...of the government, I retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that " while I remain in my present position...who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or 5 by any of the acts of Congress." If the people should, by whatever mode or means, make it an executive...

...part, I think I shall not, in any event, retract the emancipation proclamation: nor, as executive, ever return to slavery any person who is free by the terms...proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress. " If Louisiana shall send members to Congress, their admission will depend, as you know, upon the respective...

...emancipation, there he remained firm and steadfast. In the message referred to he said: "I shall not retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor...person who is free by the terms of that proclamation. If the people should make it an executive duty to re-enslave such persons, another, and not I, must...

...lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith. I may add, at this point that, while I remain in my present position, I shall...that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress. For these and other reasons it is thought best that support of these measures shall be included in...

...pledged to his position on slavery, for had he not said in his message to Congress in December before: "If the people should, by whatever mode or means, make it an executive duty to reënslave such persons, another, and not I. must be their instrument to perform it"? Under such a...

...lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astonishing breach of faith. I may add, at this point, that while I remain in my present position I shall...Emancipation Proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any per14 Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln, p. 60. 15 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol....

...lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astonishing breach of faith. I may add, at this point, that while I remain in my present position I shall...Emancipation Proclamation; nor shall I return to slavery any per14 Personal Recollections of Abraham Lincoln, p. 60. 19 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol....

...lever of power, but would also be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith. I may add at this point that while I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emanc1pation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that...

...Army; and in discussing the proclamation of freedom he made the famous declaration that he would never "return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation." He referred very briefly, but earnestly, to his favorite proposition for compensation to "the states...

...Army; and in discussing the proclamation of freedom he made the famous declaration that he would never "return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation." He referred very briefly, but earnestly, to his favorite proposition for compensation to "the states...