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Show New Year's of 1863 Important Historically One- of the most important New Year's day receptions ever held in the White House was that of January Janu-ary 1, 18G3, and it was significant because of a momentous event which took place immediately afterwards. after-wards. Abraham Lincoln had drawn up his Emancipation Proclamation, had read it to his cabinet and had won their approval of this document which would commit the government govern-ment irrevocably to the destruction of slavery. At noon William H. Seward, secretary of state, brought the proclamation to Lincoln for his signature. "I have been shaking hands since nine o'clock this morning and my right hand is almost paralyzed," Lincoln told him. "If my name ever goes into history it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it If my hand trembles when I sign, all who examine the document docu-ment hereafter will say: 'He hesitated.' hesi-tated.' " Saying that he signed but those who look upon the signature signa-ture on that historic document now say that it was written as boldly, as firmly and as unfalteringly-as any ever signed "A. Lincoln." |