Did You Know ??
| On January 12, 1848, Abraham Lincoln from Illinois, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke openly of a state's right to secede, declaring "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better ... This most sacred right, a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world." Many northern leaders also advocated the rights of secession even though they would later fight a war to prevent the Southern states from exercising those rights. With due credit, President Abraham Lincoln made no pretense that his actions in invading the Confederate States of America were legal, constitutional, or even right, for that matter. He simply believed that he must prevent the formation of a new and powerful nation to his Southern border. Lincoln sought to preserve "his view" of the Union. After his victory over the South, there were no treason trials, even though some radicals in Congress wanted them. No one in the Confederacy was ever convicted on charges of treason against the United States. It was determined in 1865, that Man's quest for freedom was not treason. |
| "I am a little uneasy about the abolishment of slavery in this District (of
Columbia)." Abraham Lincoln To Horace Greeley |
| Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, is hereby appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the President of the United States, to aid in the colonization and settlement of such free persons of African descent now residing in said District, including those to be liberated by this act, as may desire to emigrate to the Republics of Hayti or Liberia, or such other country beyond the limits of the United States as the President may determine: Provided, The expenditure for this purpose shall not exceed one hundred dollars for each emigrant.
Approved, April 16, 1862. |