CHANGE THE QUESTION BEFORE THE PUBLIC FROM ONE UPON SLAVERY, OR
 ABOUT SLAVERY, for a question upon UNION OR DISUNION.

 In other words, from what would be regarded as a party question, to
 one of Patriotism or Union.

The occupation or evacuation of Fort Sumter, although not in fact a slavery or a party question, is so regarded.  Witness the temper manifested by the Republicans in the free States, and even by the Union men in the South.

 I would therefore terminate it as a safe means for changing the
 issue.  I deem it fortunate that the last administration created the
 necessity.

For the rest, I would simultaneously defend and reinforce all the ports in the Gulf, and have the navy recalled from foreign stations to be prepared for a blockade.  Put the island of Key West under martial law.

 This will raise distinctly the question of Union or Disunion.  I
 would maintain every fort and possession in the South.

 FOR FOREIGN NATIONS.

 I would demand explanations from Spain and France, categorically,
 at once.

I would seek explanations from Great Britain and Russia, and send agents into Canada, Mexico, and Central America, to rouse a vigorous continental spirit of independence on this continent against European intervention.

 And, if satisfactory explanations are not received from Spain and
 France,

 Would convene Congress and declare war against them.

 But whatever policy we adopt, there must be an energetic
 prosecution of it.

 For this purpose it must be somebody’s business to pursue and
 direct it incessantly.

 Either the President must do it himself, and be all the while
 active in it, or

 Devolve it on some member of his cabinet.  Once adopted, debates on
 it must end, and all agree and abide.

 It is not in my especial province.

 But I neither seek to evade nor assume responsibility.]

A month has elapsed, and the administration has neither a domestic nor a foreign policy.  The administration must at once adopt and carry out a novel, radical, and aggressive policy.  It must cease saying a word about slavery, and raise a great outcry about Union.  It must declare war against France and Spain, and combine and organize all the governments of North and South America in a crusade to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.  This policy once adopted, it must be the business of some one incessantly to pursue it.  “It is not in my especial province,” wrote Mr. Seward; “but I neither seek to evade nor assume responsibility.”  This phrase, which is a key to the whole memorandum, enables the reader easily to translate its meaning into something like the following: 

After a month’s trial, you, Mr. Lincoln, are a failure as President.  The country is in desperate straits, and must use a desperate remedy.  That remedy is to submerge the South Carolina insurrection in a continental war.  Some new man must take the executive helm, and wield the undivided presidential authority.  I should have been nominated at Chicago, and elected in November, but am willing to take your place and perform your duties.