Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-21
From the National Intelligencer.


From the National Integencer.
The representatives and senators of the
border slaveholding states having, by special
invitation Of the president, been convened at
the executive mansion, on Saturday morning,
July 18th, Mr.. Lincoln addressed them as fol-
lows from written paper held in his hands u:
Gentlemen After the adjournment of
congress, now near, | shall have no opportun-
ity of seeing you for several months. Believ-
ing that you of the border states hold more
power for good than any other equal number
Of members, feel it duty which | cannot
justitably waive to make this appeal to you.
l intend no reproach or complaint when |
ssure you that in my opinion if you all had
voted for the resolution in the gradual eman-
cipation 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 con-
tederacy, and they cannot much longer main
tam the contest. But you cannot diyest them
OF their hope to ultimately have you with them
so long as you show a determination to per-
petuate the institution within your own states.
Beat them at elections, as you have over
whelmmgly done, and, nothing daunted, they
still claim you as their own. You and 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 | trust you will not
think now improperly touch what is exclu-
sively your own, when, for the sake Of the
W aSl- 4DY
states, do better than to take the course |
urge? Discarding punctilo and maxims adapt
ed to more manageable times, and looking
only to the unprecedentedly stern facts of our
case, can you do better in any possible event?
Y GU prefer that the constitutional relation of
the states to the nation shall be practically re-
stored without disturbance of the institution
and if this were done, my whole duty in this
respect, under the constitution and nv 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 friction and abrasion-by the mere Incl
dents Of the war. 1t will be gone, and you
will have nothing valuable in lieu of it. Much
OF It's value is gone already. How much bet
WI W. JOu anu lOI your people 10 Jake IIlG
step which at once shortens the war, and Sc
cures substantial compensation for that which
is sure to be wholly lost in any other event!
How much better to thus save the money
winch 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
now 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 threats.
90 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,
Ihe Ireed people Will not be so reluctant to go.
am pressed with difficulty not yet men
tloned-one which threatens division among
those who, united, are none too strong. An
instance of it is known to you. Gen Hunter
is an honest man. He was, and hope still is
my friend. l valued him none the less for
agreeing with me in the general wish that all
men everywhere could be freed. He pro-
claimed all men free within certain states, and
repudlated the proclamation. He expected
more good and less harm from the measure
than | could believe would follow. Yet, in
repudiating it, gave dissatisfaction if not of
fence 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 unon
me, and is increasing. By conceding what |
now ask, you can relieve me, and much more
can believe the country in this important point
Upon these considerations / have apain
begged your attention to the MESSAGE of
March last. Before leaving the capitol CON
slder and discuss it among yourselves. You
are patriots and statesmen, and as sucb NAV
you consider this proposition; and at the least least
commend 1t to the consideration of vour states
and people As you would perpetuate ponu-
lar government for the best people in the
world, beseech you that you do in no wise
omit this. Our common country is in preat
peril, demanding the Hottest views and boldest
acton to bring speedy relief Once reliev-
ed, Its form of government is saved to the
world, its beloved history and cherished mem
cries are indicated, 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 there
with forever.