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
Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.
If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.
I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others.
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