Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-12-04

both. This plan Is recommended as .
means not in conclusion Of, but additional
to all Others for restoring and preserving
the national authority throughout the
Union. The subject IS presented excln
sively In its economical aspect. The
plan would, | am conf dent, secure peace
more speedily than can be done by force
alone, while it would cost less consider
ing amounts and manner of payment and
times Of payment, and the amounts
would be easier paid than will be the ad
ditionsl cost Of the war If We RELY solely
npon force. 1t is most likely that it
would cost no blood at all.
The plan is proposed as permanent
constitutional law. 1t cannot become
such without the Concurrence, first, Of
two-thrds Of Congress, and afterwards
three fourths Of the States. The requi-
site ,hree-1uarters Of the States will nee
tssarl, include seven of the slave States.
II obtained, 1t will give assurances oi
their severally adopting emancipation at
no distant day on the new constitutional
terms. This assurance would end the
| struggle now, and save the Union forey-
er.
do not forget the gravity Of paper
addressed to the Congress of the nation
by the chief magistrate Of the nation,
nor do forget that some few are my
seniors, or that many If Won have more
more experience than | in the conduct o!
public affairs. Yet trust that in view
Of the great responsibility resting upon
me, you will perceive 10 want of respec,
to yourselves in any undue earneslness
may seem TO display.
Is it doubted, then, that the plan
propose, il adopted, will shorten the war
and thus lessen its expenditure Of money
and blood Is it doubted that it would
restore the national prosperity and per
petnate both indefinitely! Is it doubted
that if we here, Congress and Executive
can secure its adoption, the good people
will respond to a united and earnest ap
peal from US. Can We, can they, by any
other means SO speedily assure these vi
tai objects: We can succeed only by
concert
1t is not, can any Of US imagine bet
ter, but, still the question recurs, can we
do better!
The dogmas of the quiet past are mad
equate to the stormy present. The oc-
casion is piled high with difficulty, and
we must rise with the occasion. A.
our case is new, SO we must think ant
act anew We must disenthrall ourselves
and then we shall save our country.
Fellow citizens We cannot escap,
history. We of this Congress will be re
membered in spite Of ourselves. No per
sonal significance or insignifcance, car
spare one or another of US. The fer,
trial through which we pass will ligh
us down in honor or dishonor to tn,
latest generation. We say that W,
are for the Union. The world will not
forget that while we say this, we know
how to save the Union. The worlt
knows we do know how to save tn,
Union. We, even we, hold the powc
and bear the responsibility. In giving free
dom to. the slave we insure freedom t,
the free. Honorable alike in what W
give and what we preserve, we shall nobl,
save or meanly lose the last best hope 0
the earth. Other means may succeed
this could not fail; the way is plain
peaceful, generous, just, way..which,
followed, the world will applaud, an,
God must forever bless.
| Signed ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WASHINGTON CRY, Dec. l, 1862.