On September 21, 1776, a young Yale graduate student, Nathan Hale, was captured in the disguise of a Dutch school master by the British. As he was about to be hung as a spy, he requested a Bible and the services of a minister, but these last requests were refused.
His last words would never be forgotton by those who heard them:
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”
Unbeknown to those urging him one way or the other on the question of imancipation, Abraham Lincoln had already privately written such a proclamination. His only concern (just like Sarah Palin’s statement toher church) was it part of God’s plan?
With the Army of Northern Virginia advancing towards Pennsylvania, and the Union Army hoping to stop them at Antietam, Lincoln prayed (Charlie Gibson take note). After the Union victory, the President informed his Cabinet on this day in 1862, of his decision to issue the Imancipation Proclamination.
“I made a solemn vow before god, that if General Lee were driven back, I would crown the result by the declaration of freedom to the slaves.”