If I could save the Union _without_ freeing _any_ slave _I would do it_, and if I could save it by freeing _all_ the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.

_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, and I shall do _more_ whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause.

I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.
I have here stated my purposes according to my view of _official_ duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed _personal_ wish that all men, everywhere, should be free.
Yours, A.LINCOLN Everything--humanity, justice, posterity--was placed upon the sacrificial altar of the Union, and the slave-power was repeatedly and earnestly invited to lay down its traitorous arms, be forgiven, and keep its slaves.

With Mr.Lincoln, as President, it was the Union, first, last, and all the time.