Altoona to Washington
The Loyal War Governors' Conference was the first formal test of the Emancipation Proclamation. Called by Governor Andrew Curtin of Pennsylvania, it was held at the Logan House Hotel in Altoona. Thirteen governors or representatives of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, loyal Virginia, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Ohio, Maine, and Illinois came together to discuss the war.
There were two days of extensive debate (and a substantial amount of time was spent advocating the removal of General George McClellan). On this date a final address was prepared supporting the Emancipation Proclamation. All the states present except Maryland signed up to the address, and it was delivered to the White House before the end of the day. Lincoln welcomed the suggestions on recruitment and transport of troops. However, when the subject of removing McClellan came up, Lincoln did not commit himself.
The address was sent to the states that had not found it convenient to attend. It was approved by the governors of Vermont, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oregon. The governors of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri rejected it. (There does not seem to be a record of the response of California.) With this majority, Lincoln now had some much-needed political support.