r, and the nation as buyer, to sell out and buy out that
without which the war could never have been, than to sink both the
thing to be sold and the price of it in cutting one another's
throats!... I do not speak of emancipation _at once_, but of a
_decision_ to emancipate _gradually_.... Upon these considerations
I have again begged your attention to the message of March last.
Before leaving the capital, consider and discuss it among
yourselves. You are patriots and statesmen, and as such I pray you
consider this proposition, and at the least commend it to the
consideration of your States and people. As you would perpetuate
popular government for the best people in the world, I beseech you
that you do in nowise omit this. Our common country is in great
peril, demanding the loftiest views and boldest action to bring a
speedy relief. Once relieved, its form of government is saved to
the world, its beloved history and cherished memories are
vindicated, and its happy future fully assured and rendered
inconceivably grand. To you, more than any others, the privilege is
given to assure that happiness and swell that grandeur, and to link
your own names therewith forever.

In an interview with Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Arnold, of Illinois, the day
following this conference, Lincoln exclaimed: "Oh, how I wish the
border States would accept my proposition! Then you, Lovejoy, and you,
Arnold, and all of us, would not have lived in vain! The labor of your
life, Lovejoy, would be crowned with success. You would live to see the
end of slavery."

The first occasion on which the President definitely discussed
emancipation plans with members of his Cabinet, according to Secretary
Welles, was on the 13th of July, 1862. On that day, says Mr. Welles,
"President Lincoln invited me to accompany him in his carriage to the
funeral of an infant child of Mr. Stanton. Secretary Seward and Mrs.
Frederick Seward were also in the carriage. Mr. Stanton occupied at that
time for a summer residence the house of a naval officer, some two or
three miles west or northwest of Georgetown. It was on this occasion and
on this ride that he first mentioned to Mr. Seward and myself the
subject of emancipating the slaves by proclamation in case the Rebels
did not cease to persist in their war on the Government and the Union,
of which he saw no evidence. He dwelt earnestly on the