Lincoln on Democracy

"PLAIN As A TURNPIKE ROAD"

Lincoln and Union, 1861 199 Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon that basis? Ifit can, I will consider myself one of the happiest men in the world if I can help to save it. If it can't be saved upon that principle, it will be truly awful. But, ifthis country cannot be saved without giving up that principle-I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than to surrender it. (Applause.) Now, in my view of the present aspect of affairs, there is no need of bloodshed and war. There is no necessity for it. I am not in favor of such a course, and I may say in advance, there will be no blood shed unless it be forced upon the Government. The Government will not use force unless force is used against it. (Prolonged applause and cries of "That's the proper sentiment.") My friends, this is a wholly unprepared speech. I did not expect to be called upon to say a word when I came here-I supposed I was merely to do something towards raising a flag. I may, therefore, have said something indiscreet, (cries of "no, no"), but I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, in the pleasure of Almighty God, die by. "PLAIN As A TURNPIKE ROAD" Informal Remarks to Delegates to the Peace Conference, Willard's Hotel, Washington [FEBRUARY 23, 1861] On his first night in Washington, the President-elect received delegates from a conference organized "to bring back the cotton states that had already begun seceding." Years later, Lucius Crittenden, a delegate from Vermont, recalled the statements Lincoln made to a disgruntled Virginian . My course is as plain as a turnpike road. It is marked out by the Constitution. I am in no doubt which way to go. Suppose now we all 200 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY stop discussing and try the experiment of obedience to the Constitution and the laws. Don't you think it would work? Your slaves have been returned, yes, from the shadow ofFaneuil Hall in the heart of Boston. Our people do not like the work, I know. They will do what the law commands, but they will not volunteer to act as tip-staves or bum-bailiffs [contemptuous slang for constables and deputies -eds.]. The instinct is natural to the race. Is it not true ofthe South? Would you join in the pursuit of a fugitive slave if you could avoid it? Is such the work of gentlemen? We do maintain the freedom of the press-we deem it necessary to a free government. Are we peculiar in that respect? Is not the same doctrine held in the South? If I shall ever come to the great office of President of the United States, I shall take an oath. I shall swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, of all the United States, and that I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution ofthe United States. This is a great and solemn duty. With the support of the people and the assistance of the Almighty I shall undertake to perform it. I have full faith that I shall perform it. It is not the Constitution as I would like to have it, but as it is, that is to be defended. The Constitution will not be preserved and defended until it is enforced and obeyed in every part ofeveryone ofthe United States. It must be so respected, obeyed, enforced, and defended, let the grass grow where it may. In a choice of evils, war may not always be the worst. Still I would do all in my power to avert it, except to neglect a Constitutional duty. As to slavery, it must be content with what it has. The voice of the civilized world is against it; it is opposed to its growth or extension. Freedom is the natural condition of the human race, in which the Almighty intended men to live. Those who fight the purposes of the Almighty will not succeed. They always have been, they always will be, beaten. ...