About this period the President had a very interesting conversation with Rev. William Henry Channing, in which the question of emancipation was frankly discussed.  Mr. M.D.  Conway, who was present at the interview, says:  “Mr. Channing having begun by expressing his belief that the opportunity of the nation to rid itself of slavery had arrived, Mr. Lincoln asked how he thought they might avail themselves of it.  Channing suggested emancipation, with compensation for the slaves.  The President said he had for years been in favor of that plan.  When the President turned to me, I asked whether we might not look to him as the coming deliverer of the nation from its one great evil?  What would not that man achieve for mankind who should free America from slavery?  He said, ’Perhaps we may be better able to do something in that direction after a while than we are now.’  I said:  ’Mr. President, do you believe the masses of the American people would hail you as their deliverer if, at the end of this war, the Union should be surviving and slavery still in it?’ ‘Yes, if they were to see that slavery was on the down hill.’  I ventured to say:  ’Our fathers compromised with slavery because they thought it on the down hill; hence war to-day.’  The President said:  ’I think the country grows in this direction daily, and I am not without hope that something of the desire of you and your friends may be accomplished.  When the hour comes for dealing with slavery, I trust I shall be willing to do my duty, though it costs my life.  And, gentlemen, lives will be lost.’  These last words were said with a smile, yet with a sad and weary tone.  During the conversation Mr. Lincoln recurred several times to Channing’s suggestion of pecuniary compensation for emancipated slaves, and professed profound sympathy with the Southerners who, by no fault of their own, had become socially and commercially bound up with their peculiar institution.  Being a Virginian myself, with many dear relatives and beloved companions of my youth in the Confederate ranks, I responded warmly to his kindly sentiments toward the South, albeit feeling more angry than he seemed to be against the institution preying upon the land like a ghoul.  I forget whether it was on this occasion or on a subsequent one when I was present that he said, in parting:  ’We shall need all the anti-slavery feeling in the country, and more; you can go home and try to bring the people to your views; and you may say anything you like about me, if that will help.  Don’t spare me!’ This was said with some laughter, but still in earnest.”

One of the severest opponents of President Lincoln’s policy regarding slavery was Horace Greeley.  He criticized Lincoln freely in the New York “Tribune,” of which he was editor, and said many harsh and bitter things of the administration.  Lincoln took the abuse good-naturedly, saying on one occasion:  “It reminds me of the big fellow whose little wife was wont to beat him over the head without resistance.  When remonstrated with, the man said, ’Let her alone.  It don’t hurt me, and it does her a power of good.’”