To Hon. James Robb, I. N. Arnold, and others of the Committee.
THE ISSUES OF THE WAR.
Dedication of a New Edition of the Speech on the Barbarism of Slavery,[152] July 4, 1863.
To the Young Men of the United States I dedicate this new Edition of a Speech on the Barbarism of Slavery, in Token of heartfelt Gratitude to them for brave and patriotic Service rendered in the present War for Civilization.
It is now more than three years since I deemed it my duty, in the Senate, to expose the Barbarism of Slavery. This phrase, though common now, was new then. The speech was a reply, strict and logical, to assumptions of Senators, asserting the “divine origin” of Slavery, its “ennobling” character, and that it was the “black marble keystone” of our national arch. Listening to these assumptions, which were of daily recurrence, I felt that they ought to be answered; and considering their effrontery, it seemed to me that they should be answered frankly and openly, by exhibiting Slavery as it really is, without reserve,—careful that I should “nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.” This I did.
In that debate was joined the issue still pending in the Trial by Battle. The inordinate assumptions for Slavery naturally ripened in Rebellion and War. If Slavery were in reality all that was claimed by its representatives, they must have failed in duty, if they did not vindicate and advance it. Not easily could they see a thing so “divine” and so “ennobling,” constituting the “black marble keystone” of our national arch, discredited by popular vote, even if not yet consigned to sacrifice.
The election of Mr. Lincoln was a judgment against Slavery, and its representatives were aroused.