We the slave, we assure freedom to the free-honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. shall nobly save, or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth." LETTER TO CUTHBERT BULLITT, "I shall not do more than I can, but I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing." IN AN ADDRESS TO SENATORS AND "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." "I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. "I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they are shown to be true views." RELATING TO THE UNION MEN OF WEST VIRGINIA, DEC. 31, 1862. "It is said, the devil takes care of his own. Much more should a good spirit-the spirit of the Constitution and the Union-take care of its own. I think it cannot do less and live." LETTER TO REVERDY JOHNSON, "I am a patient man-always willing to forgive on the Christian terms of repentance, and also to give ample time for repentance. Still, I must save this government, if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not surrender this game leaving any available card unplayed." REPLY TO THE WORKINGMEN OF LONDON, ENG., FEB. 2, 1863. "The resources, advantages and powers of the American people are very great, and they have consequently succeeded to equally great responsibilities. It seems to have devolved upon them to test whether a government established on the principles of human freedom can be maintained against an effort to build one upon the exclusive foundation of human bondage." LETTER TO THE WORKINGMen of MANCHESTER, ENG., FEB. 9, 1863. "When I came, on the 4th of March, 1861, through a free and constitutional election, to preside in the government of the United States, the country was found on the verge of civil war. Whatever might have been the cause, or whosoever at fault, one duty, paramount to all others, was before me, namely, to maintain and preserve at once the Constitution and the integrity of the Federal Republic. A conscientious purpose to perform this duty is the key of all the measures of administration which have been and to all which shall hereafter be pursued. Under our form of government, and my official oath, I could not depart from the purpose if I would. |