The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-03-18
SETTING FREE 4 RACE.
How the Emancipation Proclamation
Was Made by Lincoln.

dAA tAdV VIC dAAA AAnA0SA NsA0AA 0AAe~AN
adopt more vigorous and deter
mined policy, the President placed
his views before the public in the
following reply: "My paramount
object is to save the Union and not
either to save or destroy slavery.
If could save the Union without
freeing any slave, l would do it; if
| could save it by freeing all the
slaves I would do it, and if | could
save it by freeing some and leaving
others alone | would do it," Still,
however, the pressure grew, the pub
lie sentiment in the North became
stronger and stronger. The Presi-
dent was visited by delegations of
the clergy. The Republican press
urged that there be no delay, and
still Mr.. Lincoln hesitated. ; 81
have not decided against procla-
nation of liberty to the slaves, he
says about this time to adeputation.
II hold the matter under advise
ment, and | can assure you the
matter is on my mind by day and
night more than any other. What
ever shall appear to be Gods will |
will do"
During the period of doubt and
indecision, says Janet Chase Hoyt
in the New York Tribune, the
strength of the man showed itself
in that he apparently consulted no
member of his Cabinet. The mo-
mentous question was pondered
over and decided in his own mind.
Like the captains of the hosts in the
Old Testament the head of our arm
lee and navies laid the matter be-
fore Higher Tribunal with a SOL
emn vow.
eff the Lord will do this thing |
will surely free the slaves" said he
to himself, with a simple, supersti-
tious faith, and waited for the di-
vine sanction. And it came. On
September %, 1862, he summoned
his Cabinet to announce to them
his decision and read his proclama-
ton. Here we see the extraordi-
| nary mixture of simplicity and hu-
NOR which characterized the man,
combined with his great earnestness
of purpose and his full appreciation
of the lonelines and responsibility
of his position, which tinged his Of
fetal life with a sort of prophetic
sadness. Such a combination has
to be seen at this distance of time
to appreciate and comprehend its
remarkable directness and single
ness of aim.
Just at this juncture his SIMPLE
ity seemed almost trivial to those
whose natures felt the great and
solemn Importance of the oc-
casion. Mr.. Stanton especially
could not understand and never
quite forgave Mr.. Lincoln for com
ing in at this supreme moment with
a book of Artemus Ward in his
hand, and before proceeding to the
all-important question before them,
reading chapture of the absurd
nonsense out loud to the assembled
heads of the departments, laughing
heartily over its humor.
"Immediately afterwards" said
my father, with one of those rapid
changes of his which were charac-
teristic, he became suddenly grave
Gentlemen he said, I have, as
you are aware, thought great deal
about the relation of this war to
slavery. My mind has been much
occupied with the subject and l
have thought all along that the
time for acting on it might proba-
bly, come. I think the time has
come now. I wish it was better
time. I wish we were in a better
condition. The action ofthe army
against the rebels has not been quite
what should have best liked. But
they have been diven out of Mary
land, and Pennsylvania is no longer
in danger of invasion. When the
rebel army was at Frederick ]
determined, as soon as it should
be driven out of Maryland, to
issue a proclamation of emanci
patton. / said nothing to any one.
but I made a promise to myself
and (hesitating a little) to my Ma
ker. / am now going to fulfill that
promise, and l have sent for you te
hear what I have written. But ]
do not wish your edvice about the
main matter, for that l have deter
mined for myself. This | say with
out intending anything but respect
| for any one of you. But | already
know the views Of each on this
question, and I have considered
them as thoroughly and carefully
as can. What / have written
have determined to say, but ifthert
is anything in the expressions
use, or there is any minor mattel
which any one of you think advis
able to have changed, I shall b
very glad to receive your sugges
tions. know very well that 9th
, ers might do better than ! can II
this matter. If I were satisfied tina
the public confidence was more
fully possessed by any one than b.