Greeley's Prayer of Twenty Millions urges abolition in the New York Tribune

Background. By early 1862, Greeley was critical of the administration, frustrated by military failures and Lincoln's slowness to commit to emancipation. The Tribune urged emancipation in its editorials. Greeley's prodding culminated in a letter to Lincoln on August 19, 1862, reprinted as 'The Prayer of Twenty Millions' on August 20, demanding enforcement of the Confiscation Acts.

Lincoln's Reply. Lincoln replied to Greeley on August 22, 1862. He stated that while he personally wished all men could be free, his first obligation as president was to preserve the Union. This response clarified Lincoln's stance that emancipation was a military measure subordinate to the goal of Union preservation, contrasting with Greeley's moral urgency.

Confiscation Acts Context. The Confiscation Act of 1862, enacted in July, allowed the seizure of slaves from those disloyal to the United States. Greeley's editorial specifically urged the enforcement of these acts. Lincoln had previously overridden generals' emancipation orders, fearing they might induce loyal border states to secede, highlighting the political constraints on immediate abolition.