In August, 1862, Mr. Greeley published a letter in the New York “Tribune,” headed “The prayer of twenty millions of people,” in which he urged the President, with extreme emphasis, to delay the act of emancipation no longer.  Lincoln answered the vehement entreaty in the following calm, firm, and explicit words: 

     EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
     Friday, Aug. 22, 1862.

     HON.  HORACE GREELEY.

     DEAR SIR:  I have just read yours of the 19th instant, addressed to
     myself, through the New York Tribune.

If there be in it any statements or assumptions of fact, which I may know to be erroneous, I do not now and here controvert them.  If there be any inferences which I believe to be falsely drawn, I do not now and here argue against them.  If there be perceptible in it an impatient 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 anyone in doubt.  I would save the Union.  I would save it in the shortest way under the Constitution.  The sooner the national authority can be restored, the nearer the Union will be—­the Union as it was.  If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them.  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 is to save the Union, and not either to save or destroy slavery. 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 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 believe what I am doing hurts the cause; and shall do more whenever I 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 purpose, according to my view of official
     duty, and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal
     wish that all men everywhere could be free.

     Yours,
     A. Lincoln.

Mr. Greeley being dissatisfied with Lincoln’s explanation, and the “Tribune” still teeming with complaints and criticisms of the administration, Lincoln requested Mr. Greeley to come to Washington and make known in person his complaints, to the end that they might be obviated if possible.  The editor of the “Tribune” came.  Lincoln said:  “You complain of me.  What have I done, or omitted to do, which has provoked the hostility