All of the Cabinet approved except Blair who expressed fears of the effect on the approaching November elections, and Seward who, while professing sympathy with the indicated purpose, argued that the time was badly chosen in view of recent military disasters and the approach of Lee's army toward Washington.

The measure, Seward said, might "be viewed as the last measure of an exhausted government, a cry for help; the government stretching forth its hands to Ethiopia, instead of Ethiopia stretching forth her hands to the government.

It will be considered our last _shriek_ on the retreat." He therefore urged postponement until after a Northern victory.

This appealed to Lincoln and he "put the draft of the proclamation aside, waiting for victory[871]." Victory came in September, with McClellan's defeat of Lee at Antietam, and the retreat of the Southern army toward Richmond.

Five days later, September 22, Lincoln issued the proclamation, expanded and altered in text from the draft of July 22, but in substance the same[872].