Lincoln on Democracy

"THE TIME HAS COME Now"

Lincoln and Liberty, 1862-1863 255 thing different from the purpose of either party-and yet human instrumentalities , working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose. I am almost ready to say this is probably true-that God wills this contest, and wills that it shall not end yet. By this mere quiet power, on the minds ofthe now contestants, He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds. "THE TIME HAS COME Now" Remarks at Cabinet Meeting, the White House [SEPTEMBER 22, 1862] On September 17, Union forces turned back the Confederate army at Antietam. At a cabinet meeting jive days later, after reading aloud a chapterfrom a humorous book, Lincoln told his ministers he intended to issue an Emancipation Prociamationforthwith. The remarks ofthe President that follow were recorded by Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase. Another cabinet diarist, Navy Secretary Gideon Welles, remembered Lincoln saying he "made a vow, a covenant, that if God gave us victory in the approaching battle, he would consider it an indicator of God's will," adding: "God decided the question in favor of the slaves. " Gentlemen: I have, as you are aware, thought a great deal about the relation ofthis war to Slavery; and you all remember that, several weeks ago, I read to you an Order I had prepared on this subject, which, on account of objections made by some of you, was not issued. Ever since then, my mind has been much occupied with this subject, and I have thought all along that the time for acting on it might very probably come. I think the time has come now. I wish it were a better time. I wish that we were in a better condition. The action of the army against 256 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY the rebels has not been quite what I should have best liked. But they have been driven out of Maryland, and Pennsylvania is no longer in danger of invasion. When the rebel army was at Frederick, I determined , as soon as it should be driven out of Maryland, to issue a Proclamation of Emancipation such as I thought most likely to be useful. I said nothing to anyone; but I made the promise to myself, and (hesitating a little)-to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am going to fulfill that promise. I have got you together to hear what I have written down. I do not wish your advice about the main matter-for that I have determined for myself. This I say without intending any thing but respect for anyone of you. But I already know the views ofeach on this question. They have been heretofore expressed, and I have considered them as thoroughly and carefully as I can. What I have written is that which my reflections have determined me to say. If there is anything in the expressions I use, or in any other minor matter, which anyone of you thinks had best be changed, I shall be glad to receive the suggestions. One other observation I will make. I know very well that many others might, in this matter, as in others, do better than I can; and if I were satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed by anyone of them than by me, and knew of any Constitutional way in which he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly yield it to him. But though I believe that I have not so much of the confidence of the people as I had some time since, I do not know that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, however this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other man put where I am. I am here. I must do the best I can, and bear the responsibility of taking the course which I feel I ought to take. ...