President Lincoln To Horace Greeley

EXKCÜT.VE Ma.N.SION', ) Washington, I). C, Aug, 22, 1861. J To Hoi. Horace Grecley : D-:aií S:r - I have just received yours of the 19th instant, addressed to myself through the New York Tribune. If there be 1 it aoy statements or assumptions of faets whieli I know to be erronoous. I do not now and hero controvert thein. If there be any inferences whieh I mav believe tu be falsely drawn, I do not now and here argue against them. If there be perceptible u it an impatieut aud dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend whoso heart I have alwayi supposed to be right. As to the policy I seom to be pursuing, as you say, I havo not ineant to leave any one in doubt. 1 woud save the Union. I would save it in tlie shortest way under the constitution. The sooner the natioual authority can be rest ired, the near ;r the Union will be to ths I ni'in as it was. It' there be tbosc who would not save the Uniou uuless they could at the same tine save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would uot save the Union uuless they could at ths same time destroy slaver3-, I do not agree with them. My paratDOunt object is to save the Union and not either to to save or deslroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves, I would do it ; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would 4o it; and i f I could save it by freuiog some and lcaving others alone, 1 would also do that What I do about sUvery aad the C'ilorcd racu I do because I think it helps save this Union, and what I forbear I forboar because I do not believe t would help to save the Union. I shall do less wbenever I beliere that what I ■mi doing hurts the cause; and I sluill do more whcnever I believe doiüg more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be crrors, 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 offiuial duty, and I inttnd no modifieaiion of my oft-expreised personal wish that all meo everywhere could be free.