New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-22
SETTING FREE A RACE.
HOW THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
WAS MADE.

HOW THE EMANClIA1lON IROCliANA IIO->
WAS MADE.
y have often heard my father speak OF the details
connected with the Proclamation OF Emancipation.
which is probably OF the most Important public
documents ever penned 10y hand OF man. and which
I'm this country certainly stands by side with Tie
Declaration OF independence. Great was the Priv
ilege accorded individual that ic should have
the power and Will to DO this great thing and
be the chosen instrument OF the Lord TO remove Ma
t,opal disgrace and TO effect by single act what SC
many great and noble men lad striIHn u accomplish
BY their ilfe's work. Many are called but lew
chosen is one o. the mysteries that those who give
their all for a find II hard TO understand lhat
Mr. Lincoln should have been singled ont as the Very
Apostle OF Freedom, and the greater champions Of
the race comparatively forgotten 10y The people FOR
whose sake they had borne abuse ard Oblolry seems
strange In the order OF things mundaae Far from
being doughty defender OF the race tie President
was brought step by step, by force oil circumstances
through motives OF expcdcncy, on account OF the
pressure public opinion and finally by reason OF his
own distinct conviction that 1t vas the right ana
only thing 10 do. TO his final action. When Mr..
Greeley addressed Mr. Lincoln publicly and personally
in The Tribune, urging emancipation. and that the
Administration should adopt more vigorous and
determined policy the President placed his views
before the public In the following rep' NV
paramount object IS TO the Union and not
either to save or destroy slavery. il could save
the Union without freeing any slave ! would DO IL
II could II by freeing all the slaves would
do II. and II could 1t by freeing some aud
leaving others alone l would do it." Still, how
ever the pressure grew-the public sentiment In the
North became stronger and stronger. The PRESIDENT
was visited by delegations of the clergy The Re
publican press urged that there should he no delay
and still Mr.. Lincoln hesitated. 81 have not de-
cided against proclamation OF liberty to the slaves.
he says about this time 10 deputatioI. hold the
matter under Amusement; and can assure you tie
matter Is on my mind by day and night more than
any other. Whatever shall appear TO be Gods will
] will do"
During this period OF doubt and indccison the
strength of the man showed itself in that he ap
parcntly consulted member OF his Cal met. The
momentous question was pondeTet over and decided
In his mind. Like the captains OF the hosts In
the Old Testament. tine head of our armies and navies
laid the matter before Higher Tribunal with
solemn VOW If the Lord will do this thing will
surely free the slaves" he said himself with simple
supersttous faith and waited for the Divine sane
ton. And 1t came. On September D.. 1862, he
summoned his Cabinet 10 announce &c them his de
cision and read his proclamation. Here We sec the
extraordinary mixture OF simplicity and humor Which
characterized the man. combined With his great
earnesness Of purpose and his full appreciation OF
the loneliness responsibility OF his position. which
tipged his official life with sort Of prophetic sadness
Such combination has TO he seen at this distance OF
time to appreciate and comprehend It's remarkable
directness and singleness OF aim. just al ta'
1uncture his simplicity seemed almost Nial 10 ose
whose natures felt the great and solemn importance
OF the occasion. NJ. Stanton especially could not
understand and never quite forgave Mr. Lincoln for
coming in at this supreme moment with book OF
Artemus Ward In lis hand, and before proceeding
TO the all-important question before them, reading
chapter OF the absurd nonsense out loud TO the as
sembled heads OF the Departments. laughing heartily
over its humor. Immediately afterw,rd scid my
father with OF those rapid changes OF his which
were so characteristic, he became suddenly grave.
Gentlemen he sud. Il have. as you are aware
thought greatsdeal about the relation OF this war
10 slavery. My mind has been much oocrpied with
the subject and / have thought all along that the
tim, or acting on = might probably come. think
that the time has come / wish 1t was 4 better
time. / wish in better condition The
action OF the Army against the Rebels has not been
quite what should have best liked. But they nave
been driven Maryland, and Pennsylvania Is no
longer in danger "f invasion. When the Rebel army
was at Frederick determined soon as 1t should
be driven out OF Maryland, 10 issue proclamation
of emancipation. / said nothing n any one but |
made a promise to myself and (hesi'atrg lltte) to
my Maker. i now going TO fulfill that promise,
and have sent for you TO hear what have written
But do not wish your advice about the main matter,
for that / have determined for myself This say
without intending anything but respect for any one
OF you. But | already know the views Of each on
this question, and / have considered them as thor
oughly and carefully as can. What have written
j nave determined 10 say, out - any ''iie "
the expressions use. or there Is any minor matter
which any one OF you think advisable to have
changed, / shall be very glad TO receive your sug
cestions. / know very well others might do better
than can IN this matter. If l were satisfied that
the public confidence was more fully possessed by
any one than by me, and knew OF any constitutional
way in which that person could be put In my place
he should have 1t. Tut here; must do the
best caa ard bear alone the responsibility Of taking
the course ought - take"
The extract given above Is from my fathers diary
The incident which follows well known In our
family although did know 1t recorded in
willing until last winter when on looking some
letters written TO me my father when abroad
in 1867 ! found the following account Of the para,
graph to which he hsd the honor OF S wr MA anu
portant document which put an end forever 10 slavery
In this country; ,. 49,. "a q,
seal Isomcihing that he referred in another part
OF his letter. found many Of my memoranda. etc,
of the war; and among them my draft OF proclama'
lion OF emancipation submitted 10 Mr.. Lincoln the
day before his own issued. He asked all OF US
for sugg esions in regard TO It's form ana submitted
as 1t now stands. which he adopted from my drai |
with modification. II may be interesting 10 you TO
see precisely what said and cory IT. lou mus
remember that in the original draft there was no
reference whatever 10 Divine or human sanction OF
The act. What said this az the conclusion OF |
my letter Finally respectfully su S st iu nu, on
ton NJ aectation against solemn rcCoenluo OF re-
sponsibility before men and before Goo ana that |
bis act, sincerely believed 10 be an act OF justice
'arranted by the Constitution land OF duty demanded
the circumstances OF the country, invoke the |
avor OF Almighty God" Mr.. Lincoln adopted this |
ose. substituting only for the woris ineos'd IN
ich ] think was not Improvement There has |
m some little discussion about this matter, but this
eeve. is an exact account OF the clanse IN question
L.