In the mere financial or pecuniary view any member of Congress with the census tables and Treasury reports before him can readily see for himself how very soon the current expenditures of this war would purchase, at fair valuation, all the slaves in any named State.
Message to Congress Recommending Compensated Emancipation
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More from Abraham Lincoln
I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding or even considering whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it.
The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse it?
I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.
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