I saw those words in the letter, but my interpretation is that he is
explaining that while he went out on a limb with the emancipation
proclamation that the EP would become lawful in it's enforcement and the
event to come. Remember, this is a "turning point in history".

Lincoln's procalamation was not tested by the supreme court before it
became the law of the land with the constitutional amendments. This
confirmed his action.

In Lincoln's letter, he makes it clear that he felt he stepped out past the
solid ground, but so did Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase, and Franklin
Roosevelt with the New Deal. It's what presidents do! Lincoln's action was
vindicated and approved by the nation.

                                                 Anne


At 07:55 PM 2/26/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Interpret this for me, please:
>
>"I felt this measure, otherwise unconstitutional (emphasis added), might
>become lawful by becoming indispensable to the preservation of the
>Constitution, through the preservation of the nation."
>
>JDS
>
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Anne Pemberton
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