File:Abraham Lincoln; a history (1890) (14576047900) (3x4a).jpg

Identifier: abrahamlincolnhi03nicol (find matches)
Title: Abraham Lincoln; a history
Year: 1890 (1890s)
Authors: Nicolay, John G. (John George), 1832-1901 Hay, John, 1838-1905
Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 United States -- History Civil War, 1861-1865
Publisher: New York : The Century Co.
Contributing Library: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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fidentialinterview, the details of which have never beenrevealed, he gave the objectionable draft of hisreply to the Secretary of State, with liberty tomake all changes and amendments which in hisukn/i7. opinion might be necessary. It was the Presi-dents virtual abdication. Mr. Black hurried to the ofiice of the Attorney-G-eneral, and there in the presence of Mr. Stanton,and doubtless with his advice and suggestion, wroteout a detailed and methodical memorandum, cov-ering the points at variance. It is a strong andpatriotic paper, and had it been adopted by theExecutive as the key-note of his annual message,and enforced promptly by the army and navy,the rebellion might never have reached its finalproportions. It not only deprecated any expression of regretthat the commissioners should suspend negotia-tions, but roundly denied the right of South Caro-lina to send any such officials or agents. Itstated that the Charleston forts belonged to theGovernment, and could not be made the subject
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ISAAC TOUCEY. THE CABINET EEGIME 81 Chap. VI of any adjustment or arrangement, but must bemaintained by the power of the nation. On thesubject of the Presidents pledge it asserted withvigor that, it deeply concerns the Presidentsreputation that he should contradict this state-ment, since if it be undenied it puts him in theattitude of an executive officer who voluntarilydisarms himself of the power to perform his duty,and ties up his hands so that he cannot, withoutbreaking his word, preserve, protect, and defendthe Constitution and see the laws faithfully exe-cuted. The definition of coercion containedin this memorandum, when compared with thesame writers employment of the word in hisfamous opinion of November 20 1860, is a burstof patriotic sunlight: The words coercing a State by force of arms to remainin the confederacy — a power which I do not beHeve theConstitution has conferred on Congress—ought certainlynot to be retained. They are too vague, and might have theeffect (which

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