Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-12-10
WHOLE NO. 2410

S because OF the adjustment Of slavery
! the District of Columbia last spFingI-
r What | have said of the pro portion Of
: free colored persons to the W hites in the
District of Columbia is from the census
: or ISoO, having no reference to persons
} called eontrabands, nor by those made
free by the act of Congress abolishing
! slavery here. 20 siiS
The plan consisting of these articles il
recommended, not but that a restoi alton
of the national authority would be aceep-
ted without its adoption, nor viii the war
or proceedings under the proclamation of
tSeptember 22d, 1862, be STAYED because
OF the recommendation of this plan It's
timely adoption, doubt not, would bring
restoration, and thereby stay both. And
notwithstanding this plan, the rec
ommendation that Congress provide by
law for compensating any State which
may adopt the emancipation before this
plan shall have been acted upon, is earn
estiy renewed. Such would only be an
advance part of the plan, and the same
arguments apply to both. This plan is
recommended as means, not in conelu-
sion Of but additional to, all other for re-
storing and preserving the national au-
thority throughout the Union The sub
Ject is presented exclusively in its eco
The plan would, am confident, secure
peace more speedily than can be done by
force alone, while it would cost less con-
sidering amounts and manner of payment
and times of payment. and the amounts
would be easier paid than will be the adj
ditional cost of the war if we rely solely
upon force. It is most likely that It very
likely would cost no blood at ALL The
plan IS proposed as permanent constita.
tional law. 1t cannot become such with
out the concurrence, first, Of tWo-thirCls of
Congress tnd afterwards three-fourths of
the States. The requisite three-auarters
OF the States will necessarily include ser.
en- of the slave States. If obtained it VIII
give assurance of their seyerally adopting
at no distant day upon the
new constitutional terms. This assurance
would end the struggle now and save the
Union forever. a-- f1- sG-9I
do not forget the gravity of a 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 of you have more expert
enee than | in the conduct of public af-
iairs. Yet | trust that in view of the
great responsibility resting upon me, YOU
will perceive no want of Prospect to your
selves in any undue earnestness | NAV
'eem to display. Is it doubted, then that
me plan propose. il adopted, would
shorten the war aud thus lessen its expen-
tlture OF money and blood? Is il doubt
I'd that Il would restore the national pros.
9enty and perpetuate both indefnitelTf
s 1t doubted that We here. Congress and
executive, can secure its adoption Will
not the good people respond to united
md earnest appeal from u.s. Can we
an they-by any other means so certaiao
Y or so speedily assure these vital objectsH
q We can succeed only BY concert. Its
lot can any OF Is imagine bettteE, hat
an we all do BETTER? Object whatsosveE
8 possible, still the question recurs, can
se do better9 The dogmas of the quiet
,ast are inadequate to the stormy present.
The occasion is piled high with difficulty
nd we must rise with the OCCASION LAS
'ur case IS new, so we must think anaE
nd act anew. We must disenthral our
elves and then weshall save our country.
Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape histO1
y, We of this Congress will be remem-
'ered in spite of ourselves. No personal
ignifcance or insignifoanes can spare
ne or another of US. The fiery trial
trough which We pass will light down in
lonor or dishonor 30 the latest generation
v q say thaawe are for the Union The
world will not forget that while we say
his We do know how to save the Uuion,
The world knows we do know how to-
ave. We, even we. hold the power and
ear the RESPONSIBILITY. In giving free
om to the slave we ensure free
om to the free. honorable alike
n what we give and what We preserve.
fe shall nobly save, or ~meanly lose,- the
he last, best hope of the earth. Other
leans may succeed. This could not fail
he way is plain, peaceful. generous. just
way, which, if followed. the world will
1reyer applaud. and God must forever
less. -..5 ABRAHAM LINCOLN.