If there be in it any inferences which I may believe to be falsely drawn, I do not, now and here, argue against them.

If there be perceptible in it an imperious and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right.
As to the policy I seem to be pursuing, as you say, I have not meant to leave any one in doubt.
I would save the Union.

I would save it the shortest way under the constitution.

The sooner the national authority can be restored, the nearer the Union will be the Union it was.
* * * If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time _destroy slavery, I do not agree with them_.

My paramount object in this struggle _is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery_.