Lincoln on Democracy

"THE NEW RECKONING"

Lincoln and Democracy, 1863-1865 309 [A lieutenant, whom debts compelled to leave his fatherland and service, succeeded in being admitted to the late President Lincoln, and, by reason of his commendable and winning deportment and intelligent appearance, was promised a lieutenant's commission in a cavalry regiment . He was so enraptured with his success, that he deemed it a duty to inform the President that he belonged to one of the oldest noble houses in Germany.] "0, never mind that," said Mr. Lincoln; "you will not find that to be an obstacle to your advancement." "THE NEW RECKONING" From the Annual Message to Congress [DECEMBER 8, 1863] Lincoln devoted part ofhis third annual message to Congress to detailing the progress his administration had made toward ending slavery. He seemed particularly proud that even among border states like Maryland, hitherto rigidly opposed even to restraining "the extension ofslavery, " the only dispute now centered on "the best mode of removing" slavery altogether . In the sections that follow, Lincoln reiterated that he would never renege on the Emancipation Proclamation; proposed that an oath to obey the proclamation be included in any plan to re-admit rebel states into the Union; defended the use offreed blacks in the Union armed forces; and argued that military force was still needed to restore democracy. One Southern newspaper reacted by branding Lincoln a "Yankee monster of inhumanity andfalsehood, " but the President's private secretary reported that the message was ecstatically received in Congress, where "men acted as if the millennium had come." Of those who were slaves at the beginning of the rebellion, full one hundred thousand are now in the United States military service, about one-half of which number actually bear arms in the ranks; thus giving . the double advantage oftaking so much labor from the insurgent cause, 310 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY and supplying the places which otherwise must be filled with so many white men. So far as tested, it is difficult to say they are not as good soldiers as any. No servile insurrection, or tendency to violence or cruelty, has marked the measures of emancipation and arming the blacks. These measures have been much discussed in foreign countries, and contemporary with such discussion the tone of public sentiment there is much improved. At home the same measures have been fully discussed, supported, criticised, and denounced, and the annual elections following are highly encouraging to those whose official duty it is to bear the country through this great trial. Thus we have the new reckoning. The crisis which threatened to divide the friends of the Union is past. An attempt to guaranty and protect a revived State government, constructed in whole, or in preponderating part, from the very element against whose hostility and violence it is to be protected, is simply absurd. There must be a test by which to separate the opposing elements , so as to build only from the sound; and that test is a sufficiently liberal one, which accepts as sound whoever will make a sworn recantation of his former unsoundness. But if it be proper to require, as a test of admission to the political body, an oath ofallegiance to the Constitution ofthe United States, and to the Union under it, why also to the laws and proclamations in regard to slavery? Those laws and proclamations were enacted and put forth for the purpose of aiding in the suppression of the rebellion. To give them their fullest effect, there had to be a pledge for their maintenance. In my judgment they have aided, and will further aid, the cause for which they were intended. To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish a lever ofpower, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith. I may add at this point, that while I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress. For these and other reasons it is thought best that support of these measures shall be included in the oath; and it is believed the Executive may lawfully claim it in return for pardon and restoration of forfeited rights, which he has clear constitutional power to withhold altogether, Lincoln and Democracy, 1863-1865 311 or grant upon...