incoln's writings. It came at an opportune time,
and it did much to silence the caviler, to satisfy the doubter,
and to reconcile honest people who sincerely desired the complete
restoration of the Union. Its effect was especially salutary and
satisfying to the soldiers in the field, who, somehow, felt that
the burden of maintaining the Union rested unequally upon them.

Addressing those who were dissatisfied with him, and desired _peace_,
he said:

"You desire peace, and you blame me that we do not have it. But
how can we attain it? There are but three conceivable ways. First,
to suppress the rebellion by force of arms. This I am trying to
do. Are you for it? If you are, so far we are agreed. If you
are not for it, a second way is to give up the Union. I am against
this, Are you for it? If you are, you should say so plainly. If
you are not for force, nor yet for _dissolution_, there only remains
some imaginable _compromise_. I do not believe that any compromise
embracing a maintenance of the Union is now possible."

To those who opposed the Emancipation Proclamation, and desired
its revocation, he said:

"You say it is unconstitutional. I think differently. I think
the Constitution invests its Commander-in-Chief with the law of
war in the time of war. The most that can be said, if so much,
is, that slaves are property. Is there, has there ever been, any
question that by the laws of war, property, both of enemies and
friends, may be taken when needed?"

And further:

"But the Proclamation, as law, either is valid or is not valid.
If it is not valid it needs no retraction. If it is valid it cannot
be retracted, any more than the dead can be brought to life."

And still further:

"You say that you will not fight to free negroes. Some of them
seem willing to fight for you; but no matter. Fight you, then,
exclusively to save the Union. I issued the Proclamation on purpose
to aid you in saving the Union. . . . I thought that whatever
negroes can be got to do as soldiers leaves just so much less for
white soldiers to do in saving the Union.

"The signs look better. The Father of Waters again goes unvexed
to the sea. Thanks to the great Northwest for it; nor yet wholly
to them. Three hundred miles up they met New England, Empire,
Keystone, and Jersey, hewing their way right and left. The sunny
South, too, in more colors than one, also lent a helping hand. On
the spot, their part of the h