Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/336

272 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS lose, the last, best hope of earth. Other means may succeed ; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must for ever bless." It was hardly to be expected, how ever, that any action would be taken by congress before the lapse of the hundred days that the presi dent had left between his warning and its execu tion. On January 1, 1863, the final proclamation of emancipation was issued. It recited the pre liminary document, and then designated the states in rebellion against the United States. They were Arkansas, Texas, a part of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, excepting certain counties. The proclamation then continued: "I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states and parts of states are, and hence forward shall be, free; and that the executive gov ernment of the United States, including the mili tary and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons." The criticisms and forebodings of the opponents of emancipation had well-nigh been exhausted during the previous three months, and the definitive proclamation was received with general enthusiasm throughout the loyal states. The dissatisfaction with which this important measure was regarded in the border states grad-