The Portland daily press., 1862-12-02
nor to those made free by the act

contrabands, nor to those made free by the act
OF Congress aboiishing slavery here
lhe plan consisting OF these articles is rec
commended, not but that restoration of the
national authority would be accepted without
its adoption; nor will the war, nor proceed
ngs under the proclamation of Sept. 22. 1862
be stayed, because of the recommendation of
this plan Its timely adoption, doubt not
would bring restoration, and thereby stay both.
And notwithstanding this plan, the rec omu end
alton that Congress provide by law for COM
pensating any State which may adopt emanci-
patton before this plan shall have been acted,
upon, is hereby earnestly renewed. Such would
only be an advance part of the plan, and the
same arguments apply to both.
lhis pan Is recommended as a means not In
exclusion of, but additional to, all others for re-
storing and preserving the national authority
throughout the Union. The subject is pre-
sented exclusively in its economical asnect.
Ihe plan would, am confident secure peace
more speedily than can be done by force alone
While it would cost less, considering tbe
amounts and manner Of payment aud times of
payment. And the amounts would be easier
paid than will be the additional cost of the
war if we rely solely upon force. 1t is most
likely, very likely, that it would cost no blood
at all. The plan is proposed as a permanent
constitutional law. IL cannot become such
without the concurrence OF, first, two-thirds of
Congress, and afterwards three-iourths of the
States. The requisite three-iourths of the
States will necessarily include several of the
slave States. Their concurrence, II obtained,
will give assurance OF their severaly adopting
emancipation at no distant day, upon the new
constitutional terms. This assurance would
end the struggles now, and save the Union
forever.
do not forget the gravity which should
characterize paper addressed to the Congress
of the Nation by the.Chief Magistrate of the
Nation. Nor do forget that some eff YOU
are my seniors; nor that many of YOU have
more experience than i, in the conduct of
public affairs. Yet trust that, in view of the
great responsibility resting upon me, you will
perceive no want of respect TO yourselves in
any undue earnestness may seem 10 display.
Is it doubted then that the plan proposed, if
adopted, would shorten the war and thus les
sen the expenditures OF mouey and of blood?
Is it doubted that it would restore the nation
al authority, and national prosperity, and per-
petuate both Indefinitely? Is 1t doubted that
if we here, Congress and Executive, can Sc
cure its adoption, win not the good people re-
spond to united and earnest appeal from us
Can We, can they, by any other means, so GER
tainy or so speedily assure these vital OBJ
jects? We can succeed only by concert. 1t
is not, Can any of us imagine better? but can
we all do better? What soever 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 olsen
thral ourselves, and then we shall save our
country.
Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.
We of this Congress will be remembered in
spite of ourselves. No personal significance
or insignihcance 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 that we are for the
Union. The world will not forget that while
we say this we do know how TO save the
Union. The world knows how to save it. We
even here hold the power and bc ar the re-
sponsibility in giving freedom tot slave.
We assure freedom to the free and b, norable
alike in what we give and what we preserve.
We shall nobly save or meanly lose the best
hope of the earth. Other means may succeed,
but this could not fail, for the way is plain,
peaceful, generous and just; a way which, IL
followed, the world will forever applaud and
God must forever bless.
Signed ABRAHAM LINCOLN.