Abraham Lincoln said...

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, have considered it to be my duty to issue this my proclamation, decl...

He thought this measure was a very fitting if not an indispensable adjunct to the winding up of the great difficulty.

But that proclamation falls far short of what the amendment will be when fully consummated.

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, in accordance with the recommendation of the Secretary of...