Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-07-22
The Presidents appeal to the Border
States.

The Presidents appeal to the Border
States,
The Representatives and Senators Of the Bor-
der Saveholding States having, by special in
vitation Of the President, heen convened nj the
Executive Mansion on Saturday morning, 18th
inst, MIR Lincoln addressed them as follows
from n written paper held in his hands
GrKrLnMrN After the adjournment of Con
sress, nov near, shall have no opportunity of
seeing you for several months. Believing that
You Of the Border States hold more power for
good than any other equal number of members,
| / feel il duly which cannot iustihably waive
10 make this appeal 10 you.
/ intend no reproach or complaint when rs
sure you that, in my opinion, il you all had
voted for the resolution in the gradual emanri-
patton me. sage 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
TINT in no event wilt the States you represent
ever join their proposed Contederacy, and they
cannot much longer maintain the contest But
you cannot dvest them cf their hope TO nlti.
lnsicy have you with Them so long yuu show
n determination lU petprtuate the institution
within your own States. Beat hem At elections,
as you have overwhelmingly done, and, nothing
daunteh, they still claim von MS their own, You
aud know what the lever VI their power
is Break that lever before thrir faces. and they
can shake you more forever,
Most uf you have treated me with Lindness
and consideration, ard trust you will not now
think I improperly touch what IS exclusively
yunr own, when icr the s9ke ot the whole coun-
trr, I aag ''can you, for your Staes do better
than In take the course | urge niseardng
j4l1ttho md maxims adapted 10 more manage
ahc times ami looking only to the unprecedent-
edly stera facts Of our case, eau you do better
in any possible event? You prefer that the
constitutional relation of the States 10 the nation
shall be practically restored without disturb
nnce of the institution; anl, if this were dOuc,
my whole duty, in this respect uuder the Cuu-
stitutior mad my oath ut uihcc, would be per-
formed. But it is uot done, aud We are trying
to accomplish it by war The incidents Of the
war cannot he avoided Ii the war continues
long, AS it must if the object be not sooner at-
tnined the institution iu your States will be ex-
. tinguished by mere friction and abrasion-hy
the mere incidents Of the war II will he gone,
and you will have nothing valuable in lieu Of it.
Much ol its value is gone already, How much
better for you aud for your people to tAke the
= step which at ouce shortcus the war, and secures
substantial compensation for that which is sure
( to lie wholly lost in any other event! How
much better to thus save Ihc money which else
we sink forever in the wal How much better
! to do il while we can, lest the war ere ling rem
Y der us pecuuiarily unable to do 1t How much
better for YOU us seller, and the nation, as buy
y er, to sell out and buy out that without which
the war could never hnve lren, than tn sink
= both the thing to be sold and the pice Of it iu
{ cutting one an0thers thrOats
do not speak of emancipation al oHct, but oil
s a dsci.ion at once to eUancipate grddtalY
Room in South America for colonization can hC
obtained cheOply, and in abundance and when
numbers shall he large enough 10 lie company
c and encouragement for one another, tie free,
$ people will not be so reluctant to 60.
~ am pressed with difficulty not yet men
tioned-one which threatens division among
: those who united, are none too strong, An in
+ stance OF it is known 10 you GEN Hunter il
=. an honest man. He was and hope still Is, IN!
v friend | valued him none the less for his agree
v ing with me in the general wish tint NIL mel
Il every where could he freed lie proclaimed all
v " men free within certain States, and TepuliuteC
u the proclamation. He expected more good au'
y less harm from the measure than could believ
!. would follow Yet, in repudiating ii, CAV
Dissatisfaction If not offence, TO many who's
support the country cannot afford to lose Ant
10 this is not the end il. The pressure ia this di
$ rection is still upon me anl is increasing. D.
1t eOnceding what | now ask you eau relieve me
s. and much more, can relieve The country in TIL
il important point
Upon these considerations have again hegge
y yonr attention TO the message OF March last
Before leaving the Capitol. consider anl Discus
9e It nlnong yourselves lou are patriots an
r. statesmen, and as such pray you consider lhi
l. proposition; and ut the least commend it to III
In consideration of your States AMI people. A
al you would perpetuate popular government io
i the best people in the world. besecch you tia
= you do in no wise omit this. Our common countr
y, is in great peril, demanding the oftiest view
~ and boldest action to bring speedy relief
v Once relieved its form OF government is save
u to the world; its beloved history aud ehershe
ny memories are yndcated and It's happy fumr
ne fully assured and rendered inconcevahly grant
IN To you, more than to any others, the pr!vileR
te is given to assure that happiness and swell tbs
he grandeur, and 10 link your own names therewt
nd forever
ed ,,,t.o.o....,,.,., i, ,,,.. ........, ,...-.
''S Ver4aton was had between the President an
several members of the delegations from tn
lW Border States, in which ii was represented tha
he these states could not not b. expected to moy
ia in go great matter aa That brought to their NJ
ia lice in the foregoing address while as yet th
In Congress had taken no step beyond the pafsag
Ia Of resolution, expressive rather Of sentinel
~ " than presenting substantial AMI reliable bas
." oil action.
The President acknowledged the force Of tl
A.. view, and admitted that the Border States wer
~ entitled TO expect n substantial pledge Of pc
y cuniary aid as the condition Of taking iuto cor
pe sideration proposition 80 important in its II
~ latiOus TO their social system
Is IL was further represented, in the Conference,
as thnt the people of the Border States were inte
estel in knowing the great Importance whic
- the presidsni attached 10 the policy in question
w. while it was equally due to the country, to III
'v President. and to themselves that the Repr'
eu sentatves Jf the Border Slaveholding Stat,
eer- should publicly announce tho motives und'
ne which .hey were called TO act and the consid
Ie- rations Of public policy urged unon them an
ON their constituents by the President
IRE With view te such statement of their p
slton. The members thus addresaeA met in cnnI