Kurzbeschreibung von: Abraham Lincoln

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3On the 7th of July, 1862, he wrote a long letter of advice to President Lincoln, in which he told him that he thought the war should not look to the subjugation of the people of any State, textit{in any event. That there should be no confiscation, no forcible abolition of slavery. In the middle of 1862, the events of the war having gone from bad to worse, Mr. Lincoln began to think that he must "change his tactics, or lose his game." Under these circumstances he prepared his original proclamation of emancipation, without consulting his cabinet or giving them any intimation of what he was doing. In the latter part of July, or early in August, he called a cabinet meeting, and all were present except Mr. Blair, who arrived in time for business, but none of them knew the object of the meeting. After all were ready for business, there was a delay. Mr. Lincoln was about to inaugurate the crowning act of his life, and he took his own way of doing it. The pressure upon his mind had wrought it up to a high key. He took from a shelf a copy of "Artemus Ward His Book," and read an entire chapter of its drollery, laughing so heartily at its contents that some of his dignified advisers were more pained than amused. On olosing the trifling volume, the whole manner of the President changed instantly, and rising to a grandeur of demeanor that inspired all with profound respect akin to awe, he announced to his cabinet the object of the meeting. He had written a Proclamation of Emancipation, and had determined to issue it; therefore, he had not called them together to ask their advice upon the main question, as he had determined that for himself. He wished to inform them of his purpose, and receive such suggestions upon minor points as they might be moved textit{to make. Mr. Chase wished the language stronger with regard t...