The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2. Page: 890
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CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
knowledge of recent improvements in agriculture, in the introduction
of new products, and in the collection of the agricultural statistics of
the different States; also that it will soon be prepared to distribute
largely seeds, cereals, plants, and cuttings, and has already published
and liberally diffused much valuable information in anticipation of a
more elaborate report, which will in due time be furnished, embrac-
ing some valuable tests in chemical science now in progress in the
laboratory.
The creation of this Department was for the more immediate benefit
of a large class of our most valuable citizens, and I trust that the lib-
eral basis upon which it has been organized will not only meet your
approbation, but that it will realize at no distant day all the fondest
anticipations of its most sanguine friends and become the fruitful
source of advantage to all our people.
On the 22d day of September last a proclamation was issued by the
Executive, a copy of which is herewith submitted. *
In accordance with the purpose expressed in the second paragraph
of that paper, I now respectfully recall your attention-to what may be
called "''compensated emancipation."
A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its
laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability.
"One generation passeth away and another generation cometh, but
the earth abideth forever." It is of the first importance to duly con-
sider and estimate this ever-enduring part. That portion of the
earth's surface which is owned and inhabited by the people of the
United States is well adapted to be the home of one national family,
and it is not well adapted for two or more.
Its vast extent and its variety of climate and productions are of
advantage in this age for one people, whatever they might have been
in former ages. Steam, - telegraphs, and intelligence have brought
these to be an advantageous combination for one united people.
In the inaugural address I briefly pointed out the total inadequacy
of disunion as a remedy for the differences between the people of the
two sections. I did so in language which I cannot improve, and
which, therefore, I beg to repeat:
One section of our country believes slavery is right and ought to be extended,
while the other believes it is wrong and ought not to be extended. This is the only
substantial dispute. The fugitive slave clause of the Constitution and the law for
the suppression of the foreign slave trade are each as well enforced, perhaps, as any
law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people, imperfectly
supports the law itself. The great body of the people abide by the dry legal obliga-
tion in both cases and a few break over in each. This, I think, cannot be perfectly
cured; and it would be worse in both cases after the separation of the sections than
before. The foreign slave trade, now imperfectly suppressed, would be ultimately
revived without restriction in one section; while fugitive slaves, now only partially
surrendered, would not be surrendered at all by the other.
Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sec-
tions from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and
wife may be divorced and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other;
but the different parts of our country cannot do this. They cannot but remain face
to face; and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them. Is
it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory
after separation than before Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make
laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws can among
friends ? Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always ; and when, after much loss
on both sides and no gain on either, you cease fighting, the identical old questions
as to terms of intercourse are again upon you.
There is no line, straight or crooked, suitable for a national bound-
ary upon which to divide. Trace through, from east to west, upon
* Embodied in General Orders, No. 139, p. 584.890
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 3, Volume 2. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 3, Volume 2.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2., book, 1899; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139264/m1/899/?rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.