ompetency in Congress to abolish slavery in the States"--though
"sincerely hoping at the same time that a constitutional amendment
abolishing slavery in all the States might be adopted." While with
these objections Mr. Lincoln could not approve the bill, he concluded
his proclamation in these words: "Nevertheless I am fully satisfied
with the plan of restoration contained in this bill as one very proper
for the loyal people of any State choosing to adopt it, and I am and at
all times shall be prepared to give executive aid and assistance to any
such people so soon as the military resistance to the United States
shall have been suppressed in any such State and the people thereof
shall have sufficiently returned to their obedience to the Constitution
and Laws of the United States--in which cases military governors will
be appointed with directions to proceed according to the bill."

It must be frankly admitted that Mr. Lincoln's course was in some of
its aspects extraordinary. It met with almost unanimous dissent on
the part of Republican members of Congress, and violent opposition
from the more radical members of both Houses. If Congress had been in
session at the time, a very rancorous hostility would have been
developed against the President. Fortunately the senators and
representatives had returned to their States and districts before the
proclamation was issued, and they found the people united and
enthusiastic in Mr. Lincoln's support. No contest was raised,
therefore, by the great majority of those who had sustained the bill
which the President had refused to approve. The pending struggle for
the Presidency demanded harmony, and by common consent agitation on the
question was abandoned. Two of the ablest, most fearless, most
resolute men then in public life--Senator Wade of Ohio, and
Representative Henry Winter Davis of Maryland--were exceptions to the
general rule of acquiescence. They were respectively the chairmen in
Senate and House of the "Committees on the Rebellious States," and were
primarily and especially responsible for the bill which the President
criticized in his proclamation. They united over their own signatures
in a public "Protest" against the action of Mr. Lincoln. The paper was
prepared by Mr. Davis, which of itself was guaranty that it would be
able, caustic, and unqualified. Mr. Wade was known to be a man of
extraordinary courage, both physical and moral. To these qualities Mr.
Dav