Mr. BmDLE of Ohio — The result of this war is
freedom for all. Every day of its continuance,
every dragging moment, makes this end the more
inevitable. Every step on slave soil, every battle
fought, no matter with what temporary result,
every musket fired, every sword brandished, every
soldier that suffers, and every heart that mourns,
but makes this result the more absolute.
Mr. Noell of Missouri — But it is the weakness
of cowards . . . that now lifts up weak hands
in helpless horror and raises querulous voices in
feeble wails and cries for mercy to the rebels.
Mercy is now treason, rape, arson, an infraction
of the whole decalogue.
Mr. Lane of Kansas — I deny that this govern-
ment cannot take the slaves of the loyal and dis-
loyal, and that they are estopped from making
any use of them that they choose for the suppres-
sion of this rebellion, and having made use of



LINCOLN AND VALLANDIGHAM 283

them, I say it would be a crime before God to
return them to slavery.
Topics for Papers.
1 What was the nature of the change in the
purpose of the war that some feared ?

2 Enumerate the variety of sentiment prevail-
ing among border state men. Account for this
variety.
3 Does not Riddle contradict Kelley ? Prove
your answer.
LII.
LINCOLN'S REPLY TO THE ALBANY RESOLUTIONS

(Abraham Lincoln. Complete works i ed. by Nicolay and

Hay, V. 2. p. 349, 363.)

"... It is asserted in substance, that Mr.
