September 22. Monday

A special Cabinet meeting. The subject was the Proclamation for emancipating the slaves after a certain date, in States that should be in rebellion. For several weeks the subject has bee suspended, but never lost sight of. When submitted, and in taking up the Proclamation, the President stated that the question was finally decided, the act and consequences were his, but that he felt it due to us to make us acquainted with the fact and to invite criticism on the paper which he had prepared… In the course of the discussion which was long, earnest, and on the general principle involved, harmonious, he remarked that he had made a vow, a covenant, that if God gave us the victory in the approaching battle, he would consider it an indication of Divine will, and that it was his duty to move forward in the cause of emancipation… God had decided this question in favor of the slaves… Continue reading →