How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia, Tuesday, September 23, 1862. Printed newspaper. Folio. 8 pp. Disbound; old crease from when folded; scattered spotting; three-inch closed tear in top left edge.

In the summer of 1862, New-York Tribune editor Horace Greeley published a scathing editorial entitled “The Prayer of Twenty Millions,” which harshly criticized President Abraham Lincoln for what Greeley viewed as his not being aggressive enough in defeating the Confederacy and freeing the slaves within its borders. At one point, the fiercely abolitionist editor wrote, “We complain that you…elected as a Republican, knowing full well what an abomination Slavery is…seem never to interfere with its atrocities, and never give a direction to your military subordinates…”

Lincoln, who had spent the last few months secretly drafting a preliminary proclamation formally emancipating all slaves in Confederate-held territories, was nonetheless incensed by Greeley’s editorial. Wanting to keep his cards close to his vest, Lincoln’s response as published in the Tribune on August 22, 1862 forcefully asserted, “If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” 

The preliminary draft was first read to the cabinet on July 13, and many expressed horror at the idea, believing that emancipating at such a fragile moment in the conflict would either signal weakness or attract additional foreign support for the Confederacy. It was agreed that such a proclamation could be issued only following a major Union victory, which finally came on September 17 with the Confederate defeat at Antietam. Five days later, Lincoln convened his cabinet and announced that he would be issuing the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, saying that "I made a solemn vow before God, that if General Lee was driven back from Pennsylvania, I would crown the result by the declaration of freedom to the slaves."