CHAPTER XXI

Lincoln and Slavery--Plan for Gradual Emancipation--Anti-Slavery Legislation in 1862--Pressure Brought to Bear on the Executive--The Delegation of Quakers--A Visit from Chicago Clergymen--Interview between Lincoln and Channing--Lincoln and Horace Greeley--The President's Answer to "The Prayer of Twenty Millions of People"--Conference between Lincoln and Greeley--Emancipation Resolved on--The Preliminary Proclamation--Lincoln's Account of It--Preparing for the Final Act--The Emancipation Proclamation--Particulars of the Great Document--Fate of the Original Draft--Lincoln's Outline of His Course and Views Regarding Slavery