of human slavery, was likely to obtain
+ the favor of Europe. Through the action of our disloyal citizens,
+ the workingmen of Europe have been subjected to severe trial, for
+ the purpose of forcing their sanction to that attempt. Under these
+ circumstances, I can not but regard your decisive utterances upon
+ the question as an instance of sublime Christian heroism, which has
+ not been surpassed in any age or in any country. It is indeed an
+ energetic and reinspiring assurance of the inherent power of truth,
+ and of the ultimate and universal triumph of justice, humanity and
+ freedom. I do not doubt that the sentiments you have expressed will
+ be sustained by your great nation; and, on the other hand, I have
+ no hesitation in assuring you that they will excite admiration,
+ esteem, and the most reciprocal feelings of friendship among the
+ American people. I hail this interchange of sentiment, therefore,
+ as an augury that, whatever else may happen, whatever misfortune
+ may befall your country or my own, the peace and friendship which
+ now exist between the two nations will be, as it shall be my desire
+ to make them, perpetual.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+On the 30th of March the following proclamation was issued in pursuance
+of a request to that effect from the Senate:
+
+ "WHEREAS, The Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing
+ the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all
+ the affairs of men and of nations, has by a resolution requested
+ the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer
+ and humiliation;
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own
+ their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their
+ sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that
+ genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize
+ the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures, and proven by
+ all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the
+ Lord;
+
+ "And, insomuch as we know that, by His Divine law, nations, like
+ individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this
+ world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war,
+ which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted
+ upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our
+ National reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients
+ of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these
+ many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers,
+ wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have
+ forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved
+ us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us;
+ and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts,
+ that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom
+ and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have
+ become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and
+ preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
+
+ "It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended
+ Power, to confess our National sins, and to pray for clemency and
+ forgiveness.
+
+ "Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully
+ concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my
+ proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the thirteenth
+ day of April, 1863, as a day of National humiliation, fasting
+ and prayer. And I do hereby request all the people to abstain on
+ that day from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at
+ their several places of public worship and their respective homes,
+ in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble
+ discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.
+
+ "All this being done in sincerity and truth, let us then rest
+ humbly in the hope, authorized by the Divine teachings, that the
+ united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with
+ blessings, no less than the pardon of our National sins, and
+ restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former
+ happy condition of unity and peace.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, on this thirtieth day of March, in
+ the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three,
+ and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-seventh.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The following letter, which belongs in this place, will explain itself:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, June 13th, 1863.
+
+ "HON. ERASTUS CORNING and others--_Gentlemen_:--Your letter of May
+ 19th, inclosing the resolutions of a public meeting held at Albany,
+ New York, on the 16th of the same month, was received several days
+ ago.
+
+ "The resolutions, as I understand them, are resolvable into two
+ propositions--first, the expression of a purpose to sustain the
+ cause of the Union, to secure peace through victory, and to support
+ the Administration in every constitutional and lawful measure to
+ suppress the rebellion; and, secondly, a declaration of censure
+ upon the Administration for supposed unconstitutional action, such
+ as the making of military arrests. And from the two propositions
+ a third is deduced, which is, that the gentlemen composing the
+ meeting are resolved on doing their part to maintain our common
+ Government and country, despite the folly or wickedness, as they
+ may conceive, of any Administration. This position is eminently
+ patriotic, and as such I thank the meeting and congratulate the
+ nation for it. My own purpose is the same; so that the meeting and
+ myself have a common object, and can have no difference, except in
+ the choice of means or measures for effecting that object.
+
+ "And here I ought to close this paper, and would close it, if
+ there were no apprehension that more injurious consequences
+ than any merely personal to myself might follow the censures
+ systematically cast upon me for doing what, in my view of duty, I
+ could not forbear. The resolutions promise to support me in every
+ constitutional and lawful measure to suppress the rebellion, and
+ I have not knowingly employed, nor shall knowingly employ, any
+ other. But the meeting, by their resolutions, assert and argue that
+ certain military arrests and proceedings following them, for which
+ I am ultimately responsible, are unconstitutional. I think they are
+ not. The resolutions quote from the Constitution the definition of
+ treason, and also the limiting safeguards and guaranties therein
+ provided for the citizen on trial for treason, and on his being
+ held to answer for capital, or otherwise infamous crimes; and in
+ criminal prosecutions, his right to a speedy and public trial by
+ an impartial jury. They proceed to resolve, 'that these safeguards
+ of the rights of the citizen against the pretensions of arbitrary
+ power were intended more _especially_ for his protection in times
+ of civil commotion.'
+
+ "And, apparently to demonstrate the proposition, the resolutions
+ proceed: 'They were secured substantially to the English people
+ _after_ years of protracted civil war, and were adopted into our
+ Constitution at the _close_ of the Revolution. Would not the
+ demonstration have been better if it could have been truly said
+ that these safeguards had been adopted and applied _during_ the
+ civil wars and _during_ our Revolution, instead of _after_ the
+ one and at the _close_ of the other? I, too, am devotedly for
+ them _after_ civil war, and _before_ civil war, and at all times,
+ 'except when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety
+ may require' their suspension. The resolutions proceed to tell
+ us that these safeguards 'have stood the test of seventy-six
+ years of trial, under our republican system, under circumstances
+ which show that, while they constitute the foundation of all free
+ government, they are the elements of the enduring stability of
+ the Republic.' No one denies that they have so stood the test up
+ to the beginning of the present rebellion, if we except a certain
+ occurrence at New Orleans; nor does any one question that they
+ will stand the same test much longer after the rebellion closes.
+ But these provisions of the Constitution have no application to
+ the case we have in hand, because the arrests complained of were
+ not made for treason--that is, not for _the_ treason defined in
+ the Constitution, and upon conviction of which the punishment is
+ death--nor yet were they made to hold persons to answer for any
+ capital or otherwise infamous crimes; nor were the proceedings
+ following, in any constitutional or legal sense, 'criminal
+ prosecutions.' The arrests were made on totally different grounds,
+ and the proceedings following accorded with the grounds of the
+ arrest. Let us consider the real case with which we are dealing,
+ and apply to it the parts of the Constitution plainly made for such
+ cases.
+
+ "Prior to my installation here, it had been inculcated that any
+ State had a lawful right to secede from the National Union, and
+ that it would be expedient to exercise the right whenever the
+ devotees of the doctrine should fail to elect a President to
+ their own liking. I was elected contrary to their liking, and
+ accordingly, so far as it was legally possible, they had taken
+ seven States out of the Union, and had seized many of the United
+ States forts, and had fired upon the United States flag, all
+ before I was inaugurated, and, of course, before I had done any
+ official act whatever. The rebellion thus began soon ran into
+ the present civil war; and, in certain respects, it began on
+ very unequal terms between the parties. The insurgents had been
+ preparing for it for more than thirty years, while the Government
+ had taken no steps to resist them. The former had carefully
+ considered all the means which could be turned to their account. It
+ undoubtedly was a well-pondered reliance with them that, in their
+ own unrestricted efforts to destroy Union, Constitution, and law
+ together, the Government would, in a great degree, be restrained
+ by the same Constitution and law from arresting their progress.
+ Their sympathizers pervaded all departments of the Government,
+ and nearly all communities of the people. From this material,
+ under cover of 'liberty of speech,' 'liberty of the press,' and
+ '_habeas corpus_,' they hoped to keep on foot among us a most
+ efficient corps of spies, informers, suppliers, and aiders and
+ abettors of their cause in a thousand ways. They knew that in times
+ such as they were inaugurating, by the Constitution itself, the
+ '_habeas corpus_' might be suspended; but they also knew they had
+ friends who would make a question as to _who_ was to suspend it;
+ meanwhile, their spies and others might remain at large to help on
+ their cause. Or if, as has happened, the Executive should suspend
+ the writ, without ruinous waste of time, instances of arresting
+ innocent persons might occur, as are always likely to occur in such
+ cases, and then a clamor could be raised in regard to this which
+ might be, at least, of some service to the insurgent cause. It
+ needed no very keen perception to discover this part of the enemy's
+ programme, so soon as, by open hostilities, their machinery was put
+ fairly in motion. Yet, thoroughly imbued with a reverence for the
+ guaranteed rights of individuals, I was slow to adopt the strong
+ measures which by degrees I have been forced to regard as being
+ within the exceptions of the Constitution, and as indispensable to
+ the public safety. Nothing is better known to history than that
+ courts of justice are utterly incompetent to such cases. Civil
+ courts are organized chiefly for trials of individuals, or, at
+ most, a few individuals acting in concert, and this in quiet times,
+ and on charges of crimes well defined in the law. Even in times
+ of peace, bands of horse-thieves and robbers frequently grow too
+ numerous and powerful for the ordinary courts of justice. But what
+ comparison, in numbers, have such bands ever borne to the insurgent
+ sympathizers even in many of the loyal States? Again, a jury too
+ frequently has at least one member more ready to hang the panel,
+ than to hang the traitor. And yet, again he who dissuades one man
+ from volunteering, or induces one soldier to desert, weakens the
+ Union cause as much as he who kills a Union soldier in battle.
+ Yet this dissuasion or inducement may be so conducted as to be no
+ defined crime of which any civil court would take cognizance.
+
+ "Ours is a case of rebellion--so called by the resolution before
+ me--in fact, a clear, flagrant, and gigantic case of rebellion; and
+ the provision of the Constitution that 'the privilege of the writ
+ of _habeas corpus_ shall not be suspended unless when, in cases
+ of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it,' is
+ _the_ provision which specially applies to our present case. This
+ provision plainly attests the understanding of those who made the
+ Constitution, that ordinary courts of justice are inadequate to
+ 'cases of rebellion'--attests their purpose that, in such cases,
+ men may be held in custody whom the courts, acting on ordinary
+ rules, would discharge. _Habeas corpus_ does not discharge men who
+ are proved to be guilty of defined crime; and its suspension is
+ allowed by the Constitution on purpose that men may be arrested and
+ held who can not be proved to be guilty of defined crime, 'when,
+ in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require
+ it.' This is precisely our present case--a case of rebellion,
+ wherein the public safety _does_ require the suspension. Indeed,
+ arrests by process of courts, and arrests in cases of rebellion, do
+ not proceed altogether upon the same basis. The former is directed
+ at the small percentage of ordinary and continuous perpetration
+ of crime; while the latter is directed at sudden and extensive
+ uprisings against the Government, which at most will succeed or
+ fail in no great length of time. In the latter case arrests are
+ made, not so much for what has been done as for what probably would
+ be done. The latter is more for the preventive and less for the
+ vindictive than the former. In such cases the purposes of men are
+ much more easily understood than in cases of ordinary crime. The
+ man who stands by and says nothing when the peril of his Government
+ is discussed, can not be misunderstood. If not hindered, he is sure
+ to help the enemy; much more, if he talks ambiguously--talks for
+ his country with 'buts,' and 'ifs' and 'ands.' Of how little value
+ the constitutional provisions I have quoted will be rendered, if
+ arrests shall never be made until defined crimes shall have been
+ committed, may be illustrated by a few notable examples. General
+ John C. Breckinridge, General Robert E. Lee, General Joseph E.
+ Johnston, General John B. Magruder, General William B. Preston,
+ General Simon B. Buckner, and Commodore Franklin Buchanan, now
+ occupying the very highest places in the rebel war service,
+ were all within the power of the Government since the rebellion
+ began, and were nearly as well known to be traitors then as now.
+ Unquestionably, if we had seized and held them, the insurgent
+ cause would be much weaker. But no one of them had then committed
+ any crime defined by law. Every one of them, if arrested, would
+ have been discharged on _habeas corpus_, were the writ allowed to
+ operate. In view of these and similar cases, I think the time not
+ unlikely to come when I shall be blamed for having made too few
+ arrests rather than too many.
+
+ "By the third resolution, the meeting indicate their opinion
+ that military arrests may be constitutional in localities
+ where rebellion actually exists, but that such arrests are
+ unconstitutional in localities where rebellion or insurrection does
+ _not_ actually exist. They insist that such arrests shall not be
+ made 'outside of the lines of necessary military occupation and the
+ scenes of insurrection.' Inasmuch, however, as the Constitution
+ itself makes no such distinction, I am unable to believe that there
+ _is_ any such constitutional distinction. I concede that the class
+ of arrests complained of can be constitutional only when, in cases
+ of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require them; and
+ I insist that in such cases they are Constitutional _wherever_ the
+ public safety does require them; as well in places to which they
+ may prevent the rebellion extending, as in those where it may be
+ already prevailing; as well where they may restrain mischievous
+ interference with the raising and supplying of armies to suppress
+ the rebellion, as where the rebellion may actually be; as well
+ where they may restrain the enticing men out of the army, as where
+ they would prevent mutiny in the army; equally constitutional
+ at all places where they will conduce to the public safety, as
+ against the dangers of rebellion or invasion. Take the particular
+ case mentioned by the meeting. It is asserted, in substance, that
+ Mr. Vallandigham was, by a military commander, seized and tried
+ 'for no other reason than words addressed to a public meeting, in
+ criticism of the course of the Administration, and in condemnation
+ of the military orders of the general.' Now, if there be no mistake
+ about this; if this assertion is the truth and the whole truth;
+ if there was no other reason for the arrest, then I concede that
+ the arrest was wrong. But the arrest, as I understand, was made
+ for a very different reason. Mr. Vallandigham avows his hostility
+ to the war on the part of the Union; and his arrest was made
+ because he was laboring, with some effect, to prevent the raising
+ of troops; to encourage desertion from the army, and to leave the
+ rebellion without an adequate military force to suppress it. He
+ was not arrested because he was damaging the political prospects
+ of the Administration, or the personal interests of the commanding
+ general, but because he was damaging the army, upon the existence
+ and vigor of which the life of the nation depends. He was warring
+ upon the military, and this gave the military constitutional
+ jurisdiction to lay hands upon him. If Mr. Vallandigham was not
+ damaging the military power of the country, then this arrest was
+ made on mistake of fact, which I would be glad to correct on
+ reasonably satisfactory evidence.
+
+ "I understand the meeting whose resolutions I am considering to be
+ in favor of suppressing the rebellion by military force--by armies.
+ Long experience has shown that armies cannot be maintained unless
+ desertions shall be punished by the severe penalty of death. The
+ case requires, and the law and the Constitution sanction, this
+ punishment. Must I shoot a simple-minded soldier boy who deserts,
+ while I must not touch a hair of a wily agitator who induces him to
+ desert? This is none the less injurious when effected by getting
+ a father, or brother, or friend, into a public meeting, and there
+ working upon his feelings till he is persuaded to write the soldier
+ boy that he is fighting in a bad cause, for a wicked Administration
+ of a contemptible Government, too weak to arrest and punish him
+ if he shall desert. I think that in such a case to silence the
+ agitator and save the boy is not only constitutional, but withal a
+ great mercy.
+
+ "If I be wrong on this question of constitutional power, my error
+ lies in believing that certain proceedings are constitutional when,
+ in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety requires them,
+ which would not be constitutional when, in the absence of rebellion
+ or invasion, the public safety does _not_ require them; in other
+ words, that the Constitution is not, in its application, in all
+ respects the same--in cases of rebellion or invasion involving
+ the public safety, as it is in time of profound peace and public
+ security. The Constitution itself makes the distinction; and I can
+ no more be persuaded that the Government can constitutionally take
+ no strong measures in time of rebellion, because it can be shown
+ that the same could not be lawfully taken in time of peace, than
+ I can be persuaded that a particular drug is not good medicine
+ for a sick man, because it can be shown not to be good food for a
+ well one. Nor am I able to appreciate the danger apprehended by
+ the meeting, that the American people will, by means of military
+ arrests during the rebellion, lose the right of public discussion,
+ the liberty of speech and the press, the law of evidence, trial
+ by jury, and _habeas corpus_, throughout the indefinite peaceful
+ future, which I trust lies before them, any more than I am able
+ to believe that a man could contract so strong an appetite for
+ emetics, during temporary illness, as to persist in feeding upon
+ them during the remainder of his healthful life.
+
+ "In giving the resolutions that earnest consideration which you
+ request of me, I can not overlook the fact that the meeting speak
+ as 'Democrats.' Nor can I, with full respect for their known
+ intelligence, and the fairly presumed deliberation with which
+ they prepared their resolutions, be permitted to suppose that
+ this occurred by accident, or in any way other than that they
+ preferred to designate themselves 'Democrats' rather than 'American
+ Citizens.' In this time of National peril, I would have preferred
+ to meet you on a level one step higher than any party platform;
+ because I am sure that, from such more elevated position, we could
+ do better battle for the country we all love than we possibly
+ can from those lower ones where, from the force of habit, the
+ prejudices of the past, and selfish hopes of the future, we are
+ sure to expend much of our ingenuity and strength in finding fault
+ with and aiming blows at each other. But, since you have denied
+ me this, I will yet be thankful for the country's sake, that not
+ all Democrats have done so. He on whose discretionary judgment
+ Mr. Vallandigham was arrested and tried is a Democrat, having
+ no old party affinity with me; and the judge who rejected the
+ constitutional view expressed in these resolutions, by refusing to
+ discharge Mr. Vallandigham on _habeas corpus_, is a Democrat of
+ better days than these, having received his judicial mantle at the
+ hands of President Jackson. And still more, of all those Democrats
+ who are nobly exposing their lives and shedding their blood on the
+ battle-field, I have learned that many approve the course taken
+ with Mr. Vallandigham, while I have not heard of a single one
+ condemning it. I can not assert that there are none such.
+
+ "And the name of Jackson recalls an incident of pertinent history:
+ After the battle of New Orleans, and while the fact that the treaty
+ of peace had been concluded was well known in the city, but before
+ official knowledge of it had arrived, Gen. Jackson still maintained
+ martial or military law. Now that it could be said the war was
+ over, the clamor against martial law, which had existed from the
+ first, grew more furious. Among other things, a Mr. Louiallier
+ published a denunciatory newspaper article. Gen. Jackson arrested
+ him. A lawyer by the name of Morrel procured the United States
+ Judge Hall to issue a writ of _habeas corpus_ to relieve Mr.
+ Louiallier. Gen. Jackson arrested both the lawyer and the judge. A
+ Mr. Hollander ventured to say of some part of the matter that 'it
+ was a dirty trick.' Gen. Jackson arrested him. When the officer
+ undertook to serve the writ of _habeas corpus_, Gen. Jackson took
+ it from him, and sent him away with a copy. Holding the judge in
+ custody a few days, the general sent him beyond the limits of his
+ encampment, and set him at liberty, with an order to remain till
+ the ratification of peace should be regularly announced, or until
+ the British should have left the Southern coast. A day or two more
+ elapsed, the ratification of a treaty of peace was regularly
+ announced, and the judge and others were fully liberated. A few
+ days more, and the judge called Gen. Jackson into court and fined
+ him $1,000 for having arrested him and the others named. The
+ general paid the fine, and there the matter rested for nearly
+ thirty years, when Congress refunded principal and interest. The
+ late Senator Douglas, then in the House of Representatives, took a
+ leading part in the debates, in which the constitutional question
+ was much discussed. I am not prepared to say whom the journals
+ would show to have voted for the measure.
+
+ "It may be remarked: First, that we had the same Constitution then
+ as now; secondly, that we then had a case of invasion, and now we
+ have a case of rebellion; and, thirdly, that the permanent right
+ of the people to public discussion, the liberty of speech and of
+ the press, the trial by jury, the law of evidence, and the _habeas
+ corpus_, suffered no detriment whatever by that conduct of Gen.
+ Jackson, or its subsequent approval by the American Congress.
+
+ "And yet, let me say that, in my own discretion, I do not know
+ whether I would have ordered the arrest of Mr. Vallandigham. While
+ I can not shift the responsibility from myself, I hold that, as a
+ general rule, the commander in the field is the better judge of
+ the necessity in any particular case. Of course, I must practise a
+ general directory and revisory power in the matter.
+
+ "One of the resolutions expresses the opinion of the meeting that
+ arbitrary arrests will have the effect to divide and distract
+ those who should be united in suppressing the rebellion, and I am
+ specifically called on to discharge Mr. Vallandigham. I regard this
+ as, at least, a fair appeal to me on the expediency of exercising
+ a constitutional power which I think exists. In response to such
+ appeal, I have to say, it gave me pain when I learned that Mr.
+ Vallandigham had been arrested--that is, I was pained that there
+ should have seemed to be a necessity for arresting him--and that
+ it will afford me great pleasure to discharge him so soon as I
+ can, by any means, believe the public safety will not suffer by
+ it. I further say that, as the war progresses, it appears to me,
+ opinion and action which were in great confusion at first, take
+ shape and fall into more regular channels, so that the necessity
+ for strong dealing with them gradually decreases. I have every
+ reason to desire that it should cease altogether; and far from
+ the least is my regard for the opinions and wishes of those who,
+ like the meeting at Albany, declare their purpose to sustain the
+ Government in every constitutional and lawful measure to suppress
+ the rebellion. Still, I must continue to do so much as may seem to
+ be required by the public safety.
+
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+Mr. Lincoln, having been waited upon by a Committee of Ohio
+"Democrats," who urged him to recall Vallandigham, whom they sought to
+exalt as a "martyr to popular rights," addressed the following reply,
+the quiet sarcasm of which is not the least of its many good points:
+
+ "Washington, June 29, 1863.
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--The resolutions of the Ohio Democratic State
+ Convention, which you present me, together with your introductory
+ and closing remarks, being, in position and argument, mainly the
+ same as the resolutions of the Democratic meeting at Albany, New
+ York, I refer you to my response to the latter as meeting most of
+ the points in the former.
+
+ "This response you evidently used in preparing your remarks, and
+ I desire no more than that it be used with accuracy. In a single
+ reading of your remarks, I only discovered one inaccuracy in
+ matter which I suppose you took from that paper. It is where you
+ say, 'The undersigned are unable to agree with you in the opinion
+ you have expressed that the Constitution is different in time of
+ insurrection or invasion from what it is in time of peace and
+ public security.'
+
+ "A recurrence to the paper will show you that I have not
+ expressed the opinion you suppose. I expressed the opinion that
+ the Constitution is different _in its application_ in cases of
+ rebellion or invasion involving the public safety, from what it is
+ in times of profound peace and public security. And this opinion I
+ adhere to, simply because, by the Constitution itself, things may
+ be done in the one case which may not be done in the other.
+
+ "I dislike to waste a word on a merely personal point, but I must
+ respectfully assure you that you will find yourselves at fault
+ should you ever seek for evidence to prove your assumption that
+ I 'opposed, in discussions before the people, the policy of the
+ Mexican War.'
+
+ "You say: 'Expunge from the Constitution this limitation upon the
+ power of Congress to suspend the writ of _habeas corpus_, and yet
+ the other guaranties of personal liberty would remain unchanged.'
+ Doubtless, if this clause of the Constitution, improperly called,
+ as I think, a limitation upon the power of Congress, were expunged,
+ the other guaranties would remain the same; but the question is,
+ not how those guaranties would stand with that clause _out_ of the
+ Constitution, but how they stand with that clause remaining in it,
+ in case of rebellion or invasion involving the public safety. If
+ the liberty could be indulged in expunging that clause, letter and
+ spirit, I really think the constitutional argument would be with
+ you.
+
+ "My general view on this question was stated in the Albany
+ response, and hence I do not state it now. I only add that, as
+ seems to me, the benefit of the writ of _habeas corpus_ is the
+ great means through which the guaranties of personal liberty are
+ conserved and made available in the last resort; and corroborative
+ of this view is the fact that Mr. Vallandigham, in the very case in
+ question, under the advice of able lawyers, saw not where else to
+ go but to the _habeas corpus_. But by the Constitution the benefit
+ of the writ of _habeas corpus_ itself may be suspended, when, in
+ case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
+
+ "You ask, in substance, whether I really claim that I may
+ override all the guaranteed rights of individuals, on the plea of
+ conserving the public safety--when I may choose to say the public
+ safety requires it. This question, divested of the phraseology
+ calculated to represent me as struggling for an arbitrary personal
+ prerogative, is either simply a question _who_ shall decide, or
+ an affirmation that _nobody_ shall decide, what the public safety
+ does require in cases of rebellion or invasion. The Constitution
+ contemplates the question as likely to occur for decision, but
+ it does not expressly declare who is to decide it. By necessary
+ implication, when rebellion or invasion comes, the decision is
+ to be made from time to time; and I think the man whom, for
+ the time, the people have, under the Constitution, made their
+ Commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, is the man who holds the
+ power and bears the responsibility of making it. If he uses the
+ power justly, the same people will probably justify him; if he
+ abuses it, he is in their hands, to be dealt with by all the modes
+ they have reserved to themselves in the Constitution.
+
+ "The earnestness with which you insist that persons can only, in
+ times of rebellion, be lawfully dealt with in accordance with
+ the rules for criminal trials and punishments in times of peace,
+ induces me to add a word to what I said on that point in the Albany
+ response. You claim that men may, if they choose, embarrass those
+ whose duty it is to combat a giant rebellion, and then be dealt
+ with only in turn as if there were no rebellion. The Constitution
+ itself rejects this view. The military arrests and detentions
+ which have been made, including those of Mr. Vallandigham,
+ which are not different in principle from the other, have been
+ for _prevention_, and not for _punishment_--as injunctions to
+ stay injury, as proceedings to keep the peace--and hence, like
+ proceedings in such cases and for like reasons, they have not been
+ accompanied with indictments, or trial by juries, nor in a single
+ case by any punishment whatever beyond what is purely incidental
+ to the prevention. The original sentence of imprisonment in Mr.
+ Vallandigham's case was to prevent injury to the military service
+ only, and the modification of it was made as a less disagreeable
+ mode to him of securing the same prevention.
+
+ "I am unable to perceive an insult to Ohio in the case of Mr.
+ Vallandigham. Quite surely nothing of this sort was or is intended.
+ I was wholly unaware that Mr. Vallandigham was, at the time of his
+ arrest, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor,
+ until so informed by your reading to me the resolutions of the
+ convention. I am grateful to the State of Ohio for many things,
+ especially for the brave soldiers and officers she has given, in
+ the present national trial, to the armies of the Union.
+
+ "You claim, as I understand, that, according to my own position in
+ the Albany response, Mr. Vallandigham should be released; and this
+ because, as you claim, he has not damaged the military service by
+ discouraging enlistments, encouraging desertions, or otherwise;
+ and that if he had, he should have been turned over to the civil
+ authorities under the recent Act of Congress. I certainly do
+ not _know_ that Mr. Vallandigham has specifically and by direct
+ language advised against enlistments and in favor of desertions and
+ resistance to drafting. We all know that combinations, armed, in
+ some instances, to resist the arrest of deserters, began several
+ months ago; that more recently the like has appeared in resistance
+ to the enrollment preparatory to a draft; and that quite a number
+ of assassinations have occurred from the same _animus_. These had
+ to be met by military force, and this again has led to bloodshed
+ and death. And now, under a sense of responsibility more weighty
+ and enduring than any which is merely official, I solemnly declare
+ my belief that this hindrance of the military, including maiming
+ and murder, is due to the cause in which Mr. Vallandigham has been
+ engaged, in a greater degree than to any other cause; and it is
+ due to him personally in a greater degree than to any other one man.
+
+ "These things have been notorious, known to all, and of course
+ known to Mr. Vallandigham. Perhaps I would not be wrong to say
+ they originated with his especial friends and adherents. With
+ perfect knowledge of them he has frequently, if not constantly,
+ made speeches in Congress and before popular assemblies; and if it
+ can be shown that, with these things staring him in the face, he
+ has ever uttered a word of rebuke or counsel against them, it will
+ be a fact greatly in his favor with me, and one of which, as yet,
+ I am totally ignorant. When it is known that the whole burden of
+ his speeches has been to stir up men against the prosecution of
+ the war, and that in the midst of resistance to it he has not been
+ known in any instance to counsel against such resistance, it is
+ next to impossible to repel the inference that he has counselled
+ directly in favor of it.
+
+ "With all this before their eyes, the convention you represent have
+ nominated Mr. Vallandigham for Governor of Ohio, and both they and
+ you have declared the purpose to sustain the National Union by all
+ constitutional means; but, of course, they and you, in common,
+ reserve to yourselves to decide what are constitutional means, and,
+ unlike the Albany meeting, you omit to state or intimate that, in
+ your opinion, an army is a constitutional means of saving the Union
+ against a rebellion, or even to intimate that you are conscious
+ of an existing rebellion being in progress with the avowed object
+ of destroying that very Union. At the same time, your nominee for
+ Governor, in whose behalf you appeal, is known to you, and to
+ the world, to declare against the use of an army to suppress the
+ rebellion. Your own attitude, therefore, encourages desertion,
+ resistance to the draft, and the like, because it teaches those who
+ incline to desert and to escape the draft, to believe it is your
+ purpose to protect them, and to hope that you will become strong
+ enough to do so.
+
+ "After a personal intercourse with you, gentlemen of the Committee,
+ I can not say I think you desire this effect to follow your
+ attitude; but I assure you that both friends and enemies of the
+ Union look upon it in this light. It is a substantial hope, and by
+ consequence, a real strength to the enemy. If it is a false hope,
+ and one which you would willingly dispel, I will make the way
+ exceedingly easy. I send you duplicates of this letter, in order
+ that you, or a majority of you, may, if you choose, indorse your
+ names upon one of them, and return it thus indorsed to me, with
+ the understanding that those signing are thereby committed to the
+ following propositions, and to nothing else:
+
+ "1. That there is now a rebellion in the United States, the object
+ and tendency of which is to destroy the National Union; and that,
+ in your opinion, an army and navy are constitutional means for
+ suppressing that rebellion.
+
+ "2. That no one of you will do any thing which, in his own
+ judgment, will tend to hinder the increase, or favor the decrease,
+ or lessen the efficiency of the Army and Navy, while engaged in the
+ effort to suppress that rebellion; and--
+
+ "3. That each of you will, in his sphere, do all he can to have the
+ officers, soldiers, and seamen of the Army and Navy, while engaged
+ in the effort to suppress the rebellion, paid, fed, clad, and
+ otherwise well provided and supported.
+
+ "And with the further understanding that upon receiving the letter
+ and names thus indorsed, I will cause them to be published, which
+ publication shall be, within itself, a revocation of the order in
+ relation to Mr. Vallandigham.
+
+ "It will not escape observation that I consent to the release of
+ Mr. Vallandigham upon terms not embracing any pledge from him or
+ from others as to what he will or will not do. I do this because
+ he is not present to speak for himself, or to authorize others to
+ speak for him; and hence I shall expect that on returning he would
+ not put himself practically in antagonism with the position of his
+ friends. But I do it chiefly because I thereby prevail on other
+ influential gentlemen of Ohio to so define their position as to be
+ of immense value to the army--thus more than compensating for the
+ consequences of any mistake in allowing Mr. Vallandigham to return,
+ so that, on the whole, the public safety will not have suffered by
+ it. Still, in regard to Mr. Vallandigham and all others, I must
+ hereafter, as heretofore, do so much as the public service may seem
+ to require.
+
+ "I have the honor to be respectfully, yours, etc.,
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+LETTERS AND SPEECHES.
+
+ Speech at Washington--Letter to General Grant--Thanksgiving
+ Proclamation--Letter concerning the Emancipation Proclamation--
+ Proclamation for Annual Thanksgiving--Dedicatory Speech at
+ Gettysburg.
+
+
+On the evening of the 4th of July, 1863, having been serenaded by many
+of the citizens of Washington, jubilant over the defeat of the rebels
+at Gettysburg, the President acknowledged the compliment thus:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I am very glad indeed to see you to-night,
+ and yet I will not say I thank you for this call; but I do most
+ sincerely thank Almighty God for the occasion on which you have
+ called. How long ago is it--eighty odd years--since, on the 4th of
+ July, for the first time in the history of the world, a nation,
+ by its representatives, assembled and declared as a self-evident
+ truth, 'that all men are created equal?' That was the birthday
+ of the United States of America. Since then, the 4th of July
+ has had several very peculiar recognitions. The two men most
+ distinguished in the framing and support of the Declaration, were
+ Thomas Jefferson and John Adams--the one having penned it, and the
+ other sustained it the most forcibly in debate--the only two, of
+ the fifty-five who signed it, who were elected Presidents of the
+ United States. Precisely fifty years after they put their hands to
+ the paper, it pleased Almighty God to take both from this stage of
+ action. This was indeed an extraordinary and remarkable event in
+ our history. Another President, five years after, was called from
+ this stage of existence on the same day and month of the year; and
+ now, on this last 4th of July just passed, when we have a gigantic
+ rebellion, at the bottom of which is an effort to overthrow the
+ principle that all men were created equal, we have the surrender of
+ a most powerful position and army on that very day. And not only
+ so, but in a succession of battles in Pennsylvania, near to us,
+ through three days, so rapidly fought that they might be called
+ one great battle, on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of the month of July, and
+ on the 4th the cohorts of those who opposed the declaration that
+ all men are created equal, 'turned tail' and run. Gentlemen, this
+ is a glorious theme, and the occasion for a speech; but I am not
+ prepared to make one worthy of the occasion. I would like to speak
+ in terms of praise due to the many brave officers and soldiers
+ who have fought in the cause of the Union and liberties of their
+ country from the beginning of the war. These are trying occasions,
+ not only in success, but for the want of success. I dislike to
+ mention the name of one single officer, lest I might do wrong to
+ those I might forget. Recent events bring up glorious names, and
+ particularly prominent ones; but these I will not mention. Having
+ said this much, I will now take the music."
+
+The following letter, addressed to General Grant after the capture of
+Vicksburg, gives an insight into the transparent candor and frankness
+of the President.
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, July 13th, 1863.
+
+ "MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT--_My Dear General_: I do not remember
+ that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful
+ acknowledgment of the almost inestimable service you have done the
+ country. I write to say a word further. When you first reached the
+ vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally
+ did--march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the
+ transports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except
+ a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass
+ expedition, and the like, could succeed. When you got below, and
+ took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and vicinity, I thought you should
+ go down the river and join General Banks, and when you turned
+ northward, east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now
+ wish to make the personal acknowledgment, that you were right and I
+ was wrong.
+
+ "Yours, truly,
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+The following was issued in commemoration of the victories at
+Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Gettysburg:
+
+ "BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.--A
+ PROCLAMATION.--It has pleased Almighty God to hearken to the
+ supplications and prayers of an afflicted people, and to vouchsafe
+ to the Army and Navy of the United States, on the land and on the
+ sea, victories so signal and so effective as to furnish reasonable
+ grounds for augmented confidence that the Union of these States
+ will be maintained, their Constitution preserved, and their peace
+ and prosperity permanently secured; but these victories have
+ been accorded, not without sacrifice of life, limb, and liberty,
+ incurred by brave, patriotic, and loyal citizens. Domestic
+ affliction, in every part of the country, follows in the train of
+ these fearful bereavements. It is meet and right to recognize and
+ confess the presence of the Almighty Father, and the power of his
+ hand equally in these triumphs and these sorrows.
+
+ "Now, therefore, be it known, that I do set apart Thursday, the
+ 6th day of August next, to be observed as a day for National
+ Thanksgiving, praise, and prayer; and I invite the people of the
+ United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary
+ places of worship, and in the form approved by their own
+ consciences, render the homage due to the Divine Majesty, for the
+ wonderful things he has done in the Nation's behalf, and invoke
+ the influence of his Holy Spirit, to subdue the anger which has
+ produced, and so long sustained, a needless and cruel rebellion; to
+ change the hearts of the insurgents; to guide the counsels of the
+ Government with wisdom adequate to so great a National emergency,
+ and to visit with tender care, and consolation, throughout the
+ length and breadth of our land, all those who, through the
+ vicissitudes of marches, voyages, battles, and sieges, have been
+ brought to suffer in mind, body, or estate; and finally, to lead
+ the whole nation through paths of repentance and submission to the
+ Divine will, back to the perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal
+ peace.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this fifteenth day of July, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of
+ the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The following letter, written in August, 1863, in answer to an
+invitation to attend a meeting of unconditional Union men held in
+Illinois, gives at length the President's views at that time on his
+Emancipation proclamation:
+
+ "EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, August 26th, 1863.
+
+ "MY DEAR SIR:--Your letter inviting me to attend a mass meeting of
+ unconditional Union men, to be held at the capital of Illinois
+ on the third day of September, has been received. It would be
+ very agreeable to me thus to meet my old friends at my own home;
+ but I cannot just now be absent from this city so long as a
+ visit there would require. The meeting is to be of all those who
+ maintain unconditional devotion to the Union; and I am sure that
+ my old political friends will thank me for tendering, as I do,
+ the nation's gratitude to those other noble men whom no partisan
+ malice or partisan hope can make false to the nation's life. There
+ are those who are dissatisfied with me. To such I would say:--You
+ desire peace, and you blame me that we do not have it. But how
+ can we attain it? There are but three conceivable ways:--First,
+ to suppress the rebellion by force of arms. This I am trying to
+ do. Are you for it? If you are, so far we are agreed. If you are
+ not for it, a second way is to give up the Union. I am against
+ this. If you are, you should say so, plainly. If you are not for
+ force, nor yet for dissolution, there only remains some imaginable
+ compromise. I do not believe that any compromise embracing the
+ maintenance of the Union is now possible. All that I learn leads
+ to a directly opposite belief. The strength of the rebellion is
+ its military--its army. That army dominates all the country and
+ all the people within its range. Any offer of any terms made by
+ any man or men within that range in opposition to that army is
+ simply nothing for the present, because such man or men have no
+ power whatever to enforce their side of a compromise, if one were
+ made with them. To illustrate: Suppose refugees from the South and
+ peace men of the North get together in convention, and frame and
+ proclaim a compromise embracing the restoration of the Union. In
+ what way can that compromise be used to keep General Lee's army out
+ of Pennsylvania? General Meade's army can keep Lee's army out of
+ Pennsylvania, and I think can ultimately drive it out of existence.
+ But no paper compromise to which the controllers of General Lee's
+ army are not agreed, can at all affect that army. In an effort at
+ such compromise we would waste time which the enemy would improve
+ to our disadvantage, and that would be all. A compromise, to be
+ effective, must be made either with those who control the rebel
+ army, or with the people, first liberated from the domination of
+ that army by the success of our army. Now, allow me to assure you
+ that no word or intimation from the rebel army, or from any of
+ the men controlling it, in relation to any peace compromise, has
+ ever come to my knowledge or belief. All charges and intimations
+ to the contrary are deceptive and groundless. And I promise you
+ that if any such propositions shall hereafter come, it shall not
+ be rejected and kept secret from you. I freely acknowledge myself
+ to be the servant of the people, according to the bond of service,
+ the United States Constitution; and that, as such, I am responsible
+ to them. But, to be plain. You are dissatisfied with me about the
+ negro. Quite likely there is a difference of opinion between you
+ and myself upon that subject. I certainly wish that all men could
+ be free, while you, I suppose, do not. Yet I have neither adopted
+ nor proposed any measure which is not consistent with even your
+ view, provided you are for the Union. I suggested compensated
+ emancipation, to which you replied that you wished not to be
+ taxed to buy negroes. But I have not asked you to be taxed to buy
+ negroes, except in such way as to save you from greater taxation,
+ to save the Union exclusively by other means.
+
+ "You dislike the emancipation proclamation, and perhaps would have
+ it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional. I think differently.
+ I think that the Constitution invests its Commander-in-chief with
+ the law of war in time of war. The most that can be said, if so
+ much, is, that the slaves are property. Is there, has there ever
+ been, any question that by the law of war, property, both of
+ enemies and friends, may be taken when needed? And is it not needed
+ whenever taking it helps us or hurts the enemy? Armies, the world
+ over, destroy enemies' property when they cannot use it; and even
+ destroy their own to keep it from the enemy. Civilized belligerents
+ do all in their power to help themselves or hurt the enemy, except
+ a few things regarded as barbarous or cruel. Among the exceptions
+ are the massacre of vanquished foes and non-combatants, male and
+ female. But the proclamation, as law, is valid or is not valid. If
+ it is not valid it needs no restriction. If it is valid it cannot
+ be retracted, any more than the dead can be brought to life. Some
+ of you profess to think that its retraction would operate favorably
+ for the Union. Why better after the retraction than before the
+ issue? There was more than a year and a half of trial to suppress
+ the rebellion before the proclamation was issued, the last one
+ hundred days of which passed under an explicit notice, that it
+ was coming unless averted by those in revolt returning to their
+ allegiance. The war has certainly progressed as favorably for us
+ since the issue of the proclamation as before. I know as fully as
+ one can know the opinions of others, that some of the commanders
+ of our armies in the field, who have given us our most important
+ victories, believe the emancipation policy and the aid of colored
+ troops constitute the heaviest blows yet dealt to the rebellion,
+ and that at least one of those important successes could not have
+ been achieved when it was but for the aid of black soldiers. Among
+ the commanders holding these views are some who have never had
+ any affinity with what is called abolitionism or with 'republican
+ party politics,' but who hold them purely as military opinions.
+ I submit their opinions as being entitled to some weight against
+ the objections often urged that emancipation and arming the blacks
+ are unwise as military measures, and were not adopted as such in
+ good faith. You say that you will not fight to free negroes. Some
+ of them seem to be willing to fight for you--but no matter. Fight
+ you, then, exclusively to save the Union. I issued the proclamation
+ on purpose to aid you in saving the Union. Whenever you shall
+ have conquered all resistance to the Union, if I shall urge you to
+ continue fighting, it will be an apt time then for you to declare
+ that you will not fight to free negroes. I thought that in your
+ struggle for the Union, to whatever extent the negroes should
+ cease helping the enemy, to that extent it weakened the enemy
+ in his resistance to you. Do you think differently? I thought
+ that whatever negroes can be got to do as soldiers, leaves just
+ so much less for white soldiers to do in saving the Union. Does
+ it appear otherwise to you? But negroes, like other people, act
+ upon motives. Why should they do any thing for us if we will do
+ nothing for them? If they stake their lives for us they must be
+ prompted by the strongest motive, even the promise of freedom. And
+ the promise being made, must be kept. The signs look better. The
+ Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea. Thanks to the great
+ North-west for it. Nor yet wholly to them. Three hundred miles up
+ they met New England, Empire, Keystone, and Jersey, hewing their
+ way right and left. The Sunny South, too, in more colors than one,
+ also lent a hand. On the spot, their part of the history was jotted
+ down in black and white. The joy was a great national one, and let
+ none be banned who bore an honorable part in it; and, while those
+ who have cleared the great river may well be proud, even that is
+ not all. It is hard to say that any thing has been more bravely
+ and better done than at Antietam, Murfreesboro', Gettysburg, and
+ on many fields of less note. Nor must Uncle Sam's web feet be
+ forgotten. At all the waters' margins they have been present--not
+ only on the deep sea, the broad bay, and the rapid river, but also
+ up the narrow, muddy bayou; and wherever the ground was a little
+ damp they have been and made their tracks. Thanks to all. For the
+ great Republic--for the principles by which it lives and keeps
+ alive--for man's vast future--thanks to all. Peace does not appear
+ so far distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to
+ stay: and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time.
+ It will then have been proved that among freemen there can be no
+ successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet, and that they who
+ take such appeal are sure to lose their case and pay the cost.
+ And then there will be some black men who can remember that, with
+ silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well poised
+ bayonet, they have helped mankind on to this great consummation;
+ while I fear that there will be some white men unable to forget
+ that with malignant heart and deceitful speech they have striven
+ to hinder it. Still let us not be over sanguine of a speedy final
+ triumph. Let us be quite sober. Let us diligently apply the means,
+ never doubting that a just God, in his own good time, will give us
+ the rightful result.
+
+ "Yours very truly, ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+Desirous of inaugurating the custom of setting apart each year a common
+day throughout the land for thanksgiving and prayer, Mr. Lincoln issued
+the following:
+
+ "BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.--A
+ PROCLAMATION:--The year that is drawing towards its close has been
+ filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
+ To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are
+ prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been
+ added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not
+ fail to even penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually
+ insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the
+ midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which
+ has sometimes seemed to invite and provoke the aggressions of
+ foreign States, peace has been preserved with all nations, order
+ has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and
+ harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theatre of military
+ conflict. While that theatre has been greatly contracted by the
+ advancing armies and navies of the Union, the needful diversion of
+ wealth and strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the
+ national defence, has not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the
+ ship. The axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and
+ the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals,
+ have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has
+ steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made
+ in the camp, the siege, and the battle-field; and the country,
+ rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is
+ permitted to expect a continuance of years, with a large increase
+ of freedom. No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand
+ worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the
+ Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins,
+ hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
+
+ "It hath seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly,
+ devoutly, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and
+ voice, by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my
+ fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those
+ who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to
+ set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day
+ of thanksgiving and prayer to our beneficent Father, who dwelleth
+ in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up
+ the ascriptions justly due to him for such signal deliverances and
+ blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our National
+ perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all
+ those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers, in
+ the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged,
+ and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to
+ heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may
+ be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of
+ peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this, the third day of October,
+ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three,
+ and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+On the 19th of November, 1863, President Lincoln delivered the
+following dedicatory address upon the occasion of consecrating a
+National Cemetery at Gettysburg, for the secure rest of those brave men
+who yielded up their lives in behalf of their country during the three
+days' battle at that place:
+
+ "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this
+ continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the
+ proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in
+ a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so
+ conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great
+ battle-field of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it
+ as the final resting-place of those who here gave their lives that
+ that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we
+ should do this.
+
+ "But in a larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate,
+ we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who
+ struggled here, have consecrated it far above our power to add or
+ detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say
+ here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us,
+ the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work
+ that they have thus far so nobly carried on. It is rather for us
+ to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that
+ from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for
+ which they here gave the last full measure of devotion--that we
+ here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, that
+ the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom, and that
+ the government of the people, by the people, and for the people,
+ shall not perish from the earth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
+
+ Organization of the House--Different Opinions as to
+ Reconstruction--Provisions for Pardon of Rebels--President's
+ Proclamation of Pardon--Annual Message--Explanatory Proclamation.
+
+
+Upon the assembling of the Thirty-eighth Congress, December 7th,
+1863--that Congress, in the lower branch of which the Opposition had
+counted upon a majority--the supporters of the Government found no
+difficulty in electing their candidates for Speaker by a majority of
+twenty, nor a radical anti-slavery man as Chaplain, albeit against the
+latter was offered as candidate an Episcopalian Bishop, nameless here,
+who had had the effrontery since the outbreak of the war to appear
+before the public as a defender of the institution upon Christian
+principles.
+
+With the success of our arms--movements toward an organization of the
+local governments in the States of Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas
+being in progress--the difficult question as to the principles upon
+which such reorganization should be effected presented itself for
+settlement.
+
+Some took the ground that, by virtue of their rebellion, the disloyal
+States had lapsed into mere territorial organizations, and should
+remain in that condition until again admitted into the Union.
+
+Others contended that this would be, in effect, to recognise
+secession, and maintained that, whatever might have been the acts of
+the inhabitants of any State, the State as such still constituted an
+integral member of the Union, entitled to all privileges as such,
+whenever a sufficient number of loyal citizens chose to exercise the
+right of suffrage--the General Government seeing to it, as was its
+duty under the Constitution, that a republican form was guarantied. As
+to what number of loyal inhabitants should suffice, opinions differed.
+
+Congress had provided, by an act approved July 17, 1862:
+
+That the President is hereby authorized, at any time hereafter, by
+proclamation, to extend to persons who may have participated in the
+existing rebellion in any State or part thereof, pardon and amnesty,
+with such exceptions, and at such time, and on such conditions, as he
+may deem expedient for the public welfare.
+
+In accordance with this authority, the following proclamation was
+issued by Mr. Lincoln, by which it appeared he held himself pledged,
+before the world and to the persons immediately affected by it, to
+make an adherence to the policy of emancipation, inaugurated by him, a
+condition precedent to any act of clemency to be exercised by himself:
+
+ "WHEREAS, In and by the Constitution of the United States, it is
+ provided that the President 'shall have power to grant reprieves
+ and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases
+ of impeachment;' and whereas, a rebellion now exists whereby the
+ loyal State Governments of several States have for a long time
+ been subverted, and many persons have committed and are now guilty
+ of treason against the United States; and whereas, with reference
+ to said rebellion and treason, laws have been enacted by Congress
+ declaring forfeitures and confiscation of property and liberation
+ of slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated; and also
+ declaring that the President was thereby authorized at any time
+ thereafter, by proclamation, to extend to persons who may have
+ participated in the existing rebellion, in any State or part
+ thereof, pardon and amnesty, with such exceptions and at such times
+ and on such conditions as he may deem expedient for the public
+ welfare; and whereas, the Congressional declaration for limited
+ and conditional pardon accords with well-established judicial
+ exposition of the pardoning power; and whereas, with reference
+ to said rebellion, the President of the United States has issued
+ several proclamations, with provisions in regard to the liberation
+ of slaves; and whereas, it is now desired by some persons
+ heretofore engaged in said rebellion, to resume their allegiance
+ to the United States, and to reinaugurate loyal State Governments
+ within and for their respective States; therefore,
+
+ "I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do proclaim,
+ declare, and make known to all persons who have, directly or by
+ implication, participated in the existing rebellion, except as
+ hereinafter excepted, that a full pardon is hereby granted to them
+ and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property,
+ except as to slaves, and in property cases where rights of third
+ parties shall have intervened, and upon the condition that every
+ such person shall take and subscribe an oath, and thenceforward
+ keep and maintain said oath inviolate; and which oath shall be
+ registered for permanent preservation, and shall be of the tenor
+ and effect following, to wit:
+
+ "'I, ---- ----, do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God,
+ that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend
+ the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of the
+ States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and
+ faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing
+ rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not
+ repealed, modified, or held void by Congress, or by decision of
+ the Supreme Court; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and
+ faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during
+ the existing rebellion having reference to slaves, so long and so
+ far as not modified or declared void by decision of the Supreme
+ Court. So help me God.'
+
+ "The persons excepted from the benefits of the foregoing
+ provisions are all who are, or shall have been, civil or diplomatic
+ officers or agents of the so-called Confederate Government; all
+ who have left judicial stations under the United States to aid
+ the rebellion; all who are, or shall have been, military or naval
+ officers of the said so-called Confederate Government, above the
+ rank of colonel in the army, or of lieutenant in the navy; all who
+ left seats in the United States Congress to aid the rebellion; all
+ who resigned commissions in the Army or Navy of the United States,
+ and afterward aided the rebellion; and all who have engaged in
+ any way in treating colored persons, or white persons in charge
+ of such, otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war, and which
+ persons may have been found in the United States service as
+ soldiers, seamen, or in any other capacity.
+
+ "And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known, that whenever,
+ in any of the States of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
+ Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North
+ Carolina, a number of persons, not less than one-tenth in number
+ of the votes cast in such State at the Presidential election of
+ the year of our Lord 1860, each having taken the oath aforesaid,
+ and not having since violated it, and being a qualified voter
+ by the election law of the State existing immediately before
+ the so-called act of secession, and excluding all others, shall
+ re-establish a State Government which shall be republican, and in
+ nowise contravening said oath, such shall be recognized as the true
+ Government of the State, and the State shall receive thereunder
+ the benefits of the constitutional provision which declares that
+ 'the United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union
+ a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them
+ against invasion; and on application of the Legislature, or the
+ Executive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against
+ domestic violence.'
+
+ "And I do further proclaim, declare, and make known that any
+ provision which may be adopted by such State Government in
+ relation to the freed people of such State, which shall recognize
+ and declare their permanent freedom, provide for their education,
+ and which may yet be consistent, as a temporary arrangement, with
+ their present condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless
+ class, will not be objected to by the National Executive. And it
+ is suggested as not improper, that, in constructing a loyal State
+ Government in any State, the name of the State, the boundary,
+ the subdivisions, the Constitution, and the general code of
+ laws, as before the rebellion, be maintained, subject only to
+ the modifications made necessary by the conditions hereinbefore
+ stated, and such others, if any, not contravening said conditions,
+ and which may be deemed expedient by those framing the new State
+ Government.
+
+ "To avoid misunderstanding, it may be proper to say that this
+ proclamation, so far as it relates to State Governments, has no
+ reference to States wherein loyal State Governments have all the
+ while been maintained. And for the same reason, it may be proper to
+ further say that whether members sent to Congress from any State
+ shall be admitted to seats constitutionally, rests exclusively with
+ the respective Houses, and not to any extent with the Executive.
+ And still further, that this proclamation is intended to present
+ the people of the States wherein the National authority has been
+ suspended, and loyal State Governments have been subverted, a mode
+ in and by which the National authority and loyal State Governments
+ may be re-established within said States, or in any of them; and,
+ while the mode presented is the best the Executive can suggest,
+ with his present impressions, it must not be understood that no
+ other possible mode would be acceptable.
+
+ "Given under my hand at the city of Washington, the eighth day of
+ December, A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States
+ of America the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+The Annual Message sent in to Congress on the 9th day of December,
+omitting matters of but temporary interest--is as follows:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
+ REPRESENTATIVES:--Another year of health and sufficiently abundant
+ harvests, has passed. For these, and especially for the improved
+ condition of our National affairs, our renewed and profoundest
+ gratitude to God is due.
+
+ "We remain in peace and friendship with foreign powers.
+
+ "The efforts of disloyal citizens of the United States to involve
+ us in foreign wars, to aid an inexcusable insurrection, have been
+ unavailing. Her Britannic Majesty's Government, as was justly
+ expected, have exercised their authority to prevent the departure
+ of new hostile expeditions from British ports. The Emperor
+ of France has, by a like proceeding, promptly vindicated the
+ neutrality which he proclaimed at the beginning of the contest.
+ Questions of great intricacy and importance have arisen, out of the
+ blockade and other belligerent operations, between the Government
+ and several of the maritime powers, but they have been discussed,
+ and, as far as was possible, accommodated in a spirit of frankness,
+ justice, and mutual good will. It is especially gratifying that
+ our prize courts, by the impartiality of their adjudications, have
+ commanded the respect and confidence of maritime powers.
+
+ "The supplementary treaty between the United States and Great
+ Britain for the suppression of the African slave-trade, made on
+ the 17th of February last, has been duly ratified, and carried
+ into execution. It is believed that, so far as American ports and
+ American citizens are concerned, that inhuman and odious traffic
+ has been brought to an end....
+
+ "Incidents occurring in the progress of our civil war have forced
+ upon my attention the uncertain state of international questions
+ touching the rights of foreigners in this country and of United
+ States citizens abroad. In regard to some Governments, these
+ rights are at least partially defined by treaties. In no instance,
+ however, is it expressly stipulated that, in the event of civil
+ law, a foreigner residing in this country, within the lines of the
+ insurgents, is to be exempted from the rule which classes him as a
+ belligerent, in whose behalf the Government of his country can not
+ expect any privileges or immunities distinct from that character.
+ I regret to say, however, that such claims have been put forward,
+ and, in some instances, in behalf of foreigners who have lived in
+ the United States the greater part of their lives.
+
+ "There is reason to believe that many persons born in foreign
+ countries, who have declared their intention to become citizens,
+ or who have been fully naturalized, have evaded the military duty
+ required of them by denying the fact, and thereby throwing upon
+ the Government the burden of proof. It has been found difficult or
+ impracticable to obtain this proof, from the want of guides to the
+ proper sources of information. These might be supplied by requiring
+ clerks of courts, where declarations of intention may be made or
+ naturalizations effected, to send, periodically, lists of the names
+ of the persons naturalized, or declaring their intention to become
+ citizens, to the Secretary of the Interior, in whose Department
+ those names might be arranged and printed for general information.
+
+ "There is also reason to believe that foreigners frequently
+ become citizens of the United States for the sole purpose of
+ evading duties imposed by the laws of their native countries, to
+ which, on becoming naturalized here, they at once repair, and,
+ though never returning to the United States, they still claim the
+ interposition of this Government as citizens. Many altercations
+ and great prejudices have heretofore arisen out of this abuse. It
+ is, therefore, submitted to your serious consideration. It might
+ be advisable to fix a limit, beyond which no citizen of the
+ United States residing abroad may claim the interposition of his
+ Government.
+
+ "The right of suffrage has often been assumed and exercised
+ by aliens, under pretences of naturalization, which they have
+ disavowed when drafted into the military service. I submit the
+ expediency of such an amendment of the law as will make the fact
+ of voting an estoppel against any plea of exemption from military
+ service, or other civil obligation, on the ground of alienage....
+
+ "The condition of the several organized Territories is generally
+ satisfactory, although Indian disturbances in New Mexico have
+ not been entirely suppressed. The mineral resources of Colorado,
+ Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona, are proving far richer than
+ has been heretofore understood. I lay before you a communication
+ on this subject from the Governor of New Mexico. I again submit
+ to your consideration the expediency of establishing a system for
+ the encouragement of immigration. Although this source of national
+ wealth and strength is again flowing with greater freedom than for
+ several years before the insurrection occurred, there is still a
+ great deficiency of laborers in every field of industry, especially
+ in agriculture and in our mines, as well of iron and coal as of the
+ precious metals. While the demand for labor is thus increased here,
+ tens of thousands of persons, destitute of remunerative occupation,
+ are thronging our foreign consulates, and offering to emigrate to
+ the United States if essential, but very cheap, assistance can be
+ afforded them. It is easy to see that, under the sharp discipline
+ of civil war, the nation is beginning a new life. This noble effort
+ demands the aid, and ought to receive the attention and support, of
+ the Government.
+
+ "Injuries, unforeseen by the Government and unintended, may, in
+ some cases, have been inflicted on the subjects or citizens of
+ foreign countries, both at sea and on land, by persons in the
+ service of the United States. As this Government expects redress
+ from other powers when similar injuries are inflicted by persons
+ in their service upon citizens of the United States, we must be
+ prepared to do justice to foreigners. If the existing judicial
+ tribunals are inadequate to this purpose, a special court may
+ be authorized, with power to hear and decide such claims of the
+ character referred to as may have arisen under treaties and
+ the public law. Conventions for adjusting the claims by joint
+ commission, have been proposed to some Governments, but no definite
+ answer to the propositions has yet been received from any.
+
+ "In the course of the session, I shall probably have occasion
+ to request you to provide indemnification to claimants where
+ decrees of restitution have been rendered, and damages awarded by
+ admiralty courts, and in other cases, where this Government may be
+ acknowledged to be liable in principle, and where the amount of
+ that liability has been ascertained by an informal arbitration.
+
+ "The proper officers of the Treasury have deemed themselves
+ required, by the law of the United States upon the subject, to
+ demand a tax upon the incomes of foreign consuls in this country.
+ While such demand may not, in strictness, be in derogation of
+ public law, or perhaps of any existing treaty between the United
+ States and a foreign country, the expediency of so far modifying
+ the act as to exempt from tax the income of such consuls as are
+ not citizens of the United States, derived from the emoluments of
+ their office, or from property not situated in the United States,
+ is submitted to your serious consideration. I make this suggestion
+ upon the ground that a comity which ought to be reciprocated
+ exempts our consuls, in all other countries, from taxation to the
+ extent thus indicated. The United States, I think, ought not to be
+ exceptionally illiberal to international trade and commerce.
+
+ "The operations of the Treasury during the last year have been
+ successfully conducted. The enactment by Congress of a National
+ Banking Law has proved a valuable support of the public credit; and
+ the general legislation in relation to loans has fully answered the
+ expectations of its favorers. Some amendments may be required to
+ perfect existing laws; but no change in their principles or general
+ scope is believed to be needed.
+
+ "Since these measures have been in operation, all demands on
+ the Treasury, including the pay of the Army and Navy, have been
+ promptly met and fully satisfied. No considerable body of troops,
+ it is believed, were ever more amply provided and more liberally
+ and punctually paid; and it may be added that by no people were the
+ burdens incident to a great war ever more cheerfully borne.
+
+ "The receipts during the year from all sources, including loans and
+ the balance in the Treasury at its commencement, were $901,125,674
+ 86, and the aggregate disbursements, $895,796,630 65, leaving a
+ balance on the 1st of July, 1863, of $5,329,044 21. Of the receipts
+ there were derived from customs, $69,059,642 40; from internal
+ revenue, $37,640,787 95; from direct tax, $1,485,103 61; from
+ lands, $167,617 17; from miscellaneous sources, $3,046,615 35; and
+ from loans, $776,682,361 57; making the aggregate, $901,125,674
+ 86. Of the disbursements, there were, for the civil service,
+ $23,253,922 08; for pensions and Indians, $4,216,520 79; for
+ interest on public debt, $24,729,846 51; for the War Department,
+ $599,298,600 83; for the Navy department, $63,211,105 27; for
+ payment of funded and temporary debt, $181,086,635 07; making the
+ aggregate, $895,796,630 65; and leaving the balance of $5,329,044
+ 21. But the payment of funded and temporary debt, having been made
+ from moneys borrowed during the year, must be regarded as merely
+ nominal payments, and the moneys borrowed to make them as merely
+ nominal receipts; and their amount, $181,086,635 07, should
+ therefore be deducted both from receipts and disbursements. This
+ being done, there remain as actual receipts, $720,039,039 79; and
+ the actual disbursements, $714,709,995 58, leaving the balance as
+ already stated.
+
+ "The actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter,
+ and the estimated receipts and disbursements for the remaining
+ three-quarters, of the current fiscal year 1864, will be shown in
+ detail by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, to which I
+ invite your attention. It is sufficient to say here that it is not
+ believed that actual results will exhibit a state of the finances
+ less favorable to the country than the estimates of that officer
+ heretofore submitted; while it is confidently expected that at the
+ close of the year both disbursements and debt will be found very
+ considerably less than has been anticipated.
+
+ "The report of the Secretary of War is a document of great
+ interest. It consists of--
+
+ "1. The military operations of the year, detailed in the report of
+ the General-in-Chief.
+
+ "2. The organization of colored persons into the war service.
+
+ "3. The exchange of prisoners, fully set forth in the letter of
+ General Hitchcock.
+
+ "4. The operations under the act for enrolling and calling out the
+ National forces, detailed in the report of the Provost Marshal
+ General.
+
+ "5. The organization of the Invalid Corps; and,
+
+ "6. The operation of the several departments of the Quartermaster
+ General, Commissary General, Paymaster General, Chief of Engineers,
+ Chief of Ordnance, and Surgeon General.
+
+ "It has appeared impossible to make a valuable summary of this
+ report, except such as would be too extended for this place, and
+ hence I content myself by asking your careful attention to the
+ report itself.
+
+ "The duties devolving on the Naval branch of the service during
+ the year, and throughout the whole of this unhappy contest, have
+ been discharged with fidelity and eminent success. The extensive
+ blockade has been constantly increasing in efficiency, and the Navy
+ has expanded; yet on so long a line it has so far been impossible
+ to entirely suppress illicit trade. From returns received at the
+ Navy Department, it appears that more than one thousand vessels
+ have been captured since the blockade was instituted, and that the
+ value of prizes already sent in for adjudication, amounts to over
+ thirteen million dollars.
+
+ "The naval force of the United States consists, at this time, of
+ five hundred and eighty-eight vessels, completed and in the course
+ of completion, and of these seventy-five are iron-clad or armored
+ steamers. The events of the war give an increased interest and
+ importance to the Navy, which will probably extend beyond the war
+ itself.
+
+ "The armored vessels in our Navy, completed and in service, or
+ which are under contract and approaching completion, are believed
+ to exceed in number those of any other Power. But while these
+ may be relied upon for harbor defence and coast service, others,
+ of greater strength and capacity, will be necessary for cruising
+ purposes, and to maintain our rightful position on the ocean.
+
+ "The change that has taken place in naval vessels and naval warfare
+ since the introduction of steam as a motive power for ships-of-war,
+ demands either a corresponding change in some of our existing
+ navy-yards, or the establishment of new ones, for the construction
+ and necessary repairs of modern naval vessels. No inconsiderable
+ embarrassment, delay, and public injury have been experienced
+ from the want of such Governmental establishments. The necessity
+ of such a navy-yard, so furnished, at some suitable place upon
+ the Atlantic seaboard, has, on repeated occasions, been brought
+ to the attention of Congress by the Navy Department, and is again
+ presented in the report of the Secretary which accompanies this
+ communication. I think it my duty to invite your special attention
+ to this subject, and also to that of establishing a yard and
+ depot for naval purposes upon one of the Western rivers. A naval
+ force has been created on those interior waters, and under many
+ disadvantages, within little more than two years, exceeding in
+ numbers the whole naval force of the country at the commencement of
+ the present Administration. Satisfactory and important as have been
+ the performances of the heroic men of the Navy at this interesting
+ period, they are scarcely more wonderful than the success of our
+ mechanics and artisans in the production of war vessels, which has
+ created a new form of naval power.
+
+ "Our country has advantages superior to any other nation in our
+ resources of iron and timber, with inexhaustible quantities of fuel
+ in the immediate vicinity of both, and all available and in close
+ proximity to navigable waters. Without the advantage of public
+ works, the resources of the nation have been developed, and its
+ power displayed, in the construction of a navy of such magnitude,
+ which has, at the very period of its creation, rendered signal
+ service to the Union.
+
+ "The increase of the number of seamen in the public service, from
+ seven thousand five hundred men in the spring of 1861, to about
+ thirty-four thousand at the present time, has been accomplished
+ without special legislation or extraordinary bounties to promote
+ that increase. It has been found, however, that the operation
+ of the draft, with the high bounties paid for army recruits, is
+ beginning to affect injuriously the naval service, and will, if not
+ corrected, be likely to impair its efficiency, by detaching seamen
+ from their proper vocation and inducing them to enter the army. I
+ therefore respectfully suggest that Congress might aid both the
+ army and naval services by a definite provision on this subject,
+ which would at the same time be equitable to the communities more
+ especially interested.
+
+ "I commend to your consideration the suggestions of the Secretary
+ of the Navy in regard to the policy of fostering and training
+ seamen, and also the education of officers and engineers for the
+ naval service. The Naval Academy is rendering signal service in
+ preparing midshipmen for the highly responsible duties which in
+ after-life they will be required to perform. In order that the
+ country should not be deprived of the proper quota of educated
+ officers for which legal provision has been made at the Naval
+ School, the vacancies caused by the neglect or omission to make
+ nominations from the States in insurrection have been filled by the
+ Secretary of the Navy. The school is now more full and complete
+ than at any former period, and in every respect entitled to the
+ favorable consideration of Congress.
+
+ "During the past fiscal year the financial condition of the Post
+ Office Department has been one of increasing prosperity, and I am
+ gratified in being able to state that the actual postal revenue
+ has nearly equaled the entire expenditures; the latter amounting
+ to $11,314,206 84, and the former to $11,163,789 59, leaving a
+ deficiency of but $150,411 25. In 1860, the year immediately
+ preceding the rebellion, the deficiency amounted to $5,656,705
+ 49, the postal receipts of that year being $2,645,722 19 less
+ than those of 1863. The decrease since 1860 in the annual amount
+ of transportation has been only about twenty-five per cent., but
+ the annual expenditure on account of the same has been reduced
+ thirty-five per cent. It is manifest, therefore, that the Post
+ Office Department may become self-sustaining in a few years, even
+ with the restoration of the whole service.
+
+ "The quantity of land disposed of during the last and the first
+ quarter of the present fiscal years was 3,841,549 acres, of which
+ 161,911 acres were sold for cash, 1,456,514 acres were taken up
+ under the homestead law, and the residue disposed of under laws
+ granting lands for military bounties, for railroad and other
+ purposes. It also appears that the sale of public lands is largely
+ on the increase.
+
+ "It has long been a cherished opinion of some of our wisest
+ statesmen that the people of the United States had a higher and
+ more enduring interest in the early settlement and substantial
+ cultivation of the public lands than in the amount of direct
+ revenue to be derived from the sale of them. This opinion has
+ had a controlling influence in shaping legislation upon the
+ subject of our National domain. I may cite, as evidence of this,
+ the liberal measures adopted in reference to actual settlers;
+ the grants to the States of the overflowed lands within their
+ limits; in order to their being reclaimed and rendered fit for
+ cultivation; the grants to railway companies of alternate sections
+ of land upon the contemplated lines of their roads, which, when
+ completed, will so largely multiply the facilities for reaching
+ our distant possessions. This policy has received its most signal
+ and beneficent illustration in the recent enactment granting
+ homesteads to actual settlers. Since the 1st day of January last,
+ the before-mentioned quantity of 1,456,514 acres of land have
+ been taken up under its provisions. This fact and the amount of
+ sales furnish gratifying evidence of increasing settlement upon
+ the public lands, notwithstanding the great struggle in which the
+ energies of the Nation have been engaged, and which has required so
+ large a withdrawal of our citizens from their accustomed pursuits.
+
+ "The measures provided at your last session for the removal of
+ certain Indian tribes, have been carried into effect. Sundry
+ treaties have been negotiated which will, in due time, be submitted
+ for the constitutional action of the Senate. They contain
+ stipulations for extinguishing the possessory rights of the
+ Indians to large and valuable tracts of lands. It is hoped that
+ the effect of these treaties will result in the establishment of
+ permanent friendly relations with such of these tribes as have
+ been brought into frequent and bloody collision with our outlying
+ settlements and emigrants. Sound policy and our imperative duty
+ to these wards of the Government demand our anxious and constant
+ attention to their material well-being, to their progress in the
+ arts of civilization, and above all, to that moral training which,
+ under the blessing of Divine Providence, will confer upon them the
+ elevated and sanctifying influences, the hopes and consolations of
+ the Christian faith.
+
+ "When Congress assembled a year ago, the war had already lasted
+ nearly twenty months; and there had been many conflicts on both
+ land and sea, with varying results. The rebellion had been pressed
+ back into reduced limits; yet the tone of public feeling and
+ opinion, at home and abroad, was not satisfactory. With other
+ signs, the popular elections, then just past, indicated uneasiness
+ among ourselves, while, amid much that was cold and menacing,
+ the kindest words coming from Europe were uttered in accents of
+ pity that we were too blind to surrender a hopeless cause. Our
+ commerce was suffering greatly by a few armed vessels built upon
+ and furnished from foreign shores; and we were threatened with such
+ additions from the same quarter as would sweep our trade from the
+ sea and raise our blockade. We had failed to elicit from European
+ Governments any thing hopeful upon this subject. The preliminary
+ Emancipation Proclamation, issued in September, was running its
+ assigned period to the beginning of the new year. A month later the
+ final proclamation came, including the announcement that colored
+ men of suitable condition would be received into the war service.
+ The policy of emancipation, and of employing black soldiers, gave
+ to the future a new aspect, about which hope, and fear, and doubt
+ contended in uncertain conflict. According to our political system,
+ as a matter of civil administration, the General Government had
+ no lawful power to effect emancipation in any State; and for a
+ long time it had been hoped that the rebellion could be suppressed
+ without resorting to it as a military measure. It was all the while
+ deemed possible that the necessity for it might come, and that,
+ if it should, the crisis of the contest would then be presented.
+ It came, and as was anticipated, it was followed by dark and
+ doubtful days. Eleven months having now passed, we are permitted to
+ take another review. The rebel borders are pressed still further
+ back, and by the complete opening of the Mississippi the country
+ dominated by the rebellion is divided into distinct parts, with no
+ practical communication between them. Tennessee and Arkansas have
+ been substantially cleared of insurgent control, and influential
+ citizens in each, owners of slaves and advocates of slavery at the
+ beginning of the rebellion, now declare openly for emancipation
+ in their respective States. Of those States not included in the
+ Emancipation Proclamation, Maryland and Missouri, neither of which,
+ three years ago, would tolerate any restraint upon the extension of
+ slavery into new Territories, only dispute now as to the best mode
+ of removing it within their own limits.
+
+ "Of those who were slaves at the beginning of the rebellion, full
+ one hundred thousand are now in the United States military service,
+ about one-half of which number actually bear arms in the ranks;
+ thus giving the double advantage of taking so much labor from the
+ insurgent cause, and supplying the places which otherwise must be
+ filled with so many white men. So far as tested, it is difficult to
+ say they are not as good soldiers as any. No servile insurrection,
+ or tendency to violence or cruelty, has marked the measures of
+ emancipation and arming the blacks. These measures have been
+ much discussed in foreign countries, and contemporary with such
+ discussion the tone of public sentiment there is much improved.
+ At home the same measures have been fully discussed, supported,
+ criticised, and denounced, and the annual elections following are
+ highly encouraging to those whose official duty it is to bear the
+ country through this great trial. Thus we have the new reckoning.
+ The crisis which threatened to divide the friends of the Union is
+ past.
+
+ "Looking now to the present and future, and with reference to a
+ resumption of the National authority within the States wherein
+ that authority has been suspended, I have thought fit to issue
+ a proclamation, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. On
+ examination of this proclamation it will appear, as is believed,
+ that nothing is attempted beyond what is amply justified by the
+ Constitution. True, the form of an oath is given, but no man is
+ coerced to take it. The man is only promised a pardon in case
+ he voluntarily takes the oath. The Constitution authorizes the
+ Executive to grant or withhold the pardon at his own absolute
+ discretion; and this includes the power to grant on terms, as is
+ fully established by judicial and other authorities.
+
+ "It is also proffered that if, in any of the States named, a
+ State Government shall be, in the mode prescribed, set up, such
+ Government shall be recognized and guarantied by the United
+ States, and that under it the State shall, on the constitutional
+ conditions, be protected against invasion and domestic violence.
+ The constitutional obligation of the United States to guarantee
+ to every State in the Union a republican form of government, and
+ to protect the State, in the cases stated, is explicit and full.
+ But why tender the benefits of this provision only to a State
+ Government set up in this particular way? This section of the
+ Constitution contemplates a case wherein the element within a State
+ favorable to republican government, in the Union, may be too feeble
+ for an opposite and hostile element external to or even within
+ the State; and such are precisely the cases with which we are now
+ dealing.
+
+ "An attempt to guarantee and protect a revived State Government,
+ constructed in whole, or in preponderating part, from the very
+ element against whose hostility and violence it is to be protected,
+ is simply absurd. There must be a test by which to separate the
+ opposing element, so as to build only from the sound; and that test
+ is a sufficiently liberal one, which accepts as sound whoever will
+ make a sworn recantation of his former unsoundness.
+
+ "But if it be proper to require, as a test of admission to the
+ political body, an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the
+ United States, and to the Union under it, why also to the laws and
+ proclamations in regard to slavery? Those laws and proclamations
+ were enacted and put forth for the purpose of aiding in the
+ suppression of the rebellion. To give them their fullest effect,
+ there had to be a pledge for their maintenance. In my judgment
+ they have aided, and will further aid, the cause for which they
+ were intended. To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish
+ a lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding
+ breach of faith. I may add at this point that, while I remain in
+ my present position, I shall not attempt to retract or modify the
+ Emancipation Proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person
+ who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the
+ acts of Congress. For these and other reasons, it is thought best
+ that support of these measures shall be included in the oath; and
+ it is believed the Executive may lawfully claim it in return for
+ pardon and restoration of forfeited rights, which he has clear
+ constitutional power to withhold altogether, or grant upon the
+ terms which he shall deem wisest for the public interest. It should
+ be observed, also, that this part of the oath is subject to the
+ modifying and abrogating power of legislation and supreme judicial
+ decision.
+
+ "The proposed acquiescence of the National Executive in any
+ reasonable temporary State arrangement for the freed people,
+ is made with the view of possibly modifying the confusion and
+ destitution which must, at best, attend all classes by a total
+ revolution of labor throughout whole States. It is hoped that the
+ already deeply afflicted people in those States may be somewhat
+ more ready to give up the cause of their affliction, if, to this
+ extent, this vital matter be left to themselves; while no power
+ of the National Executive to prevent an abuse, is abridged by the
+ proposition.
+
+ "The suggestion in the proclamation as to maintaining the political
+ framework of the States on what is called reconstruction, is made
+ in the hope that it may do good without danger of harm. It will
+ save labor, and avoid great confusion.
+
+ "But why any proclamation now upon this subject? This question is
+ beset with the conflicting views that the step might be delayed
+ too long or be taken too soon. In some States the elements for
+ resumption seem ready for action, but remain inactive, apparently
+ for want of a rallying point--a plan of action. Why shall A adopt
+ the plan of B, rather than B that of A? And if A and B should
+ agree, how can they know but that the General Government here will
+ reject their plan? By the proclamation a plan is presented which
+ may be accepted by them as a rallying point, and which they are
+ assured in advance will not be rejected here. This may bring them
+ to act sooner than they otherwise would.
+
+ "The objection to a premature presentation of a plan by the
+ National Executive consists in the danger of committals on points
+ which could be more safely left to further developments. Care has
+ been taken to so shape the document as to avoid embarrassment from
+ this source. Saying that, on certain terms, certain classes will be
+ pardoned, with rights restored, it is not said that other classes
+ or other terms will never be included. Saying that reconstruction
+ will be accepted, if presented in a specific way, it is not said it
+ will never be accepted in any other way.
+
+ "The movements, by State action, for emancipation in several of
+ the States, not included in the Emancipation Proclamation, are
+ matters of profound congratulation. And while I do not repeat in
+ detail what I have heretofore so earnestly urged upon this subject,
+ my general views and feelings remain unchanged; and I trust that
+ Congress will omit no fair opportunity of aiding these important
+ steps to a great consummation.
+
+ "In the midst of other cares, however important, we must not lose
+ sight of the fact that the war power is still our main reliance. To
+ that power alone can we look, yet for a time, to give confidence
+ to the people in the contested regions that the insurgent power
+ will not again overrun them. Until that confidence shall be
+ established, little can be done anywhere for what is called
+ reconstruction. Hence our chiefest care must still be directed to
+ the Army and Navy, who have thus far borne their harder part so
+ nobly and well. And it may be esteemed fortunate that in giving
+ the greatest efficiency to these indispensable arms, we do also
+ honorably recognize the gallant men, from commander to sentinel,
+ who compose them, and, to whom, more than to others, the world must
+ stand indebted for the home of freedom disenthralled, regenerated,
+ enlarged, and perpetuated.
+
+ Dec. 8, 1863.
+
+ "Abraham Lincoln."
+
+On the twenty-sixth of March, 1864, the following proclamation,
+explanatory of the one issued on the eighth of December, 1863, was
+published:
+
+ "WHEREAS, It has become necessary to define the cases in which
+ insurgent enemies are entitled to the benefits of the Proclamation
+ of the President of the United States, which was made on the 8th
+ day of December, 1863, and the manner in which they shall proceed
+ to avail themselves of these benefits;
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, The objects of that proclamation were to suppress the
+ insurrection and to restore the authority of the United States;
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, The amnesty therein proposed by the President was
+ offered with reference to these objects alone;
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, do hereby proclaim and declare that the said proclamation
+ does not apply to the cases of persons who, at the time when they
+ seek to obtain the benefits thereof, by taking the oath thereby
+ prescribed, are in military, naval or civil confinement or custody,
+ or under bonds or on parole of the civil, military or naval
+ authorities or agents of the United States, as prisoners of war, or
+ persons detained for offences of any kind, either before or after
+ conviction; and that on the contrary, it does apply only to those
+ persons who, being at large and free from any arrest, confinement
+ or duress, shall voluntarily come forward and take the said oath,
+ with the purpose of restoring peace and establishing the national
+ authority.
+
+ "Prisoners excluded from the amnesty offered in the said
+ proclamation may apply to the President for clemency, like
+ all other offenders, and their application will receive due
+ consideration.
+
+ "I do further declare and proclaim that the oath prescribed in the
+ aforesaid proclamation of the 8th of December, 1863, may be taken
+ and subscribed to before any commanding officer, civil, military
+ or naval, in the service of the United States, or any civil or
+ military officer of a State or Territory not in insurrection, who,
+ by the laws thereof, may be qualified for administering oaths.
+
+ "All officers who receive such oaths are hereby authorized to
+ give certificates thereon to the persons respectively by whom
+ they are made, and such officers are hereby required to transmit
+ the original records of such oaths at as early a day as may be
+ convenient to the Department of State, where they will be deposited
+ and remain in the archives of the Government.
+
+ "The Secretary of State will keep a register thereof, and will, on
+ application, in proper cases, issue certificates of such records in
+ the customary form of official certificates.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-sixth day of March, in
+ the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and
+ of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+PROGRESS.
+
+ President's Speech at Washington--Speech to a New York Committee--
+ Speech In Baltimore--Letter to a Kentuckian--Employment of
+ Colored Troops--Davis's Threat--General Order--President's Order
+ on the Subject.
+
+
+On the night of the eighteenth of March, 1864, in response to a call
+from the multitude at a fair held in the Patent Office at Washington,
+in aid of an organization for the relief of Union soldiers everywhere,
+Mr. Lincoln spoke as follows:
+
+ "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--I appear, to say but a word. This
+ extraordinary war in which we are engaged falls heavily upon all
+ classes of people, but the most heavily upon the soldier. For it
+ has been said, 'All that a man hath will he give for his life;'
+ and, while all contribute of their substance, the soldier puts his
+ life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The
+ highest merit, then, is due to the soldier.
+
+ "In this extraordinary war, extraordinary developments have
+ manifested themselves, such as have not been seen in former wars;
+ and among these manifestations nothing has been more remarkable
+ than these fairs for the relief of suffering soldiers and their
+ families. And the chief agents in these fairs are the women of
+ America. I am not accustomed to the use of the language of eulogy;
+ I have never studied the art of paying compliments to women; but
+ I must say, that, if all that has been said by orators and poets,
+ since the creation of the world, in praise of women, were applied
+ to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their
+ conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God bless the
+ women of America!"
+
+Three days later, a committee appointed by the Workingmen's Democratic
+Republican Association of New York waited on the President, and
+presented him with an address informing him that he had been elected a
+member of that organization. After the chairman had stated the object
+of the visit, Mr. Lincoln made the following reply:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:--The honorary membership in your
+ Association so generously tendered is gratefully accepted. You
+ comprehend, as your address shows, that the existing rebellion
+ means more and tends to more than the perpetuation of African
+ slavery--that it is, in fact, a war upon the rights of all working
+ people. Partly to show that the view has not escaped my attention,
+ and partly that I cannot better express myself, I read a passage
+ from the message to Congress in December, 1861:
+
+ "'It continues to develop that the insurrection is largely,
+ if not exclusively, a war upon the first principle of popular
+ government--the rights of the people. Conclusive evidence of
+ this is found in the most grave and maturely considered public
+ documents, as well as in the general tone of the insurgents. In
+ those documents we find the abridgement of the existing right of
+ suffrage, and the denial to the people of all right to participate
+ in the selection of public officers, except the legislative body,
+ boldly advocated with labored arguments, to prove that large
+ control of the people in government is the source of all political
+ evil. Monarchy is sometimes hinted at as a possible refuge from the
+ power of the people. In my present position, I could scarcely be
+ justified were I to omit raising my voice against this approach of
+ returning despotism.
+
+ "'It is not needed or fitting here that a general argument should
+ be made in favor of popular institutions; but there is one point,
+ with its connections, not so hackneyed as most others, to which
+ I ask a brief attention. It is the effort to place _capital_ on
+ an equal footing with, if not above, _labor_ in the structure of
+ the Government. It is assumed that labor is available only in
+ connection with capital; that nobody labors unless somebody else
+ owning capital somehow, by use of it, induces him to labor.
+
+ "'This assumed, it is next considered whether it is best that
+ capital shall _hire_ laborers, and thus induce them to work by
+ their own consent, or _buy them_ and drive them to it without their
+ consent. Having proceeded so far, it is naturally concluded that
+ all laborers are either hired laborers or what we call slaves.
+ And, further, it is assumed that whoever is once a hired laborer
+ is fixed in that condition for life. Now there is no such relation
+ between capital and labor as assumed, nor is there any such thing
+ as a free man being fixed for life in the condition of a hired
+ laborer. Both of these assumptions are false, and all inferences
+ from them are groundless.
+
+ "'Labor is prior to and independent of capital. Capital is only the
+ fruit of labor, and never could have existed if labor had not first
+ existed. Labor is the support of capital, and deserves much the
+ higher consideration. Capital has its rights, which are as worthy
+ of protection as any other rights. Nor is it denied that there is,
+ and probably always will be, a relation between labor and capital
+ producing mutual benefits. The error is in assuming that the whole
+ labor of a community exists within that relation. A few men own
+ capital, and that few avoid labor themselves, and with that capital
+ hire or buy another few to labor for them.
+
+ "'A large majority belong to neither class--neither work for others
+ nor have others working for them. In most of the Southern States
+ a majority of the whole people, of all colors, are neither slaves
+ nor masters, while, in the Northern States, a large majority are
+ neither hirers nor hired. Men with their families--wives, sons, and
+ daughters--work for themselves on their farms, in their houses, and
+ in their shops, taking the whole product to themselves, and asking
+ no favors of capital on the one hand nor of hired laborers or
+ slaves on the other. It is not forgotten that a considerable number
+ of persons mingle their own labor with capital--that is, they labor
+ with their own hands and also buy or hire others to labor for them;
+ but this is only a mixed and not a distinct class. No principle
+ stated is disturbed by the existence of this mixed class.
+
+ "'Again. As has already been said, there is not of necessity any
+ such thing as the free hired laborer being fixed to that condition
+ for life. Many independent men everywhere in these States, a few
+ years back in their lives, were hired laborers. The prudent,
+ penniless beginner in the world labors for wages awhile, saves a
+ surplus with which to buy tools or lands for himself, then labors
+ on his own account another while, and at length hires another
+ new beginner to help him. This is the just, and generous, and
+ prosperous system which opens the way to all--gives hope to all,
+ and consequent energy, and progress, and improvement to all. No men
+ living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from
+ poverty--none less inclined to take or touch aught which they have
+ not honestly earned. Let them beware of surrendering a political
+ power which they already possess, and which, if surrendered, will
+ surely be used to close the door of advancement against such as
+ they, and to fix new disabilities and burdens upon them till all
+ of liberty shall be lost.'
+
+ "The views then expressed remain unchanged--nor have I much to
+ add. None are so deeply interested to resist the present rebellion
+ as the working people. Let them beware of prejudices working
+ disunion and hostility among themselves. The most notable feature
+ of a disturbance in your city last summer, was the hanging of
+ some working people by other working people. It should never be
+ so. The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family
+ relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations,
+ tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead to a war upon property
+ or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor;
+ property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some
+ should be rich, shows that others may become rich, and hence is
+ just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who
+ is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor
+ diligently and build one for himself; thus, by example, assuring
+ that his own shall be safe from violence when built."
+
+And in Baltimore--that Baltimore through which, in February, 1861, he
+had been compelled to pass by stealth, to avoid the assassin, on his
+way to his inauguration--on the 18th of April, 1864, the anniversary
+eve of that murder of loyal citizens armed in defence of their
+imperilled country--Mr. Lincoln spoke at a similar Fair, and spoke,
+too, of slavery, as of an institution practically annihilated in
+Maryland.
+
+Truly some advance had been made during those three years, so pregnant
+with events!
+
+ "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--Calling it to mind that we are in
+ Baltimore, we cannot fail to note that the world moves. Looking
+ upon the many people I see assembled here to serve as they best
+ may the soldiers of the Union, it occurs to me that three years
+ ago those soldiers could not pass through Baltimore. I would say,
+ blessings upon the men who have wrought these changes, and the
+ ladies who have assisted them. This change which has taken place in
+ Baltimore, is part only of a far wider change that is taking place
+ all over the country.
+
+ "When the war commenced, three years ago, no one expected that it
+ would last this long, and no one supposed that the institution of
+ slavery would be materially affected by it. But here we are. The
+ war is not yet ended, and slavery has been very materially affected
+ or interfered with. So true is it that man proposes and God
+ disposes.
+
+ "The world is in want of a good definition of the word liberty. We
+ all declare ourselves to be for liberty, but we do not all mean the
+ same thing. Some mean that a man can do as he pleases with himself
+ and his property. With others, it means that some men can do as
+ they please with other men and other men's labor. Each of these
+ things are called liberty, although they are entirely different. To
+ give an illustration: A shepherd drives the wolf from the throat
+ of his sheep when attacked by him, and the sheep, of course,
+ thanks the shepherd for the preservation of his life; but the wolf
+ denounces him as despoiling the sheep of his liberty--especially if
+ it be a black sheep.
+
+ "This same difference of opinion prevails among some of the people
+ of the North. But the people of Maryland have recently been doing
+ something to properly define the meaning of the word, and I thank
+ them from the bottom of my heart for what they have done and are
+ doing.
+
+ "It is not very becoming for a President to make a speech at
+ great length, but there is a painful rumor afloat in the country,
+ in reference to which a few words shall be said. It is reported
+ that there has been a wanton massacre of some hundreds of colored
+ soldiers at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, during a recent engagement
+ there, and it is fit to explain some facts in relation to the
+ affair. It is said by some persons that the Government is not, in
+ this matter, doing its duty. At the commencement of the war, it
+ was doubtful whether black men would be used as soldiers or not.
+ The matter was examined into very carefully, and after mature
+ deliberation, the whole matter resting as it were with himself, he,
+ in his judgment, decided that they should.
+
+ "He was responsible for the act to the American people, to a
+ Christian nation, to the future historian, and above all, to his
+ God, to whom he would have, one day, to render an account of
+ his stewardship. He would now say that in his opinion the black
+ soldier should have the same protection as the white soldier, and
+ he would have it. It was an error to say that the Government was
+ not acting in the matter. The Government has no direct evidence to
+ confirm the reports in existence relative to this massacre, but
+ he himself believed the facts in relation to it to be as stated.
+ When the Government does know the facts from official sources, and
+ they prove to substantiate the reports, retribution will be surely
+ given."
+
+Mr. Lincoln's policy upon the question of slavery, is tersely presented
+in the following letter written by him to a Kentuckian, dated Executive
+Mansion, Washington, April 4, 1864.
+
+ "A. G. HODGES, ESQ., Frankfort, Ky.:
+
+ "MY DEAR SIR:--You ask me to put in writing the substance of what I
+ verbally said the other day in your presence, to Governor Bramlette
+ and Senator Dixon. It was about as follows:
+
+ "I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is
+ wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think and feel. And
+ yet, I have never understood that the Presidency conferred upon
+ me an unrestricted right to act officially upon this judgment and
+ feeling. It was in the oath I took, that I would, to the best of
+ my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the
+ United States. I could not take the office without taking the
+ oath. Nor was it my view, that I might take an oath to get power,
+ and break the oath in using the power. I understood, too, that
+ in ordinary civil administration, this oath even forbade me to
+ practically indulge my primary, abstract judgment, on the moral
+ question of slavery. I had publicly declared this many times, and
+ in many ways. And I aver that, to this day, I have done no official
+ act in mere deference to my abstract judgment and feeling on
+ slavery.
+
+ "I did understand, however, that my oath to preserve the
+ Constitution to the best of my ability, imposed upon me the duty
+ of preserving, by every indispensable means, the Government--that
+ Nation--of which that Constitution was the organic law. Was it
+ possible to lose the Nation, and yet preserve the Constitution?
+
+ "By general law, life and limb must be protected: yet often a limb
+ must be amputated to save a life; but a life is never wisely given
+ to save a limb. I feel that measures, otherwise unconstitutional,
+ might become lawful, by becoming indispensable to the preservation
+ of the Constitution, through the preservation of the Nation. Right
+ or wrong, I assumed this ground and now avow it. I could not feel
+ that to the best of my ability I had even tried to preserve the
+ Constitution, if to save slavery or any minor matter, I should
+ permit the wreck of Government, Country and Constitution, all
+ together. When early in the war, Gen. Fremont attempted military
+ emancipation, I forbade it, because I did not then think it an
+ indispensable necessity. When a little later, Gen. Cameron, then
+ Secretary of War, suggested the arming of the blacks, I objected,
+ because I did not yet think it an indispensable necessity. When,
+ still later, Gen. Hunter attempted military emancipation, I again
+ forbade it, because I did not yet think the indispensable necessity
+ had come.
+
+ "When, in March, and May, and July, 1862, I made earnest and
+ successive appeals to the Border States to favor compensated
+ emancipation, I believed the indispensable necessity for military
+ emancipation and arming the blacks would come, unless averted by
+ that measure. They declined the proposition, and I was, in my
+ best judgment, driven to the alternative of either surrendering
+ the Union, and with it the Constitution, or of laying strong hand
+ upon the colored element. I chose the latter. In choosing it, I
+ hoped for greater gain than loss; but of this I was not entirely
+ confident. More than a year of trial now shows no loss by it, in
+ our foreign relations; none in our home popular sentiment; none in
+ our white military force--no loss by it anyhow or anywhere. On the
+ contrary, it shows a gain of quite a hundred and thirty thousand
+ soldiers, seamen, and laborers. These are palpable facts, about
+ which, as facts, there can be no caviling. We have the men, and we
+ could not have had them without the measure.
+
+ "And now, let any Union man who complains of the measure, test
+ himself, by writing down in one line that he is for subduing the
+ rebellion by force of arms, and in the next that he is for taking
+ these one hundred and thirty thousand men from the Union side, and
+ placing them where they would be, but for the measure he condemns.
+ If he can not face his cause so stated, it is only because he can
+ not face the truth.
+
+ "I add a word, which was not in the verbal conversation. In telling
+ this tale, I attempt no compliment to my own sagacity. I claim
+ not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events
+ have controlled me. Now, at the end of three years' struggle, the
+ Nation's condition is not what either party or any man devised or
+ expected. God alone can claim it. Whither it is tending, seems
+ plain. If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills
+ also that we of the North, as well as you of the South, shall
+ pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history
+ will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and
+ goodness of God.
+
+ "Yours truly,
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+The results of the employment of negro soldiers--a measure which, at
+the time it was first announced, caused no little commotion among
+the over-sensitive in the loyal States, and was looked upon with
+disfavor by many white soldiers, as well--as shown in the above letter,
+precluded further arguments upon the question.
+
+The Davis combination at Richmond, having announced that none of the
+immunities recognized under the laws of war would be granted to colored
+soldiers or their officers, General Orders No. 100, under date of April
+24, 1863, "previously approved by the President," promulgating general
+instructions for the government of our armies, was issued, containing
+the following:
+
+ "The law of nations knows of no distinction of color; and if an
+ enemy of the United States should enslave and sell any captured
+ persons of their army, it would be a case for the severest
+ retaliation, if not redressed upon complaint. The United States
+ cannot retaliate by enslavement; therefore, death must be the
+ retaliation for this crime against the law of nations.
+
+ "All troops of the enemy known or discovered to give no quarter in
+ general, or to any portion of the army, will receive none."
+
+The following order of the President, issued by him as
+Commander-in-chief, and communicated to the entire army deals with this
+subject alone:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, July 30, 1863.
+
+ "It is the duty of every Government to give protection to its
+ citizens of whatever class, color or condition, and especially to
+ those who are duly organized as soldiers in the public service.
+ The law of nations, and the usages and customs of war, as carried
+ on by civilized powers, prohibit no distinction as to color in the
+ treatment of prisoners of war as public enemies. To sell or enslave
+ any captured person, on account of his color, and for no offence
+ against the laws of war, is a relapse into barbarism, and a crime
+ against the civilization of the age.
+
+ "The Government of the United States will give the same protection
+ to all its soldiers; and if the enemy shall sell or enslave any one
+ because of his color, the offence shall be punished by retaliation
+ upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession.
+
+ "It is therefore ordered, that for every soldier of the United
+ States killed in violation of the laws of war, a rebel soldier
+ shall be executed; and for every one enslaved by the enemy or sold
+ into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the
+ public works, and continued at such labor until the one shall be
+ released and receive the treatment due to a prisoner of war.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+RENOMINATED.
+
+ Lieut. Gen. Grant--His Military Record--Continued Movements--
+ Correspondence with the President--Across the Rapidan--Richmond
+ Invested--President's Letter to a Grant Meeting--Meeting of
+ Republican National Convention--The Platform--The Nomination--
+ Mr. Lincoln's Reply to the Committee of Notification--Remarks to
+ Union League Committee--Speech at a Serenade--Speech to Ohio
+ Troops.
+
+
+In 1864, those grand military combinations were planned and had their
+commencement which were to give the quietus to that gigantic rebellion,
+which, as we had been gravely and repeatedly assured by patronizing
+foreigners and ill-wishers of the Republic here at home, could never
+be subdued--to which, they being judges, the United States would
+eventually be forced to succumb.
+
+On the 2nd of March, the President approved a bill, passed by Congress
+on the 26th of February, reviving the grade of Lieutenant-General
+in the Army, to which position he at once nominated, and the Senate
+unanimously confirmed, Ulysses S. Grant, then Major-General.
+
+Like the President, Gen. Grant sprang from "plain people;" arose from
+humble circumstances, and had none of those advantages of birth, or
+family connections, or large estate, which have so often furnished
+such material leverage for men who have attained distinction. Entering
+the army as Colonel of an Illinois regiment, on the point of being
+disbanded, which within a month he had made noticeable for its
+discipline and character, even when compared with those noteworthy
+regiments which Illinois has furnished; promoted to the grade of
+Brigadier-General; preventing, by the battle of Belmont--criticised
+at the time, but, like many other engagements, little understood--the
+reinforcement of the rebels in Southern Missouri by troops from
+Columbus; seizing, with a strong force, which he had quietly gathered
+near Smithland, almost at one fell swoop, Forts Henry and Donelson--a
+rebel army, with artillery, and material, being captured in each;
+starting the till then defiant rebels on a run from Kentucky and
+Tennessee, which did not end until they reached Corinth; next fighting
+the battle of Shiloh, a critical point of the war, with Sherman as
+Chief Lieutenant--Shiloh, of which he said, at the close of the first
+day's fight, when every thing seemed against us, "Tough work to-day,
+but we'll beat them to-morrow;" superseded by Buell, patiently sitting
+at the long, unprofitable siege of Corinth, until he was transferred
+to Vicksburg, which in due time greeted him with the surrender of
+another rebel army, reopening the Father of Waters to navigation; then
+Chattanooga, which he ordered Thomas to hold fast, and not to give up,
+if he starved--and it was not given up, and East Tennessee was freed
+from rebels; these had been the prominent points of Grant's military
+career during the rebellion up to the time when he was summoned to the
+command of all the armies then engaged in its suppression.
+
+On the 9th of March, being upon official business at Washington, the
+General was invited to the White House, and addressed as follows by the
+President, who handed him his commission:
+
+ "GENERAL GRANT:--The expression of the nation's approbation of what
+ you have already done, and its reliance on you for what remains
+ to do in the existing great struggle, is now presented with this
+ commission, constituting you Lieutenant-General of the Army of the
+ United States.
+
+ "With this high honor devolves on you an additional responsibility.
+ As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain
+ you. I scarcely need add, that with what I here speak for the
+ country, goes my own hearty personal concurrence."
+
+Sherman having been left in command in the south-west, with
+instructions to capture Atlanta, the vital point in Georgia, commenced
+that grand series of flanking movements, which, for a time, seemed to
+occasion intense satisfaction to the rebels, whose commander, Johnston,
+upon all occasions had Sherman exactly where he wished him; while
+Grant--taciturn, cool, and collected, with no set speeches, no flourish
+of reviews--proceeded with the difficult task which he had taken in
+hand--the annihilation or capture of Lee's army, the mainstay of the
+rebels' military resources, and the occupation of Richmond.
+
+On the 30th of April, the President addressed the following letter to
+the new Commander:
+
+ "LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT:--Not expecting to see you before the
+ spring campaign opens, I wish to express in this way my entire
+ satisfaction with what you have done up to this time, so far as I
+ understand it. The particulars of your plan I neither know, nor
+ seek to know. You are vigilant and self-reliant; and pleased with
+ this, I wish not to obtrude any restraints or constraints upon you.
+ While I am very anxious that any great disaster or capture of our
+ men in great numbers shall be avoided, I know that these points are
+ less likely to escape your attention than they would be mine.
+
+ "If there be any thing wanting which is in my power to give, do
+ not fail to let me know it. And now, with a brave army and a just
+ cause, may God sustain you!
+
+ "Yours, very truly, A. LINCOLN."
+
+To which the General, from Culpepper Court House, Va., on the 1st of
+May, thus replied:
+
+ "TO THE PRESIDENT:--Your very kind letter is just received. The
+ confidence you express for the future and satisfaction for the
+ past, in my military administration, is acknowledged with pride. It
+ shall be my earnest endeavor that you and the country shall not be
+ disappointed.
+
+ "From my first entrance into the volunteer service of the country
+ to the present day, I have never had cause of complaint, have never
+ expressed or implied a complaint against the Administration, or the
+ Secretary of War, for throwing any embarrassment in the way of my
+ vigorously prosecuting what appeared to be my duty.
+
+ "Indeed, since the promotion which placed me in command of all the
+ armies, and in view of the great responsibility and importance of
+ success, I have been astonished at the readiness with which every
+ thing asked for has been yielded, without even an explanation being
+ asked. Should my success be less than I desire and expect, the
+ least I can say is, the fault is not with you.
+
+ "Very truly, your obedient servant,
+
+ "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
+
+Beginning at the right end--profiting by the experience of
+others--wasting no time nor strength in mere display--promptly
+breaking up, as an essential preliminary, the cliques and cabals which
+had so long hindered the usefulness of the Army of the Potomac--when
+the Lieutenant-General was at last ready, he moved across the Rapidan,
+was attacked impetuously by Lee with his whole army before he had
+fairly posted his own--"Any other man," said Mr. Lincoln, "would
+have been on this side of the Rapidan after the first three days'
+fighting"--still fought--moved by the left flank--fought on--prepared,
+after six days very heavy work, as he telegraphed the President, "to
+fight it out on that line, if it took all summer"--outgeneralled Lee
+at Spottsylvania Court House--secured his position--and held it till
+the contemplated movements in other quarters should place the prize he
+aimed at within his grasp.
+
+Holding his ground, undeterred by an attempted diversion, in July,
+in the shape of a rebel raid toward Washington and an invasion
+of Maryland--a favorite summer pastime, in those days, for the
+Confederates--he bided his time, his teeth fixed, and the utmost
+efforts of his wily opponent could not induce him to relax that grim
+hold. Richmond papers sneered and scolded and abused--proved that he
+ought to have acted entirely otherwise--asseverated that he was no
+strategist, but simply a lucky blunderer, a butcher on a vast scale;
+and rebel sympathizers in the North served up, in talk and print,
+approved re-hashes of the same staple, and were in the highest dudgeon
+that General McClellan was not recalled instanter to save the Capital
+at least, if not to take Richmond. But Grant still held on--the teeth
+still set--and could not be moved.
+
+While this campaign was progressing, the President addressed the
+following letter to the Committee of Arrangements of a mass meeting
+in New York, which had been called as a testimonial of confidence in
+General Grant, and of satisfaction that his efforts had been crowned
+with so large a measure of success:
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, June 3d, 1864.
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--Your letter inviting me to be present at a mass
+ meeting of the loyal citizens to be held at New York on the
+ 4th instant, for the purpose of expressing gratitude to
+ Lieutenant-General Grant for his signal services, was received
+ yesterday. It is impossible for me to attend. I approve,
+ nevertheless, whatever may tend to strengthen and sustain General
+ Grant and the noble armies now under his direction. My previous
+ high estimate of General Grant has been maintained and heightened
+ by what has occurred in the remarkable campaign he is now
+ conducting; while the magnitude and difficulty of the task before
+ him do not prove less than I expected. He and his brave soldiers
+ are now in the midst of their great trial, and I trust that at your
+ meeting you will so shape your good words that they may turn to men
+ and guns moving to his and their support.
+
+ "Yours truly, A. LINCOLN."
+
+On the 7th of June, the Republican National Convention met at Baltimore
+for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Presidency and
+Vice-Presidency.
+
+For some time prior to the assembling of this body, the popular
+voice had pronounced decidedly in favor of the renomination of Mr.
+Lincoln. State Legislatures, mass meetings, State Conventions, the
+large majority of the loyal press demanded that the man, to whose
+election, constitutionally effected, the rebels had refused to submit
+and who, during three years of the most arduous labors, had evinced
+his patriotism, his ability, and his integrity, should have the
+satisfaction of seeing the work commenced by himself as President
+brought to a successful completion while an incumbent of the same high
+office.
+
+A few, however, in the ranks of the loyal and patriotic, were not
+satisfied that the good work, whose consummation they so ardently and
+perhaps, impatiently, desired, had been pushed forward as vigorously
+and earnestly as it might have been under other auspices. A portion
+of these favored the postponement of the Convention till a later day,
+after the fourth of July ensuing, in the expectation that the country
+would be in a better condition to judge whether, indeed, Mr. Lincoln
+was the best man for the place. Another portion had already assembled
+at Chicago and put in nomination, upon a platform devoted mainly to
+criticisms of Mr. Lincoln's Administration without any practical or
+pertinent suggestion as to the points wherein improvement was to be
+made, General Fremont for the Presidency and General Cochrane as
+Vice-President. The former had therefore resigned his commission in the
+army, not having been in active service for some time, and accepted the
+nomination conditionally that the Baltimore Convention nominated no
+other candidate than Mr. Lincoln.
+
+This opposition, however, was more apparent than real. The general
+feeling throughout the country was to support that man heartily who
+should secure the nomination of the Republican Convention, waiving all
+minor questions for the sake of the common weal.
+
+On the second day, the convention adopted by acclamation the following
+platform:
+
+ "_Resolved_, That it is the highest duty of every American citizen
+ to maintain against all their enemies the integrity of the Union
+ and the paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the
+ United States; and that, laying aside all differences of political
+ opinion, we pledge ourselves as Union men, animated by a common
+ sentiment, and aiming at a common object, to do every thing in
+ our power to aid the Government in quelling by force of arms the
+ rebellion now raging against its authority, and in bringing to the
+ punishment due to their crimes, the rebels and traitors arrayed
+ against it.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That we approve the determination of the Government of
+ the United States not to compromise with rebels, nor to offer any
+ terms of peace except such as may be based upon an 'unconditional
+ surrender' of their hostility and a return to their just allegiance
+ to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and that we call
+ upon the Government to maintain this position and to prosecute the
+ war with the utmost possible vigor to the complete suppression
+ of the rebellion, in full reliance upon the self-sacrifice, the
+ patriotism, the heroic valor, and the undying devotion of the
+ American people to their country and its free institutions.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That, as Slavery was the cause, and now constitutes
+ the strength, of this rebellion, and as it must be always and
+ everywhere hostile to the principles of republican government,
+ justice and the national safety demand its utter and complete
+ extirpation from the soil of the Republic; and that we uphold and
+ maintain the acts and proclamations by which the Government, in its
+ own defence, has aimed a death-blow at this gigantic evil. We are
+ in favor, furthermore, of such an amendment to the Constitution, to
+ be made by the people in conformity with its provisions, as shall
+ terminate and forever prohibit the existence of Slavery within the
+ limits of the jurisdiction of the United States.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That the thanks of the American people are due to the
+ soldiers and sailors of the army and of the navy, who have perilled
+ their lives in defence of their country, and in vindication of the
+ honor of the flag; that the Nation owes to them some permanent
+ recognition of their patriotism and their valor, and ample and
+ permanent provision for those of their survivors who have received
+ disabling and honorable wounds in the service of the country; and
+ that the memories of those who have fallen in its defence shall be
+ held in grateful and everlasting remembrance.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That we approve and applaud the practical wisdom, the
+ unselfish patriotism, and unswerving fidelity to the Constitution
+ and the principles of American liberty, with which Abraham Lincoln
+ has discharged, under circumstances of unparalleled difficulty, the
+ great duties and responsibilities of the presidential office; that
+ we approve and indorse, as demanded by the emergency, and essential
+ to the preservation of the Nation, and as within the Constitution,
+ the measures and acts which he has adopted to defend the Nation
+ against its open and secret foes; that we approve especially the
+ Proclamation of Emancipation, and the employment as Union soldiers
+ of men heretofore held in Slavery; and that we have full confidence
+ in his determination to carry these and all other constitutional
+ measures essential to the salvation of the country into full and
+ complete effect.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That we deem it essential to the general welfare that
+ harmony should prevail in the National councils, and we regard
+ as worthy of public confidence and official trust those only who
+ cordially indorse the principles contained in those resolutions,
+ and which should characterize the administration of the Government.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That the Government owes to all men employed in its
+ armies, without regard to distinction of color, the full protection
+ of the laws of war; and that any violation of these laws or of the
+ usages of civilized nations in the time of war by the Rebels now in
+ arms, should be made the subject of full and prompt redress.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That the foreign immigration, which in the past has
+ added so much to the wealth and development of resources and
+ increase of power to this Nation, the asylum of the oppressed of
+ all nations, should be fostered and encouraged by a liberal and
+ just policy.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That we are in favor of the speedy construction of the
+ railroad to the Pacific.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That the national faith pledged for the redemption of
+ the public debt must be kept inviolate, and that for this purpose
+ we recommend economy and rigid responsibility in the public
+ expenditures, and a vigorous and just system of taxation; that it
+ is the duty of every loyal State to sustain the credit and promote
+ the use of the national currency.
+
+ "_Resolved_, That we approve the position taken by the Government
+ that the people of the United States can never regard with
+ indifference the attempt of any European power to overthrow by
+ force, or to supplant by fraud the institutions of any republican
+ government on the Western Continent; and that they will view with
+ extreme jealousy, as menacing to the peace and independence of this
+ our country the efforts of any such power to obtain new footholds
+ for monarchical governments, sustained by a foreign military force
+ in near proximity to the United States."
+
+Upon the first ballot for a candidate for President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN
+received the vote of every State, except Missouri, whose delegates
+voted for Gen. Grant. The nomination having, on motion of a Missourian,
+been made unanimous, a scene of the wildest enthusiasm followed, the
+whole convention being on their feet shouting, and the band playing
+"Hail Columbia."
+
+For Vice-President, the following names were presented: Andrew Johnson,
+of Tennessee; Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine; Gen. L. H. Rousseau, of
+Kentucky; and Daniel S. Dickinson, of New York.
+
+As the vote proceeded, it was soon apparent that ANDREW JOHNSON was to
+be the nominee; and before the result was announced the various States
+whose delegations had been divided, commenced changing their votes, and
+went unanimously for Mr. Johnson, amid the greatest enthusiasm.
+
+On the 9th of June, Mr. Lincoln was waited on by a committee of the
+convention, and notified of his nomination by the chairman, ex-Governor
+Dennison, of Ohio, who, in the course of his address, said:
+
+ "I need not say to you, sir, that the Convention, in thus
+ unanimously nominating you for re-election, but gave utterance to
+ the almost universal voice of the loyal people of the country.
+ To doubt of your triumphant election would be little short of
+ abandoning the hope of a final suppression of the rebellion and the
+ restoration of the Government over the insurgent States. Neither
+ the Convention nor those represented by that body entertained any
+ doubt as to the final result, under your administration, sustained
+ by the loyal people, and by our noble army and gallant navy.
+ Neither did the Convention, nor do this Committee doubt the speedy
+ suppression of this most wicked and unprovoked rebellion."
+
+In reply the President said:
+
+ "MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE:--I will neither
+ conceal my gratification nor restrain the expression of my
+ gratitude that the Union people, through their Convention, in the
+ continued effort to save and advance the nation, have deemed me
+ not unworthy to remain in my present position. I know no reason
+ to doubt that I shall accept the nomination tendered; and yet,
+ perhaps, I should not declare definitely before reading and
+ considering what is called the platform.
+
+ "I will say now, however, that I approve the declaration in favor
+ of so amending the Constitution as to prohibit slavery throughout
+ the nation. When the people in revolt, with the hundred days
+ explicit notice that they could within those days resume their
+ allegiance without the overthrow of their institutions, and that
+ they could not resume it afterward, elected to stand out, such an
+ amendment of the Constitution as is now proposed became a fitting
+ and necessary conclusion to the final success of the Union cause.
+
+ "Such alone can meet and cover all cavils. I now perceive its
+ importance, and embrace it. In the joint name of Liberty and Union
+ let us labor to give it legal form and practical effect."
+
+On the following day, in reply to a congratulatory address from a
+deputation of the National Union League, the President said:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--I can only say in response to the remarks of your
+ Chairman, I suppose, that I am very grateful for the renewed
+ confidence which has been accorded to me, both by the Convention
+ and by the National League. I am not insensible at all to the
+ personal compliment there is in this; yet I do not allow myself to
+ believe that any but a small portion of it is to be appropriated as
+ a personal compliment to me.
+
+ "The Convention and the Nation, I am assured, are alike animated
+ by a higher view of the interests of the country for the present
+ and the great future, and that part I am entitled to appropriate
+ as a compliment is only that which I may lay hold of, as being the
+ opinion of the Convention and the League, that I am not entirely
+ unworthy to be entrusted with the place I have occupied for the
+ last three years.
+
+ "I have not permitted myself, gentlemen, to conclude that I am the
+ best man in the country; but I am reminded in this connection, of
+ the story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion once,
+ that 'it was not best to swop horses when crossing streams.'"
+
+Prolonged and tumultuous laughter followed this last characteristic
+remark, given with that telling force which only those who had the
+privilege of meeting Mr. Lincoln in his moments of relaxation and
+semi-_abandon_ can appreciate.
+
+Having been serenaded, on the 9th, by the delegation from Ohio, he
+addressed the assemblage as follows:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--I am very much obliged to you for this compliment. I
+ have just been saying, and will repeat it, that the hardest of all
+ speeches I have to answer is a serenade. I never knew what to say
+ on such occasions.
+
+ "I suppose you have done me this kindness in connection with the
+ action of the Baltimore Convention, which has recently taken place,
+ and with which, of course, I am very well satisfied. What we want
+ still more than Baltimore Conventions or Presidential elections, is
+ success under General Grant.
+
+ "I propose that you constantly bear in mind that the support you
+ owe to the brave officers and soldiers in the field is of the very
+ first importance, and we should therefore lend all our energies to
+ that point.
+
+ "Now, without detaining you any longer, I propose that you help
+ me to close up what I am now saying with three rousing cheers for
+ General Grant and the officers and soldiers under his command."
+
+And the cheers were given with a will, the President leading off and
+waving his hat with as much earnestness as the most enthusiastic
+individual present.
+
+To a regiment of Ohio troops, one hundred days men, volunteers for the
+emergency then upon the country, who called, on the 11th, upon Mr.
+Lincoln, he spoke as follows:
+
+ "SOLDIERS:--I understand you have just come from Ohio--come to help
+ us in this the nation's day of trial, and also of its hopes. I
+ thank you for your promptness in responding to the call for troops.
+ Your services were never needed more than now. I know not where you
+ are going. You may stay here and take the places of those who will
+ be sent to the front; or you may go there yourselves. Wherever you
+ go, I know you will do your best. Again I thank you. Good-bye."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+RECONSTRUCTION.
+
+ President's Speech at Philadelphia--Philadelphia Fair--
+ Correspondence with Committee of National Convention--Proclamation
+ of Martial Law in Kentucky--Question of Reconstruction--
+ President's Proclamation on the subject--Congressional Plan.
+
+
+On the 16th of June, the President was present at a Fair held in
+Philadelphia in aid of that noble organization, the United States
+Sanitary Commission, which was productive of so much good during
+the war, placing as it did, the arrangements for the care and
+comfort of our brave boys on a basis which no nation--not France,
+not England, though experienced in war, and generally of admirable
+promptitude in availing themselves of all facilities to its successful
+prosecution--had ever before been able to secure.
+
+On the occasion of this visit, Philadelphia witnessed one of her
+largest crowds. Not less than fifteen thousand people were straining to
+get a glimpse of their beloved President at one and the same moment.
+
+After the customary hand-shaking, borne by the victim with contagious
+good humor, a collation was served, at the close of which, in
+acknowledgment of a toast to his health, drank with the heartiest
+sincerity by all present, the President said:
+
+ "I suppose that this toast is intended to open the way for me to
+ say something. War at the best is terrible; and this of ours in its
+ magnitude and duration is one of the most terrible the world has
+ ever known. It has deranged business totally in many places, and
+ perhaps in all.
+
+ "It has destroyed property, destroyed life, and ruined homes.
+ It has produced a national debt and a degree of taxation
+ unprecedented in the history of this country. It has caused
+ mourning among us until the heavens may almost be said to be hung
+ in black. And yet it continues. It has had accompaniments not
+ before known in the history of the world.
+
+ "I mean the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, with their labors
+ for the relief of the soldiers, and the Volunteer Refreshment
+ Saloon, understood better by those who hear me than by myself.
+ These Fairs, too, first began at Chicago, then held in Boston,
+ Cincinnati, and other cities.
+
+ "The motive and object which lies at the bottom of them is worthy
+ of the most that we can do for the soldier who goes to fight the
+ battles of his country. By the fair and tender hand of woman is
+ much, very much, done for the soldier, continually reminding him of
+ the care and thought of him at home. The knowledge that he is not
+ forgotten is grateful to his heart.
+
+ "And the view of these institutions is worthy of thought. They are
+ voluntary contributions, giving proof that the national resources
+ are not at all exhausted, and that the national patriotism will
+ sustain us through all. It is a pertinent question--when is this
+ war to end?
+
+ "I do not wish to name a day when it will end, lest the end should
+ not come at the given time. We accepted this war, and did not
+ begin it. We accepted it for an object; and when that object is
+ accomplished, the war will end; and I hope to God it will never end
+ until that object is accomplished.
+
+ "We are going through with our task, so far as I am concerned, if
+ it takes us three years longer. I have not been in the habit of
+ making predictions, but I am almost tempted now to hazard one. I
+ will. It is that Grant is this evening in a position, with Meade
+ and Hancock of Pennsylvania, where he can never be dislodged by the
+ enemy until Richmond is taken.
+
+ "If I shall discover that General Grant may be facilitated in the
+ capture of Richmond by rapidly pouring to him a large number of
+ armed men at the briefest notice, will you go? [Cries of 'Yes.']
+ Will you march on with him? [Cries of 'Yes, yes.']
+
+ "Then I shall call upon you when it is necessary."
+
+The following correspondence passed between Mr. Lincoln and the
+Committee of the National Convention relative to his nomination:
+
+ "New York, June 14, 1864.
+
+ "HON. ABRAHAM LINCOLN:
+
+ "SIR:--The National Union Convention, which assembled in Baltimore
+ on June 7, 1864, has instructed us to inform you that you were
+ nominated with enthusiastic unanimity, for the Presidency of the
+ United States for four years from the 4th of March next.
+
+ "The resolutions of the Convention, which we have already had the
+ honor of placing in your hands, are a full and clear statement of
+ the principles which inspired its action, and which, as we believe,
+ the great body of Union men in the country heartily approve.
+ Whether those resolutions express the national gratitude to our
+ soldiers and sailors, or the national scorn of compromise with
+ rebels, and consequent dishonor; or the patriotic duty of Union and
+ success; whether they approve the Proclamation of Emancipation, the
+ Constitutional amendment, the employment of former slaves as Union
+ soldiers, or the solemn obligation of the Government promptly to
+ redress the wrongs of every soldier of the Union, of whatever color
+ or race; whether they declare the inviolability of the pledged
+ faith of the nation, or offer the national hospitality to the
+ oppressed of every land, or urge the union, by railroad, of the
+ Atlantic and Pacific oceans; whether they recommend public economy
+ and a vigorous taxation, or assert the fixed popular opposition
+ to the establishment of avowed force of foreign monarchies in the
+ immediate neighborhood of the United States, or declare that those
+ only are worthy of official trust who approve unreservedly the
+ views and policy indicated in the resolutions--they were equally
+ hailed with the heartiness of profound conviction.
+
+ "Believing with you, sir, that this is the people's war for the
+ maintenance of a government which you have justly described as 'of
+ the people, by the people, for the people,' we are very sure that
+ you will be glad to know, not only from the resolutions themselves,
+ but from the singular harmony and enthusiasm with which they were
+ adopted, how warm is the popular welcome of every measure in
+ the prosecution of the war, which is as vigorous, unmistakable,
+ and unfaltering as the National purpose itself. No right, for
+ instance, is so precious and sacred to the American heart as that
+ of personal liberty. Its violation is regarded with just, instant,
+ and universal jealousy. Yet in this hour of peril every faithful
+ citizen concedes that, for the sake of National existence and
+ the common welfare, individual liberty may, as the Constitution
+ provides in case of rebellion, be sometimes summarily constrained,
+ asking only with painful anxiety that in every instance, and to the
+ least detail, that absolutely necessary power shall not be hastily
+ or unwisely exercised.
+
+ "We believe, sir, that the honest will of the Union men of the
+ country was never more truly represented than in this Convention.
+ Their purpose we believe to be the overthrow of armed rebels in the
+ field, and the security of permanent peace and Union by liberty
+ and justice under the Constitution. That these results are to
+ be achieved amid cruel perplexities, they are fully aware. That
+ they are to be reached only by cordial unanimity of counsel, is
+ undeniable. That good men may sometimes differ as to the means and
+ the time, they know. That in the conduct of all human affairs the
+ highest duty is to determine, in the angry conflict of passion,
+ how much good may be practically accomplished, is their sincere
+ persuasion. They have watched your official course, therefore, with
+ unflagging attention; and amid the bitter taunts of eager friends
+ and the fierce denunciations of enemies, now moving too fast for
+ some, now too slowly for others, they have seen you throughout this
+ tremendous contest patient, sagacious, faithful, just, leaning upon
+ the heart of the great mass of the people, and satisfied to be
+ moved by its mighty pulsation.
+
+ "It is for this reason that, long before the Convention met, the
+ popular instincts had plainly indicated you as its candidate;
+ and the Convention, therefore, merely recorded the popular will.
+ Your character and career proves your unswerving fidelity to
+ the cardinal principles of American Liberty and of the American
+ Constitution. In the name of that Liberty and Constitution, sir, we
+ earnestly request your acceptance of this nomination; reverently
+ commending our beloved country, and you, its Chief Magistrate, with
+ all its brave sons who, on sea and land, are faithfully defending
+ the good old American cause of equal rights, to the blessings of
+ Almighty God, we are, sir, very respectfully, your friends and
+ fellow-citizens.
+
+ "WILLIAM DENNISON, _Ohio_, Chairman.
+
+ "_And signed by the Committee._"
+
+ * * * * *
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, June 27th, 1863.
+
+ "Hon. WILLIAM DENNISON and others:
+
+ "_A Committee of the National Union Convention_:
+
+ "GENTLEMEN:--Your letter of the 14th inst., formally notifying
+ me that I had been nominated by the Convention you represent for
+ the Presidency of the United States for four years from the 4th
+ of March next, has been received. The nomination is gratefully
+ accepted, as the Resolutions of the Convention--called the
+ Platform--are heartily approved.
+
+ "While the resolution in regard to the supplanting of Republican
+ Government upon the Western Continent is fully concurred in, there
+ might be misunderstanding were I not to say that the position of
+ the Government in relation to the action of France in Mexico,
+ as assumed through the State Department and endorsed by the
+ Convention, among the measures and acts of the Executive, will be
+ faithfully maintained so long as the state of facts shall leave
+ that position pertinent and applicable.
+
+ "I am especially gratified that the soldiers and seamen were not
+ forgotten by the Convention, as they forever must and will be
+ remembered by the grateful country for whose salvation they devote
+ their lives.
+
+ "Thanking you for the kind and complimentary terms in which you
+ have communicated the nomination and other proceedings of the
+ Convention, I subscribe myself,
+
+ "Your obedient servant, ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+On the 5th of July, appeared the following proclamation, ordering
+martial law in Kentucky:
+
+ "WHEREAS, By a proclamation, which was issued on the 15th day of
+ April, 1861, the President of the United States announced and
+ declared that the laws of the United States had been for some time
+ past, and then were, opposed and the execution thereof obstructed,
+ in certain States therein mentioned, by combinations too powerful
+ to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or
+ by the power vested in the marshals by law; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, Immediately after the issuing of the said proclamation,
+ the land and naval force of the United States were put into
+ activity to suppress the said insurrection and rebellion; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States, by an act approved on
+ the 3d day of March, 1863, did enact that during the said rebellion
+ the President of the United States, whenever in his judgment
+ the public safety may require it, is authorized to suspend the
+ privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ in any case throughout
+ the United States, or any part thereof; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, The said insurrection and rebellion still continues,
+ endangering the existence of the Constitution and Government of the
+ United States; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, The military forces of the United States are now actively
+ engaged in suppressing the said insurrection and rebellion in
+ various parts of the States where the said rebellion has been
+ successful in obstructing the laws and public authorities,
+ especially in the States of Virginia and Georgia; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, On the 15th day of September last, the President of the
+ United States duly issued his proclamation, wherein he declared
+ that the privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ should be
+ suspended throughout the United States, in cases where, by the
+ authority of the President of the United States, the military,
+ naval, and civil officers of the United States, or any of them,
+ hold persons under their command or in their custody either as
+ prisoners of war, spies, or aiders or abettors of the enemy, or
+ officers, soldiers, or seamen, enrolled, or drafted, or mustered,
+ or enlisted in, or belonging to, the land or naval forces of the
+ United States, or as deserters therefrom, or otherwise amenable
+ to military law or the rules and articles of war, or the rules
+ and regulations prescribed for the military or naval service by
+ authority of the President of the United States, or for resisting
+ a draft, or for any other offence against the military or naval
+ service; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, Many citizens of the State of Kentucky have joined the
+ forces of the insurgents, have on several occasions entered the
+ said State of Kentucky in large force, and not without aid and
+ comfort furnished by disaffected and disloyal citizens of the
+ United States residing therein, have not only greatly disturbed the
+ public peace, but have overborne the civil authorities and made
+ flagrant civil war, destroying property and life in various parts
+ of the State; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, It has been made known to the President of the United
+ States by the officers commanding the National armies, that
+ combinations have been formed in the said State of Kentucky, with a
+ purpose of inciting the rebel forces to renew the said operations
+ of civil war within the said State, and thereby to embarrass the
+ United States armies now operating in the said States of Virginia
+ and Georgia, and even to endanger their safety;
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United
+ States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
+ and laws, do hereby declare, that in my judgment the public safety
+ especially requires that the suspension of the privilege of the
+ writ of _habeas corpus_, so proclaimed in the said proclamation of
+ the fifteenth of September, 1863, be made effectual, and be duly
+ enforced in and throughout the said State of Kentucky, and that
+ martial law be for the present ordered therein. I do therefore
+ hereby require of the military officers in the said State that the
+ privilege of the writ of _habeas corpus_ be effectually suspended
+ within the said State, according to the aforesaid proclamation, and
+ that martial law be established therein, to take effect from the
+ date of this proclamation, the said suspension and establishment of
+ martial law to continue until this proclamation shall be revoked or
+ modified, but not beyond the period when the said rebellion shall
+ have been suppressed or come to an end. And I do hereby require
+ and command as well military officers as all civil officers and
+ authorities existing or found within the said State of Kentucky,
+ to take notice of this proclamation and to give full effect to the
+ same. The martial law herein proclaimed, and the things in that
+ respect herein ordered, will not be deemed or taken to interfere
+ with the holding of elections, or with the proceedings of the
+ Constitutional Legislature of Kentucky, or with the administration
+ of justice in the courts of law existing therein between citizens
+ of the United States in suits or proceedings which do not affect
+ the military operations or the constituted authorities of the
+ Government of the United States.
+
+ "In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this fifth day of July, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of
+ the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The question as to what principles should be adopted in reconstructing
+the rebel States, as fast as the insurrection within their limits
+should be suppressed, had already, as remarked upon a former page,
+presented itself as one to be met and disposed of. Congress having, at
+almost the last moment of its session, passed a bill intended to meet
+this case, the President issued the following proclamation, on the
+9th of July, practically approving the same and accepting its spirit,
+but making exception in the case of Louisiana and Arkansas, which
+States had been reorganized according to the spirit and intent of a
+previous proclamation, making the will of one-tenth of the voters of a
+State sufficient for its return to allegiance--the bill under notice
+requiring the votes of a majority:
+
+ "WHEREAS, At the last session, Congress passed a bill to guarantee
+ to certain States whose Governments have been usurped or
+ overthrown, a republican form of government, a copy of which is
+ hereunto annexed; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, The said bill was presented to the President of the
+ United States for his approval, less than one hour before the _sine
+ die_ adjournment of said session, and was not signed by him; and,
+
+ "WHEREAS, The said bill contains, among other things, a plan for
+ restoring the States in rebellion to the proper practical relation
+ in the Union, which plan presents the sense of Congress upon that
+ subject, and which plan it is now thought fit to lay before the
+ people for their consideration:
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United
+ States, do proclaim, declare, and make known, that, while I am, as
+ I was in December last, when by proclamation I propounded a plan
+ for restoration, unprepared, by a formal approval of this bill,
+ to be inflexibly committed to any single plan of restoration,
+ and while I am also unprepared to declare that the Free State
+ Constitutions and Governments already adopted and installed in
+ Arkansas and Louisiana shall be set aside and held for naught,
+ thereby repelling and discouraging the loyal citizens who have set
+ up the same, as to further effort, or to declare a constitutional
+ competency in Congress to establish slavery in States, but am at
+ the same time sincerely hoping and expecting that a constitutional
+ amendment abolishing slavery throughout the nation may be adopted;
+ nevertheless I am fully satisfied with the system of restoration
+ contained in the bill as one very proper plan for the loyal people
+ of any State choosing to adopt it, and that I am and at all times
+ shall be prepared to give the Executive aid and assistance to any
+ such people, so soon as the military resistance to the United
+ States shall have been suppressed in any such State, and the people
+ thereof shall have sufficiently returned to their obedience to the
+ Constitution and the laws of the United States, in which cases
+ military Governors will be appointed, with directions to proceed
+ according to the bill.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this eighth day of July, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of
+ the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The following is the bill, a copy of which was annexed to the
+proclamation:
+
+ "A BILL to guarantee to certain States whose Governments have been
+ overthrown or usurped, a Republican form of Government.
+
+ "_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
+ the United States of America, in Congress assembled_, That in
+ the States declared in rebellion against the United States, the
+ President shall, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
+ appoint for each a Provisional Governor, whose pay and emoluments
+ shall not exceed those of a Brigadier-General of Volunteers, who
+ shall be charged with the civil administration of such State, until
+ a State Government therein shall be recognized as hereinafter
+ provided.
+
+ "SECTION 2. _And be it further enacted_, That so soon as the
+ military resistance to the United States shall have been suppressed
+ in any such State, and the people thereof shall have sufficiently
+ returned to their obedience to the Constitution and laws of the
+ United States, the Provisional Governor shall direct the Marshal
+ of the United States, as speedily as may be, to name a sufficient
+ number of deputies, and to enroll all white male citizens of
+ the United States, resident in the State, in their respective
+ counties, and to require each one to take the oath to support
+ the Constitution of the United States, and in his enrollment
+ to designate those who take and those who refuse to take that
+ oath, which rolls shall be forthwith returned to the Provisional
+ Governor; and if the persons taking that oath shall amount to
+ a majority of the persons enrolled in the State, he shall, by
+ proclamation, invite the loyal people of the State to elect
+ delegates to a Convention, charged to declare the will of the
+ people of the State, relative to the reestablishment of a State
+ Government subject to, and in conformity with the Constitution of
+ the United States.
+
+ "SECTION 3. That the Convention shall consist of as many members
+ as both Houses of the last Constitutional State Legislature,
+ apportioned by the Provisional Governor among the counties,
+ parishes, or districts of the State, in proportion to the white
+ population returned as electors by the Marshal, in compliance with
+ the provisions of this Act. The Provisional Governor shall, by
+ proclamation, declare the number of delegates to be elected by each
+ county, parish, or election district; name a day of election not
+ less than thirty days thereafter; designate the place of voting in
+ each county, parish, or election district, conforming as nearly as
+ may be convenient, to the places used in the State elections next
+ preceding the rebellion; appoint one or more Commissioners to hold
+ the election at each place of voting, and provide an adequate force
+ to keep the peace during the election.
+
+ "SECTION 4. That the delegates shall be elected by the loyal white
+ male citizens of the United States, of the age of twenty-one
+ years, and resident at the time in the county, parish, or election
+ district in which they shall offer to vote, and enrolled as
+ aforesaid, or absent in the military service of the United States,
+ and who shall take and subscribe the oath of allegiance to the
+ United States in the form contained in the Act of Congress of
+ July 2, 1862; and all such citizens of the United States who are
+ in the military service of the United States, shall vote at the
+ head-quarters of their respective commands, under such regulations
+ as may be prescribed by the Provisional Governor for the taking and
+ return of their votes; but no person who has held or exercised any
+ office, civil or military, State or Confederate, under the rebel
+ usurpation, or who has voluntarily borne arms against the United
+ States, shall vote or be eligible to be elected as delegate at such
+ election.
+
+ "SECTION 5. That the said Commissioners, or either of them, shall
+ hold the election in conformity with this Act, and so far as may
+ be consistent therewith, shall proceed in the manner used in the
+ State prior to the rebellion. The oath of allegiance shall be taken
+ and subscribed on the poll-book in the form above described, but
+ every person known by or proved to the Commissioners to have held
+ or exercised any office, civil or military, State or Confederate,
+ under the rebel usurpation, or to have voluntarily borne arms
+ against the United States, shall be excluded, though he offer to
+ take the oath; and in case any person who shall have borne arms
+ against the United States shall offer to vote, he shall be deemed
+ to have borne arms voluntarily, unless he shall prove the contrary
+ by the testimony of a qualified voter. The poll-book, showing the
+ name and oath of each voter, shall be returned to the Provisional
+ Governor by the Commissioner of elections, or the one acting, and
+ the Provisional Governor shall canvass such return, and declare the
+ person having the highest number of votes elected.
+
+ "SECTION 6. That the Provisional Governor shall, by proclamation,
+ convene the delegates elected as aforesaid, at the Capital of the
+ State, on a day not more than three months after the election,
+ fixing at least thirty days' notice of such day. In case the
+ said Capital shall in his judgment be unfit, he shall in his
+ proclamation appoint another place. He shall preside over the
+ deliberations of the Convention, and administer to each delegate,
+ before taking his seat in the Convention, the oath of allegiance to
+ the United States in the form above prescribed.
+
+ "SECTION 7. That the Convention shall declare, on behalf of the
+ people of the State, their submission to the Constitution and laws
+ of the United States, and shall adopt the following provisions,
+ hereby prescribed by the United States in the execution of the
+ Constitutional duty to guarantee a republican form of government to
+ every State, and incorporate them in the Constitution of the State;
+ that is to say:
+
+ "_First._ No person who has held or exercised any office, civil or
+ military, except offices merely ministerial, and military offices
+ below the grade of Colonel, State or corporate, under the usurping
+ power, shall vote for, or be a member of the Legislature, or
+ Governor.
+
+ "_Second._ Involuntary servitude is forever prohibited, and the
+ freedom of all persons is guaranteed in said State.
+
+ "_Third._ No debt, State or corporate, created by or under the
+ sanction of the usurping power, shall be recognized or paid by the
+ State.
+
+ "SECTION 8. That when the Convention shall have adopted these
+ provisions, it shall proceed to reestablish a republican form of
+ Government, and ordain a Constitution containing these provisions,
+ which, when adopted, the Convention shall, by ordinance, provide
+ for submitting to the people of the State entitled to vote under
+ this law, at an election to be held in the manner prescribed by
+ the Act for the election of delegates, but at a time and place
+ named by the Convention, at which Election the said Electors, and
+ none others, shall vote directly for or against such Constitution
+ and form of State government; and the returns of said election
+ shall be made to the Provisional Governor, who shall canvass the
+ same in the presence of the electors, and if a majority of the
+ votes cast shall be for the Constitution and form of government,
+ he shall certify the same, with a copy thereof, to the President
+ of the United States, who, after obtaining the assent of Congress
+ shall, by proclamation, recognize the government so established,
+ and none other, as the Constitutional Government of the State, and
+ from the date of such recognition, and not before, Senators, and
+ Representatives, and Electors for President and Vice-President may
+ be elected in such State, according to the laws of the State and of
+ the United States.
+
+ "SECTION 9. That if the Convention shall refuse to reestablish
+ the State Government on the conditions aforesaid, the Provisional
+ Governor shall declare it dissolved; but it shall be the duty
+ of the President, whenever he shall have reason to believe
+ that a sufficient number of the people of the State entitled
+ to vote under this Act, in number not less than a majority of
+ those enrolled, as aforesaid, are willing to reestablish a State
+ Government on the conditions aforesaid, to direct the Provisional
+ Governor to order another election of delegates to a Convention
+ for the purpose and in the manner prescribed in this Act, and
+ to proceed in all respects as hereinbefore provided, either to
+ dissolve the Convention, or to certify the State Government
+ reestablished by it to the President.
+
+ "SECTION 10. That, until the United States shall have recognized
+ a republican form of State Government, the Provisional Governor
+ in each of said States shall see that this Act, and the laws of
+ the United States, and other laws of the State in force when the
+ State Government was overthrown by the rebellion, are faithfully
+ executed within the State; but no law or usage whereby any person
+ was heretofore held in involuntary servitude shall be recognized
+ or enforced by any Court or officer in such State, and the laws
+ for the trial and punishment of white persons shall extend to all
+ persons, and jurors shall have the qualifications of voters under
+ this law for delegates to the Convention. The President shall
+ appoint such officers provided for by the laws of the State when
+ its government was overthrown as he may find necessary to the civil
+ administration of the State, all which officers shall be entitled
+ to receive the fees and emoluments provided by the State laws for
+ such officers.
+
+ "SECTION 11. That, until the recognition of a State Government, as
+ aforesaid, the Provisional Governor shall, under such regulations
+ as he may prescribe, cause to be assessed, levied, and collected,
+ for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and every year
+ thereafter, the taxes provided by the laws of such State to be
+ levied during the fiscal year preceding the overthrow of the
+ State Government thereof, in the manner prescribed by the laws of
+ the State, as nearly as may be; and the officers appointed, as
+ aforesaid, are vested with all powers of levying and collecting
+ such taxes, by distress or sale, as were vested in any officers
+ or tribunal of the State Government aforesaid for those purposes.
+ The proceeds of such taxes shall be accounted for to the
+ Provisional Governor, and be by him applied to the expenses of the
+ administration of the laws in such State, subject to the direction
+ of the President, and the surplus shall be deposited in the
+ Treasury of the United States, to the credit of such State, to be
+ paid to the State upon an appropriation therefor, to be made when
+ a republican form of government shall be recognized therein by the
+ United States.
+
+ "SECTION 12. That all persons held to involuntary servitude
+ or labor in the States aforesaid, are hereby emancipated and
+ discharged therefrom, and they and their posterity shall be
+ forever free. And if any such persons or their posterity shall
+ be restrained of liberty, under pretence of any claim to such
+ service or labor, the Courts of the United States shall, on _habeas
+ corpus_, discharge them.
+
+ "SECTION 13. That if any person declared free by this Act, or any
+ law of the United States, or any proclamation of the President,
+ be restrained of liberty, with intent to be held in or reduced to
+ involuntary servitude or labor, the person convicted before a Court
+ of competent jurisdiction of such Act, shall be punished by fine of
+ not less than one thousand five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned
+ for not less than five or more than twenty years.
+
+ "SECTION 14. That every person who shall hereafter hold or exercise
+ any office, civil or military, except offices merely ministerial,
+ and military offices below the grade of Colonel, in the rebel
+ service, State or Corporate, is hereby declared not to be a citizen
+ of the United States."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
+
+ Proclamation for a Fast--Speech to Soldiers--Another Speech--
+ "To Whom It may Concern"--Chicago Convention--Opposition
+ Embarrassed--Resolution No. 2--McClellan's Acceptance--Capture
+ of the Mobile Forts and Atlanta--Proclamation for Thanksgiving
+ Remarks on Employment of Negro Soldiers--Address to Loyal
+ Marylanders.
+
+
+On the 7th of July the following proclamation for a National Fast
+appeared:
+
+ "WHEREAS, The Senate and House of Representatives, at their last
+ session, adopted a concurrent resolution which was approved on the
+ third day of July instant, and which was in the words following:
+
+ "'That the President of the United States is requested to appoint a
+ day of humiliation and prayer by the people of the United States;
+ that he request his constitutional advisers at the head of the
+ Executive Departments to unite with him, as Chief Magistrate of the
+ Nation, at the city of Washington, and the members of Congress,
+ and all magistrates, all civil, military and naval officers, all
+ soldiers, sailors, and marines, with all loyal and law-abiding
+ people, to convene at their usual places of worship, or wherever
+ they may be, to confess and to repent of their manifold sins; to
+ implore the compassion and forgiveness of the Almighty, that, if
+ consistent with His will, the existing rebellion may be speedily
+ suppressed, and the supremacy of the Constitution and laws of the
+ United States may be established throughout all the States; to
+ implore Him, as the Supreme Ruler of all the world, not to destroy
+ us as a people, nor suffer us to be destroyed by the hostility or
+ connivance of other nations, or by obstinate adhesion to our own
+ counsels, which may be in conflict with His eternal purposes, and
+ to implore him to enlighten the mind of the Nation to know and
+ to do his will, humbly believing that it is not in accord ever
+ with his will that our place should be maintained as a wicked
+ people among the family of nations; to implore him to grant to our
+ armed defenders and the masses of the people that courage, power
+ of resistance, and endurance necessary to secure that result;
+ to implore him in his infinite goodness to soften the hearts,
+ enlighten the minds, and quicken the consciences of those in
+ rebellion, that they may lay down their arms and speedily return to
+ their allegiance to the United States, that they may not be utterly
+ destroyed, that the effusion of blood may be stayed, and that unity
+ and fraternity may be restored, and peace established throughout
+ all our borders.'
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, cordially concurring with the Congress of the United States
+ in the penitential and pious sentiments expressed in the aforesaid
+ resolution, and heartily approving of the devotional design and
+ purpose thereof, do hereby appoint the first Thursday of August
+ next, to be observed by the people of the United States as a day of
+ National humiliation and prayer.
+
+ "I do hereby further invite and request the heads of the Executive
+ Department of this Government, together with all legislators, all
+ Judges and magistrates, and all other persons exercising authority
+ in the land, whether civil, military, or naval, and all soldiers,
+ seamen and marines in the National service, and all other loyal
+ and law-abiding people of the United States, to assemble in their
+ professed places of public worship on that day, and there to render
+ to the Almighty and merciful Ruler of the universe such homage
+ and such confessions, and to offer him such supplications, as the
+ Congress of the United States have in their aforesaid resolution so
+ solemnly, so earnestly, and so reverently recommended.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington, this, the seventh day of July, in
+ the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and
+ of the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+To some Ohio volunteers, about to return home at the expiration of
+their term of service, who had called upon the President to pay him
+their respects, he spoke, on the 18th of August, thus:
+
+ "SOLDIERS: You are about to return to your homes and your friends,
+ after having, as I learn, performed in camp a comparatively short
+ term of duty in this great contest. I am greatly obliged to you and
+ to all who have come forward at the call of their country.
+
+ "I wish it might be more generally and universally understood what
+ the country is now engaged in. We have, as all will agree, a free
+ Government, where every man has a right to be equal with every
+ other man. In this great struggle, this form of government and
+ every form of human rights is endangered if our enemies succeed.
+ There is more involved in this contest than is realized by every
+ one. There is involved in this struggle the question whether
+ your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have
+ enjoyed. I say this, in order to impress upon you, if you are not
+ already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from
+ our great purpose.
+
+ "There may be some inequalities in the practical working of
+ our system. It is fair that each man shall pay taxes in exact
+ proportion for the value of his property; but if we should wait,
+ before collecting a tax, to adjust the taxes upon each man in exact
+ proportion to every other man, we should never collect any tax at
+ all. There may be mistakes made somewhere; things may be done
+ wrong, which the officers of Government do all they can to prevent
+ mistakes.
+
+ "But I beg of you, as citizens of this great Republic, not to let
+ your minds be carried off from the great work we have before us.
+ This struggle is too large for you to be diverted from it by any
+ small matter. When you return to your homes, rise up to the height
+ of a generation of men, worthy of a free government, and we will
+ carry out the great work we have commenced. I return you my sincere
+ thanks, soldiers, for the honor you have done me this afternoon."
+
+And again, on the 22d of August, under similar circumstances:
+
+ "SOLDIERS:--I suppose you are going home to see your families and
+ friends. For the services you have done in this great struggle in
+ which we are engaged, I present you sincere thanks for myself and
+ the country.
+
+ "I almost always feel inclined, when I say any thing to soldiers,
+ to impress upon them, in a few brief remarks, the importance of
+ success in this contest. It is not merely for to-day, but for all
+ time to come, that we should perpetuate for our children's children
+ that great and free Government which we have enjoyed all our lives.
+ I beg you to remember this, not merely for my sake, but for yours.
+ I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am a living
+ witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my
+ father's child has.
+
+ "It is in order that each one of you may have, through this free
+ Government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance
+ for your industry, enterprise, and intelligence; that you may all
+ have equal privileges in the race of life, with all its desirable
+ human aspirations; it is for this that the struggle should be
+ maintained, that we may not lose our birthrights--not only for one,
+ but for two or three years. The nation is worth fighting for, to
+ secure such an unquestionable jewel."
+
+During the excitement accompanying the rebel attempts upon the National
+Capitol, during the month of July, heretofore noticed, representations
+were made to the President that certain individuals, professing to
+represent the rebel leaders, were in Canada, anxious to enter into
+negotiations, with a view to the restoration of peace.
+
+In response to this suggestion, Mr. Lincoln issued the following
+paper, which was very unsatisfactory to those who affected to believe
+that peace could be secured upon any basis short of the recognition
+of the Southern Confederacy unless the rebels in arms were thoroughly
+defeated, dated, Executive Mansion, Washington, July 18, 1864.
+
+ "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.--Any proposition which embraces the
+ restoration of peace, the integrity of the Union, and the
+ abandonment of slavery, and which comes by and with authority
+ that can control the armies now at war against the United States,
+ will be received and considered by the Executive Government of
+ the United States, and will be met by liberal terms on other
+ substantial and collateral points, and the bearers thereof shall
+ have safe conduct both ways.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+This ended that attempt to divide the supporters of the Administration.
+
+On the 29th of August, 1864, assembled at Chicago the National
+Convention of the Democratic party. This had been preceded by a "Mass
+Peace Convention," at Syracuse, on the 18th of August, at which it had
+been resolved, among other things, that it was the duty of the Chicago
+Convention to give expression to a beneficent sentiment of peace
+and to declare as the purpose of the Democratic party, if it should
+recover power, to cause the desolating war to cease by the calling of a
+National Convention, in which all the States should be represented in
+their sovereign capacity; and that, to that end, an immediate armistice
+should be declared of sufficient duration to give the States and the
+people ample time and opportunity to deliberate upon and finally
+conclude a form of Union.
+
+There were two factions represented at Chicago: one, unqualifiedly in
+favor of peace at any price, upon any terms, with any concessions; the
+other, disposed to take every possible advantage of the mistakes of the
+Administration, but not possessed of effrontery sufficient to pronounce
+boldly for a cessation of hostilities in any and every event.
+
+Thus embarrassed, what was left of the still great Democratic
+party--that party which had swayed the country for so many years, and
+whose disruption in 1860 was the immediate occasion of the war that
+ensued--determined to do what it never before, in all its history, had
+ventured upon. It essayed to ride, at one and the same time, two horses
+going in diametrically opposite directions.
+
+To conciliate whatever feeling in favor of a prosecution of the war
+there might be in their ranks, without at the same time going too
+far in that direction, and to secure as many soldiers' votes as
+possible, they put in nomination for the Presidency, Gen. McClellan.
+To neutralize this apparent tendency toward war, they associated the
+General with George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, as a candidate for the
+Vice-Presidency--a man, who, during his entire Congressional career as
+member of the National House of Representatives, had avowed himself and
+voted as a Peace-at-any-price individual, from the very outset.
+
+The bane and antidote having thus been blended, as only political
+chemists would have attempted, the candidates were placed upon a
+platform, the second resolution of which was as follows:
+
+ "_Resolved_, That this Convention does explicitly declare, as the
+ sense of the American people, that, after four years of failure
+ to restore the Union by the experiment of war, during which under
+ the pretence of a military necessity or war power higher than the
+ Constitution, the Constitution itself has been disregarded in every
+ part, and public liberty and private right alike trodden down,
+ and the material prosperity of the country essentially impaired,
+ justice, humanity, liberty, and the public welfare demand that
+ immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities, with
+ a view to an ultimate Convention of all the States, or other
+ peaceable means, to the end that at the earliest practicable moment
+ peace may be restored on the basis of the Federal Union of the
+ States."
+
+This accomplished, the Convention adjourned, having provided for its
+indefinite existence by empowering its chairman to reconvene it,
+whenever, in his judgment, it should be thought necessary.
+
+McClellan accepted the nomination, happy to know that when it was
+made, the record of his public life was kept in view. In his letter of
+acceptance, he talked all around the peace proposition, ignored the
+idea of a cessation of hostilities, and went for the whole Union. The
+document, though sufficiently general and indefinite to answer the
+purpose, failed to satisfy the ultra-peace men of his party.
+
+Thus, in the midst of a civil war, unparalleled in the world's
+history, the extraordinary spectacle was presented of a great people
+entering with earnestness upon a political campaign, one of whose
+issues--indeed, the main one--was as to the continuance of that war,
+with all its hardships and burdens.
+
+Just after the adjournment of the Chicago Convention Sherman's
+occupation of Atlanta and the capture of the forts in the harbor of
+Mobile, were announced, seeming to intimate that the war had not been,
+up to that time, wholly a failure. The thanks of the Nation were
+tendered by the President to the officers and men connected with these
+operations, national salutes ordered, and the following proclamation
+issued, dated September 3d, 1864.
+
+ "The signal success that Divine Providence has recently vouchsafed
+ to the operations of the United States fleet and army in the
+ harbor of Mobile, and the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines,
+ and Fort Morgan, and the glorious achievements of the army under
+ Major-General Sherman, in the State of Georgia, resulting in the
+ capture of the city of Atlanta, call for devout acknowledgment of
+ the Supreme Being in whose hands are the destinies of nations.
+
+ "It is therefore requested that on next Sunday, in all places
+ of worship in the United States, thanksgiving be offered to Him
+ for His mercy in preserving our national existence against the
+ insurgent rebels who have been waging a cruel war against the
+ Government of the United States for its overthrow, and also that
+ prayer be made for Divine protection to our brave soldiers and
+ their leaders in the field, who have so often and so gallantly
+ perilled their lives in battling with the enemy, and for blessing
+ and comfort from the Father of Mercies to the sick, wounded, and
+ prisoners, and to the orphans and widows of those who have fallen
+ in the service of their country, and that He will continue to
+ uphold the Government of the United States against all the efforts
+ of public enemies and secret foes.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+Mr. Lincoln's views relative to the employment of negroes as soldiers
+were again and fully expressed about this time in a conversation with
+leading gentlemen from the West. On that occasion he said:
+
+ "The slightest knowledge of arithmetic will prove to any man that
+ the rebel armies cannot be destroyed by Democratic strategy. It
+ would sacrifice all the white men of the North to do it. There
+ are now in the service of the United States nearly two hundred
+ thousand able-bodied colored men, most of them under arms,
+ defending and acquiring Union territory. The Democratic strategy
+ demands that these forces be disbanded, and that the masters be
+ conciliated by restoring them to slavery. The black men, who
+ now assist Union prisoners to escape, are to be converted into
+ our enemies, in the vain hope of gaining the good-will of their
+ masters. We shall have to fight two nations instead of one.
+
+ "You can not conciliate the South, if you guarantee to them
+ ultimate success; and the experience of the present war proves
+ their success is inevitable, if you fling the compulsory labor of
+ millions of black men into their side of the scale. Will you give
+ our enemies such military advantages as insure success, and then
+ depend upon coaxing, flattery, and concession to get them back
+ into the Union? Abandon all the forts now garrisoned by black men,
+ take two hundred thousand men from our side and put them in the
+ battle-field or corn-field against us, and we would be compelled to
+ abandon the war in three weeks.
+
+ "We have to hold territory in inclement and sickly places; where
+ are the Democrats to do this? It was a free fight; and the field
+ was open to the War Democrats to put down this rebellion by
+ fighting against both master and slave, long before the present
+ policy was inaugurated.
+
+ "There have been men base enough to propose to me to return to
+ slavery our black warriors of Port Hudson and Olustee, and thus win
+ the respect of the masters they fought. Should I do so, I should
+ deserve to be damned in time and eternity. Come what will, I will
+ keep my faith with friend and foe. My enemies pretend I am now
+ carrying on this war for the sole purpose of abolition. So long
+ as I am President, it shall be carried on for the sole purpose of
+ restoring the Union. But no human power can subdue this rebellion
+ without the use of the Emancipation policy, and every other policy
+ calculated to weaken the moral and physical forces of the rebellion.
+
+ "Freedom has given us two hundred thousand men raised on Southern
+ soil. It will give us more yet. Just so much it has subtracted
+ from the enemy; and, instead of checking the South, there are now
+ evidences of a fraternal feeling growing up between our men and the
+ rank and file of the rebel soldiers. Let my enemies prove to the
+ country that the destruction of slavery is not necessary to the
+ restoration of the Union. I will abide the issue."
+
+On the 19th of October, the President having been serenaded by the
+loyal Marylanders of the District of Columbia, said:
+
+ "I am notified that this is a compliment paid me by the loyal
+ Marylanders resident in this district. I infer that the adoption of
+ the new Constitution for the State furnishes the occasion, and that
+ in your view the extirpation of slavery constitutes the chief merit
+ of the new Constitution.
+
+ "Most heartily do I congratulate you, and Maryland, and the Nation,
+ and the world upon the event. I regret that it did not occur two
+ years sooner, which, I am sure, would have saved to the nation more
+ money than would have met all the private loss incident to the
+ measure; but it has come at last, and I sincerely hope its friends
+ may fully realize all their anticipations of good from it, and that
+ its opponents may, by its effects, be agreeably and profitably
+ disappointed.
+
+ "A word upon another subject: Something said by the Secretary of
+ State in his recent speech at Auburn, has been construed by some
+ into a threat that, if I shall be beaten at the election, I will
+ between then and the end of my constitutional term do what I may
+ be able to ruin the Government. Others regard the fact that the
+ Chicago Convention adjourned, not _sine die_, but to meet again,
+ if called to do so by a particular individual, as the ultimatum of
+ a purpose that, if the nominee shall be elected, he will at once
+ seize control of the Government.
+
+ "I hope the good people will permit themselves to suffer no
+ uneasiness on either point. I am struggling to maintain the
+ Government, not to overthrow it. I therefore say that, if I shall
+ live, I shall remain President until the fourth of March. And
+ whoever shall be constitutionally elected, therefore, in November,
+ shall be duly installed as President on the fourth of March; and
+ that, in the interval, I shall do my utmost that whoever is to hold
+ the helm for the next voyage, shall start with the best possible
+ chance to save the ship.
+
+ "This is due to our people, both on principle and under the
+ Constitution. Their will, constitutionally expressed, is the
+ ultimate law for all. If they should deliberately resolve to have
+ immediate peace, even at the loss of their country and their
+ liberties, I know not the power or the right to resist them. It is
+ their own business, and they must do as they please with their own.
+
+ "I believe, however, that they are all resolved to preserve their
+ country and their liberty; and in this, in office or out of it, I
+ am resolved to stand by them. I may add, that in this purpose--to
+ save the country and its liberties--no class of people seem so
+ nearly unanimous as the soldiers in the field and the seamen
+ afloat. Do they not have the hardest of it? Who shall quail, when
+ they do not? God bless the soldiers and seamen and all their brave
+ commanders!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+RE-ELECTED.
+
+ Presidential Campaign of 1864--Fremont's Withdrawal--Wade
+ and Davis--Peace and War Democrats--Rebel Sympathizers--
+ October Election--Result of Presidential Election--Speech to
+ Pennsylvanians--Speech at a Serenade--Letter to a Soldier's
+ Mother--Opening of Congress--Last Annual Message.
+
+
+The Presidential campaign of 1864, was, in several of its aspects,
+an anomaly. The amount of low blackguard and slang dealt out against
+the Administration, was perhaps to have been expected in a land
+where personal abuse seems to have become regarded as so vital an
+accompaniment of a National Election, that its absence in any exciting
+canvass would give rise to grave fears that positive Constitutional
+requirements had been disregarded.
+
+Though freedom, in such instances, far too often is wrested into the
+vilest abuse, it was in truth passing strange that an Administration
+should be so violently assailed by its opponents as despotic and
+tyrannical, when the very fact that such strictures and comments were
+passed upon it, without let or hindrance, by word of mouth and on the
+printed page, afforded a proof that the despotism, if such there were,
+was either too mild or too weak to enforce even a decent treatment of
+itself and its acts. It is safe to say, that, within the limits of
+that section with which we were under any circumstances to establish
+harmonious and peaceful relations, according to the requirements
+of the opposition, not one speech in a hundred, not one editorial
+in a thousand, would have been permitted under precisely similar
+circumstances.
+
+General Fremont withdrew his name shortly after the Chicago
+nominations, that he might not distract and divide the friends of the
+Union. In his letter of withdrawal he said:
+
+"The policy of the Democratic party signifies either separation,
+or reestablishment, with slavery. The Chicago platform is
+simply separation. General McClellan's letter of acceptance, is
+reestablishment with slavery.... The Republican candidate, on the
+contrary, is pledged to the reestablishment of Union without slavery."
+
+Senator Wade and Henry Winter Davis, who had joined in a manifesto to
+the people, bitterly denunciatory of the President's course in issuing
+his reconstruction proclamation, entered manfully into the canvass in
+behalf of the Baltimore nominees. The ranks of the supporters of the
+Government closed steadily up, and pressed on to a success, of which
+they could not, with their faith in manhood and republican principles,
+suffer themselves to doubt.
+
+The Opposition were not entirely in accord. It was a delicate position
+in which the full-blooded Peace Democrat found himself, obliged as
+he was to endorse a man whose only claim for the nomination was
+the reputation which he had made as a prominent General engaged
+in prosecuting an "unnatural, unholy war." Nor did it afford much
+alleviation to his distress to remember that this candidate had been
+loudly assailed in the Convention as the first mover in the matter of
+arbitrary arrests, against which a sturdy outcry had long been raised
+by himself and friends. It was unpleasant, moreover, not to be able
+to forget that the same candidate had been the first to suggest a
+draft--or "conscription," as your true peace man would call it: that
+measure so full of horrors, against which unconstitutional act such an
+amount of indignation had been expended.
+
+Nor was the situation of the War Democrat, if he were indeed honestly
+and sincerely such, much better. He could not shut his eyes to the
+fact, that his candidate's military record, whatever else it might have
+established, did not evince very remarkable vigor and celerity in his
+movements, as compared with other Generals then and since prominently
+before the public. Even had he blundered energetically, in that there
+would have been some consolation. The thought, not unpleasant to the
+Pendletonian, of the possibility of the General's death during his term
+of office, stirred up certain other thoughts which he would rather have
+avoided.
+
+However, it must be said, that, taken as a whole, the Opposition came
+up to the work more vigorously than might have been supposed, and
+carried on their campaign in as blustering and defiant a style as if
+victory were sure to perch upon their banners. There was the usual
+amount of cheap enthusiasm, valiant betting, and an unusual amount,
+many thought, of cheating--at least, the results of investigations at
+Baltimore and Washington, conducted by a military tribunal, to a casual
+observer appeared to squint in that direction.
+
+Richmond papers were, for a marvel, quite unanimous in the desire
+that Mr. Lincoln should not be reelected. The rebel Vice-President
+declared that the Chicago movement was "the only ray of light which
+had come from the North during the war." European sympathizers with
+the rebellion, likewise, were opposed to Mr. Lincoln's reelection, and
+their organs on the Continent and in the provinces did their best to
+abuse him shockingly.
+
+The State elections in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, occurring in
+October, created much consternation in the opposition ranks--that in
+the latter State particularly, which had been set down positively as
+upon their side, but insisted, upon that occasion, in common with the
+first two in pronouncing unequivocally in favor of the Administration
+candidates.
+
+The result could no longer be doubtful. Yet the most of the supporters
+of McClellan kept up their talk, whatever their thoughts may have been.
+
+No opportunity for talk, even, was afforded when the results of the
+election of November 8th became known. Abraham Lincoln and Andrew
+Johnson--whom an opposition journal, with rarest refinement and
+graceful courtesy, concentrating all its malignity into the intensest
+sentence possible, had characterized as "a rail-splitting buffoon and
+a boorish tailor, both from the backwoods, both growing up in uncouth
+ignorance"--these men of the people carried every loyal State, except
+Kentucky, New Jersey, and Delaware, the vote of soldiers in service
+having been almost universally given to them.
+
+Of the four million, thirty-four thousand, seven hundred and
+eighty-nine votes cast, Mr. Lincoln received, according to official
+returns, two million, two hundred and twenty-three thousand, and
+thirty-five; a majority on the aggregate popular vote, of four hundred
+and eleven thousand, two hundred and eighty-one.
+
+The President elect by a plurality in 1860, he was reelected in 1864 by
+a majority decisive and unmistakable.
+
+Having been serenaded early in the morning following his reelection,
+by Pennsylvanians then in Washington, he thus gave utterance to his
+feelings:
+
+ "FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:--Even before I had been informed
+ by you that this compliment was paid me by loyal citizens of
+ Pennsylvania friendly to me, I had inferred that you were of
+ that portion of my countrymen who think that the best interests
+ of the nation are to be subserved by the support of the present
+ administration. I do not pretend to say that you, who think so,
+ embrace all the patriotism and loyalty of the country; but I do
+ believe, and I trust without personal interest, that the welfare
+ of the country does require that such support and indorsement be
+ given. I earnestly believe that the consequences of this day's
+ work if it be as you assume, and as now seems probable, will be to
+ the lasting advantage if not to the very salvation of the country.
+ I cannot, at this hour, say what has been the result of the
+ election, but whatever it may be, I have no desire to modify this
+ opinion: that all who have labored to-day in behalf of the Union
+ organization, have wrought for the best interest of their country
+ and the world, not only for the present, but for all future ages.
+ I am thankful to God for this approval of the people; but while
+ deeply grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know
+ my heart, my gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph.
+ I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no
+ pleasure to me to triumph over any one, but I give thanks to the
+ Almighty for this evidence of the people's resolution to stand by
+ free government and the rights of humanity."
+
+When the result was definitely known, at a serenade given in his honor
+on the night of November 10th, by the various Lincoln and Johnson Clubs
+of the District, he said:
+
+ "It has long been a grave question whether any Government, not
+ too strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough
+ to maintain its existence in great emergencies. On this point the
+ present rebellion brought our Government to a severe test, and a
+ Presidential election occurring in a regular course during the
+ rebellion, added not a little to the strain.
+
+ "If the loyal people united were put to the utmost of their
+ strength by the rebellion, must they not fail when divided and
+ partially paralyzed by a political war among themselves? But
+ the election was a necessity--we can not have free government
+ without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego
+ or postpone a national election, it must fairly claim to have
+ already conquered and ruined us. The strife of the election is
+ but human nature practically applied to the facts of the case.
+ What has occurred in this case must ever recur in similar cases.
+ Human nature will not change. In any future great national trial,
+ compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak and as strong,
+ as silly and as wise, as bad and as good. Let us, therefore, study
+ the incidents of this, as philosophy to learn wisdom from; and none
+ of them as wrongs to be revenged.
+
+ "But the election, along with its incidental and undesirable
+ strife, has done good too. It has demonstrated that a people's
+ government can sustain a national election in the midst of a great
+ civil war. Until now it has not been known to the world that this
+ was a possibility. It shows also how sound and how strong we still
+ are. It shows that, even among the candidates of the same party, he
+ who is most devoted to the Union, and most opposed to treason, can
+ receive most of the people's votes. It shows also, to the extent
+ yet known, that we have more men now than we had when the war
+ began. Gold is good in its place; but living, brave, and patriotic
+ men are better than gold.
+
+ "But the rebellion continues; and now that the election is over,
+ may not all having a common interest reunite in a common effort to
+ save our common country? For my own part, I have striven and shall
+ strive to avoid placing any obstacle in the way. So long as I have
+ been here I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man's bosom.
+ While I am duly sensible to the high compliment of a reelection,
+ and duly grateful, as I trust, to Almighty God for having directed
+ my countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think, for their good,
+ it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may be
+ disappointed by the result.
+
+ "May I ask those who have not differed with me to join with me in
+ this same spirit toward those who have? And now let me close by
+ asking three hearty cheers for our brave soldiers and seamen and
+ their gallant and skilful commanders."
+
+As indicative of Mr. Lincoln's warmth and tenderness of heart the
+following letter will be read with interest. It was addressed to a poor
+widow, in Boston, whose sixth son, then recently wounded, was lying in
+a hospital and bears date November 21st, 1864.
+
+ "DEAR MADAM:--I have been shown in the files of the War Department
+ a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts, that you
+ are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field
+ of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of
+ mine, which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a
+ loss so overwhelming; but I cannot refrain from tendering to you
+ the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic
+ they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage
+ the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished
+ memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be
+ yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.
+
+ "Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+The Thirty-eighth Congress commenced its second session on the 5th of
+December, 1864. On the following day Mr. Lincoln transmitted what was
+to be his last annual message:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:--Again
+ the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest
+ gratitude to Almighty God.
+
+ "The condition of our foreign affairs is reasonably satisfactory.
+
+ "Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil war. While our political
+ relations with that country have undergone no change, we have
+ at the same time strictly maintained neutrality between the
+ belligerents.
+
+ "At the request of the States of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, a
+ competent engineer has been authorized to make a survey of the
+ river San Juan and the port of San Juan. It is a source of
+ much satisfaction that the difficulties, which for a moment
+ excited some political apprehension, and caused a closing of the
+ inter-oceanic transit route, have been amicably adjusted, and that
+ there is a good prospect that the route will soon be re-opened with
+ an increase of capacity and adaptation.
+
+ "We could not exaggerate either the commercial or the political
+ importance of that great improvement. It would be doing injustice
+ to an important South American State not to acknowledge the
+ directness, frankness, and cordiality with which the United
+ States of Columbia has entered into intimate relation with this
+ Government. A Claim Convention has been constituted to complete the
+ unfinished work of the one which closed its session in 1861.
+
+ "The new liberal Constitution of Venezuela having gone into effect
+ with the universal acquiescence of the people, the Government under
+ it has been recognised, and diplomatic intercourse with it has been
+ opened in a cordial and friendly spirit.
+
+ "The long-deferred Avis Island claim has been satisfactorily
+ paid and discharged. Mutual payments have been made of the
+ claims awarded by the late Joint Commission for the settlement
+ of claims between the United States and Peru. An earnest and
+ candid friendship continues to exist between the two countries;
+ and such efforts as were in my power have been used to prevent
+ misunderstanding, and avert a threatened war between Peru and Spain.
+
+ "Our relations are of the most friendly nature with Chili, the
+ Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador,
+ and Hayti. During the past year, no differences of any kind have
+ arisen with any of these Republics. And, on the other hand, their
+ sympathies with the United States are constantly expressed with
+ cordiality and earnestness.
+
+ "The claims arising from the seizure of the cargo of the brig
+ Macedonian, in 1821, have been paid in full by the Government of
+ Chili.
+
+ "Civil war continues in the Spanish port of San Domingo, apparently
+ without prospect of an early close.
+
+ "Official correspondence has been freely opened with Liberia, and
+ it gives us a pleasing view of social and political progress in
+ that Republic. It may be expected to derive new vigor from American
+ influence, improved by the rapid disappearance of slavery in the
+ United States.
+
+ "I solicit your authority to promise to the Republic a gunboat,
+ at a moderate cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by
+ instalments. Such a vessel is needed for the safety of that State
+ against the native African races, and in Liberian hands it would be
+ more effective in arresting the African slave-trade than a squadron
+ in our own hands.
+
+ "The possession of the least authorized naval force would stimulate
+ a generous ambition in the Republic, and the confidence which we
+ should manifest by furnishing it would win forbearance and favor
+ toward the colony from all civilized nations. The proposed overland
+ telegraph between America and Europe by the way of Behring Strait
+ and Asiatic Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress at the last
+ session, has been undertaken under very favorable circumstances by
+ an association of American citizens, with the cordial good will and
+ support as well of this Government as of those of Great Britain and
+ Russia.
+
+ "Assurances have been received from most of the South American
+ States of their high appreciation of the enterprise and their
+ readiness to cooeperate in constructing lines tributary to that
+ world-encircling communication.
+
+ "I learn with much satisfaction that the noble design of a
+ telegraphic communication between the eastern coast of America and
+ Great Britain has been renewed with full expectation of its early
+ accomplishment.
+
+ "Thus it is hoped that with the return of domestic peace the
+ country will be able to resume with energy and advantage her former
+ high career of commerce and civilization. Our very popular and
+ able representative in Egypt died in April last.
+
+ "An unpleasant altercation which arose between the temporary
+ incumbent and the Government of the Pacha, resulted in a suspension
+ of intercourse. The evil was promptly corrected on the arrival
+ of the successor in the consulate, and our relations with Egypt
+ as well as our relations with the Barbary Powers, are entirely
+ satisfactory.
+
+ "The rebellion which has so long been flagrant in China, has at
+ last been suppressed with the cooeperating good offices of this
+ Government and of the other Western Commercial States. The judicial
+ consular establishment has become very difficult and onerous, and
+ it will need legislative requisition to adapt it to the extension
+ of our commerce, and to the more intimate intercourse which has
+ been instituted with the Government and people of that vast empire.
+
+ "China seems to be accepting with hearty good-will the conventional
+ laws which regulate commerce and social intercourse among the
+ Western nations.
+
+ "Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan, and the anomalous form
+ of its Government, the action of that Empire in performing treaty
+ stipulations is inconsistent and capricious. Nevertheless good
+ progress has been effected by the Western Powers, moving with
+ enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary claims have been allowed, or
+ put in course of settlement, and the Inland Sea has been reopened
+ to Commerce.
+
+ "There is reason also to believe that these proceedings have
+ increased rather than diminished the friendship of Japan toward the
+ United States.
+
+ "The ports of Norfolk, Fernandino, and Pensacola have been opened
+ by proclamation.
+
+ "It is hoped that foreign merchants will now consider whether it
+ is not safer and more profitable to themselves as well as just to
+ the United States, to resort to these and other open ports, than it
+ is to pursue, through many hazards and at vast cost, a contraband
+ trade with other ports which are closed, if not by actual military
+ operations, at least by a lawful and effective blockade.
+
+ "For myself, I have no doubt of the power and duty of the
+ Executive, under the laws of nations, to exclude enemies of the
+ human race from an asylum in the United States. If Congress should
+ think that proceedings in such cases lack the authority of law, or
+ ought to be further regulated by it, I recommend that provision
+ be made for effectually preventing foreign slave-traders from
+ acquiring domicil and facilities for their criminal occupation in
+ our country.
+
+ "It is possible that if this were a new and open question, the
+ maritime powers, with the light they now enjoy, would not concede
+ the privileges of a naval belligerent to the insurgents of the
+ United States, destitute as they are and always have been, equally
+ of ships, and of ports and harbors.
+
+ "Disloyal enemies have been neither less assiduous nor more
+ successful during the last year than they were before that time,
+ in their efforts, under favor of that privilege, to embroil our
+ country in foreign wars. The desire and determination of the
+ maritime States to defeat that design are believed to be as sincere
+ as, and cannot be more earnest than our own.
+
+ "Nevertheless, unforseen political difficulties have arisen,
+ especially in Brazilian and British ports, and on the Northern
+ boundary of the United States, which have required and are likely
+ to continue to require the practice of constant vigilance, and a
+ just and conciliatory spirit on the part of the United States,
+ as well as of the nations concerned and their Governments.
+ Commissioners have been appointed under the treaty with Great
+ Britain, in the adjustment of the claims of the Hudson's Bay
+ and Puget Sound Agricultural Companies in Oregon, and are now
+ proceeding to the execution of the trust assigned to them.
+
+ "In view of the insecurity of life in the region adjacent to the
+ Canadian border by recent assaults and depredations committed by
+ inimical and desperate persons who are harbored there, it has
+ been thought proper to give notice that after the expiration of
+ six months, the period conditionally stipulated in the existing
+ arrangements with Great Britain, the United States must hold
+ themselves at liberty to increase their naval armament upon the
+ lakes, if they shall find that proceeding necessary.
+
+ "The condition of the Border will necessarily come into
+ consideration in connection with the continuing or modifying the
+ rights of transit from Canada through the United States, as well
+ as the regulation of imposts, which were temporarily established
+ by the Reciprocity Treaty of the 5th of June, 1864. I desire,
+ however, to be understood while making this statement that the
+ Colonial authorities are not deemed to be intentionally unjust or
+ unfriendly toward the United States; but, on the contrary, there
+ is every reason to expect that, with the approval of the Imperial
+ Government, they will take the necessary measures to prevent new
+ incursions across the border.
+
+ "The act passed at the last session for the encouragement of
+ immigration has, as far as was possible, been put into operation.
+
+ "It seems to need an amendment which will enable the officers
+ of the Government to prevent the practice of frauds against the
+ immigrants while on their way and on their arrival in the ports,
+ so as to secure them here a free choice of avocations and place of
+ settlement.
+
+ "A liberal disposition toward this great National policy is
+ manifested by most of the European States, and ought to be
+ reciprocated on our part by giving the immigrants effective
+ National protection. I regard our immigrants as one of the
+ principal replenishing streams which are appointed by Providence
+ to repair the ravages of internal war, and its wastes of National
+ strength and health.
+
+ "All that is necessary is, to secure the flow of that stream in its
+ present fullness, and to that end, the Government must, in every
+ way, make it manifest that it neither needs nor designs to impose
+ involuntary military service upon those who come from other lands
+ to cast their lot in our country.
+
+ "The financial affairs of the Government have been successfully
+ administered. During the last year the legislation of the last
+ session of Congress has beneficially affected the revenue,
+ although sufficient time has not yet elapsed to experience the
+ full effect of several of the provisions of the act of Congress
+ imposing increased taxation. The receipts during the year, from all
+ sources, upon the basis of warrants signed by the Secretary of the
+ Treasury, including loans and the balance in the Treasury on the
+ first day of July, 1863, were $1,394,796,007 62, and the aggregate
+ disbursements, upon the same basis, were $1,298,056,101 89, leaving
+ a balance in the Treasury, as shown by warrants, of $96,739,905
+ 73. Deduct from these amounts the amount of the principal of the
+ public debt redeemed, and the amount of issues in substitution
+ therefor, and the actual cash operations of the Treasury were:
+ Receipts, $3,075,646 77; disbursements, $865,734,087 76; which
+ leaves a cash balance in the Treasury of $18,842,558 71. Of the
+ receipts, there were derived from customs, $102,316,152 99; from
+ lands, $588,333 29; from direct taxes, $475,648 96; from internal
+ revenues, $109,741,134 10; from miscellaneous sources, $47,511,448;
+ and from loans applied to actual expenditures, including former
+ balance, $623,443,929 13. There were disbursed for the civil
+ service, $27,505,599 46; for pensions and Indians, $7,517,930 97;
+ for the War Department, $60,791,842 97; for the Navy Department,
+ $85,733,292 79; for interest of the public debts, $53,685,421 69;
+ making an aggregate of $865,234,081 86, and leaving a balance in
+ the Treasury of $18,842,558 71, as before stated.
+
+ "For the actual receipts and disbursements for the first quarter,
+ and the estimated receipts and disbursements for the three
+ remaining quarters of the current fiscal year, and the general
+ operations of the Treasury in detail, I refer you to the report of
+ the Secretary of the Treasury.
+
+ "I concur with him in the opinion, that the proportion of the
+ moneys required to meet the expenses consequent upon the war
+ derived from taxation, should be still further increased; and I
+ earnestly invite your attention to this subject, to the end that
+ there may be such additional legislation as shall be required to
+ meet the just expectations of the Secretary.
+
+ "The public debt, on the first day of May last, as appears by the
+ books of the Treasury, amounted to $1,740,690,489 49. Probably,
+ should the war continue for another year, that amount may be
+ increased by not far from five hundred millions. Held, as it is
+ for the most part, by our own people, it has become a substantial
+ branch of national, though private property.
+
+ "For obvious reasons, the more nearly this property can be
+ distributed among all the people, the better. To forward general
+ distribution, greater inducements to become owners, might, perhaps,
+ with good effect and without injury, be presented to persons of
+ limited means. With this view, I suggest whether it might not be
+ both expedient and competent for Congress to provide that a limited
+ amount of some future issue of public securities might be held, by
+ any _bona fide_ purchaser, exempt from taxation and from seizure
+ for debt, under such restrictions and limitations as might be
+ necessary to guard against abuse of so important a privilege. This
+ would enable prudent persons to set aside a small annuity against a
+ possible day of want.
+
+ "Privileges like these would render the possession of such
+ securities, to the amount limited, most desirable to every person
+ of small means who might be able to save enough for the purpose.
+ The great advantage of citizens being creditors as well as debtors,
+ is obvious. Men readily perceive that they cannot be much
+ oppressed by a debt which they owe to themselves.
+
+ "The public debt on the first day of July last, although somewhat
+ exceeding the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury made to
+ Congress at the commencement of last session, falls short of the
+ estimate of that office made in the succeeding December as to
+ its probable amount at the beginning of this year, by the sum of
+ $3,995,079 33. This fact exhibits a satisfactory condition and
+ conduct of the operations of the Treasury.
+
+ "The National banking system is proving to be acceptable to
+ capitalists and the people. On the 25th day of November, five
+ hundred and eighty-four National Banks had been organized, a
+ considerable number of which were conversions from State banks.
+ Changes from the State system to the National system are rapidly
+ taking place, and it is hoped that very soon there will be in
+ the United States no banks of issue not authorized by Congress,
+ and no bank-note circulation not secured by the government. That
+ the government and the people will derive general benefit from
+ this change in the banking system of the country can hardly be
+ questioned.
+
+ "The National system will create a reliable and permanent influence
+ in support of the national credit, and protect the people against
+ losses in the use of paper money. Whether or not any further
+ legislation is advisable for the suppression of State bank issues,
+ it will be for Congress to determine. It seems quite clear that the
+ Treasury cannot be satisfactorily conducted unless the government
+ can exercise restraining power over the bank-note circulation of
+ the country.
+
+ "The Report of the Secretary of War, and the accompanying
+ documents, will detail the campaigns of the armies in the field
+ since the date of the last annual Message, and also the operations
+ of the several administrative bureaus of the War Department during
+ the last year.
+
+ "It will also specify the measures deemed essential for the
+ national defence, and to keep up and supply the requisite military
+ force.
+
+ "The Report of the Secretary of the Navy presents a comprehensive
+ and satisfactory exhibit of the affairs of that department and of
+ the naval service. It is a subject of congratulation and laudable
+ pride to our countrymen, that a navy of such vast proportions has
+ been organized in so brief a period and conducted with so much
+ efficiency and success.
+
+ "The general exhibits of the Navy, including vessels under
+ construction, on the first of December, 1864, shows a total of 671
+ vessels, carrying 4,610 guns, and 510,396 tons--being an actual
+ increase during the year over and above all losses by shipwreck
+ or in battle, of 83 vessels, 167 guns, and 42,427 tons. The total
+ number at this time in the naval service, including officers, is
+ about 51,000. There have been captured by the Navy during the
+ year, 324 vessels, and the whole number of naval captures since
+ hostilities commenced is 1,379, of which 267 are steamers. The
+ gross proceeds arising from the sale of condemned prize property,
+ thus far reported, amount to $14,396,250 51.
+
+ "A large amount of such proceeds is still under adjudication and
+ yet to be reported. The total expenditures of the Navy Department,
+ of every description, including the cost of the immense squadrons
+ that have been called into existence, from the 4th of March, 1861,
+ to the 1st of November, 1864, are $238,647,262 35. Your favorable
+ consideration is invited to the various recommendations of the
+ Secretary of the Navy, especially in regard to a navy yard and
+ suitable establishment for the construction and repair of iron
+ vessels, and the machinery and armature for our ships, to which
+ reference was made in my last annual message.
+
+ "Your attention is also invited to the views expressed in the
+ report in relation to the legislation of Congress at its last
+ session in respect to prizes on our inland waters.
+
+ "I cordially concur in the recommendation of the Secretary as to
+ the propriety of creating the new rank of Vice-admiral in our naval
+ service.
+
+ "Your attention is invited to the report of the Postmaster-General,
+ for a detailed account of the operations and financial condition of
+ the Post-Office Department. The postal revenues for the year ending
+ June 30, 1864, amounted to $12,438,253 78, and the expenditures
+ to $12,644,786 20; the excess of expenditures over receipts being
+ $206,532 42.
+
+ "The views presented by the Postmaster-General on the subject of
+ special grants by the Government in aid of the establishment of new
+ lines of ocean mail steamships, and the policy he recommends for
+ the development of increased commercial intercourse with adjacent
+ and neighboring countries, should receive the careful consideration
+ of Congress.
+
+ "It is of noteworthy interest that the steady expansion of
+ population, improvement and governmental institutions over the new
+ and unoccupied portions of our country have scarcely been checked,
+ much less impeded or destroyed by our great civil war, which,
+ at first glance, would seem to have absorbed almost the entire
+ energies of the Nation.
+
+ "The organization and admission of the State of Nevada has been
+ completed in conformity with law, and thus our excellent system is
+ firmly established in the mountains which once seemed a barren and
+ uninhabitable waste between the Atlantic States and those which
+ have grown up on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
+
+ "The Territories of the Union are generally in a condition of
+ prosperity and growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason of their
+ great distance and the interruption of communication with them by
+ Indian hostilities, have been only partially organized; but it is
+ understood that those difficulties are about to disappear, which
+ will permit their governments, like those of the others, to go into
+ speedy and full operation.
+
+ "As intimately connected with and promotive of this material
+ growth of the Nation, I ask the attention of Congress to the
+ valuable information and important recommendation relating to the
+ public lands, Indian affairs, the Pacific Railroad, and mineral
+ discoveries contained in the report of the Secretary of the
+ Interior, which is herewith transmitted, and which report also
+ embraces the subjects of the patents, pensions, and other topics of
+ public interest pertaining to his Department.
+
+ "The quantity of public land disposed of during the five quarters
+ ending on the 30th of September last, was 4,221,342 acres, of
+ which 1,538,614 acres were entered under the Homestead law. The
+ remainder was located with military land warrants, agricultural
+ script certified to States for railroads, and sold for cash. The
+ cash received from sales and location fees was $1,019,446. The
+ income from sales during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864, was
+ $678,007 21, against $136,077 95, received during the preceding
+ year. The aggregate number of acres surveyed during the year has
+ been equal to the quantity disposed of, and there are open to
+ settlement about 133,000,000 acres of surveyed land.
+
+ "The great enterprise of connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific
+ States by railways and telegraph lines has been entered upon
+ with a vigor that gives assurance of success, notwithstanding
+ the embarrassments arising from the prevailing high prices of
+ materials and labor. The route of the main line of the road has
+ been definitely located for one hundred miles westward from the
+ initial point at Omaha City, Nebraska, and a preliminary location
+ of the Pacific Railroad of California has been made from Sacramento
+ eastward to the great bend of Mucker river, in Nevada. Numerous
+ discoveries of gold, silver and cinnabar mines have been added
+ to the many heretofore known, and the country occupied by the
+ Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains and the subordinate ranges now
+ teems with enterprising labor which is richly remunerative. It is
+ believed that the products of the mines of precious metals in that
+ region have, during the year reached, if not exceeded, $100,000,000
+ in value.
+
+ "It was recommended in my last annual message, that our Indian
+ system be remodeled. Congress, at its last session, acting upon
+ the recommendation, did provide for reorganizing the system in
+ California, and it is believed that under the present organization
+ the management of the Indians there will be attended with
+ reasonable success. Much yet remains to be done to provide for the
+ proper government of the Indians in other parts of the country,
+ to render it secure for the advancing settler and to provide
+ for the welfare of the Indian. The Secretary reiterates his
+ recommendations, and to them the attention of Congress is invited.
+
+ "The liberal provisions made by Congress for paying pensions to
+ invalid soldiers and sailors of the Republic, and to the widows,
+ orphans and dependent mothers of those who have fallen in battle,
+ or died of disease contracted, or of wounds received in the service
+ of their country, have been diligently administered.
+
+ "There have been added to the pension rolls during the year ending
+ the thirtieth day of June last, the names of 16,770 invalid
+ soldiers, and of 271 disabled seamen, making the present number of
+ army invalid pensioners 22,767, and of navy invalid pensioners 712.
+ Of widows, orphans and mothers, 22,198 have been placed on the army
+ pension rolls, and 248 on the navy rolls.
+
+ "The present number of Army pensioners of this class is 25,433, and
+ of Navy pensioners 793. At the beginning of the year, the number
+ of revolutionary pensioners was 1,430. Only twelve of them were
+ soldiers, of whom seven have since died. The remainder are those
+ who, under the law, receive pensions because of relationship to
+ revolutionary soldiers.
+
+ "During the year ending the thirtieth of June, 1864, $4,504,616 92
+ have been paid to pensioners of all classes.
+
+ "I cheerfully commend to your continued patronage the benevolent
+ institutions of the District of Columbia, which have hitherto been
+ established or fostered by Congress, and respectfully refer for
+ information concerning them, and in relation to the Washington
+ Aqueduct, the Capitol, and other matters of local interest to the
+ report of the Secretary.
+
+ "The Agricultural Department, under the supervision of its
+ present energetic and faithful head, is rapidly commending itself
+ to the great and vital interest it was intended to advance. It
+ is peculiarly the People's Department, in which they feel more
+ directly concerned than in any other, I commend it to the continued
+ attention and fostering care of Congress.
+
+ "The war continues. Since the last annual message, all the
+ important lines and positions then occupied by our forces have been
+ maintained, and our armies have steadily advanced, thus liberating
+ the regions left in the rear, so that Missouri, Kentucky,
+ Tennessee, and parts of other States have again produced reasonably
+ fair crops.
+
+ "The most remarkable feature in the military operations of the
+ year, is General Sherman's attempted march of three hundred miles
+ directly through insurgent regions. It tends to show a great
+ increase of our relative strength, that our General-in-chief should
+ feel able to confront and hold in check every active force of the
+ enemy, and yet to detach a well-appointed, large army to move on
+ such an expedition. The result not being yet known, conjecture in
+ regard to it is not here indulged.
+
+ "Important movements have also occurred during the year to the
+ effect of moulding society for ductility in the Union. Although
+ short of complete success, it is much in the right direction
+ that twelve thousand citizens in each of the States of Arkansas
+ and Louisiana, have organized loyal State governments with free
+ Constitutions, and are earnestly struggling to maintain and
+ administer them.
+
+ "The movement in the same direction, more extensive, though less
+ definite, in Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, should not be
+ overlooked.
+
+ "But Maryland presents the example of complete success. Maryland
+ is secure to liberty and union for all the future. The genius of
+ rebellion will no more claim Maryland. Like another foul spirit,
+ being driven out, it may seek to tear her but it will rule her no
+ more.
+
+ "At the last Session of Congress, a proposed amendment of the
+ Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States,
+ passed the Senate, but failed, for lack of the requisite two-thirds
+ vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the
+ same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without question
+ on the patriotism of those who stood in opposition, I venture to
+ recommend the consideration and passage of the measure at the
+ present session.
+
+ "Of course the abstract question is not changed, but an intervening
+ election shows almost certainly that the next Congress will pass
+ the measure, if this does not. Hence there is only a question of
+ time as to when the proposed amendment will go to the States for
+ their action; and as it is to go at all events, may we not agree
+ that the sooner the better? It is not claimed that the election
+ has imposed a duty on members to change their views or their votes
+ any further than as an additional element to be considered. Their
+ judgment may be affected by it.
+
+ "It is the voice of the people, now for the first time heard upon
+ the question. In a great national crisis like ours, unanimity of
+ action among those seeking a common end is very desirable, almost
+ indispensable, and yet an approach to such unanimity is attainable,
+ only as some deference shall be paid to the will of the majority,
+ simply because it is the will of the majority.
+
+ "In this case, the common end is the maintenance of the Union,
+ and among the means to secure that end, such will, through the
+ election, is most clearly declared in favor of such Constitutional
+ Amendment. The most reliable indication of public purpose in this
+ country is derived through our popular election. Judging by the
+ recent canvass and its result, the purpose of the people within the
+ loyal States to maintain the integrity of the Union was never more
+ firm nor more nearly unanimous than now.
+
+ "The extraordinary calmness and good order with which the millions
+ of voters met and mingled at the polls, give strong assurance of
+ this. Not only those who supported the 'Union Ticket,' so called,
+ but a great majority of the opposing party also, may be fairly
+ claimed to entertain and to be actuated by the same purpose. It is
+ an unanswerable argument to this effect that no candidate to any
+ office whatever, high or low, has ventured to seek votes on the
+ avowal that he was for giving up the Union.
+
+ "There has been much impugning of motives, and heated controversy
+ as to the proper means and best mode of advancing the Union cause,
+ but in the distinct issue of Union or no Union, the politicians
+ have shown their distinctive knowledge that there is no diversity
+ among the people. In affording the people a fair opportunity of
+ showing one to another and to the world this firmness and unanimity
+ of purpose, the election has been of vast value to the National
+ cause.
+
+ "The election has exhibited another fact not less valuable to be
+ known in the fact that we do not approach exhaustion in the most
+ important branch of the national resources, that of living men.
+ While it is melancholy to reflect that the war has filled so many
+ graves, and carried mourning to so many hearts, it is some relief
+ to know that, compared with the surviving, the fallen have been
+ so few. While corps, and divisions, and brigades, and regiments
+ have formed, and fought and dwindled, and gone out of existence,
+ a great majority of the men who composed them are still living.
+ The same is true of the naval service. The election returns prove
+ this. So many votes could not else be found. The States regularly
+ holding elections, both now and four years ago, to wit California,
+ Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine,
+ Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New
+ Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
+ Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, cast 3,982,011 votes
+ now against 3,870,222 then, to which are to be added 33,762 cast
+ now in the new States of Kansas and Nevada, which States did not
+ vote in 1860; thus swelling the aggregate to 4,075,773, and the net
+ increase during the three years and a half of war to 145,751.
+
+ "To this, again, should be added the number of all soldiers in
+ the field from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware,
+ Indiana, Illinois, and California, who, by the laws of those
+ States, could not vote away from their homes, and which number
+ cannot be less than ninety thousand. Nor yet is this all. The
+ number in organized territories is triple now what it was four
+ years ago, while thousands, white and black, join us as the
+ National army forces back the insurgent lines. So much is shown,
+ affirmatively and negatively, by the election.
+
+ "It is not natural to inquire how the increase has been produced,
+ or to show that it would have been greater but for the war, which
+ is partially true; the important fact remaining demonstrated, that
+ we have more men now than we had when the war began; that we are
+ not exhausted, nor in process of exhaustion; that we are gaining
+ strength, and may, if need be, maintain the contest indefinitely.
+ This as to men.
+
+ "National resources are now more complete and abundant than ever;
+ the National resources, then, are unexhausted, and, as we believe,
+ inexhaustible. The public purpose to reestablish and maintain the
+ National authority is unchanged, and, as we believe, unchangeable.
+ The manner of continuing the effort remains to choose. On careful
+ consideration of all the evidence accessible, it seems to me that
+ no attempts at negotiation with the insurgent leader could result
+ in any good.
+
+ "He would accept of nothing short of the severance of the Union.
+ His declarations to this effect are explicit and oft-repeated. He
+ does not attempt to deceive us. He affords us no excuse to deceive
+ ourselves. We cannot voluntarily yield it. Between him and us the
+ issue is distinct, simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which can
+ only be tried by war, and decided by victory.
+
+ "If we yield, we are beaten; if the Southern people fail him, he is
+ beaten--either way, it would be the victory and defeat following
+ war. What is true, however, of him who heads the insurgent cause,
+ is not necessarily true of those who follow. Although he cannot
+ reaccept the Union, they can. Some of them, we know, already desire
+ peace and reunion. The number of such may increase.
+
+ "They can at any moment have peace simply by laying down their arms
+ and submitting to the National authority under the Constitution.
+ After so much, the Government could not, if it would, maintain war
+ against them. The loyal people would not sustain, or allow it. If
+ questions should remain, we would adjust them by the peaceful means
+ of legislation, conference, courts, and votes.
+
+ "Operating only in constitutional and lawful channels, some certain
+ and other possible questions are and would be beyond the Executive
+ power to adjust; for instance, the admission of members into
+ Congress, and whatever might require the appropriation of money.
+
+ "The Executive power itself would be really diminished by the
+ cessation of actual war. Pardons and remissions of forfeiture,
+ however, would still be within Executive control. In what spirit
+ and temper this control would be exercised, can be fairly judged of
+ by the past. A year ago general pardon and amnesty upon specified
+ terms were offered to all except certain designated classes, and it
+ was at this same time made known that the excepted classes were
+ still within contemplation of special clemency.
+
+ "During the year many availed themselves of the general provision,
+ and many more would, only that the sign of bad faith in some led to
+ such precautionary measures as rendered the practical power less
+ easy and certain. During the same time, also, special pardons have
+ been granted to individuals of excepted classes, and no voluntary
+ individual application has been denied.
+
+ "Thus, practically, the door has been for a full year open to all,
+ except such as were not in condition to make free choice; that is,
+ such as were in custody or under constraint. It is still so open to
+ all; but the time may come, probably will come, when public duty
+ shall demand that it be closed, and that, in lieu, more vigorous
+ measures than heretofore shall be adopted.
+
+ "In presenting the abandonment of armed resistance to the National
+ authority, on the part of the insurgents, as the only indispensable
+ condition to ending the war on the part of the Government, I
+ retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the
+ declaration made a year ago, that while I remain in my present
+ position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation
+ Proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free
+ by the terms of that proclamation or by any of the acts of Congress.
+
+ "If the people should, by whatever mode, or means, make it an
+ Executive duty to re-enslave such persons, another, and not I, must
+ be their instrument to perform it.
+
+ "In stating a single condition of peace, I mean simply to say that
+ the war will cease on the part of the Government whenever it shall
+ have ceased on the part of those who began it.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+TIGHTENING THE LINES.
+
+ Speech at a Serenade--Reply to a Presentation Address--Peace
+ Rumors--Rebel Commissioners--Instructions to Secretary Seward--
+ The Conference in Hampton Roads--Result--Extra Session of the
+ Senate--Military Situation--Sherman--Charleston--Columbia--
+ Wilmington--Fort Fisher--Sheridan--Grant--Rebel Congress--
+ Second Inauguration--Inaugural--English Comment--Proclamation to
+ Deserters.
+
+
+As illustrative of the genial, pleasant manner of the President, take
+the following, in response to a serenade, December 6th, 1864:
+
+ "FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I believe I shall never be old
+ enough to speak without embarrassment when I have nothing to talk
+ about. I have no good news to tell you, and yet I have no bad news
+ to tell. We have talked of elections until there is nothing more
+ to say about them. The most interesting news we now have is from
+ Sherman. We all know where he went in at, but I can't tell where he
+ will come out at. I will now close by proposing three cheers for
+ General Sherman and his army."
+
+On the 24th of January, 1865, having been made the recipient of a
+beautiful vase of skeleton leaves, gathered from the battle-field of
+Gettysburg, which had been subscribed for at the great Sanitary Fair,
+held in Philadelphia during the previous summer, in reply to the warmly
+sympathetic and appreciative address of the Chairman of the Committee
+entrusted with the presentation, he said:
+
+ "REVEREND SIR, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--I accept, with emotions
+ of profoundest gratitude, the beautiful gift you have been pleased
+ to present to me. You will, of course, expect that I acknowledge
+ it. So much has been said about Gettysburg and so well said, that
+ for me to attempt to say more may perhaps, only serve to weaken the
+ force of that which has already been said.
+
+ "A most graceful and eloquent tribute was paid to the patriotism
+ and self-denying labors of the American ladies, on the occasion of
+ the consecration of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, by our
+ illustrious friend, Edward Everett, now, alas! departed from earth.
+ His life was a truly great one, and, I think, the greatest part of
+ it was that which crowned its closing years.
+
+ "I wish you to read, if you have not already done so, the glowing,
+ and eloquent, and truthful words which he then spoke of the women
+ of America. Truly the services they have rendered to the defenders
+ of our country in this perilous time, and are yet rendering, can
+ never be estimated as they ought to be.
+
+ "For your kind wishes to me, personally, I beg leave to render you,
+ likewise, my sincerest thanks. I assure you they are reciprocated.
+ And now, gentlemen and ladies, may God bless you all."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+With the opening of the new year, the air--as often before--was filled
+with rumors that the insurgents were anxious to negotiate for peace.
+
+Some there were, even among Mr. Lincoln's friends and supporters, who
+were apprehensive that his "To whom it may concern" announcement of
+the previous year, was somewhat too curt and blunt. Without claiming
+to have as good an opportunity as the President for judging in the
+premises, they could not yet divest themselves of the idea that
+something definite and tangible might result from an interview with
+representatives from rebeldom; if nothing more, at least a distinct
+understanding that no peace could be attained, without separation,
+unless it were conquered.
+
+Thoroughly familiar with the designs and purposes of the leading rebels
+as Mr. Lincoln was, and well aware that any such attempt must prove
+futile, he was nevertheless determined that no valid ground for censure
+should be afforded by himself, in case a favorable opening presented
+itself.
+
+Accordingly, when he learned--as he did during the last week of
+January, from his friend, Francis P. Blair, who had visited Richmond,
+with the President's permission--that the managers there were desirous
+of sending certain persons as commissioners to learn from the United
+States Government upon what terms an adjustment of difficulties
+could be made, and that A. H. Stephens, of Georgia, R. M. T. Hunter,
+of Virginia, and J. A. Campbell, of Alabama, had been sent through
+the enemy's lines by Davis for the purpose of a conference upon the
+subject, Mr. Lincoln, not choosing that the commissioners should visit
+Washington, entrusted the matter to Secretary Seward, furnishing him
+with the following letter of instructions, dated Executive Mansion,
+Washington, January 31st, 1865:
+
+ "HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State:--You will proceed to
+ Fortress Monroe, Virginia, there to meet and informally confer with
+ Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on the basis of my letter
+ to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you have.
+
+ "You will make known to them that three things are indispensable,
+ to wit:
+
+ "1. The restoration of national authority throughout all the States.
+
+ "2. No receding by the Executive of the United States, on the
+ slavery question, from the position assumed thereon in the late
+ annual message to Congress, and in preceding documents.
+
+ "3. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war and the
+ disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government.
+
+ "You will inform them that all propositions of theirs not
+ inconsistent with the above, will be considered and passed upon in
+ a spirit of sincere liberality.
+
+ "You will hear all they may choose to say, and report it to me.
+
+ "You will not assume to definitely consummate any thing.
+
+ "Yours truly, A. LINCOLN."
+
+On the 2d of February, the President himself left for the point
+designated, and on the morning of the 3d, attended by Mr. Seward,
+received Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on board a United
+States steamer anchored in Hampton Roads.
+
+The conference that ensued was altogether informal. There was no
+attendance of Secretaries, clerks, or witnesses. Nothing was written
+or read. The conversation, although earnest and free, was calm and
+courteous and kind, on both sides. The Richmond party approached
+the discussion rather indirectly, and at no time did they make
+categorical demands or tender formal stipulations or absolute refusals;
+nevertheless, during the conference, which lasted four hours, the
+several points at issue between the Government and the insurgents
+were distinctly raised and discussed fully, intelligently, and in an
+amicable spirit. What the insurgent party seemed chiefly to favor was
+a postponement of the question of separation, upon which the war was
+waged, and a mutual direction of the efforts of the Government as well
+as those of the insurgents, to some extraneous policy or scheme for a
+season, during which passions might be expected to subside, and the
+armies be reduced, and trade and intercourse between the people of both
+sections be resumed.
+
+It was suggested by them that through such postponement we might have
+immediate peace, with some, not very certain, prospect of an ultimate
+satisfactory adjustment of political relations between the Government
+and the States, section or people engaged in conflict with it. The
+suggestion, though deliberately considered, was nevertheless regarded
+by the President as one of armistice or truce, and he announced that we
+could agree to no cessation or suspension of hostilities except on the
+basis of the disbandonment of the insurgent forces, and the restoration
+of the national authority throughout all the States in the Union
+collaterally, and in subordination to the proposition which was thus
+announced.
+
+The anti-slavery policy of the United States was reviewed in all its
+bearings, and the President announced that he must not be expected to
+depart from the positions he had heretofore assumed in his proclamation
+of emancipation and other documents, as these positions were reiterated
+in his annual message.
+
+It was further declared by the President that the complete restoration
+of the national authority everywhere was an indispensable condition of
+any assent on our part to whatever form of peace might be proposed.
+The President assured the other party that while he must adhere to
+these positions he would be prepared, so far as power was lodged
+with the Executive, to exercise liberality. Its power, however, is
+limited by the Constitution, and when peace should be made Congress
+must necessarily act in regard to appropriations of money and to the
+admission of representatives from the insurrectionary States.
+
+The Richmond party were then informed that Congress had, on the 31st
+of January, adopted, by a constitutional majority, a joint resolution
+submitting to the several States the proposition to abolish slavery
+throughout the Union, and that there was every reason to expect that it
+would soon be accepted by three-fourths of the States, so as to become
+a part of the national organic law.
+
+The conference came to an end by mutual acquiescence, without producing
+an agreement of views upon the several matters discussed, or any of
+them.
+
+On the following morning the President and Secretary returned to
+Washington, and shortly afterward, in compliance with a resolution to
+that effect, Congress was informed in detail of all that had led to the
+interview and its issue.
+
+Thus was spiked the last gun bearing upon the terms on which the
+rebels would consent to peace. Whatever might have been the impression
+previously it was then well understood that to the armies in the field
+then converging toward Richmond, and not to the Executive of the
+nation, resort was to be had for peace upon any basis which loyal men
+would indorse.
+
+On the 17th of February, in accordance with the general custom at the
+expiration of a Presidential term, the Senate was convened in active
+session by the following proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, objects of interest to the United States require that the
+ Senate should be convened at twelve o'clock on the fourth of March
+ next, to receive and act upon such communications as may be made to
+ it on the part of the Executive--
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, have considered it to be my duty to issue this my
+ proclamation, declaring that an extraordinary occasion requires
+ the Senate of the United States to convene for the transaction of
+ business, at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the fourth
+ day of March next, at twelve o'clock at noon on that day, of which
+ all who shall at that time be entitled to act as members of that
+ body are hereby required to take notice.
+
+ "Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at
+ Washington, the 17th day of February, in the year of our Lord one
+ thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of the Independence of
+ the United States of America, the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+At this time, the military situation was very interesting to every
+friend of the Union, whatever might have been the feelings it created
+among those who had so long been in arms against the Government.
+
+Sherman had "come out" at Savannah, capturing it and presenting it
+as a Christmas gift to the nation, after an extraordinary march from
+Atlanta--which he had deprived of all power for harm--directly through
+the heart of Georgia; a march as to which the rebel journalists made
+ludicrous efforts to be oracular in advance, predicting all manner of
+mishaps from the Georgia militia and the various "lions" in his way.
+
+Thomas had fallen back leisurely to Nashville, forcing Hood, his
+antagonist, who had supplanted Johnston on account of his fighting
+qualities, to the loss of almost his entire army in a sanguinary battle
+which occurred near that city, Thomas being the attacking party. With
+the remnants of his discomfited force, the fighting general had fallen
+back, where was not definitely known, but evidently to some secure
+support.
+
+Sherman having recuperated his army, had left Savannah and marched
+into South Carolina, where, according to the beforenamed veracious
+chroniclers, he was to flounder in bogs and quagmires, at the mercy
+of his valorous foes. He floundered on, truly--floundered, so as to
+flank Charleston, that nursery and hot-bed of treason, which had so
+long insulted the land--and compel its hurried evacuation; floundered,
+so as to capture and occupy Columbia, the capital of the Palmetto
+State; floundered, so as to threaten Raleigh, the capital of North
+Carolina; and at the time of which we write, had at last floundered to
+Goldsborough, where he had effected a connection with another column,
+which had pierced to that point after the capture of Wilmington, North
+Carolina, the pet port of disinterested blockade-runners--a capture
+rendered certain by the storming of Fort Fisher, commanding the
+entrance to its harbor, in connection with which one Major-General was
+made and another unmade--whether the latter result was brought about
+with or without the cooeperation of the commander of the naval part of
+the expedition, it boots not here to inquire.
+
+Whither Sherman would flounder next became to all rebeldom a question
+of the very deepest interest. Davis having been compelled by his
+Congress to assign the discarded Johnston to a command, and Lee to
+the command of all the rebel armies, Johnston was dispatched to head
+Sherman off, should he be insane enough to attempt to move any nearer
+Richmond--a species of insanity to which, it must be confessed, he had
+shown a marked tendency.
+
+Sheridan, too, having chased Early up and out of the Shenandoah
+Valley--that Early the one of whom his troops were wont to remark,
+that his principal business seemed to be "to trade Confederate cannon
+for Yankee whiskey"--had been raiding around Richmond in whatsoever
+direction he listed, severing communications, gobbling up supplies, and
+creating a general consternation.
+
+And still the bull-dog's teeth were firmly fastened in his victim. Not
+twistings, nor squirmings, nor strugglings, nor counterbites could do
+more than to defer--and that but for a short time--the inevitable.
+
+The rebel congress, at the very last moment of its last session, had
+squeezed through a bill for arming the slaves, and Davis had grimly
+wished them a safe and pleasant journey to their respective homes. It
+was too late, both for the slaves and the homes.
+
+Meantime, on Saturday, March 4th--a day which opened unpropitiously, so
+far as the elements were concerned, but which redeemed itself before
+noontide, becoming bright and cheerful--at the hour appointed, the oath
+of office was for the second time administered to Mr. Lincoln--not,
+however, by the same Chief Justice, for Roger B. Taney slept with his
+fathers, and in his place stood Salmon P. Chase--after which, on a
+staging erected at the eastern portico of the Capitol, he read in a
+clear, distinct voice, his second inaugural, occupying not more than
+ten minutes in the act:
+
+ "FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN:--At this second appearing to take the oath of
+ the Presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended
+ address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat
+ in detail of a course to be pursued seemed very fitting and
+ proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public
+ declarations have constantly been called forth on every point and
+ phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and
+ engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be
+ presented.
+
+ "The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends,
+ is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust,
+ reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope
+ for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured. On the
+ occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were
+ anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all
+ sought to avoid it. While the inaugural address was being delivered
+ from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without
+ war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it,
+ without war; seeking to dissolve the Union and divide the effects
+ by negotiation.
+
+ "Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather
+ than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather
+ than let it perish, and the war came.
+
+ "One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not
+ distributed generally over the Union, but located in the southern
+ part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful
+ interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of
+ the war. To strengthen, perpetuate and extend this interest was
+ the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union by war,
+ while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict
+ the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected the
+ magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither
+ anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease, even before
+ the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph
+ and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same
+ Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes his aid against
+ the other. It may seem strange that any man should dare to ask a
+ just God's assistance in wringing his bread from the sweat of other
+ men's faces. But let us judge not, that we be not judged.
+
+ "The prayer of both should not be answered. That of neither has
+ been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. 'Woe unto
+ the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences
+ come, but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh.' If we shall
+ suppose that American slavery is one of these offences which, in
+ the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued
+ through his appointed time, he now wills to remove, and that he
+ gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due
+ to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any
+ departure from those Divine attributes which the believers in a
+ living God always ascribe to him?
+
+ "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this mighty scourge
+ of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue
+ until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty
+ years of unrequited toil shall be sunk and until every drop of
+ blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the
+ sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must
+ be said, that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous
+ altogether.
+
+ "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in
+ the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to
+ finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care
+ for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his
+ orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting
+ peace among ourselves and with all nations."
+
+Of this address--which was of course made the subject for the coarsest
+comments of those who enjoyed nought so much as aiding the pack that
+hounded Mr. Lincoln while living--an English journal, second to none
+in ability and judgment, and leader of the better class of thinkers in
+that country, thus spoke:
+
+ "It is the most remarkable thing of the sort, ever pronounced by
+ any President of the United States from the first day until now.
+ Its Alpha and its Omega is _Almighty God_, the God of justice and
+ the Father of mercies, who is working out the purposes of his love.
+ It is invested with a dignity and pathos, which lift it high above
+ every thing of the kind, whether in the Old World or the New.
+ The whole thing puts us in mind of the best men of the English
+ Commonwealth; there is, in fact, much of the old prophet about it."
+
+On the 16th of March, in accordance with an Act of Congress, grace was
+extended to deserters by the following proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, The twenty-first section of the act of Congress,
+ approved on the 3d instant, entitled 'an act to amend the several
+ acts heretofore passed to provide for the enrolling and calling
+ out of the National forces, and for other purposes,' requires
+ that, in addition to the other lawful penalties of the crime
+ of desertion from the military or naval service, 'all persons
+ who have deserted the military or naval service of the United
+ States, who shall not return to the said service or report
+ themselves to a provost-marshal within sixty days after the
+ proclamation hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken
+ to have voluntarily relinquished and forfeited their rights to
+ become citizens; and such deserters shall be forever incapable of
+ holding any office of trust or profit under the United States,
+ or of exercising any rights of citizens thereof; and all persons
+ who shall hereafter desert the military or naval service, and all
+ persons who, being duly enrolled, shall depart the jurisdiction
+ of the district in which he is enrolled, or go beyond the limits
+ of the United States, with the intent to avoid any draft into the
+ military or naval service duly ordered, shall be liable to the
+ penalties of this section. And the President is hereby authorized
+ and required forthwith, on the passage of this act, to issue
+ his proclamation setting forth the provisions of this section,
+ in which proclamation the President is requested to notify all
+ deserters returning within sixty days, as aforesaid, that they
+ shall be pardoned on condition of returning to their regiments and
+ companies, or to such other organizations as they may be assigned
+ to, unless they shall have served for a period of time, equal to
+ their original term of enlistment'--
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, do issue this my proclamation, as required by said act,
+ ordering and requiring all deserters to return to their proper
+ posts, and I do hereby notify them that all deserters who shall
+ within sixty days from the date of this proclamation, viz.: on or
+ before the tenth day of May, 1865, return to service, or report
+ themselves to a provost-marshal, shall be pardoned, on condition
+ that they return to their regiments and companies or such other
+ organizations as they may be assigned to, and serve the remainder
+ of their original terms of enlistment, and, in addition thereto, a
+ period equal to the time lost by desertion.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
+ seal of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the city of Washington, this eleventh day of March, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of
+ the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+IN RICHMOND.
+
+ President Visits City Point--Lee's Failure--Grant's Movement--
+ Abraham Lincoln in Richmond--Lee's Surrender--President's
+ Impromptu Speech--Speech on Reconstruction--Proclamation Closing
+ Certain Ports--Proclamation Relative to Maritime Rights--
+ Supplementary Proclamation--Orders from the War Department--The
+ Traitor President.
+
+
+On the afternoon of the 23d of March, 1865, the President, accompanied
+by Mrs. Lincoln, his youngest son, and a few invited guests, left
+Washington for an excursion to City Point. The trip was taken under
+advice of his medical attendant, his health having become somewhat
+impaired by his unremitting attention to the pressing duties of his
+office.
+
+A desperate attempt had been made by Lee to break through the lines
+surrounding him. Assaulting our right centre, he had been repulsed with
+a severe loss.
+
+Shortly after, Grant determined that the moment had arrived for his
+advance. A movement was ordered along the entire line--Petersburg
+fell--Richmond was abandoned in hot haste--and Lee's routed army
+"driven to the wall."
+
+During the progress of the movement, the President forwarded, from time
+to time, the particulars--pressed on to the evacuated Capital--entered
+it, conspicuous amid the sweeping mass of men, women, and children,
+black, white, and yellow, running, shouting, dancing, swinging
+their caps, bonnets, and handkerchiefs--passed on to the deserted
+mansion of the rebel chief, cheer upon cheer going up from the
+excited multitude--there held a levee--left the same evening for City
+Point--and soon afterward returned to Washington.
+
+Lee, hemmed in on every side, soon after surrendered; the terms of
+capitulation, which were dictated by the magnanimous President, and
+dated Appomattox Court House, April ninth, 1865, being as follows:
+
+ "GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE, ARMY C. S.:--In accordance with the
+ substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst., I propose to
+ receive the surrender of the army of Northern Virginia on the
+ following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men to be
+ made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated
+ by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as
+ you may designate, the officers to give their individual paroles
+ not to take up arms against the Government of the United States
+ until properly exchanged, and each company or regimental commander
+ to sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms,
+ artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned
+ over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not
+ embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or
+ baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return
+ to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so
+ long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they
+ may reside.
+
+ "Very respectfully,
+ "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
+
+Johnston was next in order; and toward him Sherman was in motion.
+
+The night following the President's arrival in Washington, the workmen
+of the Navy-yard formed in procession, marched to the White House, in
+front of which thousands were assembled, bands playing, and the entire
+throng alive with excitement.
+
+Repeated calls having been made for him, he appeared at the window, on
+the entrance door, calm amid the tumult, and was greeted with cheers
+and waving of hats.
+
+Comparative silence having been secured, he said:
+
+ "MY FRIENDS:--I am very greatly rejoiced that an occasion has
+ occurred so pleasurable that the people can't restrain themselves.
+ I suppose that arrangements are being made for some sort of formal
+ demonstration--perhaps this evening or to-morrow night. If there
+ should be such a demonstration, I, of course, will have to respond
+ to it; and I will have nothing to say if you dribble it out of me.
+
+ "I see you have a band. I propose now closing up by requesting you
+ to play a certain piece of music, or a tune--I thought 'Dixie' one
+ of the best tunes I ever heard.
+
+ "I had heard that our adversaries over the way had attempted to
+ appropriate it. I insisted yesterday we had fairly captured it! I
+ presented the question to the Attorney General, and he gave it as
+ his opinion that it is our lawful prize. I ask the band to give us
+ a good turn upon it."
+
+The band accordingly played "Dixie," with extraordinary vigor, when
+"three cheers and a tiger" were given, followed by the tune of "Yankee
+Doodle." The President then proposed three rousing cheers for Grant and
+all under his command--and next, three cheers for the Navy and all its
+forces.
+
+The President then retired, amid cheers, the tune of "Hail Columbia,"
+and the firing of cannon.
+
+On the night of the eleventh of April, the Executive Departments,
+including the President's House, as also many places of business and
+private residences, were illuminated, and adorned with transparencies
+and national flags; bon-fires blazed in various parts of the city; and
+rockets were fired.
+
+In response to the unanimous call of the thousands of both sexes who
+surrounded the Executive Mansion, Mr. Lincoln appeared at an upper
+window, and when the cheering with which he was greeted had subsided,
+spoke as follows in his last public speech:
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS:--We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in
+ gladness of heart. The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond,
+ and the surrender of the principal insurgent army, give hope of
+ a righteous and speedy peace, whose joyous expression cannot be
+ restrained.
+
+ "In the midst of this, however, He, from whom all blessings flow,
+ must not be forgotten. A call for a National Thanksgiving is being
+ prepared, and will be duly promulgated.
+
+ "Nor must those, whose harder part gives us the cause of rejoicing,
+ be overlooked--and their honors must not be parcelled out. With
+ others I myself was near the front, and had the high pleasure of
+ transmitting much of the good news to you, but no part of the
+ honor, or praise, or execution, is mine. To General Grant, his
+ skilful officers and brave men, all belongs. The gallant Navy stood
+ ready, but was not in reach to take an active part. By these recent
+ successes the reinauguration of the national authority, and the
+ reconstruction, which has had a large share of thought from the
+ first, is pressed much more closely upon our attention.
+
+ "It is fraught with great difficulty. Unlike the case of a war
+ between independent nations, there is no authorized organ for us
+ to treat with. No one man has authority to give up the rebellion
+ for any other man. We simply must begin with and mould from
+ disorganized and discordant elements. Nor is it a small additional
+ embarrassment, that we the loyal people, differ amongst ourselves
+ as to the mode, manner, and measure of reconstruction.
+
+ "As a general rule, I abstain from reading the reports of attacks
+ upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot
+ properly offer an answer; for, spite of this precaution, however,
+ it comes to my knowledge that I am much censured from some
+ supposed agency in setting up and seeking to sustain the new State
+ Government of Louisiana. In this I have done just so much and no
+ more than the public knows. In the annual Message of December,
+ 1863, and the accompanying Proclamation, I presented a plan of
+ reconstruction, as the phrase goes, which I promised, if adopted by
+ any State, should be acceptable to and sustained by the Executive
+ Government of the nation.
+
+ "I distinctly stated that this was not the only plan which might
+ possibly be acceptable; and I also distinctly protested that the
+ Executive claimed no right to say when or whether members should be
+ admitted to seats in Congress from such States. This plan was in
+ advance submitted to the then Cabinet, and as distinctly approved
+ by every member of it.
+
+ "One of them suggested that I should then, and in that connection,
+ apply the Emancipation Proclamation to the theretofore excepted
+ parts of Virginia and Louisiana; that I should drop the suggestion
+ about apprenticeship for freed people; and that I should omit
+ the protest against my own power in regard to the admission of
+ members of Congress; but even he approved every part and parcel
+ of the plan which has since been employed or touched by the
+ action of Louisiana. The new Constitution of Louisiana, declaring
+ emancipation for the whole State, particularly applies the
+ proclamation to the part previously excepted. It does not adopt
+ apprenticeship for freed people, and it is silent--as it could not
+ well be otherwise--about the admission of members to Congress; so
+ that, as it applies to Louisiana, every member of the Cabinet fully
+ approved the plan.
+
+ "The message went to Congress, and I received many commendations
+ of the plan, written and verbal, and not a single objection to
+ it by any professed emancipationist came to my knowledge until
+ after the news reached Washington that the people of Louisiana had
+ begun to move in accordance with it. From about July, 1862, I had
+ corresponded with different persons supposed to be interested
+ in seeking a reconstruction of a State Government for Louisiana.
+ When the message of 1863, with the plan before mentioned, reached
+ New Orleans, and General Banks wrote me that he was confident
+ the people, with his military cooeperation, would reconstruct
+ substantially on that plan, I wrote him and some of them to try it.
+ They tried it, and the result is known.
+
+ "Such only has been my agency in getting up the Louisiana
+ Government. As to sustaining it, my promise is out, as before
+ stated; but, as bad promises are better broken than kept, I shall
+ treat this as a bad promise, and break it whenever I shall be
+ convinced that keeping it is adverse to the public interest. But I
+ have not yet been so convinced.
+
+ "I have been shown a letter on this subject, supposed to be an
+ able one, in which the writer expresses regret that my mind has
+ not seemed to be definitely fixed on the question whether the
+ seceded States, so called, are in the Union or out of it. It would,
+ perhaps, add astonishment to his regret were he to learn that
+ since I have found professed Union men endeavoring to make that
+ a question, I have purposely forborne any public expression upon
+ it, as it appears to me that question has not been, nor yet is, a
+ practically material one, and that any discussion of it while it
+ thus remains practically material could have no effect other than
+ the mischievous one of dividing our friends.
+
+ "As yet, whatever it may become hereafter, that question is bad,
+ as the basis of a controversy, and good for nothing at all, a
+ merely pernicious abstraction. We all agree that the seceded
+ States, so-called, are out of their proper practical relation with
+ the Union, and that the sole object of the Government, civil and
+ military, in regard to those States, is to again get them into
+ that proper practical relation. I believe it is not only possible,
+ but in fact easier to do this without deciding or even considering
+ whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it;
+ finding themselves safely at home, it would be utterly immaterial
+ whether they had ever been abroad.
+
+ "Let us all join in doing the acts necessary to restoring the
+ proper practical relations between these States and the Union, and
+ each forever after, innocently indulge his own opinion whether in
+ doing the acts he brought the States from without into the Union,
+ or only gave them proper assistance, they never having been out of
+ it.
+
+ "The amount of constituency, so to speak, on which the new
+ Louisiana Government rests, would be more satisfactory to all if
+ it contained 50,000, 30,000, or even 20,000, instead of only about
+ 12,000, as it does.
+
+ "It is also unsatisfactory to some that the elective franchise is
+ not given to the colored men. I would myself prefer that it were
+ conferred on the very intelligent, and on those who serve our
+ cause as soldiers. Still the question is not whether the Louisiana
+ Government, as it stands, is quite all that is desirable. The
+ question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is, and help to
+ improve it, or to reject and disperse it? Can Louisiana be brought
+ into proper practical relation with the Union sooner by sustaining
+ or by discarding her new State Government?
+
+ "Some twelve thousand voters in the heretofore slave State of
+ Louisiana have sworn allegiance to the Union, assumed to be the
+ rightful political power of the State, held elections, organized
+ a State government, adopted a free State constitution, giving
+ the benefit of public schools equally to black and white, and
+ empowering the Legislature to confer the elective franchise upon
+ the colored man. Their Legislature has already voted to ratify the
+ Constitutional amendment recently passed by Congress, abolishing
+ slavery throughout the Nation. These twelve thousand persons are
+ thus fully committed to the Union, and to perpetual freedom in
+ the State--committed to the very beings and nearly all the things
+ the Nation wants--and they ask the Nation's recognition and its
+ assistance to make good their committal. Now, if we reject and
+ spurn them, we do our utmost to disorganize and disperse them. We,
+ in fact, say to the white man, 'You are worthless, or worse; we
+ will neither help you nor be helped by you.' To the blacks we say,
+ 'This cup of liberty which your old masters there hold to your lips
+ we will dash from you, and leave you to the chances of gathering
+ the spilled and scattered contents in some vague and undefined
+ way when, where, and how.' If this course, by discouraging and
+ paralyzing both white and black, has any tendency to bring
+ Louisiana into proper practical relations with the Union, I have so
+ far been unable to perceive it. If, on the contrary, we recognize
+ and sustain the new Government of Louisiana, the converse of all
+ this is made true.
+
+ "We encourage the hearts and nerve the arms of the twelve thousand
+ to adhere to their work, and argue for it, and proselyte for it,
+ and fight for it, and feed it, and grow it, and ripen it, to a
+ complete success. The colored man, too, in seeing all united for
+ him, is inspired with vigilance, and energy, and daring to the same
+ end. Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not
+ attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps toward it
+ than by running backward over them? Concede that the new Government
+ of Louisiana is only what it should be, as the egg is to the fowl,
+ we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg, than by smashing
+ it. [Laughter.]
+
+ "Again, if we reject Louisiana, we also reject our vote in favor of
+ the proposed amendment to the National Constitution. To meet this
+ proposition, it has been argued that no more than three-fourths of
+ those States which have not attempted secession are necessary to
+ validly ratify the amendment. I do not commit myself against this,
+ further than to say that such a ratification would be questionable,
+ and sure to be persistently questioned, while a ratification
+ by three-fourths of all the States would be unquestioned and
+ unquestionable.
+
+ "I repeat the question. Can Louisiana be brought into proper
+ practical relation with the Union sooner by sustaining or by
+ discarding her new State Government? What has been said of
+ Louisiana will apply severally to other States; yet so great
+ peculiarities pertain to each State, and such important and
+ sudden changes occur in the same State, and withal so new and
+ unprecedented is the whole case, that no exclusive and inflexible
+ plan can safely be prescribed. As to details and collaterals,
+ such an exclusive and inflexible plan would surely become a new
+ entanglement. Important principles may and must be inflexible.
+
+ "In the present situation, as the phrase goes, it may be my duty
+ to make some new announcement to the people of the South. I am
+ considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action
+ will be proper."
+
+On the 11th of April, also, appeared the following proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, By my proclamation of the 19th and 27th days of April,
+ 1861, the ports of the United States of Virginia, North Carolina,
+ South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
+ and Texas were declared to be subject to blockade, but whereas the
+ said blockade has, in consequence of actual military occupation
+ by this Government, since then been conditionally set aside or
+ released in respect to the ports of Norfolk and Alexandria, in the
+ State of Virginia, Beaufort, in the State of North Carolina, Port
+ Royal, in the State of South Carolina, Pensacola and Fernandina, in
+ the State of Florida, and New Orleans, in the State of Louisiana;
+ and whereas, by the 4th section of the act of Congress approved on
+ the 13th of July, 1861, entitled 'an act further to provide for
+ the collection of duties on imports, and for other purposes,' the
+ President, for the reasons therein set forth, is authorized to
+ close certain ports of entry.
+
+ "Now, therefore, be it known that I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of
+ the United States, do hereby proclaim that the ports of Richmond,
+ Tappahannock, Cherry Stone, Yorktown, and Petersburg, in Virginia;
+ of Camden, Elizabeth City, Edenton, Plymouth, Washington, Newbern,
+ Ocracoke, and Wilmington, in North Carolina; of Charleston,
+ Georgetown, and Beaufort, in South Carolina; of Savannah, St.
+ Marys, Brunswick, and Darien, in Georgia; of Mobile, in Alabama; of
+ Pearl river, Shieldsboro', Natchez, and Vicksburg, in Mississippi;
+ of St. Augustine, Key West, St. Marks, Port Leon, St. Johns,
+ Jacksonville, and Apalachicola, in Florida; of Teche and Franklin,
+ in Louisiana; of Galveston, La Salle, Brazos de Santiago, Point
+ Isabel, and Brownsville, in Texas, are hereby closed, and all
+ rights of importation, warehousing, and other privileges shall, in
+ respect to the ports aforesaid, cease until they shall again have
+ been opened by order of the President; and if, while said ports are
+ so closed, any ship or vessel from beyond the United States, or
+ having on board any articles subject to duties, shall attempt to
+ enter any such port, the same, together with its tackle, apparel,
+ furniture, and cargo, shall be forfeited to the United States.
+
+ "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
+ of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington this eleventh day of April, in the
+ year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of
+ the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "Abraham Lincoln.
+
+ "William H. Seward, Secretary of State."
+
+And on the same day the following:
+
+ "WHEREAS, for some time past vessels-of-war of the United
+ States have been refused in certain foreign ports privileges and
+ immunities to which they were entitled by treaty, public law,
+ or the comity of nations, at the same time that vessels-of-war
+ of the country wherein the said privileges and immunities have
+ been withheld have enjoyed them fully and uninterruptedly in
+ ports of the United States, which condition of things has not
+ always been forcibly resisted by the United States, although,
+ on the other hand, they have not at any time failed to protest
+ against and declare their dissatisfaction with the same. In the
+ view of the United States no condition any longer exists which
+ can be claimed to justify the denial to them by any one of said
+ nations of customary naval rights, such as has heretofore been so
+ unnecessarily persisted in--
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United
+ States, do hereby make known that if after a reasonable time
+ shall have elapsed for intelligence of this proclamation to have
+ reached any foreign country in whose ports the said privileges
+ and immunities shall have been refused as aforesaid, they shall
+ continue to be so refused, then and thenceforth the same privileges
+ and immunities shall be refused to the vessels-of-war of that
+ country in the ports of the United States; and this refusal shall
+ continue until war-vessels of the United States shall have been
+ placed upon an entire equality in the foreign ports aforesaid with
+ vessels of other countries. _The United States, whatever claim or
+ pretence may have existed heretofore, are now at least entitled to
+ claim and concede an entire and friendly equality of rights and
+ hospitalities with all maritime nations._
+
+ "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
+ of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the city of Washington this eleventh day of April, in the
+ year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and
+ of the Independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+And, on the twelfth April, the following supplementary proclamation:
+
+ "WHEREAS, By my proclamation of this date the port of Key West, in
+ the State of Florida, was inadvertently included among those which
+ are not open to commerce:
+
+ "Now, therefore, be it known that I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of
+ the United States, do hereby declare and make known that the said
+ port of Key West is and shall remain open to foreign and domestic
+ commerce, upon the same conditions by which that commerce has
+ hitherto been governed.
+
+ "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
+ of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the City of Washington this eleventh day of April, in the
+ year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of
+ the Independence of the United States of America, the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+The light in which the administration regarded the position of affairs
+can best be judged from the following official bulletin from the War
+Department, bearing date April thirteenth, 1865:
+
+ "This Department, after mature consideration and consultation with
+ the Lieutenant-General upon the results of the recent campaigns,
+ has come to the following determination, which will be carried into
+ effect by appropriate orders, to be immediately issued:
+
+ "_First._ To stop all drafting and recruiting in the loyal States.
+
+ "_Second._ To curtail purchases for arms, ammunition,
+ quartermaster's and commissary supplies, and reduce the expenses of
+ the military establishment and its several branches.
+
+ "_Third._ To reduce the number of general and staff officers to the
+ actual necessities of the service.
+
+ "_Fourth._ To remove all military restrictions upon trade and
+ commerce, so far as may be consistent with the public safety.
+
+ "As soon as these measures can be put in operation, it will be made
+ known by public orders.
+
+ "EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War."
+
+The Traitor President, who, on the fifth of April, had issued a
+proclamation to the effect that he should hold on to Virginia--where
+was he at this time?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+THE LAST ACT.
+
+ Interview with Mr. Colfax--Cabinet Meeting--Incident--Evening
+ Conversation--Possibility of Assassination--Leaves for the
+ Theatre--In the Theatre--Precautions for the Murder--The Pistol
+ Shot--Escape of the Assassin--Death of the President--Pledges
+ Redeemed--Situation of the Country--Effect of the Murder--
+ Obsequies at Washington--Borne Home--Grief of the People--At
+ Rest.
+
+
+On the morning of Friday, April fourteenth, 1865, after an interesting
+conversation with his eldest son, Robert, a captain on General Grant's
+staff, relative to the surrender of Lee, with the details of which the
+son was familiar, the President, hearing that Schuyler Colfax, Speaker
+of the House of Representatives, was in the Executive Mansion, invited
+the latter to a chat in the reception-room, and during the following
+hour the talk turned upon his future policy toward the rebellion--a
+matter which he was about to submit to his Cabinet.
+
+After an interview with John P. Hale, then recently appointed Minister
+to Spain, as well as with several Senators and Representatives, a
+Cabinet meeting was held, at eleven o'clock, General Grant being
+present, which proved to be one of the most satisfactory and important
+consultations held since his first inauguration. The future policy
+of the Administration was harmoniously and unanimously agreed upon,
+and upon the adjournment of the meeting the Secretary of War remarked
+that the Government was then stronger than at any period since the
+commencement of the rebellion.
+
+It was afterwards remembered that at this meeting the President turned
+to General Grant and asked him if he had heard from General Sherman.
+General Grant replied that he had not, but was in hourly expectation of
+receiving dispatches from him, announcing the surrender of Johnston.
+
+"Well," said the President, "you will hear very soon now and the news
+will be important."
+
+"Why do you think so?" said the General.
+
+"Because," said Mr. Lincoln, "I had a dream last night, and ever since
+the war began I have invariably had the same dream before any very
+important military event has occurred." He then instanced Bull Run,
+Antietam, Gettysburg, etc., and said that before each of these events
+he had had the same dream, and turning to Secretary Welles, said:
+
+"It is in your line, too, Mr. Welles. The dream is that I saw a ship
+sailing very rapidly, and I am sure that it portends some important
+national event."
+
+In the afternoon, a long and pleasant conversation was held with
+eminent citizens from Illinois.
+
+In the evening, during a talk with Messrs. Colfax and Ashman--the
+latter of whom presided at the Chicago Convention, in 1860--speaking
+about his trip to Richmond, when the suggestion was made that there
+was much uneasiness at the North while he was at what had been the
+rebel capital, for fear that some traitor might shoot him, Mr. Lincoln
+reportively replied, that he would have been alarmed himself, if any
+other person had been President and gone there, but that, as for
+himself, he did not feel in any danger whatever.
+
+This possibility of an assassination had been presented before to the
+President's mind, but it had not occasioned him a moment's uneasiness.
+A member of his Cabinet one day said to him, "Mr. Lincoln, you are not
+sufficiently careful of yourself. There are bad men in Washington. Did
+it never occur to you that there are rebels among us who are bad enough
+to attempt your life?" The President stepped to a desk and drew from a
+pigeon-hole a package of letters. "There," said he, "every one of these
+contains a threat to assassinate me. I might be nervous, if I were to
+dwell upon the subject, but I have come to this conclusion: there are
+opportunities to kill me every day of my life, if there are persons
+disposed to do it. It is not possible to avoid exposure to such a fate,
+and I shall not trouble myself about it."
+
+Upon the evening alluded to, while conversing upon a matter of business
+with Mr. Ashman, he saw that the latter was surprised at a remark which
+he had made, when, prompted by his well-known desire to avoid any thing
+offensive, he immediately said, "You did not understand me, Ashman:
+I did not mean what you inferred, and I will take it all back, and
+apologize for it." He afterward gave Mr. A. a card, admitting himself
+and friend for a further conversation early in the morning.
+
+Turning to Mr. Colfax, he said, "You are going with Mrs. Lincoln and me
+to the theatre, I hope." The President and General Grant had previously
+accepted an invitation to be present that evening at Ford's Theatre,
+but the General had been obliged to leave for the North. Mr. Lincoln
+did not like to entirely disappoint the audience, as the announcement
+had been publicly made, and had determined to fulfil his acceptance.
+
+Mr. Colfax, however, declining on account of other engagements, Mr.
+Lincoln said to him, "Mr. Sumner has the gavel of the Confederate
+Congress, which he got at Richmond to hand to the Secretary of War.
+But I insisted then that he must give it to you; and you tell him for
+me to hand it over." Mr. Ashman alluded to the gavel, still in his
+possession, which he had used at Chicago; and about half an hour after
+the time they had intended to leave for the theatre, the President and
+Mrs. Lincoln rose to depart, the former reluctant and speaking about
+remaining at home a half hour longer.
+
+At the door he stopped and said, "Colfax, do not forget to tell
+the people in the mining regions, as you pass through them, what I
+told you this morning about the development when peace comes, and I
+will telegraph you at San Francisco." Having shaken hands with both
+gentlemen and bidden them a pleasant good-bye, the President with his
+party left for the theatre.
+
+The box occupied by them was on the second tier above the stage, at
+the right of the audience, the entrance to it being by a door from the
+adjoining gallery. One, who had planned Mr. Lincoln's assassination
+with extraordinary precautions against any failure, having effected
+an entrance by deceiving the guard, found himself in a dark corridor,
+of which the wall made an acute angle with the door. The assassin had
+previously gouged a channel from the plaster and placed near by a stout
+piece of board, which he next inserted between the wall and the panel
+of the door.
+
+Ingress then being rendered impossible, he next turned toward the
+entrances to the President's box, two in number, as the box by a
+sliding partition could, at pleasure, be converted into two. The door
+at the bottom of the passage was open; that nearer the assassin was
+closed. Both had spring-locks, but their screws had been carefully
+loosened so as to yield to a slight pressure, if necessary.
+
+Resort was had to the hither door, in which a small hole had been
+bored, for the purpose of securing a view of the interior of the box,
+the door first described having first been fastened, and the discovery
+made that the occupants had taken seats as follows: the President in
+the arm-chair nearest the audience, Mrs. Lincoln next, then, after
+a considerable space, a Miss Clara Harris in the corner nearest the
+stage, and a Major H. R. Rathbone on a lounge along the further wall.
+
+The play was, "Our American Cousin." While all were intent upon its
+representation, the report of a pistol first announced the presence
+of the assassin, who uttered the word "Freedom!" and advanced toward
+the front. The Major having discerned the murderer through the smoke,
+and grappled with him, the latter dropped his pistol and aimed with a
+knife at the breast of his antagonist, who caught the blow in the upper
+part of his left arm, but was unable to detain the desperado, though he
+immediately seized him again. The villain, however, leaped some twelve
+feet down upon the open stage, tangling his spur in the draped flag
+below the box and stumbling in his fall.
+
+Recovering himself immediately, he flourished his dagger, shouted "_Sic
+semper tyrannis_" and "_The South is avenged_," retreated successfully
+through the labyrinth of the theatre--perfectly familiar to him--to his
+horse in waiting below. Between the deed of blood and the escape there
+was not the lapse of a minute. The hour was about half-past ten. There
+was but one pursuer, and he from the audience, but he was outstripped.
+
+The meaning of the pistol-shot was soon ascertained. Mr. Lincoln had
+been shot in the back of the head, behind the left ear, the ball
+traversing an oblique line to the right ear. He was rendered instantly
+unconscious, and never knew friends or pain again. Having been conveyed
+as soon as possible to a house opposite the theatre, he expired there
+the next morning, April fifteenth, 1865, at twenty-two minutes past
+seven o'clock, attended by the principal members of his Cabinet and
+other friends, from all of whom the heart-rending spectacle drew
+copious tears of sorrow. Mrs. Lincoln and her son Robert were in an
+adjoining apartment--the former bowed down with anguish, the latter
+strong enough to sustain and console her. A disconsolate widow and two
+sons now constituted the entire family. Soon after nine o'clock, the
+body was removed to the White House under military escort.
+
+Thus ended the earthly career of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President
+of the United States, on the threshold of his fifty-seventh year and
+second Presidential term.
+
+"_Sic semper tyrannis!_" And this the justification for the murder of a
+ruler who had
+
+ "---- borne his faculties so meek, had been
+ So clear in his great office, that his virtues
+ Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
+ The deep damnation of his taking-off."
+
+"The South avenged!" And by the cold-blooded murder of the best friend
+that repentant rebels ever had--of one who had long withstood the
+pressing appeals of his warmest personal and political friends for less
+lenity and more rigor in dealing with traitors.
+
+It was written in the decrees of the Immutable that he should fall by
+the bullet--not, indeed, on the battle-field, whose sad suggestings
+he had so often, and so tenderly, lovingly heeded--but in the midst
+of his family, while seeking relief from the cares of state--and by a
+murderer's hand!--the first President to meet such a fate--thenceforth
+our martyr-chief!
+
+But sorrow was tempered with mercy. He did not fall until a benignant
+Providence had permitted him to enjoy a foretaste, at least, of the
+blessings which he had been instrumental in conferring upon the land he
+loved so well.
+
+The pledges of his first Inaugural Address had been amply
+redeemed--those pledges which so many declared impossible of
+fulfilment, which not a few mocked as beyond human power to accomplish.
+The power confided to him had been successfully used "to hold, occupy,
+and possess the property and places belonging to the Government." No
+United States fort at the time of his fall flaunted treason in the eyes
+of the land. The day of his murder the old flag had been flung to the
+breeze from Sumter with ceremonies befitting the joyous occasion, by
+the very hands that four years before had been compelled to lower it
+to arrogant traitors; and friends of freedom for man, irrespective of
+color or race, walked the streets of Charleston--a city of desolation,
+a skeleton of its former self--jubilant that, since God so willed it,
+in His own good time, Freedom was National and Slavery but a thing of
+the past.
+
+When he fell, the Nation, brought by the stern necessities of direful
+war to the discharge of duties befitting a better manhood, passing by
+all projects for an emancipation of slaves, which should be merely
+gradual, not content even that such emancipation had been proclaimed
+as a measure of military necessity, had spoken in favor of such an
+amendment of the Constitution as should forever prohibit any claim of
+property in man. Though the final consummation of that great measure
+had not been reached when our President was removed, it was given him
+to feel assured that the end was not distant, was even then close at
+hand.
+
+When he fell, that body of traitors which had assumed to be a
+Government had fled, one scarcely knew whither, with whatever
+of ill-gotten gains their greedy hands could grasp--their main
+army captive, the residue of their military force on the point of
+surrendering. From what had been their capital, in the mansion
+appropriated to the special use of the chiefest among the conspirators,
+he had been permitted to send words of greeting to the nation.
+
+When he fell, treason throughout the land lay gasping, dying.
+
+It needed not that dismal, dreary, mid-April day to intensify the
+sorrow. As on the wings of lightning the news sped through the
+land--"the President is Shot"--"is dying"--"is dead"--men knew scarcely
+how to credit the tale. When the fearful certainty came home to each,
+strong men bowed themselves and wept--maid and matron joined in the
+plaint. With no extraneous prompting, with no impulse save that of
+the heart alone, the common grief took on a common garb. Houses were
+draped--the flag of our country hung pensive at half-mast--portraitures
+of the loved dead were found on all.
+
+And dreary as was the day when first the tidings swept through the
+country, patriot hearts were drearier still. It was past analysis. It
+was as if chaos and dread night had come again.
+
+Meanwhile the honored dead lay in state in the country's capitol.
+
+On that dreamy, hazy nineteenth of April--suggesting, were it not for
+the early green leaves, the fresh springing grass, the glad spring
+caroling of birds, "that sweet autumnal summer which the Indian loved
+so well"--on that day when sleep wooed one even in the early morn, his
+obsequies were celebrated in the country's metropolis.
+
+And throughout the land, minute guns were fired, bells tolled, business
+suspended, and the thoughtful betook themselves to prayer, if so be
+that what verily seemed a curse might pass from us.
+
+Thence the funeral _cortege_ moved to the final resting-place--the
+remains of a darling son, earlier called, accompanying those of the
+father--by the route the President had taken when first he had been
+summoned to the chair of State. Before half of the mournful task was
+done, came tidings that the assassin had been sent to his final account
+by the avenger's hand, gurgling out, as his worthless life ebbed away,
+"useless! useless!"
+
+As the sad procession wended its way, where hundreds had gathered in
+'61, impelled by mere curiosity or by partisan sympathy, thousands
+gathered, four years later, through affection, through reverence,
+through deep, abiding sorrow.
+
+Flowers beautified the lifeless remains--dirges were sung--the people's
+great heart broke out into sobs and sighing.
+
+And so, home to the prairie they bore him whom, when first he was
+called, the Nation knew not--whom, mid the storms and ragings of those
+years of civil war, they had learned, had loved, to call father and
+friend.
+
+In the Oak Ridge Cemetery, in his own Springfield, on the fourth of
+May, 1865, they laid him to rest, at the foot of a knoll, in the most
+beautiful part of the ground, over which forest trees--rare denizens of
+the prairie--look lovingly.
+
+There all that is mortal of ABRAHAM LINCOLN reposes.
+
+"The immortal?" Hail, and farewell!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+THE MAN.
+
+ Reasons for His Re-election--What was Accomplished--Leaning on
+ the People--State Papers--His Tenacity of Purpose--Washington
+ and Lincoln--As a Man--Favorite Poem--Autobiography--His
+ Modesty--A Christian--Conclusion.
+
+
+What shall be said, in summing up, of Abraham Lincoln as a statesman
+and a man? That from such humble beginnings, in circumstances so
+adverse, he rose to be the Chief Magistrate of one of the leading
+countries of the world, would were it in any other country, be
+evidence of ability of the very highest order.
+
+Here, however, so many from similar surroundings have achieved similar
+results that this fact of itself does not necessarily unfold the man
+clearly and fully to us. He might have been put forward for that high
+station as a skillful and accomplished politician, from whose elevation
+hosts of partisans counted upon their own personal advancement and
+profit. Or he might have been a successful general; or one possessing
+merely negative qualities, with no salient points, all objectionable
+angularities rounded off till that desirable availability, which has at
+times been laid hold of for the Presidency had been reached; or, yet
+again, one who had for a long time been in the front ranks of an old
+and triumphant party, and, therefore, as such matters have been managed
+with us, admitted to have strong claims upon such party; or, lastly,
+one who, having for many years schemed and plotted and labored, in
+season and out of season, for the nomination, at last achieved it.
+
+For such Presidents have been furnished us. But he was neither. And yet
+the highest point to which an American may aspire he reached. Clearly,
+then, there must have been something of strength and of worth in the
+man.
+
+He was reelected, the first President since Jackson to whom that honor
+had been accorded. And thirty-two years had passed--eight Presidential
+terms--since Jackson's reelection. He was, moreover, reelected by a
+largely increased vote.
+
+The years covered by his administration were the stormiest in American
+history, "piled high," as he himself said, "with difficulties." No
+President was ever more severely attacked, more unsparingly denounced
+than he. None more belittled than he. And yet he was triumphantly
+reelected. Why? For the same reason that first brought him before the
+country.
+
+Primarily and mainly because the mass of the people had unbounded
+confidence in his honesty and devotion to principle. Though these
+qualities, it is pleasant to say, have been by no means rare in our
+Presidents, yet Abraham Lincoln seemed so to speak, so steeped and
+saturated in them that a hold was thereby obtained upon the common
+mind, the like of which no other President since Washington had
+secured. The bitterest opponent of his policy was constrained, if
+candid, to admit, if not the existence of these qualities, at least the
+prevailing popular belief in their existence.
+
+What shall be said of him as a statesman?
+
+That he found the fabric of our National Government rocking from turret
+to foundation stone--that he left it, after four years of strife such
+as, happily, the world rarely witnesses, firmly fixed, and sure; this
+should serve in some sort, as an answer.
+
+But might not this be owing, or principally so, to the ability of the
+counsellors whom he gathered about him? Beyond a doubt the meed of
+praise is to be shared. Yet we should remember that few Presidents have
+so uniformly acted of and for themselves in matters of state policy,
+as did Mr. Lincoln. Upon many questions the opinions of his Cabinet
+were sought--a Cabinet representing the various shades of thought, the
+various stages of progress, through which the people, of whom they
+were the exponents, were passing from year to year--after obtaining
+which, he would act. But, in most instances, perhaps, he struck out for
+himself, after careful, conscientious reflection, launching his policy
+upon unknown seas, quietly assured that truth was with him and that he
+could not be mistaken. Nor was he often.
+
+Having to feel his way along, for the most part--groping in the
+dark--he could not push on so fast and far as to leave the people out
+of breath or staring far in his rear. Still, it must not be understood
+that he never acted against what was plainly the popular will. The
+man was not of that mould. Unquestionably in his dealings with the
+two leading European powers he often acted in direct opposition to
+the popular wish. Nothing would have been easier than for him to have
+brought a foreign war upon the country; and in such action, for a time
+at least, he would have been sustained by the mass of the people. So,
+too, as to vindictive measures towards the rebels. By adopting these
+he would, oftentimes, have been in harmony with the general wish
+for vengeance and retaliation. In both these instances--to name no
+others--he chose to act counter to the current sentiment. More politic,
+with a more piercing outlook than the mass, he saw the end from the
+beginning, and in the one case chose to overlook what was, to his mind,
+grossly wrong, and in the other, to stand up for the general interests
+of humanity through all time rather than to cater to the desire of the
+hour, natural and, perhaps, pardonable though it was.
+
+What is meant is this--that, in the complications in which the country
+was involved, he invariably acted, where expediency simply and not
+principle was concerned, so as to feel sure that the body of the people
+were with him. If failure were to result, he would have them feel that
+the responsibility for it rested as much upon them as upon him. He
+earnestly endeavored to point out what he judged the better way and to
+bring the people to his conviction; but, if they relucted, he waited
+till they should have advanced where, or nearly where, he was. This was
+generally felt, and it added largely to the confidence reposed in him.
+By means of it, a general acquiescence was procured in many measures
+earlier than could have been gained by any other course. We Americans
+are a peculiar people in some respects. We dislike to be led by any
+man. Nay, we stoutly deny that we are. We are not--when we see the
+leading strings.
+
+Mr. Lincoln's state papers in their structure and composition were
+not always what a critical scholar would have desired. Some would say
+they were presented quite too often in undress. The people are not
+profound critics. They could comprehend every word. They felt that
+they were addressed as fellow-citizens. The ordinarily formal and
+stilted official documents came from his plain pen a talk to them by
+the fireside. He said, moreover, exactly what he meant and as he meant,
+in his own clear cogent way, void of verbiage, homely often but always
+the outgrowth of a profound intelligent conviction. And, generally,
+he struck home. His were the words to which "the common pulse of man
+keeps time." How studded are his papers with lucid illustration; how
+transparently honest and candid, like the man, their author!
+
+His tenacity of purpose was marked. Signing that immortal proclamation,
+which made him the Liberator of America, on the afternoon of January
+1st, 1863, after hours of New Year's hand-shaking, he said to friends
+that night--"The signature looks a little tremulous, for my hand was
+tired, but my resolution was firm. I told them in September, if they
+did not return to their allegiance and cease murdering our soldiers,
+I would strike at this pillar of their strength. And now the promise
+shall be kept; and not one word of it will I ever recall." In all the
+varying scenes through which as our leader he passed, avoiding the
+extremes of sudden exultation or deep depression, calm and quiet,
+and resolute and determined, he kept on his course, with duty as his
+guiding star, an unwarped conscience his prompter. Feeling always that
+he bore his life in his hands, in the perilous position in which he was
+placed, as well as he who went forth to do duty in the battle-field, he
+faltered not, swerved not, compromised not, retracted not, apologized
+not, but pursued his way with an inflexibility as rare as it is grand
+and inspiring. Others might doubt--not he. He saw the end toward which
+the nation and himself must strive. That was ever present to him, and
+toward that he ever worked. His mission as President was, as he so
+often and so pointedly stated, to save the Union. And he saved it.
+There may be those who will contend that such a result might have been
+reached by other means than those he was impelled to employ. That is
+theory. He reduced his to practice. For himself, he could work only in
+his own harness; and patiently, persistently, painfully he worked on
+till the goal was reached.
+
+Well has Washington been styled the Father of his Country. Yet this
+arose from veneration rather than from love; for the most felt such an
+impassable gulf between themselves and the patriot-hero, that to them
+he appeared of quite another order of beings than themselves.
+
+Abraham Lincoln was both Saviour and Father; for he preserved whatever
+was most valuable in the old and created a new order of things
+possessing an inherent dignity and importance which the old never had.
+And such titles the people bestow upon him through love.
+
+The characteristics of the man stood prominently out in the statesman.
+He had not one garb as an official and another as a citizen. No
+change marked his transit from the chat of the drawing-room to the
+consultation of cabinet. What he was in the one situation he was in the
+other. His peculiar humor was not, as those who least knew him judged,
+his habitual disposition. More of melancholy and sadness centred in him
+than most were aware. His favorite poem--given below for the sufficient
+reason that it was his favorite--attests the vein of pensiveness which
+was in him. "There is one poem," he remarked in conversation, "that is
+almost continually present with me: it comes in my mind whenever I have
+relief from thought and care."
+
+ Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
+ Like a swift, fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud,
+ A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave,
+ Man passeth from life to his rest in the grave.
+
+ The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade,
+ Be scattered around and together be laid;
+ And the young and the old, and the low and the high,
+ Shall moulder to dust and together shall lie.
+
+ The infant a mother attended and loved;
+ The mother that infant's affection who proved;
+ The husband that mother and infant who blessed,
+ Each, all, are away to their dwellings of Rest.
+
+ The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye
+ Shone beauty and pleasure--her triumphs are by;
+ And the memory of those who loved her and praised,
+ Are alike from the minds of the living erased.
+
+ The hand of the king that the sceptre hath borne;
+ The brow of the priest that the mitre hath worn;
+ The eye of the sage and the heart of the brave,
+ Are hidden and lost in the depth of the grave.
+
+ The peasant whose lot was to sow and to reap;
+ The herdsman, who climbed with his goats up the steep;
+ The beggar, who wandered in search of his bread,
+ Have faded away like the grass that we tread.
+
+ The saint who enjoyed the communion of heaven,
+ The sinner who dared to remain unforgiven,
+ The wise and the foolish, the guilty and just,
+ Have quietly mingled their bones in the dust.
+
+ So the multitude goes, like the flowers or the weed
+ That withers away to let others succeed;
+ So the multitude comes, even those we behold,
+ To repeat every tale that has often been told.
+
+ For we are the same our fathers have been;
+ We see the same sights our fathers have seen--
+ We drink the same stream and view the same sun--
+ And run the same course our fathers have run.
+
+ The thoughts we are thinking our fathers would think;
+ From the death we are shrinking our fathers would shrink,
+ To the life we are clinging they also would cling;
+ But it speeds for us all, like a bird on the wing.
+
+ They loved, but the story we cannot unfold;
+ They scorned, but the heart of the haughty is cold;
+ They grieved, but no wail from their slumber will come;
+ They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb.
+
+ They died, aye! they died; and we things that are now,
+ Who walk on the turf that lies over their brow,
+ Who make in their dwelling a transient abode,
+ Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road.
+
+ Yea! hope and despondency, pleasure and pain,
+ We mingle together in sunshine and rain;
+ And the smile and the tear, the song and the dirge,
+ Still follow each other, like surge upon surge.
+
+ 'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath;
+ From the blossom of health to the paleness of death,
+ From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud--
+ Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
+
+No one was more modest than he. Look at the record of his life as
+furnished by himself, in 1858, for Lanman's Dictionary of Congress:
+
+ "Born February 12, 1809, in Hardin county, Kentucky.
+
+ "Education Defective.
+
+ "Profession a lawyer.
+
+ "Have been a captain of volunteers in the Black Hawk war.
+
+ "Postmaster at a very small office.
+
+ "Four times a member of the Illinois Legislature.
+
+ "And was a member of the lower House of Congress.
+
+ "Yours, etc.,
+ A. LINCOLN."
+
+With no self-conceit, a pupil in the school of events, he was never
+ashamed to confess himself a learner, and as such he grew and ripened.
+Equable in his temperament, never wrathful or passionate, none need
+have been his enemy, unless such an one were intended for an enemy of
+the human race. Mild and forgiving, he never allowed the unmerited
+abuse which was heaped upon him to affect in the least his intercourse
+or dealings with its authors. His very failings leaned to mercy's side.
+There is scarcely a hamlet in the loyal States that does not contain
+some witness of his clemency and lenity. One of the most touching
+incidents connected with his obsequies at Washington was the placing
+on his coffin of a wreath of flowers, sent from Boston by the sister
+of a young man whom he had pardoned when sentenced to death for some
+military offence.
+
+Honored as a private citizen, happy in his domestic relations,
+successful as a statesman, he was, moreover, an avowed Christian. He
+often said that his reliance in the gloomiest hours was on his God, to
+whom he appealed in prayer, although he had never become a professor
+of religion. To a clergyman who asked him if he loved his Saviour, he
+replied:
+
+"When I was first inaugurated I did not love him; when God took my son
+I was greatly impressed, but still I did not love him; but when I stood
+upon the battle-field of Gettysburg I gave my heart to Christ, and I
+can now say I do love the Saviour."
+
+Attention has already been called to the reverential spirit which
+pervades his official papers; and this was the index of the man.
+Leaving home, he invoked the prayers of his townsmen and friends;
+during the excitements of his Washington life, he leaned upon a more
+than human arm; against his pure moral character not even his bitterest
+enemy could truthfully utter a word.
+
+Such--imperfectly sketched, and at best but in rude outline--was
+Abraham Lincoln. The manner of his death invests his name with a
+tragic interest. This will be but temporary. But the more the man as
+he was is known, the more completely an insight is obtained into his
+true character, the more his private and public life is studied, the
+more carefully his acts are weighed, the higher will he rise in the
+estimation of all whose esteem is desirable. Coming years will detract
+nought from him. He has passed into history. There no lover of honesty
+and integrity, no admirer of firmness and resolution, no sympathizer
+with conscientious conviction, no friend of man need fear to leave--
+
+ ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX.
+
+ MR. LINCOLN'S SPEECHES IN CONGRESS AND ELSEWHERE, PROCLAMATIONS,
+ LETTERS, ETC., NOT INCLUDED IN THE BODY OF THE WORK.
+
+
+SPEECH ON THE MEXICAN WAR.
+
+(_In Committee of the Whole House, January 12, 1848._)
+
+Mr. Lincoln addressed the Committee as follows:
+
+ "MR. CHAIRMAN:--Some, if not all, of the gentlemen on the other
+ side of the House, who have addressed the Committee within the
+ last two days, have spoken rather complainingly, if I have
+ rightly understood them, of the vote given a week or ten days
+ ago, declaring that the war with Mexico was unnecessarily and
+ unconstitutionally commenced by the President. I admit that such
+ a vote should not be given in mere party wantonness, and that the
+ one given is justly censurable, if it have no other or better
+ foundation. I am one of those who joined in that vote; and did
+ so under my best impression of the _truth_ of the case. How I
+ got this impression, and how it may possibly be removed, I will
+ now try to show. When the war began, it was my opinion that all
+ those who, because of knowing too _little_, or because of knowing
+ too _much_, could not conscientiously approve the conduct of the
+ President (in the beginning of it), should, nevertheless, as good
+ citizens and patriots, remain silent on that point, at least
+ till the war should be ended. Some leading Democrats, including
+ ex-President Van Buren, have taken this same view, as I understand
+ them; and I adhered to it, and acted upon it, until since I
+ took my seat here; and I think I should still adhere to it, were
+ it not that the President and his friends will not allow it to
+ be so. Besides, the continual effort of the President to argue
+ every silent vote given for supplies into an indorsement of the
+ justice and wisdom of his conduct; besides that singularly candid
+ paragraph in his late message, in which he tells us that Congress,
+ with great unanimity (only two in the Senate and fourteen in the
+ House dissenting) had declared that 'by the act of the Republic
+ of Mexico a state of war exists between that Government and the
+ United States;' when the same journals that informed him of this,
+ also informed him that, when that declaration stood disconnected
+ from the question of supplies, sixty-seven in the House, and not
+ fourteen, merely, voted against it; besides this open attempt to
+ prove by telling the _truth_, what he could not prove by telling
+ the _whole truth_, demanding of all who will not submit to be
+ misrepresented, in justice to themselves, to speak out; besides all
+ this, one of my colleagues [Mr. Richardson], at a very early day in
+ the session, brought in a set of resolutions, expressly indorsing
+ the original justice of the war on the part of the President.
+ Upon these resolutions, when they shall be put on their passage,
+ I shall be _compelled_ to vote; so that I can not be silent if I
+ would. Seeing this, I went about preparing myself to give the vote
+ understandingly, when it should come. I carefully examined the
+ President's messages, to ascertain what he himself had said and
+ proved upon the point. The result of this examination was to make
+ the impression, that, taking for true all the President states as
+ facts, he falls far short of proving his justification; and that
+ the President would have gone further with his proof, if it had not
+ been for the small matter that the _truth_ would not permit him.
+ Under the impression thus made I gave the vote before mentioned. I
+ propose now to give, concisely, the process of the examination I
+ made, and how I reached the conclusion I did.
+
+ "The President, in his first message of May, 1846, declares that
+ the soil was _ours_ on which hostilities were commenced by Mexico;
+ and he repeats that declaration, almost in the same language, in
+ each successive annual message--thus showing that he esteems that
+ point a highly essential one. In the importance of that point I
+ entirely agree with the President. To my judgment, it is the _very
+ point_ upon which he should be justified or condemned. In his
+ message of December, 1846, it seems to have occurred to him, as is
+ certainly true, that title, ownership to soil, or any thing else,
+ is not a simple fact, but is a conclusion following one or more
+ simple facts; and that it was incumbent upon him to present the
+ facts from which he concluded the soil was ours on which the first
+ blood of the war was shed.
+
+ "Accordingly, a little below the middle of page twelve, in the
+ message last referred to, he enters upon that task; forming an
+ issue and introducing testimony, extending the whole to a little
+ below the middle of page fourteen. Now, I propose to try to show
+ that the whole of this--issue and evidence--is, from beginning to
+ end, the sheerest deception. The issue, as he presents it, is in
+ these words: 'But there are those who, conceding all this to be
+ true, assume the ground that the true western boundary of Texas
+ is the Nueces, instead of the Rio Grande; and that, therefore, in
+ marching our army to the east bank of the latter river, we passed
+ the Texan line, and invaded the territory of Mexico.' Now, this
+ issue is made up of two affirmatives and no negative. The main
+ deception of it is, that it assumes as true that _one_ river or the
+ _other_ is necessarily the boundary, and cheats the superficial
+ thinker entirely out of the idea that _possibly_ the boundary is
+ somewhere _between_ the two, and not actually at either. A further
+ deception is, that it will let in _evidence_ which a true issue
+ would exclude. A true issue made by the President would be about as
+ follows: 'I say the soil _was ours_ on which the first blood was
+ shed; there are those who say it was not.'
+
+ "I now proceed to examine the President's evidence, as applicable
+ to such an issue. When that evidence is analyzed it is all included
+ in the following propositions:
+
+ "1. That the Rio Grande was the western boundary of Louisiana, as
+ we purchased it of France in 1803.
+
+ "2. That the Republic of Texas always _claimed_ the Rio Grande as
+ her western boundary.
+
+ "3. That, by various acts, she had claimed it _on paper_.
+
+ "4. That Santa Anna, in his treaty with Texas, recognized the Rio
+ Grande as her boundary.
+
+ "5. That Texas _before_, and the United States _after_ annexation,
+ had _exercised_ jurisdiction _beyond_ the Nueces, _between_ the two
+ rivers.
+
+ "6. That our Congress _understood_ the boundary of Texas to extend
+ beyond the Nueces.
+
+ "Now for each of these in its turn:
+
+ "His first item is, that the Rio Grande was the western boundary
+ of Louisiana, as we purchased it of France in 1803; and, seeming
+ to expect this to be disputed, he argues over the amount of nearly
+ a page to prove it true; at the end of which he lets us know that,
+ by the treaty of 1819, we sold to Spain the whole country, from
+ the Rio Grande eastward to the Sabine. Now, admitting for the
+ present, that the Rio Grande was the boundary of Louisiana, what,
+ under heaven, had that to do with the _present_ boundary between
+ us and Mexico? How, Mr. Chairman, the line that once divided your
+ land from mine can _still_ be the boundary between us _after_ I
+ have sold my land to you, is, to me, beyond all comprehension. And
+ how any man, with an honest purpose only of proving the truth,
+ could ever have _thought_ of introducing such a fact to prove such
+ an issue, is equally incomprehensible. The outrage upon common
+ _right_, of seizing as our own what we have once sold, merely
+ because it _was_ ours _before_ we sold it, is only equaled by the
+ outrage on common _sense_ of any attempt to justify it.
+
+ "The President's next piece of evidence is, that 'The Republic
+ of Texas always _claimed_ this river (Rio Grande) as her western
+ boundary.' That is not true, in fact. Texas _has_ claimed it,
+ but she has not _always_ claimed it. There is, at least, one
+ distinguished exception. Her State Constitution--the public's
+ most solemn and well-considered act; that which may, without
+ impropriety, be called her last will and testament, revoking all
+ others--makes no such claim. But suppose she had always claimed it.
+ Has not Mexico always claimed the contrary? So that there is but
+ _claim_ against _claim_, leaving nothing proved until we get back
+ of the claims, and find which has the better _foundation_.
+
+ "Though not in the order in which the President presents his
+ evidence, I now consider that class of his statements, which are,
+ in substance, nothing more than that Texas has by various acts
+ of her Convention and Congress, claimed the Rio Grande as her
+ boundary--_on paper_. I mean here what he says about the fixing
+ of the Rio Grande as her boundary, in her old Constitution (not
+ her State Constitution), about forming congressional districts,
+ counties, etc. Now, all this is but naked _claim_; and what I have
+ already said about claims is strictly applicable to this. If I
+ should claim your land by word of mouth, that certainly would not
+ make it mine; and if I were to claim it by a deed which I had made
+ myself, and with which you had nothing to do, the claim would be
+ quite the same in substance, or rather in utter nothingness.
+
+ "I next consider the President's statement that Santa Anna, in
+ his _treaty_ with Texas, recognized the Rio Grande as the western
+ boundary of Texas. Besides the position so often taken that Santa
+ Anna, while a prisoner of war--a captive--_could_ not bind Mexico
+ by a treaty, which I deem conclusive; besides this, I wish to say
+ something in relation to this treaty so called by the President,
+ with Santa Anna. If any man would like to be amused by a sight at
+ that _little_ thing, which the President calls by that _big_ name,
+ he can have it by turning to Niles' Register, volume 50, page 386.
+ And if any one should suppose that Niles' Register is a curious
+ repository of so mighty a document as a solemn treaty between
+ nations, I can only say that I learned, to a tolerable degree of
+ certainty, by inquiry at the State Department, that the President
+ himself never saw it anywhere else. By the way, I believe I should
+ not err if I were to declare, that during the first ten years of
+ the existence of that document, it was never by anybody _called_
+ a treaty; that it was never so called till the President, in his
+ extremity, attempted, by so calling it, to wring something from it
+ in justification of himself in connection with the Mexican war. It
+ has none of the distinguishing features of a treaty. It does not
+ call itself a treaty. Santa Anna does not therein assume to bind
+ Mexico; he assumes only to act as President, Commander-in-chief
+ of the Mexican army and navy; stipulates that the then present
+ hostilities should cease, and that he would not _himself_ take up
+ arms, nor _influence_ the Mexican people to take up arms, against
+ Texas, during the existence of the war of independence. He did
+ not recognize the independence of Texas; he did not assume to put
+ an end to the war, but clearly indicated his expectation of its
+ continuance; he did not say one word about boundary, and most
+ probably never thought of it. It _is_ stipulated therein that the
+ Mexican forces should evacuate the territory of Texas, _passing
+ to the other side of the Rio Grande_; and in another article it
+ is stipulated, that to prevent collisions between the armies, the
+ Texan army should not approach nearer than five leagues--of _what_
+ is not said--but clearly, from the object stated, it is of the Rio
+ Grande. Now, if this is a treaty recognizing the Rio Grande as a
+ boundary of Texas, it contains the singular feature of stipulating
+ that Texas shall not go within five leagues of _her own_ boundary.
+
+ "Next comes the evidence that Texas before annexation, and the
+ United States afterward, exercising jurisdiction beyond the
+ Nueces, and _between_ the two rivers. This actual _exercise_ of
+ jurisdiction is the very class or quality of evidence we want.
+ It is excellent so far as it goes; but does it go far enough?
+ He tells us it went _beyond_ the Nueces, but he does not tell
+ us it went _to_ the Rio Grande. He tells us jurisdiction was
+ exercised _between_ the two rivers, but he does not tell us
+ it was exercised over _all_ the territory between them. Some
+ simple-minded people think it possible to cross one river and go
+ beyond it, without going all the way to the next; that jurisdiction
+ may be exercised _between_ two rivers without covering _all_
+ the country between them. I know a man, not very unlike myself,
+ who exercises jurisdiction over a piece of land between the
+ Wabash and the Mississippi; and yet so far is this from being
+ _all_ there is between those rivers, that it is just one hundred
+ and fifty-two feet long by fifty wide, and no part of it much
+ within a hundred miles of either. He has a neighbor between him
+ and the Mississippi--that is, just across the street, in that
+ direction--whom, I am sure, he could neither _persuade_ nor _force_
+ to give up his habitation; but which, nevertheless he could
+ certainly annex, if it were to be done, by merely standing on his
+ own side of the street and claiming it, or even sitting down and
+ writing a deed for it.
+
+ "But next, the President tells us, the Congress of the United
+ States _understood_ the State of Texas they admitted into the
+ Union to extend _beyond_ the Nueces. Well, I suppose they did--I
+ certainly so understand it--but how _far_ beyond? That Congress
+ did _not_ understand it to extend clear to the Rio Grande, is
+ quite certain by the fact of their joint resolutions for admission
+ expressly leaving all questions of boundary to future adjustment.
+ And, it may be added, that Texas herself is proved to have had the
+ same understanding of it that our Congress had, by the fact of the
+ exact conformity of her new Constitution to those resolutions.
+
+ "I am now through the whole of the President's evidence; and it
+ is a singular fact, that if any one should declare the President
+ sent the army into the midst of a settlement of Mexican people,
+ who had never submitted, by consent or by force to the authority
+ of Texas or of the United States, and that _there_, and _thereby_,
+ the first blood of the war was shed, there is not one word in
+ all the President has said which would either admit or deny
+ the declaration. In this strange omission chiefly consists the
+ deception of the President's evidence--an omission which, it does
+ seem to me, could scarcely have occurred but by design. My way
+ of living leads me to be about the courts of justice; and there
+ I have sometimes seen a good lawyer, struggling for his client's
+ neck, in a desperate case, employing every artifice to work round,
+ befog, and cover up with many words some position pressed upon him
+ by the prosecution, which he _dared_ not admit, and yet _could_
+ not deny. Party bias may help to make it appear so; but, with all
+ the allowance I can make for such bias, it still does appear to me
+ that just such and from just such necessity, are the President's
+ struggles in this case.
+
+ "Some time after my colleague (Mr. Richardson) introduced the
+ resolutions I have mentioned, I introduced a preamble, resolution,
+ and interrogatories, intended to draw the President out, if
+ possible, on this hitherto untrodden ground. To show their
+ relevancy, I propose to state my understanding of the true rule
+ for ascertaining the boundary between Texas and Mexico. It is,
+ that _wherever_ Texas was _exercising_ jurisdiction was hers; and
+ wherever Mexico was exercising jurisdiction was hers: and that
+ whatever separated the actual exercise of jurisdiction of the one
+ from that of the other, was the true boundary between them. If,
+ as is probably true, Texas was exercising jurisdiction along the
+ western bank of the Nueces, and Mexico was exercising it along
+ the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, then _neither_ river was
+ the boundary, but the uninhabited country between the two was.
+ The extent of our territory in that region depended not on any
+ _treaty-fixed_ boundary (for no treaty had attempted it), but on
+ revolution. Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the
+ power, have the _right_ to rise up and shake off the existing
+ government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a
+ most valuable, a most sacred right--a right which, we hope and
+ believe, is to liberate the world. Nor is this right confined to
+ cases in which the whole people of an existing government may
+ choose to exercise it. Any portion of such people that _can_ may
+ revolutionize, and make their _own_ of so much of their territory
+ as they inhabit. More than this, a _majority_ of any portion
+ of such people may revolutionize, putting down a _minority_,
+ intermingled with, or near about them, who may oppose their
+ movements. Such minority was precisely the case of the Tories of
+ our own Revolution. It is a quality of revolutions not to go by old
+ lines, or old laws; but to break up both and make new ones. As to
+ the country now in question, we bought it of France in 1803, and
+ sold it to Spain in 1819, according to the President's statement.
+ After this, all Mexico, including Texas, revolutionized against
+ Spain; and still later, Texas revolutionized against Mexico. In my
+ view, just so far as she carried her revolution, by obtaining the
+ _actual_, willing or unwilling submission of the people, so _far_
+ the country was hers, and no further.
+
+ "Now, sir, for the purpose of obtaining the very best evidence
+ as to whether Texas had actually carried her revolution to the
+ place where the hostilities of the present war commenced, let
+ the President answer the interrogatories I proposed, as before
+ mentioned, or some other similar ones. Let him answer fully, fairly
+ and candidly. Let him answer with _facts_, and not with arguments.
+ Let him remember he sits where Washington sat; and, so remembering,
+ let him answer as Washington would answer. As a nation _should_
+ not, and the Almighty _will_ not, be evaded, so let him attempt no
+ evasion, no equivocation. And if, so answering, he can show that
+ the soil was ours where the first blood of the war was shed--that
+ it was not within an inhabited country, or, if within such, that
+ the inhabitants had submitted themselves to the civil authority of
+ Texas, or of the United States, and that the same is true of the
+ site of Fort Brown--then I am with him for his justification. In
+ that case, I shall be most happy to reverse the vote I gave the
+ other day. I have a selfish motive for desiring that the President
+ may do this; I expect to give some votes, in connection with the
+ war, which, without his so doing, will be of doubtful propriety,
+ in my own judgment, but which will be free from the doubt if he
+ does so. But if he _can not or will not_ do this,--if, on any
+ pretence, or no pretence, he shall refuse or omit it,--then I shall
+ be fully convinced, of what I more than suspect already, that he
+ is deeply conscious of being in the wrong; that he feels the blood
+ of this war, like the blood of Abel, is crying to heaven against
+ him; that he ordered General Taylor into the midst of a peaceful
+ Mexican settlement, purposely to bring on a war; that originally
+ having some strong motive--what I will not stop now to give my
+ opinion concerning--to involve the two countries in a war, and
+ trusting to escape scrutiny by fixing the public gaze upon the
+ exceeding brightness of military glory--that attractive rainbow
+ that rises in showers of blood--that serpent's eye that charms to
+ destroy--he plunged into it, and has swept _on_ and _on_, till,
+ disappointed in his calculation of the ease with which Mexico might
+ be subdued, he now finds himself he knows not where. How like the
+ half insane mumbling of a fever dream is the whole war part of
+ the late message! At one time telling us that Mexico has nothing
+ whatever that we can get but territory; at another, showing us how
+ we can support the war by levying contributions on Mexico. At one
+ time urging the national honor, the security of the future, the
+ prevention of foreign interference, and even the good of Mexico
+ herself, as among the objects of the war; at another, telling
+ us that, 'to reject indemnity by refusing to accept a cession of
+ territory, would be to abandon all our just demands, and to wage
+ the war, bearing all its expenses, _without a purpose or definite
+ object_.' So, then, the national honor, security of the future, and
+ everything but territorial indemnity, may be considered the _no
+ purposes_ and _indefinite_ objects of the war! But having it now
+ settled that territorial indemnity is the only object, we are urged
+ to seize, by legislation here, all that he was content to take a
+ few months ago, and the whole province of Lower California to boot,
+ and to still carry on the war--to take _all_ we are fighting for,
+ and _still_ fight on. Again, the President is resolved, under all
+ circumstances, to have full territorial indemnity for the expenses
+ of the war; but he forgets to tell us how we are to get the
+ _excess_ after those expenses shall have surpassed the value of the
+ _whole_ of the Mexican territory. So, again, he insists that the
+ separate national existence of Mexico shall be maintained; but he
+ does not tell us _how_ this can be done after we shall have taken
+ _all_ her territory. Lest the question I here suggest be considered
+ speculative merely, let me be indulged a moment in trying to show
+ they are not.
+
+ "The war has gone on some twenty months; for the expenses of which,
+ together with an inconsiderable old score, the President now claims
+ about one-half of the Mexican territory, and that by far the better
+ half, so far as concerns our ability to make any thing out of it.
+ It is comparatively uninhabited; so that we could establish land
+ offices in it, and raise some money in that way. But the other half
+ is already inhabited, as I understand it, tolerably densely for the
+ nature of the country; and all its lands, or all that are valuable,
+ already appropriated as private property. How, then, are we to make
+ any thing out of these lands with this incumbrance on them, or how
+ remove the incumbrance? I suppose no one will say that we shall
+ kill the people, or drive them out, or make slaves of them, or
+ even confiscate their property? How, then, can we make much out of
+ this part of the territory? If the prosecution of the war has, in
+ expenses, already equalled the _better_ half of the country, how
+ long its future prosecution will be in equalling the less valuable
+ half is not a _speculative_ but a _practical_ question, pressing
+ closely upon us; and yet it is a question which the President seems
+ never to have thought of.
+
+ "As to the mode of terminating the war and securing peace, the
+ President is equally wandering and indefinite. First, it is to be
+ done by a more vigorous prosecution of the war in the vital parts
+ of the enemy's country; and, after apparently talking himself tired
+ on this point, the President drops down into a half despairing
+ tone, and tells us, that 'with a people distracted and divided by
+ contending factions, and a government subject to constant changes,
+ by successive revolutions, _the continued success of our arms
+ may fail to obtain a satisfactory peace_.' Then he suggests the
+ propriety of wheedling the Mexican people to desert the counsels
+ of their own leaders, and, trusting in our protection, to set
+ up a government from which we can secure a satisfactory peace,
+ telling us that '_this may become the only mode of obtaining such a
+ peace_.' But soon he falls into doubt of this too, and then drops
+ back on to the already half abandoned ground of 'more vigorous
+ prosecution.' All this shows that the President is in no wise
+ satisfied with his own positions. First, he takes up one, and, in
+ attempting to argue us into it, he argues himself _out_ of it;
+ then seizes another, and goes through the same process; and then,
+ confused at being able to think of nothing new, he snatches up the
+ old one again, which he has some time before cast off. His mind,
+ tasked beyond its power, is running hither and thither, like some
+ tortured creature on a burning surface, finding no such position on
+ which it can settle down and be at ease.
+
+ "Again, it is a singular omission in this message, that it nowhere
+ intimates _when_ the President expects the war to terminate. At
+ its beginning, General Scott was, by this same President driven
+ into disfavor, if not disgrace, for intimating that peace could
+ not be conquered in less than three or four months. But now at the
+ end of about twenty months, during which time our arms have given
+ us the most splendid successes--every department, and every part,
+ land and water, officers and privates, regulars and volunteers,
+ doing all that men could do, and hundreds of things which it had
+ ever before been thought that men could _not_ do; after all this,
+ this same President gives us a long message without showing us that
+ _as to the end_, he has himself even an imaginary conception. As
+ I have before said, he knows not where he is. He is a bewildered,
+ confounded, and miserably-perplexed man. God grant he may be able
+ to show that there is not something about his conscience more
+ painful than all his mental perplexity."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+SPEECH ON INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
+
+(_In Committee of the Whole House, June 20, 1848._)
+
+Mr. Lincoln said:
+
+ "MR. CHAIRMAN:--I wish at all times in no way to practice any fraud
+ upon the House or the Committee, and I also desire to do nothing
+ which may be very disagreeable to any of the members. I therefore
+ state, in advance, that my object in taking the floor is to make a
+ speech on the general subject of internal improvements; and if I
+ am out of order in doing so I give the Chair an opportunity of so
+ deciding, and I will take my seat."
+
+ The Chair.--"I will not undertake to anticipate what the gentleman
+ may say on the subject of internal improvements. He will,
+ therefore, proceed in his remarks, and if any question of order
+ shall be made, the Chair will then decide it."
+
+ Mr. Lincoln.--"At an early day of this session the President sent
+ to us what may properly be termed an internal improvement veto
+ message. The late Democratic Convention which sat at Baltimore, and
+ which nominated General Cass for the Presidency, adopted a set of
+ resolutions, now called the Democratic platform, among which is one
+ in these words:
+
+ "'That the Constitution does not confer upon the General Government
+ the power to commence and carry on a general system of internal
+ improvements.'
+
+ "General Cass, in his letter accepting the nomination, holds this
+ language:
+
+ "'I have carefully read the resolutions of the Democratic National
+ Convention, laying down the platform of our political faith, and I
+ adhere to them as firmly as I approve them cordially.'
+
+ "These things, taken together, show that the question of internal
+ improvements is now more distinctly made--has become more intense,
+ than at any former period. It can no longer be avoided. The
+ veto message and the Baltimore resolution I understand to be,
+ in substance, the same thing; the latter being the more general
+ statement, of which the former is the amplification--the bill of
+ particulars. While I know there are many Democrats, on this floor
+ and elsewhere, who disapprove that message, I understand that all
+ who shall vote for General Cass will thereafter be considered
+ as having approved it, as having indorsed all its doctrines. I
+ suppose all, or nearly all, the Democrats will vote for him. Many
+ of them will do so, not because they like his position on this
+ question, but because they prefer him, being wrong in this, to
+ another, whom they consider further wrong on other questions. In
+ this way the internal improvement Democrats are to be, by a sort
+ of forced consent, carried over, and arrayed against themselves
+ on this measure of policy. General Cass, once elected, will not
+ trouble himself to make a Constitutional argument, or, perhaps,
+ any argument at all, when he shall veto a river or harbor bill. He
+ will consider it a sufficient answer to all Democratic murmurs, to
+ point to Mr. Polk's message, and to the "Democratic platform." This
+ being the case, the question of improvements is verging to a final
+ crisis; and the friends of the policy must now battle, and battle
+ manfully, or surrender all. In this view, humble as I am, I wish to
+ review, and contest as well as I may, the general positions of this
+ veto message. When I say _general_ positions, I mean to exclude
+ from consideration so much as relates to the present embarrassed
+ state of the Treasury, in consequence of the Mexican war.
+
+ "Those general positions are: That internal improvements ought not
+ to be made by the General Government:
+
+ "1. Because they would overwhelm the treasury;
+
+ "2. Because, while their _burdens_ would be general, their
+ _benefits_ would be _local_ and _partial_, involving an obnoxious
+ inequality;
+
+ "3. Because they would be unconstitutional;
+
+ "4. Because the States may do enough by the levy and collection of
+ tonnage duties; or, if not,
+
+ "5. That the Constitution may be amended.
+
+ "'Do nothing at all, lest you do something wrong,' is the sum
+ of these positions--is the sum of this message; and this, with
+ the exception of what is said about Constitutionality, applying
+ as forcibly to making improvements by State authority as by the
+ national authority. So that we must abandon the improvements of the
+ country altogether, by any and every authority, or we must resist
+ and repudiate the doctrines of this message. Let us attempt the
+ latter.
+
+ "The first position is, that a system of internal improvement would
+ overwhelm the treasury.
+
+ "That, in such a system, there is a _tendency_ to undue expansion,
+ is not to be denied. Such tendency is founded in the nature of the
+ subject. A member of Congress will prefer voting for a bill which
+ contains an appropriation for his district, to voting for one which
+ does not; and when a bill shall be expanded till every district
+ shall be provided for, that it will be too greatly expanded is
+ obvious. But is this any more true in Congress than in a State
+ Legislature? If a member of Congress must have an appropriation
+ for his district, so a member of a Legislature must have one for
+ his county; and if one will overwhelm the national treasury, so
+ the other will overwhelm the State treasury. Go where we will,
+ the difficulty is the same. Allow it to drive us from the halls
+ of Congress, and it will just as easily drive us from the State
+ Legislatures. Let us, then, grapple with it, and test its strength.
+ Let us, judging of the future by the past, ascertain whether there
+ may not be, in the discretion of Congress, a sufficient power to
+ limit and restrain this expansive tendency within reasonable and
+ proper bounds. The President himself values the evidence of the
+ past. He tells us that at a certain point of our history, more
+ than two hundred millions of dollars had been _applied for_, to
+ make improvements, and this he does to prove that the treasury
+ would be overwhelmed by such a system. Why did he not tell us how
+ much was _granted_? Would not that have been better evidence?
+ Let us turn to it, and see what it proves. In the message, the
+ President tells us that 'during the four succeeding years, embraced
+ by the administration of President Adams, the power not only
+ to appropriate money, but to apply it, under the direction and
+ authority of the General Government, as well to the construction
+ of roads as to the improvement of harbors and rivers, was fully
+ asserted and exercised.'
+
+ "This, then, was the period of greatest enormity. These, if any,
+ must have been the days of the two hundred millions. And how much
+ do you suppose was really expended for improvements during those
+ four years? Two hundred millions? One hundred? Fifty? Ten? Five?
+ No, sir, less than two millions. As shown by authentic documents,
+ the expenditures on improvements during 1825, 1826, 1827 and 1828,
+ amounted to $1,879,627 01. These four years were the period of Mr.
+ Adams' administration, nearly, and substantially. This fact shows
+ that when the power to make improvements was 'fully asserted and
+ exercised,' the Congress _did_ keep within reasonable limits; and
+ what _has_ been done it seems to me, _can_ be done again.
+
+ "Now for the second position of the message, namely, that the
+ burdens of improvements would be _general_, while their _benefits_
+ would be _local_ and _partial_, involving an obnoxious inequality.
+ That there is some degree of truth in this position I shall not
+ deny. No commercial object of Government patronage can be so
+ exclusively _general_, as not to be of some peculiar _local_
+ advantage; but on the other hand, nothing is so _local_ as not to
+ be of some general advantage. The navy, as I understand it, was
+ established, and is maintained, at a great annual expense, partly
+ to be ready for war, when war shall come, but partly also, and
+ perhaps chiefly, for the protection of our commerce on the high
+ seas. This latter object is, for all I can see, in principle, the
+ same as internal improvements. The driving a pirate from the track
+ of commerce on the broad ocean, and the removing a snag from its
+ more narrow path in the Mississippi river, can not, I think, be
+ distinguished in principle. Each is done to save life and property,
+ and for nothing else. The navy, then, is the most general in its
+ benefits of all this class of objects; and yet even the navy is of
+ some peculiar advantage to Charleston, Baltimore, Philadelphia,
+ New York and Boston, beyond what it is to the interior towns of
+ Illinois. The next most general object I can think of, would be
+ improvements on the Mississippi river and its tributaries. They
+ touch thirteen of our States--Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky,
+ Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois,
+ Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Now, I suppose it will not be
+ denied, that these thirteen States are a little more interested in
+ improvements on that great river than are the remaining seventeen.
+ These instances of the navy, and the Mississippi river show clearly
+ that there is something of local advantage in the most general
+ objects. But the converse is also true. Nothing is so _local_
+ as not to be of some _general_ benefit. Take, for instance, the
+ Illinois and Michigan canal. Considered apart from its effects,
+ it is perfectly local. Every inch of it is within the State of
+ Illinois. That canal was first opened for business last April. In a
+ very few days we were all gratified to learn, among other things,
+ that sugar had been carried from New Orleans, through the canal,
+ to Buffalo, in New York. This sugar took this route, doubtless,
+ because it was cheaper than the old route. Supposing the benefit in
+ the reduction of the cost of carriage to be shared between seller
+ and buyer, the result is, that the New Orleans merchant sold his
+ sugar a little _dearer_, and the people of Buffalo sweetened their
+ coffee a little _cheaper_ than before; a benefit resulting _from_
+ the canal, not to Illinois, where the canal _is_, but to Louisiana
+ and New York, where the canal is _not_. In other transactions
+ Illinois will, of course, have her share, and perhaps the larger
+ share too, in the benefits of the canal; but the instance of the
+ sugar clearly shows that the _benefits_ of an improvement are by no
+ means confined to the particular locality of the improvement itself.
+
+ "The just conclusion from all this is, that if the nation refuse to
+ make improvements of the more general kind, because their benefits
+ may be somewhat local, a State may for the same reason, refuse to
+ make an improvement of a local kind, because its benefits may be
+ somewhat general. A State may well say to the Nation: 'If you will
+ do nothing for me, I will do nothing for you.' Thus it is seen,
+ that if this argument of 'inequality' is sufficient anywhere, it is
+ sufficient everywhere, and puts an end to improvements altogether.
+ I hope and believe, that if both the Nation and the States would,
+ in faith, in their respective spheres, do what they could in the
+ way of improvements, what of inequality might be produced in one
+ place might be compensated in another and that the sum of the
+ whole might not be very unequal. But suppose, after all, there
+ should be some degree of inequality: inequality is certainly never
+ to be embraced for its own sake; but is every good thing to be
+ discarded which may be inseparably connected with some degree of
+ it? If so, we must discard all government. This Capitol is built
+ at the public expense, for the public benefit; but does any one
+ doubt that it is of some peculiar local advantage to the property
+ holders and business people of Washington? Shall we remove it for
+ this reason? And if so, where shall we set it down, and be free
+ from the difficulty? To make sure of our object shall we locate
+ it nowhere, and leave Congress hereafter to hold its sessions as
+ the loafer lodged, 'in spots about?' I make no special allusion
+ to the present President when I say, there are few stronger cases
+ in this world of 'burden to the many, and benefit to the few'--of
+ 'inequality'--than the Presidency itself is by some thought to be.
+ An honest laborer digs coal at about seventy cents a day, while the
+ President digs abstractions at about seventy dollars a day. The
+ _coal_ is clearly worth more than the _abstractions_, and yet what
+ a monstrous inequality in the prices! Does the President, for this
+ reason, propose to abolish the Presidency? He _does_ not, and he
+ _ought_ not. The true rule, in determining to embrace or reject any
+ thing, is not whether it have _any_ evil in it, but whether it have
+ more of evil than of good. There are few things _wholly_ evil or
+ _wholly_ good; almost every thing, especially of government policy,
+ is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment
+ of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. On this
+ principle the President, his friends, and the world generally, act
+ on most subjects. Why not apply it, then, upon this question? Why,
+ as to improvements, magnify the _evil_, and stoutly refuse to see
+ any good in them?
+
+ "Mr. Chairman, on the third position of the message (the
+ Constitutional question) I have not much to say. Being the man
+ I am, and speaking when I do, I feel that in any attempt at an
+ original, Constitutional argument, I should not be, and ought
+ not to be, listened to patiently. The ablest and the best of men
+ have gone over the whole ground long ago. I shall attempt but
+ little more than a brief notice of what some of them have said.
+ In relation to Mr. Jefferson's views, I read from Mr. Polk's veto
+ message:
+
+ "'President Jefferson, in his message to Congress in 1806,
+ recommended an amendment of the Constitution, with a view to apply
+ an anticipated surplus in the treasury 'to the great purposes of
+ the public education, roads, rivers, canals, and such other objects
+ of public improvements as it may be thought proper to add to the
+ Constitutional enumeration of the Federal powers.' And he adds: 'I
+ suppose an amendment to the Constitution, by consent of the States,
+ necessary because the objects now recommended are not among those
+ enumerated in the Constitution, and to which it permits the public
+ moneys to be applied.' In 1825, he repeated, in his published
+ letters, the opinion that no such power had been conferred upon
+ Congress.'
+
+ "I introduce this, not to controvert, just now, the Constitutional
+ opinion, but to show, that on the question of _expediency_, Mr.
+ Jefferson's opinion was against the present President--that this
+ opinion of Mr. Jefferson, in one branch at least, is, in the hands
+ of Mr. Polk, like McFingal's gun:
+
+ "'Bears wide and kicks the owner over.'
+
+ "But, to the Constitutional question. In 1826, Chancellor Kent
+ first published his Commentaries on American Law. He devoted a
+ portion of one of the lectures to the question of the authority of
+ Congress to appropriate public moneys for internal improvements.
+ He mentions that the question had never been brought under judicial
+ consideration, and proceeds to give a brief summary of the
+ discussions it had undergone between the legislative and executive
+ branches of the Government. He shows that the legislative branch
+ had usually been _for_, and the executive _against_, the power,
+ till the period of Mr. J. Q. Adams' administration; at which point
+ he considers the executive influence as withdrawn from opposition,
+ and added to the support of the power. In 1844, the Chancelor
+ published a new edition of his Commentaries, in which he adds some
+ notes of what had transpired on the question since 1826. I have not
+ time to read the original text, or the notes, but the whole may
+ be found on page 267, and the two or three following pages of the
+ first volume of the edition of 1844. As what Chancellor Kent seems
+ to consider the sum of the whole, I read from one of the notes:
+
+ "'Mr. Justice Story, in his Commentaries on the Constitution of
+ the United States, vol. 2, page 429-440, and again, page 519-538,
+ has stated at large the arguments for and against the proposition
+ that Congress have a Constitutional authority to lay taxes, and
+ to apply the power to regulate commerce, as a means directly to
+ encourage and protect domestic manufactures; and, without giving
+ any opinion of his own on the contested doctrine, he has left the
+ reader to draw his own conclusion. I should think, however, from
+ the arguments as stated, that every mind which has taken no part
+ in the discussions, and felt no prejudice or territorial bias on
+ either side of the question, would deem the arguments in favor of
+ the Congressional power vastly superior.'
+
+ "It will be seen, that in this extract, the power to make
+ improvements is not directly mentioned; but by examining the
+ context, both of Kent and of Story, it will appear that the power
+ mentioned in the extract and the power to make improvements, are
+ regarded as identical. It is not to be denied that many great and
+ good men have been _against_ the power; but it is insisted that
+ quite as many, as great, and as good, have been _for_ it; and
+ it is shown that, on a full survey of the whole, Chancelor Kent
+ was of opinion that the arguments of the latter were _vastly_
+ superior. This is but the opinion of a man; but who was that man?
+ He was one of the ablest and most learned lawyers of his age, or
+ of any other age. It is no disparagement to Mr. Polk, nor, indeed,
+ to any one who devotes much time to politics, to be placed far
+ behind Chancelor Kent as a lawyer. His attitude was most favorable
+ to correct conclusions. He wrote coolly and in retirement. He
+ was struggling to rear a durable monument of fame; and he well
+ knew that _truth_ and thoroughly sound reasoning were the only
+ sure foundations. Can the party opinion of a party President, on
+ a law question, as this purely is, be at all compared or set in
+ opposition to that of such a man, in such an attitude as Chancelor
+ Kent?
+
+ "This Constitutional question will probably never be better settled
+ than it is, until it shall pass under judicial consideration; but
+ I do think that no man who is clear on this question of expediency
+ need feel his conscience much pricked upon this.
+
+ "Mr. Chairman, the President seems to think that enough may be
+ done in the way of improvements, by means of tonnage duties, under
+ State authority, with the consent of the General Government. Now,
+ I suppose this matter of tonnage duties is well enough in its own
+ sphere. I suppose it may be efficient, and perhaps _sufficient_,
+ to make slight improvements and repairs in harbors already in use,
+ and not much out of repair. But if I have any correct general idea
+ of it, it must be wholly inefficient for any generally beneficent
+ purposes of improvement. I know very little, or rather nothing at
+ all, of the practical matter of levying and collecting tonnage
+ duties; but I suppose one of its principles must be, to lay a duty,
+ for the improvement of any particular harbor, _upon the tonnage
+ coming into that harbor_. To do otherwise--to collect money in
+ _one_ harbor to be expended in improvements in _another_--would be
+ an extremely aggravated form of that inequality which the President
+ so much deprecates. If I be right in this, how could we make any
+ entirely new improvements by means of tonnage duties? How make a
+ road, a canal, or clear a greatly obstructed river? The idea that
+ we could, involves the same absurdity of the Irish bull about the
+ new boots: 'I shall never git 'em on,' says Patrick, 'till I wear
+ 'em a day or two, and stretch 'em a little.' We shall never make
+ a canal by tonnage duties, until it shall already have been made
+ awhile, so the tonnage can get into it.
+
+ "After all, the President concludes that possibly there may be some
+ great objects of improvements which can not be effected by tonnage
+ duties, and which, therefore, may be expedient for the General
+ Government to take in hand. Accordingly, he suggests, in case any
+ such be discovered, the propriety of amending the Constitution.
+ Amend it for what? If, like Mr. Jefferson, the President thought
+ improvements _expedient_ but not Constitutional, it would be
+ natural enough for him to recommend such an amendment; but hear
+ what he says in this very message:
+
+ "'In view of these portentous consequences, I can not but think
+ that this course of legislation should be arrested, even were there
+ nothing to forbid it in the fundamental laws of our Union.'
+
+ "For what, then, would _he_ have the Constitution amended? With
+ _him_ it is a proposition to remove _one_ impediment, merely to
+ be met by _others_, which, in his opinion, can not be removed--to
+ enable Congress to do what, in his opinion, they ought not to do if
+ they could."
+
+ [Here Mr. Meade, of Virginia, inquired if Mr. L. understood the
+ President to be opposed, on grounds of expediency, to any and every
+ improvement?]
+
+ To which Mr. Lincoln answered: "In the very part of his message
+ of which I am now speaking, I understand him as giving some vague
+ expressions in favor of some possible objects of improvement; but,
+ in doing so, I understand him to be directly in the teeth of his
+ own arguments in other parts of it. Neither the President, nor
+ any one, can possibly specify an improvement, which shall not be
+ clearly liable to one or another of the objections he has urged on
+ the score of expediency; I have shown, and might show again, that
+ no work--no object--can be so general, as to dispense its benefits
+ with precise equality; and this inequality is chief among the
+ 'portentous consequences' for which he declares that improvements
+ should be arrested. No, sir; when the President intimates that
+ something in the way of improvements may properly be done by the
+ General Government, he is shrinking from the conclusions to which
+ his own arguments would force him. He feels that the improvements
+ of this broad and goodly land are a mighty interest; and he is
+ unwilling to confess to the people, or perhaps to himself, that
+ he has built an argument which, when pressed to its conclusion,
+ entirely annihilates this interest.
+
+ "I have already said that no one who is satisfied of the expediency
+ of making improvements need be much uneasy in his conscience about
+ its Constitutionality. I wish now to submit a few remarks on the
+ general proposition of amending the Constitution. As a General
+ rule, I think we would do much better to let it alone. No slight
+ occasion should tempt us to touch it. Better not take the first
+ step, which may lead to a habit of altering it. Better rather
+ habituate ourselves to think of it as unalterable. It can scarcely
+ be made better than it is. New provisions would introduce new
+ difficulties, and thus create and increase appetite for further
+ change. No, sir; let it stand as it is. New hands have never
+ touched it. The men who made it have done their work, and have
+ passed away. Who shall improve on what _they_ did?
+
+ "Mr. Chairman, for the purpose of reviewing this message in the
+ least possible time, as well as for the sake of distinctness, I
+ have analyzed its arguments as well as I could, and reduced them
+ to the propositions I have stated. I have now examined them in
+ detail. I wish to detain the committee only a little while longer,
+ with some general remarks on the subject of improvements. That the
+ subject is a difficult one, can not be denied. Still, it is no
+ more difficult in Congress than in the State legislatures, in the
+ counties or in the smallest municipal districts which everywhere
+ exist. All can recur to instances of this difficulty in the case of
+ county roads, bridges, and the like. One man is offended because a
+ road passes over his land; and another is offended because it does
+ _not_ pass over his; one is dissatisfied because the bridge, for
+ which he is taxed, crosses the river on a different road from that
+ which leads from his house to town; another can not bear that the
+ county should get in debt for these same roads and bridges; while
+ not a few struggle hard to have roads located over their lands, and
+ then stoutly refuse to let them be opened, until they are first
+ paid the damages. Even between the different wards and streets
+ of towns and cities, we find this same wrangling and difficulty.
+ Now, these are no other than the very difficulties against which,
+ and out of which, the President constructs his objections of
+ 'inequality,' 'speculation,' and 'crushing the Treasury.' There is
+ but a single alternative about them--they are _sufficient_, or they
+ are _not_. If sufficient, they are sufficient _out_ of Congress
+ as well as _in_ it, and there is the end. We must reject them as
+ insufficient, or lie down and do nothing by any authority. Then,
+ difficulty though there be, let us meet and overcome it.
+
+ 'Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt;
+ Nothing so hard, but search will find it out.'
+
+ "Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall
+ find the way. The tendency to undue expansion is unquestionably
+ the chief difficulty. How to do _something_, and still not to do
+ _too much_, is the desideratum. Let each contribute his mite in
+ the way of suggestion. The late Silas Wright, in a letter to the
+ Chicago Convention, contributed his, which was worth something; and
+ I now contribute mine, which may be worth nothing. At all events,
+ it will mislead nobody, and therefore will do no harm. I would
+ not borrow money. I am against an overwhelming, crushing system.
+ Suppose that at each session, Congress shall first determine _how
+ much_ money can, for that year, be spared for improvements; then
+ apportion that sum to the most _important_ objects. So far all is
+ easy; but how shall we determine which _are_ the most important?
+ On this question comes the collision of interests. _I_ shall be
+ slow to acknowledge that _your_ harbor or _your_ river is more
+ important than _mine_, and _vice versa_. To clear this difficulty,
+ let us have that same statistical information which the gentleman
+ from Ohio [Mr. Vinton] suggested at the beginning of this session.
+ In that information we shall have a stern, unbending basis of
+ _facts_--a basis in nowise subject to whim, caprice, or local
+ interest. The pre-limited amount of means will save us from doing
+ _too much_, and the statistics will save us from doing what we do
+ in _wrong places_. Adopt and adhere to this course, and, it seems
+ to me, the difficulty is cleared.
+
+ "One of the gentlemen from South Carolina (Mr. Rhett) very much
+ deprecates these statistics. He particularly objects, as I
+ understand him, to counting all the pigs and chickens in the land.
+ I do not perceive much force in the objection. It is true, that if
+ every thing be enumerated, a portion of such statistics may not be
+ very useful to this object. Such products of the country as are to
+ be _consumed_ where they are _produced_, need no roads and rivers,
+ no means of transportation, and have no very proper connection with
+ this subject. The _surplus_, that which is produced in _one_ place
+ to be consumed in _another_; the capacity of each locality for
+ producing a _greater_ surplus; the natural means of transportation,
+ and their susceptibility of improvement; the hindrances, delays,
+ and losses of life and property during transportation, and the
+ causes of each, would be among the most valuable statistics in
+ this connection. From these it would readily appear where a given
+ amount of expenditure would do the most good. These statistics
+ might be equally accessible, as they would be equally useful, to
+ both the Nation and the States. In this way, and by these means,
+ let the nation take hold of the larger works, and the States the
+ smaller ones; and thus, working in a meeting direction, discreetly,
+ but steadily and firmly, what is made unequal in one place may be
+ equalized in another, extravagance avoided, and the whole country
+ put on that career of prosperity, which shall correspond with its
+ extent of territory, its natural resources, and the intelligence
+ and enterprise of its people."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+SPEECH ON THE PRESIDENCY AND GENERAL POLITICS.
+
+(_Delivered in the House, July 27, 1848._)
+
+GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE VETO POWER.
+
+ "Mr. SPEAKER:--Our Democratic friends seem to be in great distress
+ because they think our candidate for the Presidency don't suit
+ _us_. Most of them can not find out that General Taylor has any
+ principles at all; some, however, have discovered that he has
+ _one_, but that that one is entirely wrong. This one principle
+ is his position on the veto power. The gentleman from Tennessee
+ (Mr. Stanton) who has just taken his seat, indeed, has said
+ there is very little if any difference on this question between
+ General Taylor and all the Presidents; and he seems to think it
+ sufficient detraction from General Taylor's position on it, that
+ it has nothing new in it. But all others whom I have heard speak
+ assail it furiously. A new member from Kentucky (Mr. Clarke) of
+ very considerable ability, was in particular concern about it.
+ He thought it altogether novel and unprecedented for a President,
+ or a Presidential candidate, to think of approving bills whose
+ Constitutionality may not be entirely clear to his own mind. He
+ thinks the ark of our safety is gone, unless Presidents shall
+ always veto such bills as, in their judgment, may be of _doubtful_
+ Constitutionality. However clear Congress may be of their authority
+ to pass any particular act, the gentleman from Kentucky thinks the
+ President must veto it if _he_ has _doubts_ about it. Now I have
+ neither time nor inclination to argue with the gentleman on the
+ veto power as an original question; but I wish to show that General
+ Taylor, and not he, agrees with the earliest statesmen on this
+ question. When the bill chartering the first Bank of the United
+ States passed Congress, its Constitutionality was questioned;
+ Mr. Madison, then in the House of Representatives, as well as
+ others, had opposed it on that ground. General Washington, as
+ President, was called on to approve or reject it. He sought and
+ obtained, on the Constitutional question, the separate written
+ opinions of Jefferson, Hamilton, and Edmund Randolph, they then
+ being respectively Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury,
+ and Attorney General. Hamilton's opinion was for the power; while
+ Randolph's and Jefferson's were both against it. Mr. Jefferson,
+ in his letter dated February 15th, 1791, after giving his opinion
+ decidedly against the Constitutionality of that bill, closed with
+ the paragraph which I now read:
+
+ "'It must be admitted, however, that unless the President's mind,
+ on a view of every thing which is urged for and against this bill,
+ is tolerably clear that it is unauthorized by the Constitution; if
+ the pro and the con hang so even as to balance his judgment, a just
+ respect for the wisdom of the Legislature would naturally decide
+ the balance in favor of their opinion; it is chiefly for cases
+ where they are clearly misled by error, ambition, or interest,
+ that the Constitution has placed a check in the negative of the
+ President.'
+
+ "General Taylor's opinion, as expressed in his Allison letter, is
+ as I now read:
+
+ "'The power given by the veto is a high conservative power; but,
+ in my opinion, should never be exercised, except in cases of clear
+ violation of the Constitution, or manifest haste and want of
+ consideration by Congress.
+
+ "It is here seen that, in Mr. Jefferson's opinion, if, on the
+ Constitutionality of any given bill, the President _doubts_, he
+ is not to veto it, as the gentleman from Kentucky would have him
+ to do, but is to defer to Congress and approve it. And if we
+ compare the opinions of Jefferson and Taylor, as expressed in these
+ paragraphs, we shall find them more exactly alike than we can often
+ find any two expressions having any literal difference. None but
+ interested fault-finders, can discover any substantial variation.
+
+ "But gentlemen on the other side are unanimously agreed that Gen.
+ Taylor has no other principle. They are in utter darkness as to
+ his opinions on any of the questions of policy which occupy the
+ public attention. But is there any doubt as to what he will _do_
+ on the prominent question, if elected? Not the least. It is not
+ possible to know what he will or would do in every imaginable case;
+ because many questions have passed away, and others doubtless will
+ arise which none of us have yet thought of; but on the prominent
+ questions of currency, tariff, internal improvements, and Wilmot
+ proviso, General Taylor's course is at least as well defined as is
+ General Cass's. Why, in their eagerness to get at General Taylor,
+ several Democratic members here have desired to know whether, in
+ case of his election, a bankrupt law is to be established. Can
+ they tell us General Cass's opinion on this question? (Some member
+ answered, 'He is against it.') Aye, how do you know he is? There is
+ nothing about it in the platform, nor elsewhere, that I have seen.
+ If the gentleman knows any thing which I do not, he can show it.
+ But to return: General Taylor, in his Allison letter says:
+
+ "'Upon the subject of the tariff, the currency, the improvement of
+ our great highways, rivers, lakes, and harbors, the will of the
+ people, as expressed through their Representatives in Congress,
+ ought to be respected and carried out by the Executive.'
+
+ "Now, this is the whole matter--in substance, it is this: The
+ people say to General Taylor, 'If you are elected shall we have a
+ National bank?' He answers, '_Your_ will, gentlemen, not _mine_.'
+ 'What about the tariff?' 'Say yourselves.' 'Shall our rivers and
+ harbors be improved?' 'Just as you please.' 'If you desire a bank,
+ an alteration of the tariff, internal improvements, any or all, I
+ will not hinder you; if you do not desire them, I will not attempt
+ to force them on you. Send up your members of Congress from the
+ various districts, with opinions according to your own, and if they
+ are for these measures, or any of them, I shall have nothing to
+ oppose; if they are not for them, I shall not, by any appliances
+ whatever, attempt to dragoon them into their adoption.' Now, can
+ there be any difficulty in understanding this? To you, Democrats,
+ it may not seem like principle; but surely you can not fail to
+ perceive the position plain enough. The distinction between it and
+ the position of your candidate is broad and obvious, and I admit
+ you have a clear right to show it is wrong, if you can; but you
+ have no right to pretend you can not see it at all. We see it, and
+ to us it appears like principle, and the best sort of principle at
+ that--the principle of allowing the people to do as they please
+ with their own business. My friend from Indiana (Mr. C. B. Smith)
+ has aptly asked, 'Are you willing to trust the people?' Some of
+ you answered, substantially, 'We are willing to trust the people;
+ but the President is as much the representative of the people as
+ Congress.' In a certain sense, and to a certain intent, he is the
+ representative of the people. He is elected by them, as well as
+ Congress is. But can he, in the nature of things, know the wants
+ of the people as well as three hundred other men coming from all
+ the various localities of the Nation? If so, where is the propriety
+ of having a Congress? That the Constitution gives the President a
+ negative on legislation, all know; but that this negative should be
+ so combined with platforms and other appliances as to enable him,
+ and, in fact, almost compel him, to take the whole of legislation
+ into his own hands, is what we object to--is what General Taylor
+ objects to--and is what constitutes the broad distinction between
+ you and us. To thus transfer legislation is clearly to take it from
+ those who understand with minuteness the interests of the people,
+ and give it to one who does not and can not so well understand it.
+ I understand your idea, that if a Presidential candidate avow his
+ opinion upon a given question, or rather upon all questions, and
+ the people, with full knowledge of this, elect him, they thereby
+ distinctly approve all those opinions. This, though plausible, is
+ a most pernicious deception. By means of it measures are adopted
+ or rejected, contrary to the wishes of the whole of one party,
+ and often nearly half of the other. The process is this: Three,
+ four, or half a dozen questions are prominent at a given time; the
+ party selects its candidate, and he takes his position on each of
+ these questions. On all but one his positions have already been
+ indorsed at former elections, and his party fully committed to
+ them; but that one is new, and a large portion of them are against
+ it. But what are they to do? The whole are strung together, and
+ they must take all or reject all. They can not take what they like
+ and leave the rest. What they are already committed to, being the
+ majority, they shut their eyes and gulp the whole. Next election,
+ still another is introduced in the same way. If we run our eyes
+ along the line of the past, we shall see that almost, if not quite,
+ all the articles of the present Democratic creed have been at
+ first forced upon the party in this very way. And just now, and
+ just so, opposition to internal improvements is to be established
+ if Gen. Cass shall be elected. Almost half the Democrats here
+ are for improvements, but they will vote for Cass, and if he
+ succeeds, their votes will have aided in closing the doors against
+ improvements. Now, this is a process which we think is wrong. We
+ prefer a candidate who, like Gen. Taylor, will allow the people to
+ have their own way regardless of his private opinion; and I should
+ think the internal-improvement Democrats at least, ought to prefer
+ such a candidate. He would force nothing on them which they don't
+ want, and he would allow them to have improvements, which their own
+ candidate, if elected, will not.
+
+ "Mr. Speaker, I have said Gen. Taylor's position is as well defined
+ as is that of Gen. Cass. In saying this, I admit I do not certainly
+ know what he would do on the Wilmot proviso. I am a Northern
+ man, or, rather, a Western free State man, with a constituency I
+ believe to be, and with personal feelings I know to be, against the
+ extension of slavery. As such, and with what information I have,
+ I hope, and _believe_, Gen. Taylor, if elected, would not veto
+ the proviso; but I do not _know_ it. Yet, if I knew he would, I
+ still would vote for him. I should do so, because, in my judgment,
+ his election alone can defeat Gen. Cass; and because, _should_
+ slavery thereby go into the territory we now have, just so much
+ will certainly happen by the election of Cass; and, in addition,
+ a course of policy leading to new wars, new acquisitions of
+ territory, and still further extensions of slavery. One of the two
+ is to be President; which is preferable?
+
+ "But there is as much doubt of Cass on improvements as there is
+ of Taylor on the proviso. I have no doubt myself of Gen. Cass on
+ this question, but I know the Democrats differ among themselves as
+ to his position. My internal improvement colleague (Mr. Wentworth)
+ stated on this floor the other day, that he was satisfied Cass was
+ for improvements, because he had voted for all the bills that he
+ (Mr. W.) had. So far so good. But Mr. Polk vetoed some of these
+ very bills; the Baltimore Convention passed a set of resolutions,
+ among other things, approving these vetoes, and Cass declares, in
+ his letter accepting the nomination, that he has carefully read
+ these resolutions, and that he adheres to them as firmly as he
+ approves them cordially. In other words, Gen. Cass voted for the
+ bills, and thinks the President did right to veto them; and his
+ friends here are amiable enough to consider him as being on one
+ side or the other, just as one or the other may correspond with
+ their own respective inclinations. My colleague admits that the
+ platform declares against the Constitutionality of a general system
+ of improvement, and that Gen. Cass indorses the platform; but he
+ still thinks Gen. Cass is in favor of some sort of improvements.
+ Well, what are they? As he is against _general_ objects, those he
+ is _for_, must be _particular_ and _local_. Now, this is taking the
+ subject precisely by the wrong end. _Particularity_--expending the
+ money of the _whole_ people for an object which will benefit only a
+ _portion_ of them, is the greatest real objection to improvements,
+ and has been so held by Gen. Jackson, Mr. Polk, and all others,
+ I believe, till now. But now, behold, the objects most general,
+ nearest free from this objection, are to be rejected, while those
+ most liable to it are to be embraced. To return: I can not help
+ believing that Gen. Cass, when he wrote his letter of acceptance,
+ well understood he was to be claimed by the advocates of both sides
+ of this question, and that he then closed the door against all
+ further expressions of opinion, purposely to retain the benefits of
+ that double position. His subsequent equivocation at Cleveland, to
+ my mind, proves such to have been the case.
+
+ "One word more, and I shall have done with this branch of the
+ subject. You Democrats, and your candidate, in the main are in
+ favor of laying down, in advance, a platform--a set of party
+ positions, as a unit; and then of enforcing the people, by every
+ sort of appliance, to ratify them, however unpalatable some of them
+ may be. We, and our candidate, are in favor of making Presidential
+ elections and the legislation of the country distinct matters; so
+ that the people can elect whom they please, and afterward legislate
+ just _as_ they please, without any hindrance, save only so much as
+ may guard against infractions of the Constitution, undue haste,
+ and want of consideration. The difference between us is clear as
+ noonday. That we are right we can not doubt. We hold the true
+ Republican position. In leaving the people's business in their
+ hands we can not be wrong. We are willing, and even anxious, to go
+ to the people on this issue.
+
+ "But I suppose I can not reasonably hope to convince you that we
+ have any principles. The most I can expect is, to assure you that
+ we think we have, and are quite contented with them. The other day,
+ one of the gentlemen from Georgia (Mr. Iverson), an eloquent man,
+ and a man of learning, so far as I can judge, not being learned
+ myself, came down upon us astonishingly. He spoke in what the
+ Baltimore _American_ calls the 'scathing and withering style.' At
+ the end of his second severe flash I was struck blind, and found
+ myself feeling with my fingers for an assurance of my continued
+ physical existence. A little of the bone was left, and I gradually
+ revived. He eulogized Mr. Clay in high and beautiful terms, and
+ then declared that we had deserted all our principles, and had
+ turned Henry Clay out, like an old horse, to root. This is terribly
+ severe. It can not be answered by argument; at least, I can not
+ so answer it. I merely wish to ask the gentleman if the Whigs are
+ the only party he can think of, who sometimes turn old horses out
+ to root? Is not a certain Martin Van Buren an old horse which your
+ own party have turned out to root? and is he not rooting a little
+ to your discomfort about now? But in not nominating Mr. Clay, we
+ deserted our principles, you say. Ah! in what? Tell us, ye men
+ of principles what principle we violated? We say you did violate
+ principle in discarding Van Buren, and we can tell you how. You
+ violated the primary, the cardinal, the one great living principle
+ of all Democratic representative government--the principle that
+ the representative is bound to carry out the known will of his
+ constituents. A large majority of the Baltimore Convention of 1844
+ were, by their constituents, instructed to procure Van Buren's
+ nomination if they could. In violation, in utter, glaring contempt
+ of this, you rejected him--rejected him, as the gentlemen from
+ New York (Mr. Birdsall), the other day expressly admitted, for
+ _availability_--that same 'general availability' which you charge
+ upon us, and daily chew over here, as something exceedingly odious
+ and unprincipled. But the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Iverson),
+ gave us a second speech yesterday, all well considered and put down
+ in writing, in which Van Buren was scathed and withered a 'few'
+ for his present position and movements. I can not remember the
+ gentlemen's precise language, but I do remember he put Van Buren
+ down, down, till he got him where he was finally to 'stink' and
+ 'rot.'
+
+ "Mr. Speaker, it is no business or inclination of mine to defend
+ Martin Van Buren. In the war of extermination now waging between
+ him and his old admirers, I say, devil take the hindmost--and the
+ foremost. But there is no mistaking the origin of the breach;
+ and if the curse of 'stinking' and 'rotting' is to fall on the
+ first and greatest violaters of principle in the matter, I
+ disinterestedly suggest, that the gentleman from Georgia and his
+ present co-workers are bound to take it upon themselves."
+
+Mr. Lincoln then proceeded to speak of the objections against Gen.
+Taylor as a mere military hero; retorting with effect, by citing the
+attempt to make out a military record for Gen. Cass; and referring, in
+a bantering way, to his own services in the Black Hawk war, as already
+quoted. He then said:
+
+ "While I have Gen. Cass in hand, I wish to say a word about his
+ political principles. As a specimen, I take the record of his
+ progress on the Wilmot Proviso. In the Washington Union, of March
+ 2, 1847, there is a report of the speech of Gen. Cass, made the day
+ before in the Senate, on the Wilmot Proviso, during the delivery of
+ which, Mr. Miller, of New Jersey, is reported to have interrupted
+ him as follows, to wit:
+
+ "'Mr. Miller expressed his great surprise at the change in the
+ sentiments of the Senator from Michigan, who had been regarded as
+ the great champion of freedom in the North-west of which he was a
+ distinguished ornament. Last year the Senator from Michigan was
+ understood to be decidedly in favor of the Wilmot Proviso; and, as
+ no reason had been stated for the change, he (Mr. Miller) could not
+ refrain from the expression of his extreme surprise.'
+
+ "To this Gen. Cass is reported to have replied as follows, to wit:
+
+ "Mr. Cass said, that the course of the Senator from New Jersey was
+ most extraordinary. Last year he (Mr. Cass) should have voted for
+ the proposition had it come up. But circumstances had altogether
+ changed. The honorable Senator then read several passages from the
+ remarks as given above, which he had committed to writing, in order
+ to refute such a charge as that of the Senator from New Jersey.'
+
+ "In the 'remarks above committed to writing,' is one numbered 4, as
+ follows, to wit:
+
+ "'4th. Legislation would now be wholly imperative, because no
+ territory hereafter to be acquired can be governed without an act
+ of Congress providing for its government. And such an act, on its
+ passage, would open the whole subject, and leave the Congress,
+ called on to pass it, free to exercise its own discretion,
+ entirely uncontrolled by any declaration found in the statute book.'
+
+ "In Niles' Register, vol. 73, page 293, there is a letter of
+ General Cass to A. O. P. Nicholson, of Nashville, Tennessee dated
+ December 24, 1847, from which the following are correct extracts:
+
+ "'The Wilmot Proviso has been before the country some time. It has
+ been repeatedly discussed in Congress, and by the public press. I
+ am strongly impressed with the opinion that a great change has been
+ going on in the public mind upon this subject--in my own as well as
+ others; and that doubts are resolving themselves into convictions,
+ that the principle it involves should be kept out of the National
+ Legislature, and left to the people of the Confederacy in their
+ respective local Governments.
+
+ "'Briefly, then, I am opposed to the exercise of any jurisdiction
+ by Congress over this matter; and I am in favor of leaving the
+ people of any territory which may be hereafter acquired, the right
+ to regulate it themselves, under the general principles of the
+ Constitution. Because,
+
+ "'1. I do not see in the Constitution any grant of the requisite
+ power to Congress; and I am not disposed to extend a doubtful
+ precedent beyond its necessity--the establishment of territorial
+ governments when needed--leaving to the inhabitants all the rights
+ compatible with the relations they bear to the Confederation.'
+
+ "These extracts show that, in 1846, General Cass was for the
+ Proviso _at once_; that, in March, 1847, he was still for it,
+ _but not just then_; and that in December, 1847, he was _against_
+ it altogether. This is a true index to the whole man. When the
+ question was raised in 1846, he was in a blustering hurry to
+ take ground for it. He sought to be in advance, and to avoid the
+ uninteresting position of a mere follower, but soon he began to see
+ glimpses of the great Democratic ox-gad waving in his face, and to
+ hear indistinctly, a voice saying, 'back,' 'back, sir,' 'back a
+ little.' He shakes his head and bats his eyes, and blunders back to
+ his position of March, 1847; but still the gad waves, and the voice
+ grows more distinct, and sharper still--'back, sir!' 'back, I say!'
+ 'further back!' and back he goes to the position of December, 1847;
+ at which the gad is still, and the voice soothingly says--'So!'
+ 'Stand still at that.'
+
+ "Have no fears, gentlemen, of your candidate; he exactly suits you,
+ and we congratulate you upon it. However much you may be distressed
+ about _our_ candidate, you have all cause to be contented and happy
+ with your own. If elected, he may not maintain all, or even any of
+ his positions previously taken; but he will be sure to do whatever
+ the party exigency, for the time being, may require; and that is
+ precisely what you want. He and Van Buren are the same 'manner of
+ men;' and like Van Buren, he will never desert _you_ till you first
+ desert _him_."
+
+After referring at some length to extra "charges" of General Cass upon
+the Treasury, Mr. Lincoln continued:--
+
+ "But I have introduced General Cass's accounts here, chiefly to
+ show the wonderful physical capacities of the man. They show that
+ he not only did the labor of several men at the same _time_, but
+ that he often did it, at several _places_ many hundred miles apart,
+ _at the same time_. And at eating, too, his capacities are shown to
+ be quite as wonderful. From October, 1821, to May, 1822, he ate ten
+ rations a day in Michigan, ten rations a day here, in Washington,
+ and nearly five dollar's worth a day besides, partly on the road
+ between the two places. And then there is an important discovery in
+ his example--the art of being paid for what one eats, instead of
+ having to pay for it. Hereafter, if any nice young man shall owe
+ a bill which he can not pay in any other way, he can just board
+ it out. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard of the animal standing in
+ doubt between two stacks of hay, and starving to death; the like
+ of that would never happen to General Cass. Place the stacks a
+ thousand miles apart, he would stand stock-still, midway between
+ them, and eat them both at once; and the green grass along the line
+ would be apt to suffer some too, at the same time. By all means
+ make him President, gentlemen. He will feed you bounteously--if
+ if--there is any left after he shall have helped himself.
+
+ "But as General Taylor, is, par excellence, the hero of the Mexican
+ war; and, as you Democrats say we Whigs have always opposed the
+ war, you think it must be very awkward and embarrassing for us to
+ go for General Taylor. The declaration that we have always opposed
+ the war, is true or false accordingly as one may understand the
+ term 'opposing the war.' If to say 'the war was unnecessarily and
+ unconstitutionally commenced by the President,' be opposing the
+ war, then the Whigs have very generally opposed it. Whenever they
+ have spoken at all, they have said this; and they have said it
+ on what has appeared good reason to them: The marching an army
+ into the midst of a peaceful Mexican settlement, frightening the
+ inhabitants away, leaving their growing crops and other property
+ to destruction, to _you_ may appear a perfectly amiable, peaceful,
+ unprovoking procedure; but it does not appear so to _us_. So to
+ call such an act, to us appears no other than a naked, impudent
+ absurdity, and we speak of it accordingly. But if, when the war had
+ begun, and had become the cause of the country, the giving of our
+ money and our blood, in common with yours, was support of the war,
+ then it is not true that we have always opposed the war. With few
+ individual exceptions, you have constantly had our votes here for
+ all the necessary supplies. And, more than this, you have had the
+ services, the blood, and the lives of our political brethren in
+ every trial, and on every field. The beardless boy and the mature
+ man--the humble and the distinguished, you have had them. Through
+ suffering and death, by disease and in battle, they have endured,
+ and fought, and fallen with you. Clay and Webster each gave a son,
+ never to be returned. From the State of my own residence, besides
+ other worthy but less known Whig names, we sent Marshall, Morrison,
+ Baker, and Hardin; they all fought, and one fell, and in the fall
+ of that one, we lost our best Whig man. Nor were the Whigs few in
+ number, or laggard in the day of danger. In that fearful, bloody,
+ breathless struggle at Buena Vista, where each man's hard task was
+ to beat back five foes, or die himself, of the five high officers
+ who perished, four were Whigs.
+
+ "In speaking of this, I mean no odious comparison between the
+ lion-hearted Whigs and Democrats who fought there. On other
+ occasions, and among the lower officers and privates on _that_
+ occasion, I doubt not the proportion was different. I wish to do
+ justice to all. I think of all those brave men as Americans, in
+ whose proud fame, as an American, I too have a share. Many of them,
+ Whigs and Democrats, are my constituents and personal friends; and
+ I thank them--more than thank them--one and all, for the high,
+ imperishable honor they have conferred on our common State.
+
+ "But the distinction between the cause of the _President_ in
+ beginning the war, and the cause of the _country_ after it was
+ begun, is a distinction which you can not perceive. To _you_, the
+ President and the country seem to be all one. You are interested
+ to see no distinction between them; and I venture to suggest
+ that _possibly_ your interest blinds you a little. We see the
+ distinction, as we think, clearly enough; and our friends, who have
+ fought in the war, have no difficulty in seeing it also. What those
+ who have fallen would say, were they alive and here, of course
+ we can never know; but with those who have returned there is no
+ difficulty. Colonel Haskell and Major Gaines, members here, both
+ fought in the war; and one of them underwent extraordinary perils
+ and hardships; still they, like all other Whigs here, vote on
+ the record that the war was unnecessarily and unconstitutionally
+ commenced by the President. And even General Taylor himself, the
+ noblest Roman of them all, has declared that, as a citizen, and
+ particularly as a soldier, it is sufficient for him to know that
+ his country is at war with a foreign nation, to do all in his power
+ to bring it to a speedy and honorable termination, by the most
+ vigorous and energetic operations, without inquiring about its
+ justice, or any thing else connected with it.
+
+ "Mr. Speaker, let our Democratic friends be comforted with the
+ assurance that we are content with our position, content with our
+ company, and content with our candidate; and that although they, in
+ their generous sympathy, think we ought to be miserable, we really
+ are not, and that they may dismiss the great anxiety they have on
+ _our_ account."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+SPEECH IN REPLY TO MR. DOUGLAS, ON KANSAS, THE DRED SCOTT DECISION, AND
+THE UTAH QUESTION.
+
+(_Delivered at Springfield, Ill., June 26, 1857._)
+
+ "FELLOW-CITIZENS:--I am here, to-night, partly by the invitation
+ of some of you, and partly by my own inclination. Two weeks ago
+ Judge Douglas spoke here, on the several subjects of Kansas, the
+ Dred Scott decision, and Utah. I listened to the speech at the
+ time, and have read the report of it since. It was intended to
+ controvert opinions which I think just, and to assail (politically,
+ not personally) those men who, in common with me, entertain those
+ opinions. For this reason I wished then, and still wish to make
+ some answer to it which I now take the opportunity of doing.
+
+ "I begin with Utah. If it prove to be true, as is probable, that
+ the people of Utah are in open rebellion against the United States,
+ then Judge Douglas is in favor of repealing their territorial
+ organization, and attaching them to the adjoining States for
+ judicial purposes. I say, too, if they are in rebellion, they ought
+ to be somehow coerced to obedience; and I am not now prepared to
+ admit or deny, that the Judge's mode of coercing them is not as
+ good as any. The Republicans can fall in with it, without taking
+ back any thing they have ever said. To be sure, it would be a
+ considerable backing down by Judge Douglas, from his much vaunted
+ doctrine of self-government for the territories; but this is only
+ additional proof of what was very plain from the beginning, that
+ that doctrine was a mere deceitful pretence for the benefit of
+ slavery. Those who could not see that much in the Nebraska act
+ itself, which forced Governors, and Secretaries, and Judges on the
+ people of the territories, without their choice or consent, could
+ not be made to see, though one should rise from the dead.
+
+ "But in all this, it is very plain the Judge evades the only
+ question the Republicans have ever pressed upon the Democracy in
+ regard to Utah. That question the Judge well knew to be this: 'If
+ the people of Utah shall peacefully form a State Constitution
+ tolerating polygamy, will the Democracy admit them into the Union?'
+ There is nothing in the United States Constitution or law against
+ polygamy; and why is it not a part of the Judge's 'sacred right of
+ self-government' for the people to have it, or rather to keep it,
+ if they choose? These questions, so far as I know, the Judge never
+ answers. It might involve the Democracy to answer them either way
+ and they go unanswered.
+
+ "As to Kansas. The substance of the Judge's speech on Kansas, is
+ an effort to put the Free State men in the wrong for not voting
+ at the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention. He
+ says: 'There is every reason to hope and believe that the law will
+ be fairly interpreted and impartially executed, so as to insure
+ to every bona fide inhabitant the free and quiet exercise of the
+ elective franchise.'
+
+ "It appears extraordinary that Judge Douglas should make such a
+ statement. He knows that, by the law, no one can vote who has
+ not been registered; and he knows that the Free State men place
+ their refusal to vote on the ground that but few of them have been
+ registered. It is possible this is not true, but Judge Douglas
+ knows it is asserted to be true in letters, newspapers, and public
+ speeches, and borne by every mail, and blown by every breeze to the
+ eyes and ears of the world. He knows it is boldly declared, that
+ the people of many whole counties, and many whole neighborhoods
+ in others, are left unregistered; yet he does not venture to
+ contradict the declaration, or to point out how they can vote
+ without being registered; but he just slips along, not seeming to
+ know there is any such question of fact, and complacently declares,
+ 'There is every reason to hope and believe that the law will be
+ fairly and impartially executed, so as to insure to every bona fide
+ inhabitant the free and quiet exercise of the elective franchise.'
+
+ "I readily agree that if all had a chance to vote, they ought to
+ have voted. If, on the contrary, as they allege, and Judge Douglas
+ ventures not particularly to contradict, few only of the Free State
+ men had a chance to vote, they were perfectly right in staying from
+ the polls in a body.
+
+ "By the way, since the Judge spoke, the Kansas election has come
+ off. The Judge expressed his confidence that all the Democrats in
+ Kansas would do their duty--including 'Free State Democrats' of
+ course. The returns received here, as yet, are very incomplete;
+ but, so far as they go, they indicate that only about one-sixth
+ of the registered voters, have really voted; and this, too, when
+ not more, perhaps, than one-half of the rightful voters have been
+ registered, thus showing the thing to have been altogether the
+ most exquisite farce ever enacted. I am watching with considerable
+ interest, to ascertain what figure 'the Free State Democrats' cut
+ in the concern. Of course they voted--all Democrats do their
+ duty--and of course they did not vote for Slave State candidates.
+ We soon shall know how many delegates they elected, how many
+ candidates they have pledged to a free State, and how many votes
+ were cast for them.
+
+ "Allow me to barely whisper my suspicion, that there were no
+ such things in Kansas as 'Free State Democrats'--that they were
+ altogether mythical, good only to figure in newspapers and speeches
+ in the free States. If there should prove to be one real, living
+ free State Democrat in Kansas, I suggest that it might be well
+ to catch him, and stuff and preserve his skin, as an interesting
+ specimen of that soon to be extinct variety of the genus Democrat.
+
+ "And now, as to the Dred Scott decision. That decision declares two
+ propositions--first, that a negro cannot sue in the United States
+ Courts; and secondly, that Congress can not prohibit slavery in the
+ Territories. It was made by a divided court--dividing differently
+ on the different points. Judge Douglas does not discuss the merits
+ of the decision, and in that respect, I shall follow his example,
+ believing I could no more improve upon McLean and Curtis, than he
+ could on Taney.
+
+ "He denounces all who question the correctness of that decision, as
+ offering violent resistance to it. But who resists it? Who has, in
+ spite of the decision, declared Dred Scott free, and resisted the
+ authority of his master over him?
+
+ "Judicial decisions have two uses--first, to absolutely determine
+ the case decided; and secondly to indicate to the public how other
+ similar cases will be decided when they arise. For the latter use,
+ they are called 'precedents' and 'authorities.'
+
+ "We believe as much as Judge Douglas (perhaps more) in obedience
+ to, and respect for the judicial department of Government. We think
+ its decisions on Constitutional questions, when fully settled,
+ should control, not only the particular cases decided, but the
+ general policy of the country subject to be disturbed only by
+ amendments of the Constitution, as provided in that instrument
+ itself. More than this would be revolution. But we think the Dred
+ Scott decision is erroneous. We know the court that made it has
+ often overruled its own decisions, and we shall do what we can to
+ have it overrule this. We offer no resistance to it.
+
+ "Judicial decisions are of greater or less authority as precedents,
+ according to circumstances. That this should be so, accords both
+ with common sense, and the customary understanding of the legal
+ profession.
+
+ "If this important decision had been made by the unanimous
+ concurrence of the judges, and without any apparent partisan
+ bias, and in accordance with legal public expectation, and with
+ the steady practice of the departments, throughout our history,
+ and had been in no part based on assumed historical facts which
+ are not really true; or, if wanting in some of these, it had been
+ before the court more than once, and had there been affirmed and
+ re-affirmed through a course of years, it then might be, perhaps
+ would be, factious, nay, even revolutionary, not to acquiesce in it
+ as a precedent.
+
+ "But when, as is true, we find it wanting in all these claims to
+ the public confidence, it is not resistance, it is not factious,
+ it is not even disrespectful, to treat it as not having yet quite
+ established a settled doctrine for the country. But Judge Douglas
+ considers this view awful. Hear him:
+
+ "'The courts are the tribunals prescribed by the Constitution and
+ created by the authority of the people to determine, expound, and
+ enforce the law. Hence, whoever resists the final decision of
+ the highest judicial tribunal, aims a deadly blow to our whole
+ Republican system of government--a blow which, if successful,
+ would place all our rights and liberties at the mercy of passion,
+ anarchy and violence. I repeat, therefore, that if resistance
+ to the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, in a
+ matter like the points decided in the Dred Scott case, clearly
+ within their jurisdiction as defined by the Constitution, shall
+ be forced upon the country as a political issue, it will become a
+ distinct and naked issue between the friends and enemies of the
+ Constitution--the friends and enemies of the supremacy of the laws.'
+
+ "Why, this same Supreme Court once decided a national bank to
+ be Constitutional; but General Jackson, as President of the
+ United States, disregarded the decision, and vetoed a bill for
+ a re-charter, partly on Constitutional ground, declaring that
+ each public functionary must support the Constitution, 'as he
+ understands it.' But hear the General's own words. Here they are,
+ taken from his veto message:
+
+ "'It is maintained by the advocates of the bank, that its
+ Constitutionality, in all its features, ought to be considered as
+ settled by precedent, and by the decision of the Supreme Court. To
+ this conclusion I can not assent. Mere precedent is a dangerous
+ source of authority, and should not be regarded as deciding
+ questions of Constitutional power, except where the acquiescence
+ of the people and the States can be considered as well settled. So
+ far from this being the case on this subject, an argument against
+ the bank might be based on precedent. One Congress, in 1791,
+ decided in favor of a bank; another, in 1811, decided against it.
+ One Congress, in 1815, decided against a bank; another, in 1816,
+ decided in its favor. Prior to the present Congress, therefore,
+ the precedents drawn from that source were equal. If we resort to
+ the States, the expression of legislative, judicial, and executive
+ opinions against the bank have been probably to those in its favor
+ as four to one. There is nothing in precedent, therefore, which,
+ if its authority were admitted, ought to weigh in favor of the act
+ before me.'
+
+ "I drop the quotations merely to remark, that all there ever was,
+ in the way of precedent up to the Dred Scott decision, on the
+ points therein decided, had been against that decision. But hear
+ General Jackson further:
+
+ "'If the opinion of the Supreme Court covered the whole ground of
+ this act, it ought not to control the co-ordinate authorities of
+ this Government. The Congress, the Executive and the Court, must
+ each for itself be guided by its own opinion of the Constitution.
+ Each public officer, who takes an oath to support the Constitution,
+ swears that he will support it as he understands it, and not as it
+ is understood by others.'
+
+ "Again and again have I heard Judge Douglas denounce that bank
+ decision, and applaud General Jackson for disregarding it. It
+ would be interesting for him to look over his recent speech, and
+ see how exactly his fierce philippics against us for resisting
+ Supreme Court decisions, fall upon his own head. It will call to
+ mind a long and fierce political war in this country, upon an issue
+ which, in his own language, and, of course, in his own changeless
+ estimation, was 'a distinct issue between the friends and the
+ enemies of the Constitution,' and in which war he fought in the
+ ranks of the enemies of the Constitution.
+
+ "I have said, in substance, that the Dred Scott decision was, in
+ part, based on assumed historical facts which were not really true,
+ and I ought not to leave the subject without giving some reasons
+ for saying this; I, therefore, give an instance or two, which I
+ think fully sustain me. Chief Justice Taney, in delivering the
+ opinion of the majority of the Court, insists at great length, that
+ negroes were no part of the people who made, or for whom was made,
+ the Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the United
+ States.
+
+ "On the contrary, Judge Curtis, in his dissenting opinion, shows
+ that in five of the then thirteen States, to wit: New Hampshire,
+ Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina, free
+ negroes were voters, and, in proportion to their numbers, had the
+ same part in making the Constitution that the white people had.
+ He shows this with so much particularity as to leave no doubt of
+ its truth; and as a sort of conclusion on that point, holds the
+ following language:
+
+ "'The constitution was ordained and established by the people of
+ the United States, through the action, in each State, of those
+ persons who were qualified by its laws to act thereon in behalf
+ of themselves and all other citizens of the State. In some of the
+ States, as we have seen, colored persons were among those qualified
+ by law to act on the subject. These colored persons were not only
+ included in the body of 'the people of the United States,' by whom
+ the Constitution was ordained and established; but in at least five
+ of the States they had the power to act, and, doubtless, did act,
+ by their suffrages, upon the question of its adoption.'
+
+ "Again, Chief Justice Taney says: 'It is difficult, at this day to
+ realize the state of public opinion in relation to that unfortunate
+ race, which prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of
+ the world at the time of the Declaration of Independence, and when
+ the Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted.' And
+ again, after quoting from the Declaration, he says: 'The general
+ words above quoted would seem to include the whole human family,
+ and if they were used in a similar instrument at this day, would be
+ so understood.'
+
+ "In these the Chief Justice does not directly assert, but plainly
+ assumes, as a fact, that the public estimate of the black man is
+ more favorable now than it was in the days of the Revolution.
+ This assumption is a mistake. In some trifling particulars, the
+ condition of that race has been ameliorated; but as a whole,
+ in this country, the change between then and now is decidedly
+ the other way; and their ultimate destiny has never appeared so
+ hopeless as in the last three or four years. In two of the five
+ States--New Jersey and North Carolina--that then gave the free
+ negro the right of voting, the right has since been taken away;
+ and in the third--New York--it has been greatly abridged; while it
+ has not been extended, so far as I know, to a single additional
+ State, though the number of the States has more than doubled. In
+ those days, as I understand, masters could, at their own pleasure,
+ emancipate their slaves; but since then such legal restraints have
+ been made upon emancipation as to amount almost to prohibition. In
+ those days 'Legislatures held the unquestioned power to abolish
+ slavery in their respective States; but now it is becoming quite
+ fashionable for State Constitutions to withhold that power from the
+ Legislatures. In those days by common consent, the spread of the
+ black man's bondage to the new countries was prohibited; but now,
+ Congress decides that it will not continue the prohibition--and
+ the Supreme Court decides that it could not if it would. In those
+ days our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all, and
+ thought to include all; but now, to aid in making the bondage
+ of the negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, sneered at,
+ construed, hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise
+ from their graves, they could not at all recognize it. All the
+ powers of earth seem rapidly combining against him. Mammon is after
+ him; ambition follows, philosophy follows, and the theology of the
+ day is fast joining the cry. They have him in his prison-house;
+ they have searched his person, and left no prying instrument with
+ him. One after another they have closed the heavy iron doors upon
+ him; and now they have him, as it were, bolted in with a lock of a
+ hundred keys, which can never be unlocked without the concurrence
+ of every key; the keys in the hands of a hundred different men, and
+ they scattered to a hundred different and distant places; and they
+ stand musing as to what invention, in all the dominions of mind and
+ matter, can be produced to make the impossibility of his escape
+ more complete than it is.
+
+ "It is grossly incorrect to say or assume, that the public estimate
+ of the negro is more favorable now than it was at the origin of the
+ Government.
+
+ "Three years and a half ago, Judge Douglas brought forward his
+ famous Nebraska bill. The country was at once in a blaze. He
+ scorned all opposition, and carried it through Congress. Since then
+ he has seen himself superseded in a Presidential nomination, by
+ one indorsing the general doctrine of his measure, but at the same
+ time standing clear of the odium of its untimely agitation, and its
+ gross breach of national faith; and he has seen that successful
+ rival Constitutionally elected, not by the strength of friends, but
+ by the division of his adversaries, being in a popular minority
+ of nearly four hundred thousand votes. He has seen his chief aids
+ in his own State, Shields and Richardson, politely speaking,
+ successively tried, convicted, and executed, for an offence not
+ their own, but his. And now he sees his own case, standing next on
+ the docket for trial.
+
+ "There is a natural disgust, in the minds of nearly all white
+ people, to the idea of an indiscriminate amalgamation of the
+ white and black races; and Judge Douglas evidently is basing his
+ chief hope upon the chances of his being able to appropriate the
+ benefit of this disgust to himself. If he can, by much drumming
+ and repeating, fasten the odium of that idea upon his adversaries,
+ he thinks he can struggle through the storm. He, therefore, clings
+ to this hope, as a drowning man to the last plank. He makes an
+ occasion for lugging it in from the opposition to the Dred Scott
+ decision. He finds the Republicans insisting that the Declaration
+ of Independence includes ALL men, black as well as white, and
+ forthwith he boldly denies that it includes negroes at all, and
+ proceeds to argue gravely that all who contend it does do so only
+ because they want to vote, eat and sleep, and marry with negroes.
+ He will have it that they can not be consistent else. Now, I
+ protest against the counterfeit logic which concludes that because
+ I do not want a black woman for a slave I must necessarily want
+ her for a wife. I need not have her for either. I can just leave
+ her alone. In some respects she certainly is not my equal; but in
+ her natural right to eat the bread she earns with her own hands,
+ without asking leave of any one else, she is my equal, and the
+ equal of all others.
+
+ "Chief Justice Taney, in his opinion in the Dred Scott case, admits
+ that the language of the Declaration is broad enough to include the
+ whole human family; but he and Judge Douglas argue that the authors
+ of that instrument did not intend to include negroes, by the fact
+ that they did not at once actually place them on an equality with
+ the whites. Now, this grave argument comes to just nothing at all,
+ by the other fact, that they did not at once, or ever afterward,
+ actually place all white people on an equality with one another.
+ And this is the staple argument of both the Chief Justice and the
+ Senator for doing this obvious violence to the plain, unmistakable
+ language of the Declaration.
+
+ "I think the authors of that notable instrument intended to include
+ _all_ men, but they did not intend to declare all men equal _in all
+ respects_. They did not mean to say all were equal in color, size,
+ intellect, moral developments, or social capacity. They defined
+ with tolerable distinctness in what respects they did consider all
+ men created equal--equal with 'certain inalienable rights, among
+ which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' This they
+ said, and this meant. They did not mean to assert the obvious
+ untruth, that all were then actually enjoying that equality, nor
+ yet that they were about to confer it immediately upon them. In
+ fact, they had no power to confer such a boon. They meant simply to
+ declare the _right_, so that the _enforcement_ of it might follow
+ as fast as circumstances should permit."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+SPEECH IN REPLY TO SENATOR DOUGLAS.
+
+(_At Chicago, on the evening of July 10, 1858._)
+
+ "MY FELLOW-CITIZENS: On yesterday evening, upon the occasion of the
+ reception given to Senator Douglas, I was furnished with a seat
+ very convenient for hearing him, and was otherwise very courteously
+ treated by him and his friends, for which I thank him and them.
+ During the course of his remarks my name was mentioned in such a
+ way as, I suppose, renders it at least not improper that I should
+ make some sort of reply to him. I shall not attempt to follow him
+ in the precise order in which he addressed the assembled multitude
+ upon that occasion, though I shall perhaps do so in the main.
+
+ "There was one question to which he asked the attention of the
+ crowd, which I deem of somewhat less importance--at least of
+ propriety for me to dwell upon--than the others, which he brought
+ in near the close of his speech, and which I think it would not
+ be entirely proper for me to omit attending to, and yet if I were
+ not to give some attention to it now, I should probably forget it
+ altogether. While I am upon this subject, allow me to say that I do
+ not intend to indulge in that inconvenient mode sometimes adopted
+ in public speaking, of reading from documents; but I shall depart
+ from that rule so far as to read a little scrap from his speech,
+ which notices this first topic of which I shall speak--that is,
+ provided I can find it in the paper. [Examines the morning's paper.]
+
+ "'I have made up my mind to appeal to the people against the
+ combination that has been made against me! the Republican leaders
+ having formed an alliance, an unholy and unnatural alliance,
+ with a portion of unscrupulous federal office-holders. I intend
+ to fight that allied army wherever I meet them. I know they
+ deny the alliance, but yet these men who are trying to divide
+ the Democratic party for the purpose of electing a Republican
+ Senator in my place, are just as much the agents and tools of the
+ supporters of Mr. Lincoln. Hence I shall deal with this allied army
+ just as the Russians dealt with the allies at Sebastopol--that is,
+ the Russians did not stop to inquire, when they fired a broadside,
+ whether it hit an Englishman, a Frenchman, or a Turk. Nor will
+ I stop to inquire, nor shall I hesitate, whether my blows shall
+ hit these Republican leaders or their allies, who are holding the
+ federal offices and yet acting in concert with them.'
+
+ "Well, now, gentlemen, is not that very alarming? Just to think of
+ it! right at the outset of his canvass, I, a poor, kind, amiable,
+ intelligent gentleman, I am to be slain in this way. Why, my
+ friends, the Judge, is not only, as it turns out, not a dead lion,
+ nor even a living one--he is the rugged Russian Bear!
+
+ "But if they will have it--for he says that we deny it--that there
+ is any such alliance as he says there is--and I don't propose
+ hanging very much upon this question of veracity--but if he will
+ have it that there is such an alliance--that the Administration men
+ and we are allied, and we stand in the attitude of English, French
+ and Turk, he occupying the position of the Russian, in that case,
+ I beg that he will indulge us while we barely suggest to him that
+ these allies took Sebastopol.
+
+ "Gentlemen, only a few more words as to this alliance. For my part,
+ I have to say, that whether there be such an alliance, depends,
+ so far as I know, upon what may be a right definition of the term
+ _alliance_. If for the Republican party to see the other great
+ party to which they are opposed divided among themselves, and not
+ try to stop the division and rather be glad of it--if that is an
+ alliance, I confess I am in; but if it is meant to be said that
+ the Republicans had formed an alliance going beyond that, by which
+ there is contribution of money or sacrifice of principle on the one
+ side or the other so far as the Republican party is concerned, if
+ there be any such thing, I protest that I neither know any thing
+ of it, nor do I believe it. I will, however, say--as I think this
+ branch of the argument is lugged in--I would, before I leave it,
+ state, for the benefit of those concerned, that one of those same
+ Buchanan men did once tell me of an argument that he made for his
+ opposition to Judge Douglas. He said that a friend of our Senator
+ Douglas had been talking to him, and had among other things said to
+ him: 'Why, you don't want to beat Douglas?' 'Yes,' said he, 'I do
+ want to beat him, and I will tell you why. I believe his original
+ Nebraska Bill was right in the abstract, but it was wrong in the
+ time that it was brought forward. It was wrong in the application
+ to a Territory in regard to which the question had been settled;
+ it was brought forward in a time when nobody asked him; it was
+ tendered to the South when the South had not asked for it, but when
+ they could not well refuse it; and for this same reason he forced
+ that question upon our party; it has sunk the best men all over the
+ nation, everywhere; and now when our President, struggling with the
+ difficulties of this man's getting up, has reached the very hardest
+ point to turn in the case, his deserts him, and I _am_ for putting
+ him where he will trouble us no more.'
+
+ "Now, gentlemen, that is not my argument--that is not my argument
+ at all. I have only been stating to you the argument of a Buchanan
+ man. You will judge if there is any force in it.
+
+ "Popular sovereignty! everlasting popular sovereignty! Let us for
+ a moment inquire into this vast matter of popular sovereignty.
+ What is popular sovereignty? We recollect that in an early period
+ in the history of this struggle, there was another name for the
+ same thing--_Squatter Sovereignty_. It was not exactly Popular
+ Sovereignty, but Squatter Sovereignty. What do those terms mean?
+ What do those terms mean when used now? And vast credit is taken
+ by our friend, the Judge, in regard to his support of it, when he
+ declares the last years of his life have been, and all the future
+ years of his life shall be, devoted to this matter of popular
+ sovereignty. What is it? Why it is the sovereignty of the people!
+ What was Squatter Sovereignty? I suppose if it had any significance
+ at all it was the right of the people to govern themselves, to be
+ sovereign in their own affairs while they were squatted down in a
+ country not their own, while they had squatted on a Territory that
+ did not belong to them, in the sense that a State belongs to the
+ people who inhabit it--when it belonged to the nation--such right
+ to govern themselves was called 'Squatter Sovereignty.'
+
+ "Now I wish you to mark. What has become of that Squatter
+ Sovereignty? What has become of it? Can you get any body to tell
+ you now that the people of a Territory have any authority to
+ govern themselves, in regard to this mooted question of slavery,
+ before they form a State Constitution? No such thing at all,
+ although there is a general running fire, and although there has
+ been a hurrah made in every speech on that side, assuming that
+ policy had given the people of a Territory the right to govern
+ themselves upon this question; yet the point is dodged. To-day it
+ has been decided--no more than a year ago it was decided by the
+ Supreme Court of the United States, as is insisted upon to-day,
+ that the people of a Territory have no right to exclude slavery
+ from a Territory, that if any one man chooses to take slaves into
+ a Territory, all of the rest of the people have no right to keep
+ them out. This being so, and this decision being made one of the
+ points that the Judge approved, and one in the approval of which
+ he says he means to keep me down--_put_ me down I should not say,
+ for I have never been up. He says he is in favor of it, and sticks
+ to it, and expects to win his battle on that decision, which says
+ that there is no such thing as Squatter Sovereignty; but that any
+ one man may take slaves into a Territory, and all the other men
+ in the Territory may be opposed to it, and yet by reason of the
+ Constitution they can not prohibit it. When that is so, how much is
+ left of this vast matter of Squatter Sovereignty I should like to
+ know? [A voice--'It is all gone.']
+
+ "When we get back, we get to the point of the right of the people
+ to make a Constitution. Kansas was settled, for example, in 1854.
+ It was a Territory yet, without having formed a Constitution, in
+ a very regular way, for three years. All this time negro slavery
+ could be taken in by any few individuals, and by that decision
+ of the Supreme Court, which the Judge approves, all the rest of
+ the people can not keep it out; but when they come to make a
+ Constitution they may say they will not have slavery. But it is
+ there; they are obliged to tolerate it some way, and all experience
+ shows it will be so--for they will not take negro slaves and
+ absolutely deprive the owners of them. All experience shows this to
+ be so. All that space of time that runs from the beginning of the
+ settlement of the Territory until there is sufficiency of people
+ to make a State Constitution--all that portion of time popular
+ sovereignty is given up. The seal is absolutely put down upon it by
+ the Court decision, and Judge Douglas puts his on the top of that,
+ yet he is appealing to the people to give him vast credit for his
+ devotion to popular sovereignty.
+
+ "Again, when we get to the question of the right of the people
+ to form a State Constitution as they please, to form it with
+ slavery or without slavery--if that is any thing new, I confess
+ I don't know it. Has there ever been a time when any body said
+ that any other than the people of a Territory itself should form
+ a Constitution? What is now in it that Judge Douglas should have
+ fought several years of his life, and pledge himself to fight
+ all the remaining years of his life for? Can Judge Douglas find
+ any body on earth that said that any body else should form a
+ Constitution for a people? [A voice, 'Yes.'] Well, I should like
+ you to name him; I should like to know who he was. [Same voice,
+ 'John Calhoun.']
+
+ "No, Sir, I never heard of even John Calhoun saying such a
+ thing. He insisted on the same principle as Judge Douglas; but
+ his mode of applying it in fact, was wrong. It is enough for my
+ purpose to ask this crowd, when ever a Republican said any thing
+ against it? They never said any thing against it, but they have
+ constantly spoken for it; and whosoever will undertake to examine
+ the platform, and the speeches of responsible men of the party,
+ and of irresponsible men, too, if you please, will be unable to
+ find one word from anybody in the Republican ranks, opposed to
+ that Popular Sovereignty which Judge Douglas thinks that he has
+ invented. I suppose that Judge Douglas will claim in a little
+ while, that he is the inventor of the idea that the people should
+ govern themselves; that nobody ever thought of such a thing until
+ he brought it forward. We do remember, that in that old Declaration
+ of Independence, it is said that 'We hold these truths to be
+ self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed
+ by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these
+ are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure
+ these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their
+ just powers from the consent of the governed.' There is the origin
+ of the Popular Sovereignty. Who, then, shall come in at this day
+ and claim that he invented it"?
+
+After referring, in appropriate terms, to the credit claimed by Douglas
+for defeating the Lecompton policy, Mr. Lincoln proceeds:
+
+ "I defy you to show a printed resolution passed in a Democratic
+ meeting--I take it upon myself to defy any man to show a printed
+ resolution of a Democratic meeting, large or small, in favor of
+ Judge Trumbull, or any of the five to one Republican who beat the
+ bill. Every thing must be for the Democrats! They did every thing,
+ and the five to the one that really did the thing, they snub over,
+ and they do not seem to remember that they have an existence upon
+ the face of the earth.
+
+ "Gentlemen, I fear that I shall become tedious. I leave this branch
+ of the subject to take hold of another. I take up that part of
+ Judge Douglas's speech in which he respectfully attended to me.
+
+ "Judge Douglas made two points upon my recent speech at
+ Springfield. He says they are to be the issues of this campaign.
+ The first one of these points he bases upon the language in a
+ speech which I delivered at Springfield, which I believe I can
+ quote correctly from memory. I said there that 'we are now far on
+ in the fifth year since a policy was instituted for the avowed
+ object, and with the confident promise of putting an end to slavery
+ agitation; under the operation of that policy, that agitation had
+ not only not ceased, but had constantly augmented. I believe it
+ will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed.
+ A house divided against itself can not stand. I believe this
+ Government can not endure permanently half slave and half free.
+ I do not expect the Union to be dissolved'--I am quoting from my
+ speech--'I do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it
+ will cease to be divided. It will come all one thing or the other.
+ Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the spread of it, and
+ place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is
+ in the course of ultimate extinction, or its advocates will push it
+ forward until it shall have become alike lawful in all the States,
+ North as well as South.'
+
+ "In this paragraph which I have quoted in your hearing, and to
+ which I ask the attention of all, Judge Douglas thinks he discovers
+ great political heresy. I want your attention particularly to what
+ he has inferred from it. He says I am in favor of making all the
+ States of this Union uniform in all their internal regulations;
+ that in all their domestic concerns I am in favor of making them
+ entirely uniform. He draws this inference from the language I have
+ quoted to you. He says that I am in favor of making war by the
+ North upon the South for the extinction of slavery; that I am also
+ in favor of inviting, as he expresses it, the South to a war upon
+ the North, for the purpose of nationalizing slavery. Now, it is
+ singular enough, if you will carefully read that passage over, that
+ I did not say that I was in favor of any thing in it. I only said
+ what I expected would take place. I made a prediction only--it may
+ have been a foolish one perhaps. I did not even say that I desired
+ that slavery should be put in course of ultimate extinction. I do
+ say so now, however, so there need be no longer any difficulty
+ about that. It may be written down in the next speech.
+
+ "Gentlemen, Judge Douglas informed you that this speech of mine
+ was probably carefully prepared. I admit that it was. I am not
+ master of language; I have not a fine education; I am not capable
+ of entering into a disquisition upon dialects, as I believe you
+ call it; but I do not believe the language I employed bears any
+ such construction as Judge Douglas puts upon it. But I don't care
+ about a quibble in regard to words. I know what I meant, and I will
+ not leave this crowd in doubt, if I can explain it to them, what I
+ really meant in the use of that paragraph.
+
+ "I am not, in the first place, unaware that this Government has
+ endured eighty-two years, half slave and half free. I know that. I
+ am tolerably well acquainted with the history of the country, and
+ I know that it has endured eighty-two years, half slave and half
+ free. I _believe_--and that is what I meant to allude to there--I
+ _believe_ it has endured, because during all that time, until the
+ introduction of the Nebraska bill, the public mind did rest all
+ the time in the belief that slavery was in course of ultimate
+ extinction. That was what gave us the rest that we had through
+ that period of eighty-two years; at least, so I believe. I have
+ always hated slavery, I think, as much as any Abolitionist. I have
+ been an Old Line Whig. I have always hated it, but I have always
+ been quiet about it until this new era of the introduction of the
+ Nebraska Bill began. I always believed that everybody was against
+ it, and that it was in course of ultimate extinction. [Pointing to
+ Mr. Browning, who stood near by:] Browning thought so; the great
+ mass of the Nation have rested in the belief that slavery was in
+ the course of ultimate extinction. They had reason so to believe.
+
+ "The adoption of the Constitution and its attendant history led
+ the people to believe so; and that such was the belief of the
+ framers of the Constitution itself. Why did those old men, about
+ the time of the adoption of the Constitution, decree that slavery
+ should not go into the new territory, where it had not already
+ gone? Why declare that within twenty years the African slave-trade,
+ by which slaves are supplied, might be cut off by Congress? Why
+ were all these acts? I might enumerate more of such acts--but
+ enough. What were they but a clear indication that the framers of
+ the Constitution intended and expected the ultimate extinction of
+ that institution? And now, when I say, as I said in this speech
+ that Judge Douglas has quoted from, when I say that I think the
+ opponents of slavery will resist the further spread of it, and
+ place it where the public mind shall rest with the belief that it
+ is in course of ultimate extinction, I only mean to say, that they
+ will place it where the founders of this Government originally
+ placed it.
+
+ "I have said a hundred times, and I have no inclination to take
+ it back, that I believe there is no right, and ought to be no
+ inclination in the people of the free States to enter into the
+ slave States, and to interfere with the question of slavery at all.
+ I have said that always. Judge Douglas has heard me say it--if not
+ quite a hundred times, at least as good as a hundred times; and
+ when it is said that I am in favor of interfering with slavery
+ where it exists, I know that it is unwarranted by any thing I have
+ ever intended, and, as I believe, by any thing I have ever said.
+ If, by any means, I have ever used language which could fairly be
+ so construed (as, however, I believe I never have), I now correct
+ it.
+
+ "So much, then, for the inference that Judge Douglas draws, that I
+ am in favor of setting the sections at war with one another. I know
+ that I never meant any such thing, and I believe that no fair mind
+ can infer any such thing from any thing I have ever said.
+
+ "Now in relation to his inference that I am in favor of a general
+ consolidation of all the local institutions of the various States.
+ I will attend to that for a little while, and try to inquire, if
+ I can, how on earth it could be that any man could draw such an
+ inference from any thing I said. I have said, very many times, in
+ Judge Douglas's hearing, that no man believed more than I in the
+ principle of self-government; that it lies at the bottom of all my
+ ideas of just government, from beginning to end. I have denied that
+ his use of that term applies properly. But for the thing itself, I
+ deny that any man has ever gone ahead of me in his devotion to the
+ principle, whatever he may have done in efficiency in advocating
+ it. I think that I have said it in your hearing--that I believe
+ each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with
+ himself and with the fruit of his labor, so far as it in no wise
+ interferes with any other man's rights--that each community, as
+ a State, has a right to do exactly as it pleases with all the
+ concerns within that State that interfere with the right of no
+ other State, and that the General Government, upon principle, has
+ no right to interfere with any thing other than that general class
+ of things that does concern the whole. I have said that at all
+ times. I have said as illustrations, that I do not believe in the
+ right of Illinois to interfere with the cranberry laws of Indiana,
+ the oyster laws of Virginia, or the liquor laws of Maine. I have
+ said these things over and over again, and I repeat them here as my
+ sentiments....
+
+ "So much then as to my disposition--my wish--to have all the State
+ Legislatures blotted out, and to have one consolidated government,
+ and a uniformity of domestic regulations in all the States; by
+ which I suppose it is meant, if we raise corn here, we must make
+ sugar-cane grow here too, and we must make those which grow North
+ grow in the South. All this I suppose he understands I am in
+ favor of doing. Now, so much for all this nonsense--for I must
+ call it so. The Judge can have no issue with me on a question of
+ established uniformity in the domestic regulations of the States.
+
+ "A little now on the other point--the Dred Scott decision. Another
+ of the issues he says that is to be made with me, is upon his
+ devotion to the Dred Scott decision, and my opposition to it.
+
+ "I have expressed heretofore, and I now repeat my opposition to the
+ Dred Scott decision, but I should be allowed to state the nature of
+ that opposition, and I ask your indulgence while I do so. What is
+ fairly implied by the term Judge Douglas has used, 'resistance to
+ the decision?' I do not resist it. If I wanted to take Dred Scott
+ from his master, I would be interfering with property, and that
+ terrible difficulty that Judge Douglas speaks of, of interfering
+ with property would arise. But I am doing no such thing as that,
+ but all that I am doing is refusing to obey it as a political rule.
+ If I were in Congress, and a vote should come up on a question
+ whether slavery should be prohibited in a new Territory, in spite
+ of the Dred Scott decision, I would vote that it should.
+
+ "That is what I would do. Judge Douglas said last night, that
+ before the decision he might advance his opinion, and it might
+ be contrary to the decision when it was made; but _after_ it was
+ made he would abide by it until it was reversed. Just so! We let
+ this property abide by the decision, but we will try to reverse
+ that decision. [Loud applause.] We will try to put it where Judge
+ Douglas will not object, for he says he will obey it until it is
+ reversed. Some body has to reverse that decision, since it was
+ made, and we mean to reverse it, and we mean to do it peaceably.
+
+ "What are the uses of decisions of courts? They have two uses. As
+ rules of property they have two uses. First--they decide upon the
+ question before the court. They decide in this case that Dred Scott
+ is a slave. Nobody resists that. Not only that, but they say to
+ everybody else, that persons standing just as Dred Scott stands,
+ is as he is. That is, they say that when a question comes up upon
+ another person, it will be so decided again unless the court
+ decides in another way, unless the court overrules its decision.
+ Well, we mean to do what we can to have the court decide the other
+ way. That is one thing we mean to try to do.
+
+ "The sacredness that Judge Douglas throws around this decision,
+ is a degree of sacredness that has never been before thrown
+ around any other decision. I have never heard of such a thing.
+ Why, decisions apparently contrary to that decision, or that good
+ lawyers thought were contrary to that decision, have been made
+ by that very court before. It is the first of the kind; it is an
+ _astonisher_ in legal history. It is a new wonder of the world. It
+ is based upon falsehoods in the main as to the facts--allegation
+ of facts upon which it stands are not facts at all in many
+ instances, and no decision made on any question--the first instance
+ of a decision made under so many unfavorable circumstances--thus
+ placed, has ever been held by the profession as law, and it has
+ always needed confirmation before the lawyers regarded it as
+ settled law. But Judge Douglas will have it that all hands must
+ take this extraordinary decision, made under these extraordinary
+ circumstances, and give their vote in Congress in accordance with
+ it, yield to it and obey it in every possible sense. Circumstances
+ alter cases. Do not gentlemen here remember the case of that same
+ Supreme Court, twenty-five or thirty years ago, deciding that a
+ National Bank was Constitutional? I ask, if somebody does not
+ remember that a National Bank was declared to be Constitutional?
+ Such is the truth, whether it be remembered or not. The Bank
+ charter ran out, and a re-charter was granted by Congress. That
+ re-charter was laid before General Jackson. It was urged upon him,
+ when he denied the Constitutionality of the Bank, that the Supreme
+ Court had decided that it was Constitutional; and that General
+ Jackson then said that the Supreme Court had no right to lay down a
+ rule to govern a co-ordinate branch of the Government, the members
+ of which had sworn to support the Constitution--that each member
+ had sworn to support that Constitution as he understood it. I will
+ venture here to say, that I have heard Judge Douglas say that he
+ approved of General Jackson for that act. What has now become of
+ all his tirade about 'resistance to the Supreme Court?' * * *
+
+ "We were often--more than once, at least--in the course of Judge
+ Douglas's speech last night, reminded that this Government was made
+ for white men--that he believed it was made for white men. Well,
+ that is putting it into a shape in which no one wants to deny it;
+ but the Judge then goes into his passion for drawing inferences
+ that are not warranted. I protest, now, and forever, against that
+ counterfeit logic which presumes that because I did not want a
+ negro woman for a slave, I do necessarily want her for a wife.
+ My understanding is that I need not have her for either; but, as
+ God made us separate, we can leave one another alone, and do one
+ another much good thereby. There are white men enough to marry all
+ the white women, and enough black men to marry all the black women,
+ and in God's name let them be so married. The Judge regales us with
+ the terrible enormities that take place by the mixture of races;
+ that is the inferior race bears the superior down. Why, Judge, if
+ you do not let them get together in the Territories they won't mix
+ there.
+
+ "Now, it happens that we meet together once every year, some time
+ about the Fourth of July, for some reason or other. These Fourth of
+ July gatherings I suppose have their uses. If you will indulge me,
+ I will state what I suppose to be some of them.
+
+ "We are now a mighty nation; we are thirty, or about thirty millions
+ of people, and we own and inhabit about one-fifteenth part of the
+ dry land of the whole earth. We run our memory back over the pages
+ of history for about eighty-two years, and we discover that we were
+ then a very small people in point of numbers, vastly inferior to
+ what we are now, with a vastly less extent of country, with vastly
+ less of every thing we deem desirable among men--we look upon the
+ change as exceedingly advantageous to us and to our posterity,
+ and we fix upon something that happened away back, as in some way
+ or other being connected with this rise of posterity. We find a
+ race of men living in that day whom we claim as our fathers and
+ grandfathers; they were iron men; they fought for the principle
+ that they were contending for; and we understood that by what
+ they then did it has followed that the degree of prosperity which
+ we now enjoy has come to us. We hold this annual celebration to
+ remind ourselves of all the good done in this process of time,
+ of how it was done and who did it, and how we are historically
+ connected with it; and we go from these meetings in better humor
+ with ourselves--we feel more attached the one to the other, and
+ more firmly bound to the country we inhabit. In every way we are
+ better men in the age, and race, and country in which we live,
+ for these celebrations. But after we have done all this, we have
+ not yet reached the whole. There is something else connected
+ with it. We have, besides these--men descended by blood from our
+ ancestors--those among us perhaps, half our people, who are not
+ descendants at all of these men; they are men who have come from
+ Europe--German, Irish, French, and Scandinavian--men that have
+ come from Europe themselves, or whose ancestors have come hither
+ and settled here, finding themselves our equals in all things.
+ If they look back through this history to trace their connection
+ with those days by blood, they find they have none; they cannot
+ carry themselves back into that glorious epoch and make themselves
+ feel that they are part of us; but when they look through that old
+ Declaration of Independence, they find that those old men say that
+ 'we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
+ equal,' and then they feel that that moral sentiment, taught on
+ that day, evidences their relation to those men, that it is the
+ father of all moral principle in them, and that they have a right
+ to claim it as though they were blood of the blood and flesh of the
+ flesh of the men who wrote that Declaration, and so they are. That
+ is the electric cord in that Declaration that links the hearts of
+ patriotic and liberty-loving men together, that will link those
+ patriotic hearts as long as the love of freedom exists in the minds
+ of men throughout the world.
+
+ "Now, sirs, for the purpose of squaring things with this idea of
+ 'don't care if slavery is voted up or voted down,' for sustaining
+ the Dred Scott decision, for holding that the Declaration of
+ Independence did not mean any thing at all, we have Judge Douglas
+ giving his exposition of what the Declaration of Independence
+ means, and we have him saying that the people of America are
+ equal to the people of England. According to his construction,
+ you Germans are not connected with it. Now I ask you in all
+ soberness, if all these things, if indulged in, if ratified, if
+ confirmed and indorsed, if taught to our children and repeated
+ to them, do not tend to rub out the sentiment of liberty in the
+ country, and to transform this Government into a government of some
+ other form. These arguments that are made, that the inferior race
+ are to be treated with as much allowance as they are capable of
+ enjoying; that as much is to be done for them as their condition
+ will allow--what are these arguments? They are the arguments
+ that Kings have made for enslaving the people in all ages of the
+ world. You will find that all the arguments in favor of King-craft
+ were of this class; they always bestrode the necks of the people,
+ not that they wanted to do it, but because the people were better
+ off for being ridden. That is their argument, and this argument
+ of the Judge is the same old serpent that says: You work, and I
+ eat, you toil and I will enjoy the fruits of it. Turn it whatever
+ way you will--whether it come from the mouth of a King, an excuse
+ for enslaving the people of his country, or from the mouth of men
+ of one race as a reason for enslaving the men of another race,
+ it is all the same old serpent, and I hold if that course of
+ argumentation that is made for the purpose of convincing the public
+ mind that we should not care about this, should be granted, it does
+ not stop with the negro. I should like to know if, taking this old
+ Declaration of Independence, which declares that all men are equal
+ upon principle, you begin making exceptions to it, where you will
+ stop? If one man says it does not mean a negro, why not another say
+ it does not mean some other man? If that declaration is not the
+ truth, let us get the statute book, in which we find it, and tear
+ it out! Who is so bold as to do it? If it is not true, let us tear
+ it out! [cries of 'no, no,']; let us stick to it then; let us stand
+ firmly by it then.
+
+ "It may be argued that there are certain conditions that make
+ necessities and impose them upon us, and to the extent that a
+ necessity is imposed upon a man, he must submit to it. I think that
+ was the condition in which we found ourselves when we established
+ this Government. We had slaves among us; we could not get our
+ Constitution unless we permitted them to remain in slavery; we
+ could not secure the good we did secure if we grasped for more; and
+ having, by necessity, submitted to that much, it does not destroy
+ the principle that is the charter of our liberties. Let that
+ charter stand as our standard.
+
+ "My friend has said to me that I am a poor hand to quote Scripture.
+ I will try it again, however. It is said in one of the admonitions
+ of our Lord: 'As your Father in heaven is perfect, be ye also
+ perfect.' The Saviour, I suppose, did not expect that any human
+ creature could be perfect as the Father in Heaven; but He said:
+ 'As your Father in Heaven is perfect, be ye also perfect.' He set
+ that up as a standard, and he who did most toward reaching that
+ standard, attained the highest degree of moral perfection. So I say
+ in relation to the principle that all men are created equal, let it
+ be as nearly reached as we can. If we cannot give freedom to every
+ creature, let us do nothing that will impose slavery upon any other
+ creature. Let us then turn this Government back into the channel in
+ which the framers of the Constitution originally placed it. Let us
+ stand firmly by each other. If we do not do so we are turning in
+ the contrary direction, that our friend Judge Douglas proposes--not
+ intentionally--as working in the traces tends to make this one
+ universal slave nation. He is one that runs in that direction, and
+ as such I resist him.
+
+ "My friends, I have detained you about as long as I desired to
+ do, and I have only to say, let us discard all this quibbling
+ about this man and the other man--this race and that race and the
+ other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an
+ inferior position--discarding our standard that we have left us.
+ Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout
+ this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men
+ are created equal.
+
+ "My friends, I could not, without launching off upon some new
+ topic, which would detain you too long, continue to-night. I thank
+ you for this most extensive audience that you have furnished me
+ to-night. I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in
+ your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are
+ created free and equal."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+OPENING PASSAGES OF HIS SPEECH AT FREEPORT.
+
+ "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:--On Saturday last, Judge Douglas and myself
+ first met in public discussion. He spoke one hour, I an hour and a
+ half, and he replied for half an hour. The order is now reversed. I
+ am to speak an hour, he an hour and a half, and then I am to reply
+ for half an hour. I propose to devote myself during the first hour
+ to the scope of what was brought within the range of his half-hour
+ speech at Ottawa. Of course there was brought within the scope of
+ that half-hour's speech something of his own opening speech. In
+ the course of that opening argument Judge Douglas proposed to me
+ seven distinct interrogatories. In my speech of an hour and a half,
+ I attended to some other parts of his speech, and incidentally,
+ as I thought, answered one of the interrogatories then. I then
+ distinctly intimated to him that I would answer the rest of his
+ interrogatories on condition only that he should agree to answer as
+ many for me. He made no intimation at the time of the proposition,
+ nor did he in his reply allude at all to that suggestion of mine.
+ I do him no injustice in saying that he occupied at least half of
+ his reply in dealing with me as though I had _refused_ to answer
+ his interrogatories. I now propose that I will answer any of the
+ interrogatories, upon condition that he will answer questions from
+ me not exceeding the same number. I give him an opportunity to
+ respond. The judge remains silent. I now say that I will answer his
+ interrogatories, whether he answers mine or not; and that after I
+ have done so, I shall propound mine to him.
+
+ "I have supposed myself, since the organization of the Republican
+ party at Bloomington, in May, 1856, bound as a party man by the
+ platforms of the party, then and since. If in any interrogatories
+ which I shall answer, I go beyond the scope of what is within these
+ platforms, it will be perceived that no one is responsible but
+ myself.
+
+ "Having said thus much, I will take up the judge's interrogatories
+ as I find them printed in the Chicago _Times_, and answer them
+ _seriatim_. In order that there may be no mistake about it, I have
+ copied the interrogatories in writing, and also my answers to them.
+ The first one of these interrogatories is in these words:
+
+ Question 1. "'I desire to know whether Lincoln to-day stands, as he
+ did in 1854, in favor of the unconditional repeal of the Fugitive
+ Slave law?'
+
+ Answer. "I do not now, nor ever did, stand in favor of the
+ unconditional repeal of the Fugitive Slave law.
+
+ Q. 2. "'I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to-day, as
+ he did in 1854, against the admission of any more slave States into
+ the Union, even if the people want them?'
+
+ A. "I do not now, nor ever did, stand pledged against the admission
+ of any more slave States into the Union.
+
+ Q. 3. "'I want to know whether he stands pledged against the
+ admission of a new State into the Union with such a Constitution as
+ the people of that State may see fit to make?'
+
+ A. "I do not stand pledged against the admission of a new State
+ into the Union, with such a Constitution as the people of that
+ State may see fit to make.
+
+ Q. 4. "'I want to know whether he stands to-day pledged to the
+ abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia?'
+
+ A. "I do not stand to-day pledged to the abolition of slavery in
+ the District of Columbia.
+
+ Q. 5. "'I desire him to answer whether he stands pledged to the
+ prohibition of the slave-trade between the different States?'
+
+ A. "I do not stand pledged to the prohibition of the slave-trade
+ between the different States.
+
+ Q. 6. "'I desire to know whether he stands pledged to prohibit
+ slavery in all the Territories of the United States, North as well
+ as South of the Missouri Compromise line?'
+
+ A. "I am impliedly, if not expressly, pledged to a belief in the
+ _right_ and _duty_ of Congress to prohibit slavery in all the
+ United States Territories.
+
+ Q. 7. "'I desire him to answer whether he is opposed to the
+ acquisition of any new territory unless slavery is first prohibited
+ therein?'
+
+ A. "I am not generally opposed to honest acquisition of territory;
+ and, in any given case, I would or would not oppose such
+ acquisition, accordingly as I might think such acquisition would or
+ would not agitate the slavery question among ourselves.
+
+ "Now, my friends, it will be perceived upon an examination of these
+ questions and answers, that so far I have only answered that I
+ was not _pledged_ to this, that or the other. The judge has not
+ framed his interrogatories to ask me any thing more than this, and
+ I have answered in strict accordance with the interrogatories, and
+ have answered truly that I am not _pledged_ at all upon any of the
+ points to which I have answered. But I am not disposed to hang upon
+ the exact form of his interrogatory. I am rather disposed to take
+ up at least some of these questions, and state what I really think
+ upon them.
+
+ "As to the first one, in regard to the Fugitive Slave law, I have
+ never hesitated to say, and I do not now hesitate to say, that I
+ think, under the Constitution of the United States, the people of
+ the Southern States are entitled to a Congressional Slave law.
+ Having said that, I have had nothing to say in regard to the
+ existing Fugitive Slave law, further than that I think it should
+ have been framed so as to be free from some of the objections that
+ pertain to it, without lessening its efficiency. And inasmuch
+ as we are not now in an agitation in regard to an alteration or
+ modification of that law, I would not be the man to introduce it as
+ a new subject of agitation upon the general question of slavery.
+
+ "In regard to the other question, of whether I am pledged to the
+ admission of any more Slave States into the Union, I state to
+ you very frankly that I would be exceedingly sorry ever to be put
+ in a position of having to pass upon that question. I should be
+ exceedingly glad to know that there would never be another slave
+ State admitted into the Union; but I must add, that if slavery
+ shall be kept out of the Territories during the Territorial
+ existence of any one given Territory, and then the people shall,
+ having a fair chance and a clear field, when they come to adopt
+ the Constitution, do such an extraordinary thing as to adopt a
+ slave Constitution, uninfluenced by the actual presence of the
+ institution among them, I see no alternative if we own the country,
+ but to admit them into the Union.
+
+ "The third interrogatory is answered by the answer to the second,
+ it being, as I conceive, the same as the second.
+
+ "The fourth one is in regard to the abolition of slavery in the
+ District of Columbia. In relation to that, I have my mind very
+ distinctly made up. I should be exceedingly glad to see slavery
+ abolished in the District of Columbia. I believe that Congress
+ possesses the constitutional power to abolish it. Yet as a member
+ of Congress, I should not with my present views, be in favor of
+ _endeavoring_ to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,
+ unless it would be upon these conditions: _First_, that the
+ abolition should be gradual; _second_, that it should be on a vote
+ of the majority of qualified voters in the District; and _third_,
+ that compensation should be made to unwilling owners. With these
+ three conditions, I confess I would be exceedingly glad to see
+ Congress abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and, in the
+ language of Henry Clay, 'sweep from our Capital that foul blot upon
+ our nation.'
+
+ "In regard to the fifth interrogatory, I must say here, that
+ as to the question of the abolition of the slave-trade between
+ the different States, I can truly answer, as I have, that I am
+ _pledged_ to nothing about it. It is a subject to which I have not
+ given that mature consideration that would make me feel authorized
+ to state a position so as to hold myself entirely bound by it.
+ In other words, that question has never been prominently enough
+ before me to induce me to investigate whether we really have the
+ Constitutional power to do it. I could investigate it if I had
+ sufficient time to bring myself to a conclusion upon that subject;
+ but I have not done so, and I say so frankly to you here, and to
+ Judge Douglas. I must say, however, that if I should be of opinion
+ that Congress does possess the Constitutional power to abolish
+ slave-trading among the different States, I should still not be in
+ favor of the exercise of that power unless upon some conservative
+ principle as I conceive it, akin to what I have said in relation to
+ the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.
+
+ "My answer as to whether I desire that slavery should be prohibited
+ in all Territories of the United States, is full and explicit
+ within itself, and can not be made clearer by any comments of
+ mine. So I suppose in regard to the question whether I am opposed
+ to the acquisition of any more territory unless slavery is first
+ prohibited therein, my answer is such that I could add nothing by
+ way of illustration, or making myself better understood, than the
+ answer which I have placed in writing.
+
+ "Now in all this, the judge has me, and he has me on the record.
+ I suppose he had flattered himself that I was really entertaining
+ one set of opinions for one place and another set for another
+ place--that I was afraid to say at one place what I uttered at
+ another. What I am saying here I suppose I say to a vast audience
+ as strongly tending to Abolitionism as any audience in the State
+ of Illinois, and I believe I am saying that which, if it would be
+ offensive to any persons and render them enemies to myself, would
+ be offensive to persons in this audience."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+LETTER TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.
+
+ "WASHINGTON, April 9, 1862.
+
+ "MY DEAR SIR: Your dispatches, complaining that you are not
+ properly sustained, while they do not offend me, do pain me very
+ much.
+
+ "Blenker's division was withdrawn from you before you left here,
+ and you know the pressure under which I did it, and, as I thought,
+ acquiesced in it--certainly not without reluctance.
+
+ "After you left, I ascertained that less than twenty thousand
+ unorganized men, without a single field battery, were all you
+ designed to be left for the defence of Washington and Manassas
+ Junction, and part of this even was to go to Gen. Hooker's old
+ position. General Banks' corps, once designated for Manassas
+ Junction, was diverted and tied up on the line of Winchester and
+ Strasburgh, and could not leave it without again exposing the Upper
+ Potomac and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This presented, or
+ would present, when McDowell and Sumner should be gone, a great
+ temptation to the enemy to turn back from the Rappahannock and
+ sack Washington. My explicit order that Washington should, by the
+ judgment of all the commanders of army corps, be left entirely
+ secure, had been neglected. It was precisely this that drove me to
+ detain McDowell.
+
+ "I do not forget that I was satisfied with your arrangement to
+ leave Banks at Manassas Junction: but when that arrangement was
+ broken up, and nothing was substituted for it, of course I was
+ constrained to substitute something for it myself. And allow me to
+ ask, do you really think I should permit the line from Richmond,
+ _via_ Manassas Junction, to this city, to be entirely open, except
+ what resistance could be presented by less than twenty thousand
+ unorganized troops? This is a question which the country will not
+ allow me to evade.
+
+ "There is a curious mystery about the number of troops now with
+ you. When I telegraphed you on the 6th, saying you had over a
+ hundred thousand with you, I had just obtained from the Secretary
+ of War a statement taken, as he said, from your own returns, making
+ one hundred and eight thousand then with you and _en route_ to
+ you. You say you will have but eighty-five thousand when all _en
+ route_ to you shall have reached you. How can the discrepancy of
+ twenty-three thousand be accounted for?
+
+ "As to General Wool's command, I understand it is doing for you
+ precisely what a like number of your own would have to do if that
+ command was away.
+
+ "I suppose the whole force which has gone forward for you is with
+ you by this time. And if so, I think it is the precise time for
+ you to strike a blow. By delay, the enemy will relatively gain
+ upon you--that is, he will gain faster by fortifications and
+ reinforcement than you can by reinforcements alone. And once more
+ let me tell you, it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow.
+ I am powerless to help this. You will do me the justice to remember
+ I always insisted that going down the bay in search of a field,
+ instead of fighting at or near Manassas, was only shifting, and not
+ surmounting a difficulty; that we would find the same enemy, and
+ the same or equal intrenchments, at either place. The country will
+ not fail to note, is now noting, that the present hesitation to
+ move upon an intrenched enemy is but the story of Manassas repeated.
+
+ "I beg to assure you that I have never written you or spoken to
+ you in greater kindness of feeling than now, nor with a fuller
+ purpose to sustain you, so far as, in my most anxious judgment, I
+ consistently can. But you must act.
+
+ "Yours, very truly,
+ A. LINCOLN.
+
+ "Maj.-Gen. MCCLELLAN."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+LETTER TO GEN. SCHOFIELD RELATIVE TO THE REMOVAL OF GEN. CURTIS.
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, May 27, 1863.
+
+ "Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD--_Dear Sir_: Having removed Gen. Curtis and
+ assigned you to the command of the Department of the Missouri, I
+ think it may be of some advantage to me to state to you why I did
+ it. I did not remove Gen. Curtis because of my full conviction that
+ he had done wrong by commission or omission. I did it because of a
+ conviction in my mind that the Union men of Missouri, constituting,
+ when united, a vast majority of the people, have entered into a
+ pestilent, factious quarrel among themselves, Gen. Curtis, perhaps
+ not of choice, being the head of one faction, and Gov. Gamble that
+ of the other. After months of labor to reconcile the difficulty, it
+ seemed to grow worse and worse, until I felt it my duty to break it
+ up somehow, and as I could not remove Gov. Gamble, I had to remove
+ Gen. Curtis. Now that you are in the position, I wish you to undo
+ nothing merely because Gen. Curtis or Gov. Gamble did it, but to
+ exercise your own judgment, and do right for the public interest.
+ Let your military measures be strong enough to repel the invaders
+ and keep the peace, and not so strong as to unnecessarily harass
+ and persecute the people. It is a difficult _role_, and so much
+ more will be the honor if you perform it well. If both factions, or
+ neither, shall abuse you, you will probably be about right. Beware
+ of being assailed by one and praised by the other.
+
+ "Yours, truly, A. LINCOLN."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN CALLED FOR.
+
+ "WHEREAS, The term of service of part of the volunteer forces
+ of the United States will expire during the coming year; and
+ _whereas_, in addition to the men raised by the present draft, it
+ is deemed expedient to call out three hundred thousand volunteers,
+ to serve for three years or the war--not, however, exceeding three
+ years.
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States
+ and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy thereof, and of the
+ militia of the several States when called into actual service,
+ do issue this my proclamation, calling upon the Governors of the
+ different States to raise and have enlisted into the United States
+ service, for the various companies and regiments in the field from
+ their respective States, their quotas of three hundred thousand men.
+
+ "I further proclaim that all the volunteers thus called out and
+ duly enlisted shall receive advance pay, premium and bounty, as
+ heretofore communicated to the Governors of States by the War
+ Department, through the Provost-Marshal General's office, by
+ special letters.
+
+ "I further proclaim that all volunteers received under this call,
+ as well as all others not heretofore credited, shall be duly
+ credited and deducted from the quotas established for the next
+ draft.
+
+ "I further proclaim that, if any State shall fail to raise the
+ quota assigned to it by the War Department under this call; then a
+ draft for the deficiency in said quota shall be made in said State,
+ or on the districts of said State, for their due proportion of
+ said quota, and the said draft shall commence on the fifth day of
+ January, 1864.
+
+ "And I further proclaim that nothing in this proclamation shall
+ interfere with existing orders, or with those which may be issued
+ for the present draft in the States where it is now in progress or
+ where it has not yet been commenced.
+
+ "The quotas of the States and districts will be assigned by the
+ War Department, through the Provost-Marshal General's office, due
+ regard being had for the men heretofore furnished, whether by
+ volunteering or drafting, and the recruiting will be conducted in
+ accordance with such instructions as have been or may be issued by
+ that department.
+
+ "In issuing this proclamation I address myself not only to the
+ Governors of the several States, but also to the good and loyal
+ people thereof, invoking them to lend their cheerful, willing
+ and effective aid to the measures thus adopted, with a view to
+ reinforce our victorious armies now in the field and bring our
+ needful military operations to a prosperous end, thus closing
+ forever the fountains of sedition and civil war.
+
+ "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal
+ of the United States to be affixed.
+
+ "Done at the city of Washington, this seventeenth day of October,
+ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three,
+ and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+REV. DR. M'PHEETERS--THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY TO AN APPEAL FOR
+INTERFERENCE.
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, December 23, 1863.
+
+ "I have just looked over a petition signed by some three dozen
+ citizens of St. Louis, and their accompanying letters, one by
+ yourself, one by a Mr. Nathan Ranney, and one by a Mr. John D.
+ Coalter, the whole relating to the Rev. Dr. McPheeters. The
+ petition prays, in the name of justice and mercy, that I will
+ restore Dr. McPheeters to all his ecclesiastical rights.
+
+ "This gives no intimation as to what ecclesiastical rights are
+ withdrawn. Your letter states that Provost Marshal Dick, about
+ a year ago, ordered the arrest of Dr. McPheeters, pastor of the
+ Vine-street Church, prohibited him from officiating, and placed
+ the management of affairs of the church out of the control of the
+ chosen trustees; and near the close you state that a certain course
+ 'would insure his release.' Mr. Ranney's letter says: 'Dr. Samuel
+ McPheeters is enjoying all the rights of a civilian, but can not
+ preach the gospel!' Mr. Coalter, in his letter, asks: 'Is it not a
+ strange illustration of the condition of things, that the question
+ who shall be allowed to preach in a church in St. Louis shall be
+ decided by the President of the United States?'
+
+ "Now, all this sounds very strangely; and, withal, a little as if
+ you gentlemen making the application do not understand the case
+ alike--one affirming that this doctor is enjoying all the rights
+ of a civilian, and another pointing out to me what will secure his
+ _release_! On the second of January last, I wrote to Gen. Curtis
+ in relation to Mr. Dick's order upon Dr. McPheeters; and, as I
+ suppose the Doctor is enjoying all the rights of a civilian, I
+ only quote that part of the letter which relates to the church. It
+ was as follows: 'But I must add that the United States Government
+ must not, as by this order, undertake to run the churches. When
+ an individual, in a church or out of it, becomes dangerous to the
+ public interest, he must be checked; but the churches, as such,
+ must take care of themselves. It will not do for the United States
+ to appoint trustees, supervisors, or other agents for the churches.'
+
+ "This letter going to Gen. Curtis, then in command, I supposed, of
+ course, it was obeyed, especially as I heard no further complaint
+ from Dr. Mc. or his friends for nearly an entire year. I have never
+ interfered, nor thought of interfering, as to who shall or shall
+ not preach in any church; nor have I knowingly or believingly
+ tolerated any one else to interfere by my authority. If any one is
+ so interfering by color of my authority, I would like to have it
+ specifically made known to me.
+
+ "If, after all, what is now sought is to have me put Dr. Mc. back
+ over the heads of a majority of his own congregation, that, too,
+ will be declined. I will not have control of any church on any side."
+
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+AN ELECTION ORDERED IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, January 20, 1864.
+
+ "MAJ. GEN. STEELE: Sundry citizens of the State of Arkansas
+ petition me that an election may be held in that State, at
+ which to elect a Governor; that it be assumed at that election,
+ and henceforward, that the Constitution and laws of the State,
+ as before the rebellion, are in full force, except that the
+ Constitution is so modified as to declare that there shall be
+ neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment
+ of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; that
+ the General assembly may make such provisions for the freed people
+ as shall recognize and declare their permanent freedom, and provide
+ for their education, and which may yet be construed as a temporary
+ arrangement, suitable to their condition as a laboring, landless,
+ and homeless class; that said election shall be held on the 28th
+ of March, 1864, at all the usual places of the State, or all such
+ as voters may attend for that purpose; that the voters attending
+ at 8 o'clock in the morning of said day may choose judges and
+ clerks of election for such purpose; that all persons qualified
+ by said Constitution and laws, and taking the oath presented in
+ the President's proclamation of December 8, 1863, either before
+ or at the election, and none others, may be voters; that each
+ set of judges and clerks may make returns directly to you on or
+ before the --th day of ---- next; that in all other respects said
+ election may be conducted according to said Constitution and laws;
+ that on receipt of said returns, when five thousand four hundred
+ and six votes shall have been cast, you can receive said votes
+ and ascertain all who shall thereby appear to have been elected;
+ that on the -- day of ---- next, all persons so appearing to have
+ been elected, who shall appear before you at Little Rock, and take
+ the oath, to be by you severally administered, to support the
+ Constitution of the United States, and said modified Constitution
+ of the State of Arkansas, may be declared by you qualified and
+ empowered to immediately enter upon the duties of the offices to
+ which they shall have been respectively elected.
+
+ "You will please order an election to take place on the 28th of
+ March, 1864, and returns to be made in fifteen days thereafter.
+
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+Later, the President wrote the following letter:
+
+ "WILLIAM FISHBACK, ESQ.: When I fixed a plan for an election in
+ Arkansas, I did it in ignorance that your Convention was at the
+ same work. Since I learned the latter fact, I have been constantly
+ trying to yield my plan to theirs. I have sent two letters to Gen.
+ Steele, and three or four dispatches to you and others, saying that
+ he (Gen. Steele) must be master, but that it will probably be best
+ for him to keep the Convention on its own plan. Some single mind
+ must be master, else there will be no agreement on anything; and
+ Gen. Steele, commanding the military, and being on the ground, is
+ the best man to be that master. Even now citizens are telegraphing
+ me to postpone the election to a later day than either fixed by the
+ Convention or me. This discord must be silenced.
+
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+CALL FOR FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND MEN.
+
+ "WHEREAS, By the Act approved July 4, 1864, entitled 'An Act
+ further to regulate and provide for the enrolling and calling out
+ the National Forces, and for other purposes,' it is provided that
+ the President of the United States may, at his discretion, at any
+ time hereafter, call for any number of men as volunteers, for the
+ respective terms of one, two, or three years, for military service,
+ and 'that in case the quota, or any part thereof, of any town,
+ township, ward of a city, precinct, or election district, or of a
+ county not so subdivided, shall not be filled within the space of
+ fifty days after such call, then the President shall immediately
+ order a draft for one year to fill such quota, or any part thereof,
+ which may be unfilled.'
+
+ "AND WHEREAS, The new enrollment heretofore ordered is so far
+ completed as that the aforementioned Act of Congress may now be
+ put in operation for recruiting and keeping up the strength of the
+ armies in the field, for garrisons, and such military operations
+ as may be required for the purpose of suppressing the rebellion
+ and restoring the authority of the United States Government in the
+ insurgent States.
+
+ "Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
+ States, do issue this, my call, for five hundred thousand
+ volunteers for the military service; provided, nevertheless, that
+ all credits which may be established under Section Eight of the
+ aforesaid Act, on account of persons who have entered the naval
+ service during the present Rebellion, and by credits for men
+ furnished to the military service in excess of calls heretofore
+ made for volunteers, will be accepted under this call for one, two,
+ or three years, as they may elect, and will be entitled to the
+ bounty provided by the law for the period of service for which they
+ enlist.
+
+ "And I hereby proclaim, order, and direct, that immediately after
+ the fifth day of September, 1864, being fifty days from the date
+ of this call, a draft for troops to serve for one year, shall be
+ held in every town, township, ward of a city, precinct, election
+ district, or a county not so subdivided, to fill the quota which
+ shall be assigned to it under this call, or any part thereof which
+ may be unfilled by volunteers on the said fifth day of September,
+ 1864.
+
+ "In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused
+ the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of
+ Washington, this eighteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord,
+ one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and of the independence
+ of the United States the eighty-ninth.
+
+ "By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
+
+ "WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+LETTER TO MRS. GURNEY.
+
+This letter was written by the President prior to his re-election
+to Mrs. Eliza P. Gurney, an American lady, the widow of the late
+well-known Friend and philanthropist, Joseph John Gurney, one of the
+wealthiest bankers of London.
+
+ "MY ESTEEMED FRIEND: I have not forgotten, probably never shall
+ forget, the very impressive occasion when yourself and friends
+ visited me on a Sabbath forenoon two years ago. Nor had your kind
+ letter, written nearly a year later, ever been forgotten. In all
+ it has been your purpose to strengthen my reliance in God. I am
+ much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their
+ constant prayers and consolations, and to no one of them more than
+ to yourself. The purposes of the Almighty are perfect and must
+ prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive
+ them in advance. We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible
+ war, long before this, but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise.
+ We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own errors therein;
+ meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best lights He gives us,
+ trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He
+ ordains. Surely, He intends some great good to follow this mighty
+ convulsion which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay.
+
+ "Your people--the Friends--have had, and are having very great
+ trials, on principles and faith opposed to both war and oppression.
+ They can only practically oppose oppression by war. In this hard
+ dilemma, some have chosen one horn and some the other.
+
+ "For those appealing to me on conscientious grounds I have done and
+ shall do the best I could, and can, in my own conscience under my
+ oath to the law. That you believe this, I doubt not, and believing
+ it, I shall still receive for our country and myself your earnest
+ prayers to our father in Heaven.
+
+ "Your sincere friend,
+ "A. LINCOLN."
+
+ * * * * *
+
+
+THE TENNESSEE TEST OATH.
+
+ "_Executive Mansion_, Washington, D. C.,
+ Saturday, October 22, 1864
+
+ "MESSRS. WM. B. CAMPBELL, THOMAS A. R. NELSON, JAMES T. P. CARTER,
+ JOHN WILLIAMS, A. BLIZZARD, HENRY COOPER, BAILIE PEYTON, JOHN
+ LILLYETT, EMERSON ETHERIDGE, AND JOHN D. PERRYMAN.
+
+"GENTLEMEN: On the fifteenth day of this month, as I remember, a
+printed paper manuscript, with a few manuscript interlineations, called
+a protest, with your names appended thereto, and accompanied by another
+printed paper, purporting to be a proclamation by ANDREW JOHNSON,
+Military Governor of Tennessee, and also a manuscript paper purporting
+to be extracts from the code of Tennessee, were laid before me."
+
+[The protest is here recited, and also the proclamation of GOV.
+JOHNSON, dated September 30, to which it refers, together with a list
+of the counties in East, Middle, and West Tennessee; also extracts
+from the code of Tennessee in relation to electors of President and
+Vice President, qualifications of voters for members of the General
+Assembly, and places of holding elections and officers of popular
+elections.]
+
+ "At the time these papers were presented as before stated, I had
+ never seen either of them, nor heard of the subject to which they
+ relate, except in a general way, only one day previously.
+
+ "Up to the present moment, nothing whatever upon the subject has
+ passed between GOV. JOHNSON, or any one else connected with the
+ proclamation and myself.
+
+ "Since receiving the papers, as stated, I have given the subject
+ such brief consideration as I have been able to do, in the midst of
+ so many pressing duties.
+
+ "My conclusion is, that I can have nothing to do with the matter,
+ either to sustain the plan as the Convention and GOV. JOHNSON have
+ initiated it, or to modify it as you demand. By the Constitution
+ and laws the President is charged with no duty in the Presidential
+ election in any State. Nor do I, in this case, perceive any
+ military reason for his interference in the matter.
+
+ "The movement set a-foot by the Convention and GOV. JOHNSON does
+ not, as seems to be assumed by you, emanate from the National
+ Executive.
+
+ "In no proper sense can it be considered other than as an
+ independent movement of at least a portion of the loyal people of
+ Tennessee.
+
+ "I do not perceive in the plan any menace, or violence, or coercion
+ toward any one.
+
+ "GOV. JOHNSON, like any other loyal citizen of Tennessee has the
+ right to form any political plan he chooses, and as Military
+ Governor it is his duty to keep the peace among and for the loyal
+ people of the State.
+
+ "I cannot discern that by his plan he purposes any more--but you
+ object to the plan.
+
+ "Leaving it alone will be your perfect security against it. It is
+ not proposed to force you into it.
+
+ "Do as you please on your own account peaceably and loyally, and
+ GOV. JOHNSON will not molest you, but will protect you against
+ violence so far as in his power.
+
+ "I presume that the conducting of a Presidential election in
+ Tennessee, in strict accordance with the old code of the State, is
+ not now a possibility.
+
+ "It is scarcely necessary to add, that if any election shall be
+ had, and any votes shall be cast in the State of Tennessee for
+ President and Vice-President of the United States, it will belong
+ not to the military agents nor yet to the Executive Department, but
+ exclusively to another department of the Government, to determine
+ whether they are entitled to be counted in conformity with the
+ Constitution and laws of the United States.
+
+ "Except it be to give protection against violence, I decline to
+ interfere in any way with any Presidential election.
+
+ "ABRAHAM LINCOLN."
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+
+The original book contained many unprinted characters. Those omissions
+are too numerous to enumerate here, and have been silently corrected
+unless more than one alternative existed. Those exceptions are noted
+below.
+
+Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant
+preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.
+
+Simple typographical errors were corrected.
+
+Unbalanced and mismatched single- and double-quotation marks remedied
+only when the correction was unambiguous.
+
+Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained. Inconsistent
+hyphenation retained unless there was a predominant preference for one
+form.
+
+Text mostly uses "any thing" but sometimes uses "anything".
+
+Text uses both "Chancelor" and "Chancellor".
+
+Page 44: "the tenth commandment" probably should be "amendment".
+
+Page 56: "rule of political action." should end with a question mark,
+not with a period.
+
+Page 195 does not have a "Second" order.
+
+Page 244: "acknowledgment" in "as a grateful acknowledgment" was
+misprinted. It was spelled correctly in Lincoln's original handwritten
+letter and that spelling is used here.
+
+Page 376: "reportively replied" was incompletely printed with empty
+space before "portively". Transcriber added "re" as it seemed to be the
+best fit.
+
+Page 386: "homely often" was incompletely printed with empty space
+before "omely". Transcriber added "h" as it seemed to be the best fit.
+
+Page 409: "_wholly_ good; almost every" originally had a period after
+"good". Changed here to a semi-colon, but perhaps the following word
+should have been capitalized instead, as "Almost".
+
+Page 413: "[Here Mr. Meade ... every improvement?]" was missing a
+closing square bracket. Added by Transcriber based on context.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Abraham Lincoln, by Frank Crosby
+
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