The Atlanta Journal Constitution Presents
The Atlanta Constitution
August 21, 1864
VOL. 5 - No. 21 (235)
"Front Page" 

Lincoln Pays Tribute To Negro Troops

Washington -- 

Twice this week, President Lincoln spelled out his posture on key issues:  Once, in a letter to C. d. Robinson, editor of the Green Bay Wis.) Advocate (On Wednesday) and, secondly, in a White House interview with First Asst. Postmaster-Gen. A. W. Randall, Judge J. T. Mills and W. P. Dole, Commissioner of Indian Affairs (on Friday).  

To editor Robinson's letter requesting clarification on some issues, Lincoln reiterated his 1862 position about slavery:  "What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.  I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause."

He added that negroes, having been promised freedom, have joined the army's ranks, and pointed out:  "If they stake their lives for us, they must be prompted by the strongest motive--even the promise of freedom.  And the promise, being made, must be kept."  (The "promise," of course, is embodied in the Emancipation Proclamation.)

In the Friday interview, Lincoln again paid tribute to the service Negro troops are performing.  He noted:  "Abandon all the posts now possessed by black men surrender all these advantages to the enemy, and we would be compelled to abandon the war in three weeks."  He argued that the Democratic Party wishes to end the war by some conciliation and noted they had this chance to prevent the war b negotiations before it erupted - and failed.

"My enemies," Lincoln reportedly said, "condemn my emancipation policy.  Let them prove by the history of this war that we can restore the Union without it."

The interview followed a meeting between the President and one of the most prominent Negro leaders, Frederick Douglass.

The week for the President was largely routine as he dealt with soldier problems, in some cases the commutation of sentences for various offenses.  On Thursday, the President addressed the 164th Ohio regiment, whose 100 day term expires this month.  "I am greatly obliged to you," he said, "and to all who have come forward at the call of their country."  The president also spoke of the government's freedoms, "where every man has a right to be equal with every other man."