Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864].

Annotation

[1]   ALS, IHi; ADfS, DLC-RTL. Bank's letter of December 27 has not been located, but that of December 30 is as follows:

``Your message and proclamation can not fail to produce great national results.They offer an escape to many classes of people in the South, who will not fail to yield their assent to the conditions imposed. . . .

``Much reflection, and frank conversation with many persons who know the southern character, thoroughly confirm me in the opinion. I expressed in my recent letters, that the immediate restoration of a State government upon the basis of an absolute extinction of slavery at the start, with the general consent of the people, is practicable. . . . I have been greatly surprised to find how readily my conclusions have been accepted by men of strongest southern sympathies, attachments and interests.

``If, as you have declared in your letter of November the 5th., an early organization in this State be desirable, I would suggest as the only speedy and certain method of accomplishing your object, that an election be ordered, of a State Government, under the Constitution and Laws of Louisiana, except so much thereof as recognizes and relates to slavery, which should be declared by the authority calling the election, and in the order authorizing it, inoperative and void. The registration of voters to be made in conformity with your Proclamation. . . . A convention of the People for the Revision of the Constitution, may be ordered as soon as the government is organized, and the election of members might take place on the same, or a subsequent day, with the general election. The People of Louisiana will accept such a proposition with favor. . . .

``Let me assure you that this course will be far more acceptable to the citizens of Louisiana, than the submission of the question of slavery to the chances of an election. Their self-respect, their amour propre will be appeased if they are not required to vote for or against it. Offer them a Government without slavery, and they will gladly accept it as a necessity resulting from the war. . . .

``Upon this plan, a government can be established whenever you wish---in 30, or 60 days . . . Defeat is impossible, and the dangers attending delay, are avoided. I would unhesitatingly stake my life upon the issue.

``If this plan be accepted in Louisiana, . . . it will be adopted by general concurrence, in Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, and in every other southern

state, as rapidly as you choose to accord to them the privilege of self-government. If it be accepted in one State, the World will see that only the method, but the fact of restoration is accomplished.

``I am opposed to any settlement, and have been from the beginning, except upon the basis of immediate emancipation, but it is better to secure it by consent, than by force, better still by consent and force. . . .

``I need not repeat what I have already said, that I shall cordially and earnestly sustain any plan you may adopt for the restoration of government here. It is my duty, and my desire. With very great reluctance, and sense of public duty, I have made the suggestion herein contained, upon the same principle that I would impart important military information. . . .

``The plan of restoration contemplated here by the officers charged with that duty, does not seem to promise results so speedy or certain. It proceeds upon the theory of constitutional convention to frame an organic law. . . . The election of delegates cannot be called before March. . . . The convention could not sit before April. It could scarcely occupy less than two months. Its action could hardly be submitted to the People. . . . before July. . . .

``The advantages secured by this course, will be:

An immediate State organization.

The active & general consent of the People of the State.

The certainty of immediate emancipation from Slavery.

The Revision of the Constitution---pari passu---by a Convention.

The exhibition to the World of moral, as well as military power, in the suppression of Rebellion and the reconstruction of government by consent and participation of the different classes of People.

The certainty that it will be followed in four States immediately, and in others as soon as you desire it with the same certainty as to emancipation.

It places in your hands the means of the restoration of States, as well as the destruction of armies---independent of the possible results of party or political contests.

``The fact of restoration is, however, more important than the means, and I shall cordially sustain any policy you may indicate.'' (DLC-RTL).

Banks acknowledged receipt of Lincoln's letter of December 29, 1863, supra, on January 11: ``I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th [24th]. December and a duplicate of the same with an endorsement dated the 29th. of December. They give to me all the authority I can desire. . . . Enclosed you will find an order to be published tomorrow, authorizing an election of the state officers on the 22d. of February. It does not contemplate an election of the Legislature or Judges until November at the regular election. . . . I am confident that it will receive a very general support of all classes of people, and a strength at the Polls that will surprise as well as gratify the friends of the government elsewhere. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).