constant opposition, that prevailed in the end, and
with a decisiveness that proves it to have been feasible
and sound from the beginning. Mr. Lincoln’s
most ultra prescription—his Emancipation
Proclamation—was ineffective. If it
was intended to eradicate slavery altogether, it was
too narrow; if to free the slaves of Rebels only,
it was too broad. So with his other propositions.
His thirty-seven-year-liberation scheme, his “tinkering
off” policy (as he called it) for Missouri, his
reconstruction proposals, and his colonization projects,
all failed. Indeed, if we take his official action
from first to last, it is a question whether the President,
owing to his extreme conservatism, was not more of
an obstructionist than a promoter of the Anti-Slavery
cause.
Not that any change of opinion on the point just stated
will materially affect the general estimate in which
Mr. Lincoln is held. Although his popularity,
due, in part at least, to the extravagance of over-zealous
admirers, has without much doubt already passed its
perihelion, it can never disappear or greatly diminish.
His untiring and exhaustive labors for the Union,
the many lovable traits of his unique personality,
his unquestionable honesty, his courage, his patriotism,
and, above all, his tragic taking off, have unalterably
determined his place in the regard of his countrymen.
Indeed, so strong is the admiration in which he is
held, that it would be vain to attempt to disabuse
many, by any amount of proof and argument, of the
opinion that African slavery in this country was actually
and exclusively killed by a presidential edict.
So firmly fixed in the popular belief is that historical
myth that it will undoubtedly live for many years,
if not generations, although history in the end will
right it like all other misunderstandings.
Mr. Lincoln had his weaknesses and limitations, like
other men. All must admit that his treatment
of the slavery question was not without its mistakes.
It has always seemed to the writer that his most ardent
admirers seriously blunder in claiming superlativeness
for him in that regard, and more especially in giving
him credit for results that were due to the efforts
of other men. His fame is secure without such
misappropriation. He would not ask it if living,
and it will in due time be condemned by history.
CHAPTER XIX
THE END OF ABOLITIONISM
The original and distinctive Abolition movement that
was directed against slavery in all parts of the land
without regard to State or territorial lines, and
because it was assumed to be wrong in principle and
practice, may be said, as far as the country at large
was concerned, to have culminated at the advent of
the Republican party. To a considerable extent
it disappeared, but its disappearance was that of
one stream flowing into or uniting with another.
The union of the two currents extended, but did not
