thout freeing a slave, I
would do it. And if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would
do it. And if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone,
I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I
do because I believe it _helps to save this Union_!

[_Pauses and faces his accusers._]

I'll test this question right here--will the three Committeemen from
Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland stand up for a minute?

[_The three Committeemen rise._]

Will the gentleman from Kentucky tell me what would have been the
effect if I had included his state in my proclamation freeing the
slaves----?

THE KENTUCKY COMMITTEEMAN

The state would have seceded from the Union, sir.

LINCOLN

Just so, and in Missouri?

THE MISSOURI COMMITTEEMAN

The Legislature would have joined the Confederacy within twenty-four
hours.

LINCOLN

And Maryland----?

THE MARYLAND COMMITTEEMAN

Maryland would have promptly cut the railroads leading into Washington,
isolated the Capital and joined the South.

LINCOLN

And with the loss of our Capital, Europe, eager to strike, would have
recognized the Confederacy, would they not?

THE MARYLAND COMMITTEEMAN

Undoubtedly, sir----

LINCOLN

So I hold----

THE MARYLAND COMMITTEEMAN

Our State believed you when you said in your Inaugural: "I have no
purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of
slavery in the states where it exists!"

LINCOLN

Then you three gentlemen, at least, are with me on this issue?

ALL THREE

Yes--! Yes--! Yes--!

LINCOLN

I thought so----

[_To Raymond._]

What next?

RAYMOND

Your plan to _colonize_ the Negro race as expressed in your Proclamation
of Emancipation and in the bill which you have had passed through
Congress has hurt your best friends----

LINCOLN

And why should it? My views on that subject were known to all men
before you nominated me first in Chicago, four years ago. I said then
that I believed there is a sharp physical difference between the white
and black