ng our country, are sorely disappointed and
deeply pained by the policy you seem to be pursuing." That Lincoln had
good reason to complain of "an impatient and dictatorial tone" is
sufficiently shown by the closing sentence, "I entreat you to render
hearty and unequivocal obedience to the laws of the land." The
following issue of the _Tribune_ contained a long editorial on the same
subject. The influence of the _Tribune_ in the Northern States was
immense, and Lincoln realized the importance of making a clear
statement of his policy to its readers.

SECOND ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

After a long statement about the conditions of the finances and of the
different departments, the President devoted the remainder of the space
to the discussion of compensated emancipation, on which he had already
made a recommendation earlier in the year in a special message to
Congress. The concluding paragraph is in the elevated style of the
Inaugurals.

THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

The first draft of the Proclamation was submitted to the Cabinet in the
preceding July, with the remark that he had fully determined to issue
it immediately. Secretary Seward suggested that its issue be postponed
until it could be given to the country supported by some military
success. The President saw the force of the suggestion and waited
until after the battle of Antietam. The Preliminary Proclamation was
dated September 22, 1862. In a reply to a serenade two days later the
President said: "I can only trust in God I have made no mistake."

_Upon military necessity_. This phrase was inserted in the concluding
sentence, which had been suggested by Secretary Chase, as furnishing
the only authority by which the President felt that he could free the
slaves of the enemy. The Proclamation did not refer to those slaves
held by persons who were not in rebellion.

LETTER TO J. C. CONKLING.

Mr. Conkling was a personal friend of the President, and the formal
letter was accompanied by the following note:

"MY DEAR CONKLING:

"I cannot leave here now. Herewith is a letter instead. You are one
of the best public readers. I have but one request--read it very
slowly and now God bless you, and all good Union men."

In spite of precautions, the letter was published in the New York
_Evening Post_ several days before the meeting.

I know as fully as one can know. The portion of the paragraph from
these words to the end was not in