But why pat on the back the slaveholder of Maryland and strike at the slaveholder of South Carolina?
Lincoln
Because Maryland is loyal to the Union, and South Carolina is fighting it. My Proclamation was not a sermon on the rights of man—black or white. It was an act of war—a blow aimed at the heart of the seceding South to break its wealth and power, end the war, and save the Union. I know the spell of State loyalty in the South, gentlemen. I was born there. Many a mother in Richmond wept the day our flag fell from their Capitol. But they brushed their tears away and sent their sons to the front the next day, to fight that flag—in the name of Virginia! So would thousands of mothers in these border slave states, if I put them to the test. In God's own time slavery will be destroyed. I have saved these states for our cause by conciliation and compromise. I will not apologize for this act.
[He lifts his hand to stop interruption.]
My paramount object is to save the Union, and not, either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union, without freeing a 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. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save this Union!
[Pauses and faces his accusers.]
I'll test this question right here—will the three Committeemen from Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland stand up for a minute?
[The three Committeemen rise.]
Will the gentleman from Kentucky tell me what would have been the effect if I had included his state in my proclamation freeing the slaves——?
The Kentucky Committeeman