Page:Cambridge Modern History Volume 7.djvu/617

 1861-2] Lincoln leans to gradual emancipation. 685 Cameron to have the report reprinted, and the radical proposition omitted from it. Lincoln with wise forethought was already measuring the hot political conflict of views as to slavery entertained by men who were equally sincere and equally loyal in support of the Administration and the war, and was determined not to be led by either extreme, but to maintain a position from which he might control both. Giving the subject a very limited and prudent discussion in his annual message sent to Congress on December 3, 1861, he carefully laid down the following proposition one to which the most stubborn conservative could not object, while at the same time it left a free field for the most radical action to which the exigences of war might compel him to resort "The Union must be preserved; and hence all indis- pensable means must be employed. We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable." He had already in his own mind framed a moderate but effectual policy upon which he hoped to reconcile and unite the opposing views of sincere and honest men. This was to initiate a system of gradual emancipation, with compensation to the owners of slaves. In the State of Delaware, where the total population was small, and slave labour un- profitable, there remained less than 1800 bondmen. The election of a Republican member of Congress from that State seemed also to indicate a condition of public opinion favourable to such a reform ; Lincoln therefore drafted a bill providing for the payment of $400 for each slave, in consideration of which all slaves in Delaware should become free in graduated classes within 31 years. The President entrusted his scheme to the representative of that State in Congress ; and the latter under- took to commend it to his political friends, and secure that the bill should be passed by the Delaware legislature. If such a measure could be passed, the President next hoped to interest the State of Maryland in a similar project, since there also the number of slaves had fallen to about 87,000, or the ratio of 1 in 8 of population. The District of Columbia, with about 3000 slaves, could be freed by action of Congress; and Missouri and Kentucky might next be appealed to with good prospect, if so much progress were once made. But the President had counted upon too much wisdom and patriotism in the local statesmen of Delaware. Her parliament of 9 senators and 21 representatives contained a majority whose zeal for slavery was in inverse proportion to the material interest of the State in the institution. They scornfully repelled what they stigmatised as a bribe, and declared haughtily that Delaware would not consent by accepting government bonds to guarantee the credit of the United States. The prejudiced opposition of the legislature of Delaware doubtless discouraged Lincoln from making any appeal to the law-makers of CH. XVIII.