Let the States which are in rebellion see definitely and certainly that in no event will the States you represent ever join their proposed confederacy, and they cannot much longer maintain the contest.
Message of Appeal to Border-State Representatives in Favor of Compensated Emancipation
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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.
If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.
Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps towards it, than by running backward over them?
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.
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