Chapter 21

Elections of 1862.--Mr. Lincoln advances to Aggressive Position on Slavery.--Second Session of Thirty-seventh Congress adjourns.-- Democratic Hostility to Administration.--Democratic State Conventions. --Platforms in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.--Nomination of Horatio Seymour for Governor of New York.--The President prepares for a Serious Political Contest.--The Issue shall be the Union or Slavery.--Conversation with Mr. Boutwell.--Proclamation of Emancipation.--Meeting of Governors at Altoona.--Compensated Emancipation proposed for Border States.--Declined by their Senators and Representatives.--Anti-slavery Policy apparently Disastrous for a Time.--October Elections Discouraging.--General James S. Wadsworth nominated against Mr. Seymour.--Illinois votes against the President.--Five Leading States against the President.-- Administration saved in Part by Border States.--Last Session of Thirty-seventh Congress.--President urges Compensated Emancipation again.--Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863.--Long Controversy over Question of Compensation for Slaves.--Test Case of Missouri. --Fourteen Million Dollars offered her.--General Pope's Campaign. --Army of the Potomac.--Battle of Antietam.--McClellan removed.-- Burnside succeeds him.--Defeat at Fredericksburg.--Hooker succeeds Burnside.--General Situation.--Arming of Slaves.--Habeas Corpus.-- Conscription Law.--Depressed and Depressing Period.