AUGUST 26, 1863:
President Abraham
Lincoln writes a “Public Letter” to his friend, James Conkling, in which he
answers his anti-abolitionist critics. The letter reads in part:
“. . . But, to be
plain, you are dissatisfied with me about the negro. Quite likely there is a
difference of opinion between you and myself upon that subject. I certainly
wish that all men could be free, while I suppose you do not. Yet I have neither
adopted, nor proposed any measure, which is not consistent with even your view,
provided you are for the Union. I suggested compensated emancipation; to which
you replied you wished not . . . You dislike the emancipation proclamation; and,
perhaps, would have it retracted. You say it is unconstitutional—I think
differently. I think the constitution invests its commander-in-chief, with the
law of war, in time of war. The most that can be said, if so much, is, that
slaves are property. Is there—has there ever been—any question that by the law
of war, property, both of enemies and friends, may be taken when needed? And is
it not needed whenever taking it, helps us, or hurts the enemy? . . . But the
proclamation, as law, either is valid, or is not valid. If it is not valid, it
needs no retraction. If it is valid, it can not be retracted, any more than the
dead can be brought to life. Some of you profess to think its retraction would
operate favorably for the Union. Why better after the retraction, than before
the issue? There was more than a year and a half of trial to suppress the
rebellion before the proclamation issued, the last one hundred days of which
passed under an explicit notice that it was coming, unless averted by those in
revolt, returning to their allegiance. The war has certainly progressed as
favorably for us, since the issue of the proclamation as before . . . You say
you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them seem willing to fight for you;
but, no matter. Fight you, then, exclusively to save the Union . . .”
