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XXVII.
There was one marked element of
Mr. Lincoln's character admirably expressed by
the Hon. Mr. Colfax, in his oration at
Chicago upon his death: “When his judgment, which acted slowly, but which was almost as immovable as the eternal hills when settled, was grasping some subject of importance, the arguments against his own desires seemed uppermost in his mind, and, in conversing upon it, he would present those arguments to see if they could be rebutted.”
In illustration of this, it is only necessary to recall the fact that the interview between himself and the
Chicago delegation of clergymen, appointed to urge upon him the issue of a proclamation of emancipation, took place September 13, 1862, more than a month after he had declared to the
Cabinet his established purpose to take this step.
He said to this committee: “I do not want to issue a document that the whole world will see must necessarily be inoperative, like the
Pope's bull against the comet!”
After drawing out their views upon the subject, he concluded the interview with these memorable words:--
“Do not misunderstand me, because I have mentioned these objections.
They indicate the difficulties which have thus far prevented my action in some such way as you desire.
I have not decided against a proclamation of liberty to the slaves, but ”
