Of the many protests deluging Lincoln, one from his friend Orville H. Browning surprised him most. In April, the conservative Browning had uncharacteristically, urged the president “to march an army into the South, and proclaim freedom to the slaves.” Frémont’s “proclamation had the unqualified approval of every true friend of the Government within my knowledge,” said Browning, who had just been appointed senator from Illinois to complete the term of the recently deceased Stephen A. Douglas. “I do not know of an exception. Rebels and traitors, and all who sympathize with rebellion and treason, and who wish to see the government overthrown, would, of course, denounce it. Its influence was most salutary, and it was accomplishing much good. Its revocation disheartens our friends, and represses their ardor.”
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃