820]

[Footnote 819: New York _Tribune_, July 30, 1862.]

[Footnote 820: _Ibid._, August 4.]

When the _Times_, an exponent of the Conservatives, defended the
Administration's policy with the declaration that slaves were used as
fast as obtained,[821] the _Tribune_ minimized the intelligence of its
editor. "Consider," it said, "the still unmodified order of McDowell,
issued a full year ago, forbidding the harbouring of negroes within
our lines. Consider Halleck's order, now nine months old and still
operative, forbidding negroes to come within our lines at all.
McClellan has issued a goodly number of orders and proclamations, but
not one of them offers protection and freedom to such slaves of rebels
as might see fit to claim them at his hands. His only order bearing
upon their condition and prospects is that which expelled the
Hutchinsons from his camp for the crime of singing anti-slavery
songs."[822]

[Footnote 821: New York _Times_, July 17, 1862.]

[Footnote 822: New York _Tribune_, July 19, 1862.]

The dominant sentiment in Congress reflected the feeling of the
Radicals, and under the pressure of McClellan's reverses before
Richmond, the House, on July 11, and the Senate on the following day,
passed the Confiscation Act, freeing forever the slaves of rebel
owners whenever within control of the Government. The Administration's
failure to enforce this act in the spirit and to the extent that
Congress intended, finally brought out the now historic "Prayer of
Twenty Millions"--an editorial signed by Horace Greeley and addressed
to Abraham Lincoln. It charged the President with being disastrously
remiss in the discharge of his official duty and unduly influenced by
the menaces of border slave State politicians. It declared that the
Union was suffering from timid counsels and mistaken deference to
rebel slavery; that all attempts to put down rebellion and save
slavery are preposterous and futile; and that every hour of obeisance
to slavery is an added hour of deepened peril to the Union. In
conclusion, he entreated the Chief Executive to render hearty and
unequivocal obedience to the law of the land.[823]

[Footnote 823: _Ibid._, August 20.

Lincoln's reply appeared in the _National Intelligencer_ of
Washington. He said in part: "I would save the Union. If there be
those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time
save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would
not save