Baltimore Railway Station.

Lincoln got off the train and looked at the quiet station square around him, and a sense of sadness welled up in his heart. A few months ago, he passed through here by train to Washington, D.C., to become president of the United States of America. At that time, because some underworld forces threatened to assassinate him, he didn't get off here, but now, he came to Baltimore, but on the way to escape. In the more than 80-year history of the Commonwealth of America, there has never been a president whose capital has been captured and the federal government has fled. He was the first!

Still, Lincoln's heart was not filled with despair. He'd had enough failures, but this one was a big one, but it didn't take him down. He firmly believes that victory belongs to the federal government and belongs to himself. Today's defeat is only a temporary military defeat. When the volunteers in the northern states are mobilized, they will be able to fight back! And he insisted on getting off the bus in Baltimore, just for that.

Washington has fallen, he and his cabinet members have withdrawn from Washington, D.C., and have decided to move the federal government to Philadelphia. But he didn't want to flee directly to Philadelphia, and after leaving Washington, he decided to make a startling move in Baltimore.

However, after all, it was a fiasco, and the escape from the capital, no matter what, Lincoln's mood was still heavy. But thinking about what he was going to do, Lincoln had some confidence.

Lincoln was accompanied by Secretary of State Seward and General Pope of the Maryland Volunteers.

Lincoln didn't look back at the two, he casually asked, "Do you think I shouldn't have pinned my hopes on McClellan to guard Washington?" Was he who caused Washington to be broken by Southern rebels? ”

The two were a little silent, but Seward replied with a little dissatisfaction: "Yes." Nearly 60,000 federal troops were defending Washington, and although they were only improvised by state militias and volunteers, they were twice as many as the rebels attacking Washington. In this way, the capital was captured by the rebels, it was McClellan's incompetence, he did not deserve any title such as 'Little Napoleon', and you, Mr. President, also have the responsibility of knowing people. ”

Lincoln looked back at the two of them and said to Pop, who was holding up his hand, "Pop, do you think so too?" ”

Pope nodded, although he was pulled by Lincoln, he had a straightforward personality and said directly: "Mr. President does have some responsibilities, mainly McClellan." ”

Lincoln said, "I am responsible, not a little, but all responsible!" Even if I don't appoint McClellan, but other generals, the same, in this case, Washington will still be breached! This is not at all something that a commander can undo, since the defeat at the Battle of Manassas, when the rebels pursued the victory, and it was General Robert Lee under the command of General Robert Lee, the defeat was doomed. The federal soldiers had no morale at all, and the soldiers were scattered. General Scott was right, the best way to quell the rebellion was Operation Anaconda, the federal government was too anxious, and we were too anxious to win the war! McClellan's suggestion also makes sense, our army is still some untrained peasant craftsmen, so it is impossible to withstand the attack of rebels who are better trained than us. ”

After Lincoln finished speaking, as if he had made a great determination, he waved his hand vigorously and said, "I have decided!" Execute Operation Anaconda and defeat the Southern rebels and reunite the Federation in three to five years! Before that, I would like to proclaim, in the name of the President of the Federal Government, the enactment and swift implementation of the Homestead Law! ”

"Homestead law?" Seward asked, puzzled, "What effect does this have on the federal government winning the war?" ”

"Some of us in the Republican Party have long proposed a decree to distribute state land in the western part of the Union to the vast number of immigrants without compensation. I had been holding on to it, but I didn't approve it, because the plantation owners in the South were strongly opposed to the decree and wanted to keep their slave plantations. Now that the Federation has reached such a situation, it can only salvage the defeat of the war with a heavy fist. Therefore, I decided to amend the decree and boost the morale of the federal army! Lincoln said, "The decree I am about to enact is primarily aimed at the people who are in the Union Army." As long as someone in the family joins the federal army, they can register for 200 acres of land without compensation. Other citizens who have not joined the Union Army and who have attained the age of 21 and have never participated in an insurgency may, after swearing that the land was acquired for reclamation purposes and paying a fee of $10, register for a total of not more than 150 acres of land, and then obtain a land licence to become the owner of the homestead after living and cultivating the land for five years. Commonwealth military dependents can receive it for free, while ordinary citizens, who want to own land outright in advance, need to pay a fee of $1.25 per acre to the Commonwealth for war purposes to protect their land rights. ”

Seward was a little pleased: "Mr. President, this decree will definitely enable a large number of landless European immigrants and blacks to join the federal army and help the federal government put down the rebellion in the south!" ”

Lincoln said fiercely, "This is not enough! In order to save the Union, I would rather bear the hatred of thousands of people, Seward, and I have prepared a cruel move, which is to draw wages from the bottom of the kettle, and on the way, I have drafted a simple manifesto, a manifesto for the abolition of slaves and the emancipation of blacks in the rebellious states of the South! ”

Seward gasped!

"Oh God! Lincoln, are you crazy! Seward shouted, "Did you know that this will completely drive the plantation owners to a dead end, and they will attack and destroy the federal government in a crazy way!" Abolish the slaves, you are depriving them of all their wealth, they will be desperate! And you don't have the right to do that, slaves are their private wealth! ”

Pop also looked worried and persuaded: "Mr. President, you are too radical like this!" Even if Washington is captured by the rebels, as long as the Federation retreats to Philadelphia for a little buffer, there is still a chance to regroup the army. ”

Lincoln shook his head and said, "You don't understand! Pope, you are a soldier, and I don't understand that today's federal army is still only the old army with less than 16,000 people who are real soldiers, and the other soldiers are just ordinary chaotic people. The Federation's war mobilization was too inefficient and too slow, and General Coster and McClellan were right, these soldiers needed to be trained. But now that the rebels are attacking, they cannot but send troops to resist, so I have decided to continue to expand the recruitment of soldiers and speed up the pace of recruitment. And these are the only two measures I can think of, the exchange of land to stimulate landless freedmen to join the Union army, and the emancipation of slaves in the rebel states of the South as a means of incentive, so that the black slaves in the South who are eager to be free will flee to the North and join the Union army! And, Seward, didn't you say that not long ago you found out what the British and French ministers in the American Confederation were secretly talking about in one place, I know what you are worried about, and this time Washington is occupied by the rebels, those European powers, especially Britain and France, will definitely recognize the independent status of the southern rebels, but as soon as I announce this abolition declaration, even Britain and France must consider the international influence, be afraid, and dare not rashly declare their support for the southern rebels! Maybe I'm a little anxious, but now that the situation has reached this point, there is no other way but this! For the salvation of the Union, for the unity of the United States, any price is worth it! ”

Lincoln's categorical words shocked both Seward and Pope. Seward had always looked down on Lincoln and felt that he had much better political experience than Lincoln, but today, he found that Lincoln really loved the American Union more than he did, and was more suitable for the presidency than himself.

The two could only nod, secretly clenched their fists, and decided to assist Lincoln with all their might.

The next day, July 4, 1861, President Lincoln of the United States of America gathered reporters and representatives of the public in Baltimore, a halfway city that fled to Philadelphia, to formally announce the signing of the Homestead Act.

The entire railway station has been surrounded and guarded by more than 1,000 federal soldiers led by Pope himself, especially the square in front of the railway station, which is scattered with soldiers with loaded guns. Although Baltimore was already under the control of the Union Army, out of caution, Pope sent an additional 1,000 Union soldiers to guard the train station square.

As an officer who escorted Lincoln to Washington to his presidency a few months ago, Pop would not have known that a gang had been entrusted with the intention of killing Lincoln halfway. A month ago, a group of Massachusetts volunteer soldiers were besieged by Baltimore people close to the Southern rebels when they were transferring trains in the Baltimore Train Battle, which eventually led to large-scale clashes between soldiers and people, triggering Baltimore riots, President Lincoln personally ordered the arrest of the Baltimore mayor and police chief, and several members of the Maryland Legislature were also arrested, which stabilized Maryland and Baltimore.

As a result, Popper repeatedly advised Lincoln not to give speeches in Baltimore, the city was too dangerous. The most important thing is not to give a speech at the train station, which is really not good, and it is better to go to the monumental Fort McHenry, which is a small island and has security guarantees. But Lincoln insisted that he speak in Baltimore, and that he must be at the train station, saying that there are the largest number of people here, and it is most convenient for the people of Baltimore to come and listen. In desperation, Pope could only send a thousand reliable Union soldiers to defend him. Still, he was a little apprehensive and apprehensive, after all, there were many slave owners in Baltimore, and there were many people close to the Southern rebel forces, and if he was not careful, something would happen to President Lincoln.

The entire square has been completely cordoned off.

Journalists and some of the people who had been organized entered the square in front of the train station after being checked by the federal soldiers on the third floor and confirmed that they were not carrying weapons. Although it was very unpleasant to be searched, because they heard that President Lincoln was going to give a sensational speech here and even the whole world, and that he was going to issue a decree that would be in the interests of all, these Baltimoreans were intrigued, endured the tedious inspection, and entered the square, which was already crowded with people in a short time.

Lincoln looked at the crowd of more than 3,000 Baltimoreans and reporters around him, cleared his throat, and felt that his state was suddenly back to the busy days when he was running for president a year ago, and his heart moved, and he said aloud: "Gentlemen and ladies of Baltimore, fellow citizens of Maryland and the entire United States of America!" I am your servant, President Abraham Lincoln, of the United States of America. ”

At this, Lincoln paused, looked in the direction of Fort McHenry, to the southeast, and said, "Baltimore is a great city!" Fifty years ago, our army withstood the invasion of the British army in this city, and "The Song of the Star-Spangled Banner" was born there, and Fort McHenry was born, and it was sung throughout America! That's why I've chosen to announce two big things here today! But before that, I have something on my mind to share with you! ”

Standing on a simple wooden platform made of five wooden stakes, Lincoln looked at the people around him who were attracted by his words, and said in an impassioned tone: "Eighty-five years ago, our forefathers established a new nation on this continent. The country is idealized in freedom and upholds the principle that all men are created equal. But now, there are people who don't want to do that, they want to destroy the principle that all men are created equal, the principle of the founding of the American Union! They are the southern slave owners, who have launched rebellions and provoked wars for their own interests! ”

"We are engaged in a great civil war. This war is a test of whether our country, or any other country that shares the same ideals and goals, can survive for a long time........... And now, our federal government has suffered a huge blow, and even the capital has been captured by the rebels! But we must not give up, admit defeat, and let alone let the American Union that was forged by the blood of the sages be divided! ......... Therefore, here today, I would like to declare first and foremost that I, Lincoln, in my capacity as President of the United States of America, declare that on Union lands, the Homestead Act of the Commonwealth of America shall be in force today! Anyone who joins the federal army and serves his country can register in the states and receive 200 acres of land directly from the federal government for free, and as long as he has served for three years, the land automatically belongs to his family in perpetuity! ”

As soon as Lincoln's words were finished, the people in the square exploded!

The desire for land made more than half of the people present talk about it. Someone was even shouting: "Go to the army!" I want bread, I want land, I want to join the Union Army! For a time, the crowd in the square was enthusiastic and the response was enthusiastic.

Lincoln was very satisfied with the reaction of the people. What he wants is this effect, to arouse the people's yearning for the land, to make everyone enthusiastically join the army, and to have more troops to protect the Federation!

So, he stretched out his arms to calm everyone down, and then added to the fire with emotion, saying, "Countless Federation soldiers have sacrificed their lives for this country!" I am thinking that it is perfectly appropriate and appropriate to dedicate a small piece of land in the western part of this country to those who are willing to give their lives for the survival of the country, as a resting place for their loved ones, as their final resting place. What we should do is to dedicate ourselves to the unfinished work for which the sages fought and worked hard to advance here, and we should draw more spiritual strength from their examples, and resolve to keep their aspirations and founding principles from being desecrated. With God's blessing, our country will be free and reborn, our American Federation will be reunited, and the shameful rebels of the South will finally be defeated and beg for mercy! ”

After a speech, the crowd under the square began to stir up again, and countless people shouted: "Long live the American Union!" The southern rebels will be defeated! ”

Seeing that everyone's emotions were aroused, Lincoln took the opportunity to say: "85 years ago today, we in the United States of America were officially established!" Today, July 4th, it's a great day, it's a day that belongs to us in America! In order to keep true to the will of the sages of 85 years ago, and to embody the fraternity of God, and to embody the principle that all men are born free and equal, and to better arouse the courage of all men to fight for the Union, I, the President of the United States of America, solemnly declare on this great day that all those who are in possession and slave in the possession of others in any state where the people thereof are still rebelling against the United States of America, or in the specified areas of a state, shall be free forever at that time and thereafter! I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, use my authority to formally command and proclaim that all those who are slaves in the rebellious Southern states, and in certain states which are not bad to the Union, are and will be free for ever! The Government of the United States, including the authorities of the Navy and Army, will recognize and endeavor to preserve the freedoms of those persons. ”

At this point, Lincoln saw that the entire Baltimore train station square had fallen silent, as if people were taken aback by what he had announced. But Lincoln did not stop, and continued: "I now command, in the name of the President, that these so-called slaves, who have been declared free, shall not commit any transgressions against the Union except in necessary self-defense!" I exhorted them that, whenever possible, they should faithfully work for a reasonable wage, and not for the unpaid sacrifice of the slave owners. I further declare that these persons may take part in the military service of the United States, stationed in batteries, sites, garrisons, and other areas, and serve on warships of all kinds. I hope that this decision of mine will save the people who yearn for freedom, and in turn they will be rewarded for saving the Union, quelling the rebellion, and saving our common nation! I sincerely believe that this act is a righteous act and is in accordance with the Constitution, and I pray for the prudent judgment of mankind and the grace of God Almighty. ”