Abraham Lincoln: “The expediency of any legislation upon the subject is submitted for your consideration.”

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

All dreaded it,--all sought to avert it.

As a general rule I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do issue this my proclamation, as required by said act, ordering and requiting all deserters to return to their proper posts;