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…showed last 75 words of 428 total…I was doing right than I do in signing this paper". He then added " If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act". Lincoln had no other choice than to issue this proclamation. Neither side seemed like they were willing to compromise. So, acting upon his wish to save the union, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The entire war was based upon the desire to preserve the Union, and not slavery.