Thecautiouspolicyforeshadowedinhisinauguraladdress，andpursuedduringthefirstperiodofthecivilwar，wasfarfromsatisfyingallhispartyfriends。TheardentspiritsamongtheUnionmenthoughtthatthewholeNorthshouldatoncebecalledtoarms，tocrushtherebellionbyonepowerfulblow。Theardentspiritsamongtheantislaverymeninsistedthat，slaveryhavingbroughtforththerebellion，thispowerfulblowshouldatoncebeaimedatslavery。Bothcomplainedthattheadministrationwasspiritless，undecided，andlamentablyslowinitsproceedings。

Lincolnreasonedotherwise。Thewaysofthinkingandfeelingofthemasses，oftheplainpeople，wereconstantlypresenttohismind。Themasses，theplainpeople，hadtofurnishthemenforthefighting，iffightingwastobedone。Hebelievedthattheplainpeoplewouldbereadytofightwhenitclearlyappearednecessary，andthattheywouldfeelthatnecessitywhentheyfeltthemselvesattacked。HethereforewaiteduntiltheenemiesoftheUnionstruckthefirstblow。Assoonas，onthe12thofApril，1861，thefirstgunwasfiredinCharlestonharborontheUnionflaguponFortSumter，thecallwassounded，andtheNorthernpeoplerushedtoarms。

LincolnknewthattheplainpeoplewerenowindeedreadytofightindefenceoftheUnion，butnotyetreadytofightforthedestructionofslavery。HedeclaredopenlythathehadarighttosummonthepeopletofightfortheUnion，butnottosummonthemtofightfortheabolitionofslaveryasaprimaryobject；

andthisdeclarationgavehimnumberlesssoldiersfortheUnionwhoatthatperiodwouldhavehesitatedtodobattleagainsttheinstitutionofslavery。ForatimehesucceededinrenderingharmlessthecryofthepartisanoppositionthattheRepublicanadministrationwerepervertingthewarfortheUnionintoan"abolitionwar。"Butwhenhewentsofarastocountermandtheactsofsomegeneralsinthefield，lookingtotheemancipationoftheslavesinthedistrictscoveredbytheircommands，loudcomplaintsarosefromearnestantislaverymen，whoaccusedthePresidentofturninghisbackupontheantislaverycause。Manyoftheseantislaverymenwillnow，afteracalmretrospect，bewillingtoadmitthatitwouldhavebeenahazardouspolicytoendanger，byprecipitatingademonstrativefightagainstslavery，thesuccessofthestrugglefortheUnion。

Lincoln’sviewsandfeelingsconcerningslaveryhadnotchanged。

ThosewhoconversedwithhimintimatelyuponthesubjectatthatperiodknowthathedidnotexpectslaverylongtosurvivethetriumphoftheUnion，evenifitwerenotimmediatelydestroyedbythewar。Inthishewasright。HadtheUnionarmiesachievedadecisivevictoryinanearlyperiodoftheconflict，andhadthesecededStatesbeenreceivedbackwithslavery，the"slavepower"wouldthenhavebeenadefeatedpower，defeatedinanattempttocarryoutitsmosteffectivethreat。Itwouldhavelostitsprestige。Itsmenaceswouldhavebeenhollowsound，andceasedtomakeanyoneafraid。Itcouldnolongerhavehopedtoexpand，tomaintainanequilibriuminanybranchofCongress，andtocontrolthegovernment。ThevictoriousfreeStateswouldhavelargelyoverbalancedit。Itwouldnolongerhavebeenabletowithstandtheonsetofahostileage。Itcouldnolongerhaveruled，——andslaveryhadtoruleinordertolive。Itwouldhavelingeredforawhile，butitwouldsurelyhavebeen"inthecourseofultimateextinction。"Aprolongedwarprecipitatedthedestructionofslavery；ashortwarmightonlyhaveprolongeditsdeathstruggle。Lincolnsawthisclearly；buthesawalsothat，inaprotracteddeathstruggle，itmightstillhavekeptdisloyalsentimentsalive，breddistractingcommotions，andcausedgreatmischieftothecountry。Hethereforehopedthatslaverywouldnotsurvivethewar。

Butthequestionhowhecouldrightfullyemployhispowertobringonitsspeedydestructionwastohimnotaquestionofmeresentiment。Hehimselfsetforthhisreasoninguponit，atalaterperiod，inoneofhisinimitableletters。"Iamnaturallyantislavery，"saidhe。"Ifslaveryisnotwrong，nothingiswrong。IcannotrememberthetimewhenIdidnotsothinkandfeel。AndyetIhaveneverunderstoodthatthePresidencyconferreduponmeanunrestrictedrighttoactuponthatjudgmentandfeeling。ItwasintheoathItookthatIwould，tothebestofmyability，preserve，protect，anddefendtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates。Icouldnottaketheofficewithouttakingtheoath。NorwasitmyviewthatImighttakeanoathtogetpower，andbreaktheoathinusingthatpower。Iunderstood，too，that，inordinaryciviladministration，thisoathevenforbademepracticallytoindulgemyprivateabstractjudgmentonthemoralquestionofslavery。Ididunderstand，however，also，thatmyoathimposeduponmethedutyofpreserving，tothebestofmyability，byeveryindispensablemeans，thatgovernment，thatnation，ofwhichtheConstitutionwastheorganiclaw。I

couldnotfeelthat，tothebestofmyability，IhadeventiedtopreservetheConstitution——if，tosaveslavery，oranyminormatter，Ishouldpermitthewreckofgovernment，country，andConstitutionalltogether。"Inotherwords，ifthesalvationofthegovernment，theConstitution，andtheUniondemandedthedestructionofslavery，hefeltittobenotonlyhisright，buthissworndutytodestroyit。ItsdestructionbecameanecessityofthewarfortheUnion。

Asthewardraggedonanddisasterfolloweddisaster，thesenseofthatnecessitysteadilygrewuponhim。Earlyin1862，assomeofhisfriendswellremember，hesaw，whatSewardseemednottosee，thattogivethewarfortheUnionanantislaverycharacterwasthesurestmeanstopreventtherecognitionoftheSouthernConfederacyasanindependentnationbyEuropeanpowers；that，slaverybeingabhorredbythemoralsenseofcivilizedmankind，noEuropeangovernmentwoulddaretooffersogrossaninsulttothepublicopinionofitspeopleasopenlytofavorthecreationofastatefoundeduponslaverytotheprejudiceofanexistingnationfightingagainstslavery。Hesawalsothatslaveryuntouchedwastotherebellionanelementofpower，andthatinordertoovercomethatpoweritwasnecessarytoturnitintoanelementofweakness。Still，hefeltnoassurancethattheplainpeoplewerepreparedforsoradicalameasureastheemancipationoftheslavesbyactofthegovernment，andheanxiouslyconsideredthat，iftheywerenot，thisgreatstepmight，byexcitingdissensionattheNorth，injurethecauseoftheUnioninonequartermorethanitwouldhelpitinanother。HeheartilywelcomedaneffortmadeinNewYorktomouldandstimulatepublicsentimentontheslaveryquestionbypublicmeetingsboldlypronouncingforemancipation。Atthesametimehehimselfcautiouslyadvancedwitharecommendation，expressedinaspecialmessagetoCongress，thattheUnitedStatesshouldco—operatewithanyStatewhichmightadoptthegradualabolishmentofslavery，givingsuchStatepecuniaryaidtocompensatetheformerownersofemancipatedslaves。Thediscussionwasstarted，andspreadrapidly。Congressadoptedtheresolutionrecommended，andsoonwentastepfartherinpassingabilltoabolishslaveryintheDistrictofColumbia。Theplainpeoplebegantolookatemancipationonalargerscaleasathingtobeconsideredseriouslybypatrioticcitizens；andsoonLincolnthoughtthatthetimewasripe，andthattheedictoffreedomcouldbeventureduponwithoutdangerofseriousconfusionintheUnionranks。

ThefailureofMcClellan’smovementuponRichmondincreasedimmenselytheprestigeoftheenemy。TheneedofsomegreatacttostimulatethevitalityoftheUnioncauseseemedtogrowdailymorepressing。OnJuly21，1862，LincolnsurprisedhiscabinetwiththedraughtofaproclamationdeclaringfreetheslavesinalltheStatesthatshouldbestillinrebellionagainsttheUnitedStatesonthe1stofJanuary，1863。Astothematteritselfheannouncedthathehadfullymadeuphismind；heinvitedadviceonlyconcerningtheformandthetimeofpublication。Sewardsuggestedthattheproclamation，ifthenbroughtout，amidstdisasteranddistress，wouldsoundlikethelastshriekofaperishingcause。Lincolnacceptedthesuggestion，andtheproclamationwaspostponed。Anotherdefeatfollowed，thesecondatBullRun。Butwhen，afterthatbattle，theConfederatearmy，underLee，crossedthePotomacandinvadedMaryland，Lincolnvowedinhisheartthat，iftheUnionarmywerenowblessedwithsuccess，thedecreeoffreedomshouldsurelybeissued。ThevictoryofAntietamwaswononSeptember17，andthepreliminaryEmancipationProclamationcameforthonthea22d。

ItwasLincoln’sownresolutionandact；butpracticallyitboundthenation，andpermittednostepbackward。Inspiteofitslimitations，itwastheactualabolitionofslavery。Thushewrotehisnameuponthebooksofhistorywiththetitledearesttohisheart，theliberatoroftheslave。

Itistrue，thegreatproclamation，whichstampedthewarasonefor"unionandfreedom，"didnotatoncemarktheturningofthetideonthefieldofmilitaryoperations。Thereweremoredisasters，FredericksburgandChancellorsville。ButwithGettysburgandVicksburgthewholeaspectofthewarchanged。

Stepbystep，nowmoreslowly，thenmorerapidly，butwithincreasingsteadiness，theflagoftheUnionadvancedfromfieldtofieldtowardthefinalconsummation。ThedecreeofemancipationwasnaturallyfollowedbytheenlistmentofemancipatednegroesintheUnionarmies。ThismeasurehadaantherreachingeffectthanmerelygivingtheUnionarmiesanincreasedsupplyofmen。Thelaboringforceoftherebellionwashopelesslydisorganized。Thewarbecamelikeaproblemofarithmetic。AstheUnionarmiespushedforward，theareafromwhichtheSouthernConfederacycoulddrawrecruitsandsuppliesconstantlygrewsmaller，whiletheareafromwhichtheUnionrecruiteditsstrengthconstantlygrewlarger；andeverywhere，evenwithintheSouthernlines，theUnionhaditsallies。Thefateoftherebellionwasthenvirtuallydecided；butitstillrequiredmuchbloodyworktoconvincethebravewarriorswhofoughtforitthattheywerereallybeaten。

NeitherdidtheEmancipationProclamationforthwithcommanduniversalassentamongthepeoplewhowereloyaltotheUnion。

Therewereevensignsofareactionagainsttheadministrationinthefallelectionsof1862，seeminglyjustifyingtheopinion，entertainedbymany，thatthePresidenthadreallyanticipatedthedevelopmentofpopularfeeling。ThecrythatthewarfortheUnionhadbeenturnedintoan"abolitionwar"wasraisedagainbytheopposition，andmoreloudlythanever。ButthegoodsenseandpatrioticinstinctsoftheplainpeoplegraduallymarshalledthemselvesonLincoln’sside，andhelostnoopportunitytohelponthisprocessbypersonalargumentandadmonition。ThereneverhasbeenaPresidentinsuchconstantandactivecontactwiththepublicopinionofthecountry，asthereneverhasbeenaPresidentwho，whileattheheadofthegovernment，remainedsoneartothepeople。BeyondthecircleofthosewhohadlongknownhimthefeelingsteadilygrewthatthemanintheWhiteHousewas"honestAbeLincoln"still，andthateverycitizenmightapproachhimwithcomplaint，expostulation，oradvice，withoutdangerofmeetingarebufffrompower—proudauthority，orhumiliatingcondescension；andthisprivilegewasusedbysomanyandwithsuchunsparingfreedomthatonlysuperhumanpatiencecouldhaveendureditall。Therearemennowlivingwhowouldto—dayreadwithamazement，ifnotregret，whattheyventuredtosayorwritetohim。ButLincolnrepellednoonewhomhebelievedtospeaktohimingoodfaithandwithpatrioticpurpose。Nogoodadvicewouldgounheeded。Nocandidcriticismwouldoffendhim。Nohonestopposition，whileitmightpainhim，wouldproducealastingalienationoffeelingbetweenhimandtheopponent。Itmaytrulybesaidthatfewmeninpowerhaveeverbeenexposedtomoredaringattemptstodirecttheircourse，toseverercensureoftheiracts，andtomorecruelmisrepresentationoftheirmotives：Andallthishemetwiththatgood—naturedhumorpeculiarlyhisown，andwithuntiringefforttoseetherightandtoimpressituponthosewhodifferedfromhim。Theconversationshehadandthecorrespondencehecarriedonuponmattersofpublicinterest，notonlywithmeninofficialposition，butwithprivatecitizens，werealmostunceasing，andinalargenumberofpublicletters，writtenostensiblytomeetings，orcommittees，orpersonsofimportance，headdressedhimselfdirectlytothepopularmind。Mostoftheselettersstandamongthefinestmonumentsofourpoliticalliterature。

ThushepresentedthesingularspectacleofaPresidentwho，inthemidstofagreatcivilwar，withunprecedenteddutiesweighinguponhim，wasconstantlyinpersondebatingthegreatfeaturesofhispolicywiththepeople。

Whileinthismannerheexercisedanever—increasinginfluenceuponthepopularunderstanding，hissympatheticnatureendearedhimmoreandmoretothepopularheart。Invaindidjournalsandspeakersoftheoppositionrepresenthimasalightmindedtrifler，whoamusedhimselfwithfrivolousstory—tellingandcoarsejokes，whilethebloodofthepeoplewasflowinginstreams。Thepeopleknewthatthemanattheheadofaffairs，onwhosehaggardfacethetwinkleofhumorsofrequentlychangedintoanexpressionofprofoundestsadness，wasmorethananyotherdeeplydistressedbythesufferinghewitnessed；thathefeltthepainofeverywoundthatwasinflictedonthebattlefield，andtheanguishofeverywomanorchildwhohadlosthusbandorfather；thatwheneverhecouldhewaseagertoalleviatesorrow，andthathismercywasneverimploredinvain。

Theylookedtohimasonewhowaswiththemandoftheminalltheirhopesandfears，theirjoysandsorrows，wholaughedwiththemandweptwiththem；andashisheartwastheirs；sotheirheartsturnedtohim。HispopularitywasfardifferentfromthatofWashington，whowasreveredwithawe，orthatofJackson，theunconquerablehero，forwhompartyenthusiasmnevergrewwearyofshouting。ToAbrahamLincolnthepeoplebecameboundbyagenuinesentimentalattachment。Itwasnotamatterofrespect，orconfidence，orpartypride，forthisfeelingspreadfarbeyondtheboundarylinesofhisparty；itwasanaffairoftheheart，independentofmerereasoning。Whenthesoldiersinthefieldortheirfolksathomespokeof"FatherAbraham，"therewasnocantinit。TheyfeltthattheirPresidentwasreallycaringforthemasafatherwould，andthattheycouldgotohim，everyoneofthem，astheywouldgotoafather，andtalktohimofwhattroubledthem，suretofindawillingearandtendersympathy。

Thus，theirPresident，andhiscause，andhisendeavors，andhissuccessgraduallybecametothemalmostmattersoffamilyconcern。AndthispopularitycarriedhimtriumphantlythroughthePresidentialelectionof1864，inspiteofanoppositionwithinhisownpartywhichatfirstseemedveryformidable。

ManyoftheradicalantislaverymenwereneverquitesatisfiedwithLincoln’swaysofmeetingtheproblemsofthetime。Theywereveryearnestandmostlyveryablemen，whohadpositiveideasasto"howthisrebellionshouldbeputdown。"Theywouldnotrecognizethenecessityofmeasuringthestepsofthegovernmentaccordingtotheprogressofopinionamongtheplainpeople。TheycriticisedLincoln’scautiousmanagementasirresolute，halting，lackingindefinitepurposeandinenergy；

heshouldnothavedelayedemancipationsolong；heshouldnothaveconfidedimportantcommandstomenofdoubtfulviewsastoslavery；heshouldhaveauthorizedmilitarycommanderstosettheslavesfreeastheywenton；hedealttoolenientlywithunsuccessfulgenerals；heshouldhaveputdownallfactiousoppositionwithastronghandinsteadoftryingtopacifyit；heshouldhavegiventhepeopleaccomplishedfactsinsteadofarguingwiththem，andsoon。Itistrue，thesecriticismswerenotalwaysentirelyunfounded。Lincoln’spolicyhad，withthevirtuesofdemocraticgovernment，someofitsweaknesses，whichinthepresenceofpressingexigencieswereapttodeprivegovernmentalactionofthenecessaryvigor；andhiskindnessofheart，hisdispositionalwaystorespectthefeelingsofothers，frequentlymadehimrecoilfromanythinglikeseverity，evenwhenseveritywasurgentlycalledfor。ButmanyofhisradicalcriticshavesincethenrevisedtheirjudgmentsufficientlytoadmitthatLincoln’spolicywas，onthewhole，thewisestandsafest；thatapolicyofheroicmethods，whileithassometimesaccomplishedgreatresults，couldinademocracylikeoursbemaintainedonlybyconstantsuccess；thatitwouldhavequicklybrokendownundertheweightofdisaster；thatitmighthavebeensuccessfulfromthestart，hadtheUnion，atthebeginningoftheconflict，haditsGrantsandShermansandSheridans，itsFarragutsandPorters，fullymaturedattheheadofitsforces；

butthat，asthegreatcommandershadtobeevolvedslowlyfromthedevelopmentsofthewar，constantsuccesscouldnotbecountedupon，anditwasbesttofollowapolicywhichwasinfriendlycontactwiththepopularforce，andthereforemorefittostandtrialofmisfortuneonthebattlefield。Butatthatperiodtheythoughtdifferently，andtheirdissatisfactionwithLincoln’sdoingswasgreatlyincreasedbythestepshetooktowardthereconstructionofrebelStatesthenpartiallyinpossessionoftheUnionforces。

InDecember，1863，Lincolnissuedanamnestyproclamation，offeringpardontoallimplicatedintherebellion，withcertainspecifiedexceptions，onconditionoftheirtakingandmaintaininganoathtosupporttheConstitutionandobeythelawsoftheUnitedStatesandtheproclamationsofthePresidentwithregardtoslaves；andalsopromisingthatwhen，inanyoftherebelStates，anumberofcitizensequaltoonetenthofthevotersin1860shouldre—establishastategovernmentinconformitywiththeoathabovementioned，suchshouldberecognizedbytheExecutiveasthetruegovernmentoftheState。

Theproclamationseemedatfirsttobereceivedwithgeneralfavor。Butsoonanotherschemeofreconstruction，muchmorestringentinitsprovisions，wasputforwardintheHouseofRepresentativesbyHenryWinterDavis。BenjaminWadechampioneditintheSenate。ItpassedintheclosingmomentsofthesessioninJuly，1864，andLincoln，insteadofmakingitalawbyhissignature，embodiedthetextofitinaproclamationasaplanofreconstructionworthyofbeingearnestlyconsidered。ThedifferencesofopinionconcerningthissubjecthadonlyintensifiedthefeelingagainstLincolnwhichhadlongbeennursedamongtheradicals，andsomeofthemopenlydeclaredtheirpurposeofresistinghisre—electiontothePresidency。SimilarsentimentsweremanifestedbytheadvancedantislaverymenofMissouri，who，intheirhotfaction—fightwiththe"conservatives"ofthatState，hadnotreceivedfromLincolntheactivesupporttheydemanded。StillanotherclassofUnionmen，mainlyintheEast，gravelyshooktheirheadswhenconsideringthequestionwhetherLincolnshouldbere—elected。Theywerethosewhocherishedintheirmindsanidealofstatesmanshipandofpersonalbearinginhighofficewithwhich，intheiropinion，Lincoln’sindividualitywasmuchoutofaccord。Theywereshockedwhentheyheardhimcapanargumentupongraveaffairsofstatewithastoryabout"amanoutinSangamonCounty，"——astory，tobesure，strikinglyclinchinghispoint，butsadlylackingindignity。Theycouldnotunderstandthemanwhowascapable，inopeningacabinetmeeting，ofreadingtohissecretariesafunnychapterfromarecentbookofArtemusWard，withwhichinanunoccupiedmomenthehadrelievedhiscare—

burdenedmind，andwhothensolemnlyinformedtheexecutivecouncilthathehadvowedinhishearttoissueaproclamationemancipatingtheslavesassoonasGodblessedtheUnionarmswithanothervictory。TheywerealarmedattheweaknessofaPresidentwhowouldindeedresisttheurgentremonstrancesofstatesmenagainsthispolicy，butcouldnotresisttheprayerofanoldwomanforthepardonofasoldierwhowassentencedtobeshotfordesertion。Suchmen，mostlysincereandardentpatriots，notonlywished，butearnestlysettowork，topreventLincoln’srenomination。Notafewofthemactuallybelieved，in1863，that，ifthenationalconventionoftheUnionpartywereheldthen，LincolnwouldnotbesupportedbythedelegationofasingleState。ButwhentheconventionmetatBaltimore，inJune，1864，thevoiceofthepeoplewasheard。OnthefirstballotLincolnreceivedthevotesofthedelegationsfromalltheStatesexceptMissouri；andeventheMissouriansturnedovertheirvotestohimbeforetheresultoftheballotwasdeclared。

ButevenafterhisrenominationtheoppositiontoLincolnwithintheranksoftheUnionpartydidnotsubside。Aconvention，calledbythedissatisfiedradicalsinMissouri，andfavoredbymenofasimilarwayofthinkinginotherStates，hadbeenheldalreadyinMay，andhadnominatedasitscandidateforthePresidencyGeneralFremont。He，indeed，didnotattractastrongfollowing，butoppositionmovementsfromdifferentquartersappearedmoreformidable。HenryWinterDavisandBenjaminWadeassailedLincolninaflamingmanifesto。OtherUnionmen，ofundoubtedpatriotismandhighstanding，persuadedthemselves，andsoughttopersuadethepeople，thatLincoln’srenominationwasilladvisedanddangeroustotheUnioncause。AstheDemocratshadputofftheirconventionuntilthe29thofAugust，theUnionpartyhad，duringthelargerpartofthesummer，noopposingcandidateandplatformtoattack，andthepoliticalcampaignlanguished。Neitherwerethetidingsfromthetheatreofwarofacheeringcharacter。TheterriblelossessufferedbyGrant’sarmyinthebattlesoftheWildernessspreadgeneralgloom。

ShermanseemedforawhiletobeinaprecariouspositionbeforeAtlanta。TheoppositiontoLincolnwithintheUnionpartygrewlouderinitscomplaintsanddiscouragingpredictions。Earnestdemandswereheardthathiscandidacyshouldbewithdrawn。

Lincolnhimself，notknowinghowstronglythemasseswereattachedtohim，washauntedbydarkforebodingsofdefeat。Thenthescenesuddenlychangedasifbymagic。

TheDemocrats，intheirnationalconvention，declaredthewarafailure，demanded，substantially，peaceatanyprice，andnominatedonsuchaplatformGeneralMcClellanastheircandidate。TheirconventionhadhardlyadjournedwhenthecaptureofAtlantagaveanewaspecttothemilitarysituation。

Itwaslikeasun—rayburstingthroughadarkcloud。TherankandfileoftheUnionpartyrosewithrapidlygrowingenthusiasm。

Thesong"Wearecoming，FatherAbraham，threehundredthousandstrong，"resoundedallovertheland。Longbeforethedecisivedayarrived，theresultwasbeyonddoubt，andLincolnwasre—

electedPresidentbyoverwhelmingmajorities。TheelectionoverevenhisseverestcriticsfoundthemselvesforcedtoadmitthatLincolnwastheonlypossiblecandidatefortheUnionpartyin1864，andthatneitherpoliticalcombinationsnorcampaignspeeches，norevenvictoriesinthefield，wereneededtoinsurehissuccess。TheplainpeoplehadallthewhilebeensatisfiedwithAbrahamLincoln：theyconfidedinhim；theylovedhim；theyfeltthemselvesneartohim；theysawpersonifiedinhimthecauseofUnionandfreedom；andtheywenttotheballot—boxforhimintheirstrength。

Thehouroftriumphcalledoutthecharacteristicimpulsesofhisnature。TheoppositionwithintheUnionpartyhadstunghimtothequick。Nowhehadhisopponentsbeforehim，baffledandhumiliated。Notamomentdidhelosetostretchoutthehandoffriendshiptoall。"Nowthattheelectionisover，"hesaid，inresponsetoaserenade，"maynotall，havingacommoninterest，reuniteinacommonefforttosaveourcommoncountry？Formyownpart，Ihavestriven，andwillstrive，toplacenoobstacleintheway。SolongasIhavebeenhereIhavenotwillinglyplantedathorninanyman’sbosom。WhileIamdeeplysensibletothehighcomplimentofare—election，itaddsnothingtomysatisfactionthatanyothermanmaybepainedordisappointedbytheresult。MayIaskthosewhowerewithmetojoinwithmeinthesamespirittowardthosewhowereagainstme？"ThiswasAbrahamLincoln’scharacterastestedinthefurnaceofprosperity。

Thewarwasvirtuallydecided，butnotyetended。ShermanwasirresistiblycarryingtheUnionflagthroughtheSouth。GranthadhisironhandupontherampartsofRichmond。ThedaysoftheConfederacywereevidentlynumbered。Onlythelastblowremainedtobestruck。ThenLincoln’ssecondinaugurationcame，andwithithissecondinauguraladdress。Lincoln’sfamous"Gettysburgspeech"hasbeenmuchandjustlyadmired。Butfargreater，aswellasfarmorecharacteristic，wasthatinauguralinwhichhepouredoutthewholedevotionandtendernessofhisgreatsoul。

Ithadallthesolemnityofafather’slastadmonitionandblessingtohischildrenbeforehelaydowntodie。Thesewereitsclosingwords："Fondlydowehope，ferventlydowepray，thatthismightyscourgeofwarmayspeedilypassaway。YetifGodwillsthatitcontinueuntilallthewealthpiledupbythebondman’stwohundredandfiftyyearsofunrequitedtoilshallbesunk，anduntileverydropofblooddrawnwiththelashshallbepaidbyanotherdrawnwiththesword，aswassaidthreethousandyearsago，sostillitmustbesaid，`ThejudgmentsoftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether。’Withmalicetowardnone，withcharityforall，withfirmnessintherightasGodgivesustoseetheright，letusstrivetofinishtheworkwearein；tobindupthenation’swounds；tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattle，andforhiswidowandhisorphan；todoallwhichmayachieveandcherishajustandlastingpeaceamongourselvesandwithallnations。"

Thiswaslikeasacredpoem。NoAmericanPresidenthadeverspokenwordslikethesetotheAmericanpeople。AmericaneverhadaPresidentwhofoundsuchwordsinthedepthofhisheart。

Nowfollowedtheclosingscenesofthewar。TheSouthernarmiesfoughtbravelytothelast，butallinvain。Richmondfell。

Lincolnhimselfenteredthecityonfoot，accompaniedonlybyafewofficersandasquadofsailorswhohadrowedhimashorefromtheflotillaintheJamesRiver，anegropickeduponthewayservingasaguide。Neverhadtheworldseenamoremodestconquerorandamorecharacteristictriumphalprocession，noarmywithbannersanddrums，onlyathrongofthosewhohadbeenslaves，hastilyruntogether，escortingthevictoriouschiefintothecapitalofthevanquishedfoe。Wearetoldthattheypressedaroundhim，kissedhishandsandhisgarments，andshoutedanddancedforjoy，whiletearsrandownthePresident’scare—

furrowedcheeks。

AfewdaysmorebroughtthesurrenderofLee’sarmy，andpeacewasassured。ThepeopleoftheNorthwerewildwithjoy。

Everywherefestivegunswerebooming，bellspealing，thechurchesringingwiththanksgivings，andjubilantmultitudesthrongingthethoroughfares，whensuddenlythenewsflashedoverthelandthatAbrahamLincolnhadbeenmurdered。Thepeoplewerestunnedbytheblow。ThenawailofsorrowwentupsuchasAmericahadneverheardbefore。ThousandsofNorthernhouseholdsgrievedasiftheyhadlosttheirdearestmember。ManyaSouthernmancriedoutinhisheartthathispeoplehadbeenrobbedoftheirbestfriendintheirhumiliationanddistress，whenAbrahamLincolnwasstruckdown。Itwasasifthetenderaffectionwhichhiscountrymenborehimhadinspiredallnationswithacommonsentiment。AllcivilizedmankindstoodmourningaroundthecoffinofthedeadPresident。Manyofthose，hereandabroad，whonotlongbeforehadridiculedandreviledhimwereamongthefirsttohastenonwiththeirflowersofeulogy，andinthatuniversalchorusoflamentationandpraisetherewasnotavoicethatdidnottremblewithgenuineemotion。NeversinceWashington’sdeathhadtherebeensuchunanimityofjudgmentastoaman’svirtuesandgreatness；andevenWashington’sdeath，althoughhisnamewasheldingreaterreverence，didnottouchsosympatheticachordinthepeople’shearts。

NorcanitbesaidthatthiswasowingtothetragiccharacterofLincoln’send。Itistrue，thedeathofthisgentlestandmostmercifulofrulersbythehandofamadfanaticwaswellapttoexalthimbeyondhismeritsintheestimationofthosewholovedhim，andtomakehisrenowntheobjectofpeculiarlytendersolicitude。Butitisalsotruethattheverdictpronounceduponhiminthosedayshasbeenaffectedlittlebytime，andthathistoricalinquiryhasservedrathertoincreasethantolessentheappreciationofhisvirtues，hisabilities，hisservices。

Givingthefullestmeasureofcredittohisgreatministers，——toSewardforhisconductofforeignaffairs，toChaseforthemanagementofthefinancesunderterribledifficulties，toStantonfortheperformanceofhistremendoustaskaswarsecretary，——andreadilyacknowledgingthatwithouttheskillandfortitudeofthegreatcommanders，andtheheroismofthesoldiersandsailorsunderthem，successcouldnothavebeenachieved，thehistorianstillfindsthatLincoln’sjudgmentandwillwerebynomeansgovernedbythosearoundhim；thatthemostimportantstepswereowingtohisinitiative；thathiswasthedecidinganddirectingmind；andthatitwaspre—eminentlyhewhosesagacityandwhosecharacterenlistedfortheadministrationinitsstrugglesthecountenance，thesympathy，andthesupportofthepeople。Itisfound，even，thathisjudgmentonmilitarymatterswasastonishinglyacute，andthattheadviceandinstructionshegavetothegeneralscommandinginthefieldwouldnotseldomhavedonehonortotheablestofthem。

History，therefore，withoutoverlooking，orpalliating，orexcusinganyofhisshortcomingsormistakes，continuestoplacehimforemostamongthesavioursoftheUnionandtheliberatorsoftheslave。Morethanthat，itawardstohimthemeritofhavingaccomplishedwhatbutfewpoliticalphilosopherswouldhaverecognizedaspossible，——ofleadingtherepublicthroughfouryearsoffuriouscivilconflictwithoutanyseriousdetrimenttoitsfreeinstitutions。

Hewas，indeed，whilePresident，violentlydenouncedbytheoppositionasatyrantandausurper，forhavinggonebeyondhisconstitutionalpowersinauthorizingorpermittingthetemporarysuppressionofnewspapers，andinwantonlysuspendingthewritofhabeascorpusandresortingtoarbitraryarrests。Nobodyshouldbeblamedwho，whensuchthingsaredone，ingoodfaithandfrompatrioticmotivesprotestsagainstthem。Inarepublic，arbitrarystretchesofpower，evenwhendemandedbynecessity，shouldneverbepermittedtopasswithoutaprotestontheonehand，andwithoutanapologyontheother。Itiswelltheydidnotsopassduringourcivilwar。Thatarbitrarymeasureswereresortedtoistrue。Thattheywereresortedtomostsparingly，andonlywhenthegovernmentthoughtthemabsolutelyrequiredbythesafetyoftherepublic，willnowhardlybedenied。Butcertainitisthatthehistoryoftheworlddoesnotfurnishasingleexampleofagovernmentpassingthroughsotremendousacrisisasourcivilwarwaswithsosmallarecordofarbitraryacts，andsolittleinterferencewiththeordinarycourseoflawoutsidethefieldofmilitaryoperations。NoAmericanPresidenteverwieldedsuchpowerasthatwhichwasthrustintoLincoln’shands。ItistobehopedthatnoAmericanPresidenteverwillhavetobeentrustedwithsuchpoweragain。ButnomanwaseverentrustedwithittowhomitsseductionswerelessdangerousthantheyprovedtobetoAbrahamLincoln。Withscrupulouscareheendeavored，evenunderthemosttryingcircumstances，toremainstrictlywithintheconstitutionallimitationsofhisauthority；

andwhenevertheboundarybecameindistinct，orwhenthedangersofthesituationforcedhimtocrossit，hewasequallycarefultomarkhisactsasexceptionalmeasures，justifiableonlybytheimperativenecessitiesofthecivilwar，sothattheymightnotpassintohistoryasprecedentsforsimilaractsintimeofpeace。Itisanunquestionablefactthatduringthereconstructionperiodwhichfollowedthewar，morethingsweredonecapableofservingasdangerousprecedentsthanduringthewaritself。Thusitmaytrulybesaidofhimnotonlythatunderhisguidancetherepublicwassavedfromdisruptionandthecountrywaspurifiedoftheblotofslavery，butthat，duringthestormiestandmostperilouscrisisinourhistory，hesoconductedthegovernmentandsowieldedhisalmostdictatorialpowerastoleaveessentiallyintactourfreeinstitutionsinallthingsthatconcerntherightsandlibertiesofthecitizens。Heunderstoodwellthenatureoftheproblem。InhisfirstmessagetoCongresshedefineditinadmirablypointedlanguage："Mustagovernmentbeofnecessitytoostrongforthelibertiesofitsownpeople，ortooweaktomaintainitsownexistence？Isthereinallrepublicsthisinherentweakness？"ThisquestionheansweredinthenameofthegreatAmericanrepublic，asnomancouldhaveanswereditbetter，withatriumphant"No……"

IthasbeensaidthatAbrahamLincolndiedattherightmomentforhisfame。Howeverthatmaybe，hehad，atthetimeofhisdeath，certainlynotexhaustedhisusefulnesstohiscountry。Hewasprobablytheonlymanwhocouldhaveguidedthenationthroughtheperplexitiesofthereconstructionperiodinsuchamannerastopreventintheworkofpeacetherevivalofthepassionsofthewar。Hewouldindeednothaveescapedseriouscontroversyastodetailsofpolicy；buthecouldhaveweathereditfarbetterthananyotherstatesmanofhistime，forhisprestigewiththeactivepoliticianshadbeenimmenselystrengthenedbyhistriumphantre—election；and，whatismoreimportant，hewouldhavebeensupportedbytheconfidenceofthevictoriousNorthernpeoplethathewoulddoalltosecurethesafetyoftheUnionandtherightsoftheemancipatednegro，andatthesametimebytheconfidenceofthedefeatedSouthernpeoplethatnothingwouldbedonebyhimfrommotivesofvindictiveness，orofunreasoningfanaticism，orofaselfishpartyspirit。"Withmalicetowardnone，withcharityforall，"

theforemostofthevictorswouldhavepersonifiedinhimselfthegeniusofreconciliation。

Hemighthaverenderedthecountryagreatserviceinanotherdirection。AfewdaysafterthefallofRichmond，hepointedouttoafriendthecrowdofoffice—seekersbesieginghisdoor。

"Lookatthat，"saidhe。"Nowwehaveconqueredtherebellion，buthereyouseesomethingthatmaybecomemoredangeroustothisrepublicthantherebellionitself。"Itistrue，LincolnasPresidentdidnotprofesswhatwenowcallcivilservicereformprinciples。Heusedthepatronageofthegovernmentinmanycasesavowedlytorewardpartywork，inmanyotherstoformcombinationsandtoproducepoliticaleffectsadvantageoustotheUnioncause，andinstillotherssimplytoputtherightmanintotherightplace。ButinhisendeavorstostrengthentheUnioncause，andinhissearchforableandusefulmenforpublicduties，hefrequentlywentbeyondthelimitsofhisparty，andgraduallyaccustomedhimselftothethoughtthat，whilepartyservicehaditsvalue，considerationsofthepublicinterestwere，astoappointmentstooffice，offargreaterconsequence。

Moreover，therehadbeensuchaminglingofdifferentpoliticalelementsinsupportoftheUnionduringthecivilwarthatLincoln，standingattheheadofthattemporarilyunitedmotleymass，hardlyfelthimself，inthenarrowsenseoftheterm，apartyman。Andashebecamestronglyimpressedwiththedangersbroughtupontherepublicbytheuseofpublicofficesaspartyspoils，itisbynomeansimprobablethat，hadhesurvivedtheall—absorbingcrisisandfoundtimetoturntootherobjects，oneofthemostimportantreformsoflaterdayswouldhavebeenpioneeredbyhispowerfulauthority。Thiswasnottobe。Butthemeasureofhisachievementswasfullenoughforimmortality。

TotheyoungergenerationAbrahamLincolnhasalreadybecomeahalf—mythicalfigure，which，inthehazeofhistoricdistance，growstomoreandmoreheroicproportions，butalsolosesindistinctnessofoutlineandfeature。Thisisindeedthecommonlotofpopularheroes；buttheLincolnlegendwillbemorethanordinarilyapttobecomefanciful，ashisindividuality，assemblingseeminglyincongruousqualitiesandforcesinacharacteratthesametimegrandandmostlovable，wassounique，andhiscareersoaboundinginstartlingcontrasts。AsthestateofsocietyinwhichAbrahamLincolngrewuppassesaway，theworldwillreadwithincreasingwonderofthemanwho，notonlyofthehumblestorigin，butremainingthesimplestandmostunpretendingofcitizens，wasraisedtoapositionofpowerunprecedentedinourhistory；whowasthegentlestandmostpeace—lovingofmortals，unabletoseeanycreaturesufferwithoutapanginhisownbreast，andsuddenlyfoundhimselfcalledtoconductthegreatestandbloodiestofourwars；whowieldedthepowerofgovernmentwhensternresolutionandrelentlessforceweretheorderofthedayandthenwonandruledthepopularmindandheartbythetendersympathiesofhisnature；whowasacautiousconservativebytemperamentandmentalhabit，andledthemostsuddenandsweepingsocialrevolutionofourtime；who，preservinghishomelyspeechandrusticmannereveninthemostconspicuouspositionofthatperiod，drewuponhimselfthescoffsofpolitesociety，andthenthrilledthesoulofmankindwithutterancesofwonderfulbeautyandgrandeur；who，inhisheartthebestfriendofthedefeatedSouth，wasmurderedbecauseacrazyfanatictookhimforitsmostcruelenemy；who，whileinpower，wasbeyondmeasurelampoonedandmalignedbysectionalpassionandanexcitedpartyspirit，andaroundwhosebierfriendandfoegatheredtopraisehimwhichtheyhavesinceneverceasedtodo——asoneofthegreatestofAmericansandthebestofmen。

ABRAHAMLINCOLN

BYJOSEPHH。CHOATE

[ThisAddresswasdeliveredbeforetheEdinburghPhilosophicalInstitution，November13，1900。ItisincludedinthissetwiththecourteouspermissionoftheauthorandofMessrs。ThomasY。

Crowell&Company。]

ABRAHAMLINCOLN。

WhenyouaskedmetodelivertheInauguralAddressonthisoccasion，IrecognizedthatIowedthiscomplimenttothefactthatIwastheofficialrepresentativeofAmerica，andinselectingasubjectIventuredtothinkthatImightinterestyouforanhourinabriefstudyinpopulargovernment，asillustratedbythelifeofthemostAmericanofallAmericans。I

thereforeoffernoapologyforaskingyourattentiontoAbrahamLincoln——tohisuniquecharacterandthepartheboreintwoimportantachievementsofmodernhistory：thepreservationoftheintegrityoftheAmericanUnionandtheemancipationofthecoloredrace。

Duringhisbrieftermofpowerhewasprobablytheobjectofmoreabuse，vilification，andridiculethananyothermanintheworld；butwhenhefellbythehandofanassassin，attheverymomentofhisstupendousvictory，allthenationsoftheearthviedwithoneanotherinpayinghomagetohischaracter，andthethirty—fiveyearsthathavesinceelapsedhaveestablishedhisplaceinhistoryasoneofthegreatbenefactorsnotofhisowncountryalone，butofthehumanrace。

Oneofmanynobleutterancesupontheoccasionofhisdeathwasthatinwhich’Punch’madeitsmagnanimousrecantationofthespiritwithwhichithadpursuedhim：

"BesidethiscorpsethatbearsforwindingsheetThestarsandstripeshelivedtorearanew，Betweenthemournersathisheadandfeet，Say，scurrilejester，isthereroomforyou？……

"Yes，hehadlivedtoshamemefrommysneer，Tolamemypencil，andconfutemypenTomakemeownthishind——ofprincespeer，Thisrail—splitter——atruebornkingofmen。"

Fictioncanfurnishnomatchfortheromanceofhislife，andbiographywillbesearchedinvainforsuchstartlingvicissitudesoffortune，sogreatpowerandglorywonoutofsuchhumblebeginningsandadversecircumstances。

Doubtlessyouareallfamiliarwiththesalientpointsofhisextraordinarycareer。Inthezenithofhisfamehewasthewise，patient，courageous，successfulrulerofmen；exercisingmorepowerthananymonarchofhistime，notforhimself，butforthegoodofthepeoplewhohadplaceditinhishands；commander—in—

chiefofavastmilitarypower，whichwagedwithultimatesuccessthegreatestwarofthecentury；thetriumphantchampionofpopulargovernment，thedelivereroffourmillionsofhisfellow—

menfrombondage；honoredbymankindasStatesman，President，andLiberator。

Letusglancenowatthefirsthalfofthebrieflifeofwhichthiswasthegloriousandhappyconsummation。NothingcouldbemoresqualidandmiserablethanthehomeinwhichAbrahamLincolnwasborn——aone—roomedcabinwithoutfloororwindowinwhatwasthenthewildernessofKentucky，intheheartofthatfrontierlifewhichswiftlymovedwestwardfromtheAlleghaniestotheMississippi，alwaysinadvanceofschoolsandchurches，ofbooksandmoney，ofrailroadsandnewspapers，ofallthingswhicharegenerallyregardedasthecomfortsandevennecessariesoflife。

Hisfather，ignorant，needy，andthriftless，contentifhecouldkeepsoulandbodytogetherforhimselfandhisfamily，waseverseeking，withoutsuccess，tobetterhisunhappyconditionbymovingonfromonesuchsceneofdrearydesolationtoanother。

Therudesocietywhichsurroundedthemwasnotmuchbetter。Thestruggleforexistencewashard，andabsorbedalltheirenergies。

Theywerefightingtheforest，thewildbeast，andtheretreatingsavage。Fromthetimewhenhecouldbarelyhandletoolsuntilheattainedhismajority，Lincoln’slifewasthatofasimplefarmlaborer，poorlyclad，housed，andfed，atworkeitheronhisfather’swretchedfarmorhiredouttoneighboringfarmers。Butinspite，orperhapsbymeans，ofthisrudeenvironment，hegrewtobeastalwartgiant，reachingsixfeetfouratnineteen，andfabulousstoriesaretoldofhisfeatsofstrength。Withthegrowthofthismightyframebeganthatstrangeeducationwhichinhisripeningyearswastoqualifyhimforthegreatdestinythatawaitedhim，andthedevelopmentofthosementalfacultiesandmoralendowmentswhich，bythetimehereachedmiddlelife，weretomakehimthesagacious，patient，andtriumphantleaderofagreatnationinthecrisisofitsfate。Hiswholeschooling，obtainedduringsuchoddtimesascouldbesparedfromgrindinglabor，didnotamountinalltoasmuchasoneyear，andthequalityoftheteachingwasofthelowestpossiblegrade，includingonlytheelementsofreading，writing，andciphering。

Butoutofthesesimpleelements，whenrightlyusedbytherightman，educationisachieved，andLincolnknewhowtousethem。Assooftenhappens，heseemedtotakewarningfromhisfather’sunfortunateexample。Untiringindustry，aninsatiablethirstforknowledge，andanever—growingdesiretoriseabovehissurroundings，wereearlymanifestationsofhischaracter。

Bookswerealmostunknowninthatcommunity，buttheBiblewasineveryhouse，andsomehoworotherPilgrim’sProgress，AEsop’sFables，aHistoryoftheUnitedStates，andaLifeofWashingtonfellintohishands。HetrudgedonfootmanymilesthroughthewildernesstoborrowanEnglishGrammar，andissaidtohavedevouredgreedilythecontentsoftheStatutesofIndianathatfellinhisway。Thesefewvolumeshereadandreread——andhispowerofassimilationwasgreat。Tobeshutinwithafewbooksandtomasterthemthoroughlysometimesdoesmoreforthedevelopmentofcharacterthanfreedomtorangeatlarge，inacursoryandindiscriminateway，throughwidedomainsofliterature。Thisyouth’smind，atanyrate，wasthoroughlysaturatedwithBiblicalknowledgeandBiblicallanguage，which，inafterlife，heusedwithgreatreadinessandeffect。Butitwastheconstantuseofthelittleknowledgewhichhehadthatdevelopedandexercisedhismentalpowers。Afterthehardday’sworkwasdone，whileothersslept，hetoiledon，alwaysreadingorwriting。Fromanearlyagehedidhisownthinkingandmadeuphisownmind——invaluabletraitsinthefuturePresident。

Paperwassuchascarcecommoditythat，bytheeveningfirelight，hewouldwriteandcipheronthebackofawoodenshovel，andthenshaveitofftomakeroomformore。Byandby，asheapproachedmanhood，hebeganspeakingintherudegatheringsoftheneighborhood，andsolaidthefoundationofthatartofpersuadinghisfellow—menwhichwasonerichresultofhiseducation，andonegreatsecretofhissubsequentsuccess。

Accustomedasweareinthesedaysofsteamandtelegraphstohaveeveryintelligentboysurveythewholeworldeachmorningbeforebreakfast，andinformhimselfastowhatisgoingonineverynation，itishardlypossibletoconceivehowbenightedandisolatedwastheconditionofthecommunityatPigeonCreekinIndiana，ofwhichthefamilyofLincoln’sfatherformedapart，orhoweagerlyanambitiousandhigh—spiritedboy，suchashe，musthaveyearnedtoescape。Thefirstglimpsethatheevergotofanyworldbeyondthenarrowconfinesofhishomewasin1828，attheageofnineteen，whenaneighboremployedhimtoaccompanyhissondowntherivertoNewOrleanstodisposeofaflatboatofproduce——acommissionwhichhedischargedwithgreatsuccess。

Shortlyafterhisreturnfromthishisfirstexcursionintotheouterworld，hisfather，tiredoffailureinIndiana，packedhisfamilyandallhisworldlygoodsintoasinglewagondrawnbytwoyokeofoxen，andafterafourteendays’trampthroughthewilderness，pitchedhiscamponcemore，inIllinois。HereAbraham，havingcomeofageandbeingnowhisownmaster，renderedthelastserviceofhisminoritybyploughingthefifteen—acrelotandsplittingfromthetallwalnuttreesoftheprimevalforestenoughrailstosurroundthelittleclearingwithafence。Suchwasthemeagreoutfitofthiscomingleaderofmen，attheagewhenthefutureBritishPrimeMinisterorstatesmanemergesfromtheuniversityasadoublefirstorseniorwrangler，witheveryadvantagethathightrainingandbroadcultureandassociationwiththewisestandthebestofmenandwomencangive，andentersuponsomeformofpublicserviceontheroadtousefulnessandhonor，theUniversitycoursebeingonlythefirststageofthepublictraining。SoLincoln，attwenty—one，hadjustbegunhispreparationforthepubliclifetowhichhesoonbegantoaspire。Forsomeyearsyethemustcontinuetoearnhisdailybreadbythesweatofhisbrow，havingabsolutelynomeans，nohome，nofriendtoconsult。Morefarmworkasahiredhand，aclerkshipinavillagestore，therunningofamill，anothertriptoNewOrleansonaflatboatofhisowncontriving，apilot’sberthontheriver——thesewerethemeansbywhichhesubsisteduntil，inthesummerof1832，whenhewastwenty—threeyearsofage，aneventoccurredwhichgavehimpublicrecognition。

TheBlackHawkwarbrokeout，and，theGovernorofIllinoiscallingforvolunteerstorepelthebandofsavageswhoseleaderborethatname，Lincolnenlistedandwaselectedcaptainbyhiscomrades，amongwhomhehadalreadyestablishedhissupremacybysignalfeatsofstrengthandmorethanonesuccessfulsinglecombat。Duringthebriefhostilitieshewasengagedinnobattleandwonnomilitaryglory，buthislocalleadershipwasestablished。ThesameyearheofferedhimselfasacandidatefortheLegislatureofIllinois，butfailedatthepolls。Yethisvastpopularitywiththosewhoknewhimwasmanifest。Thedistrictconsistedofseveralcounties，buttheunanimousvoteofthepeopleofhisowncountywasforLincoln。Anotherunsuccessfulattemptatstore—keepingwasfollowedbybetterluckatsurveying，untilhishorseandinstrumentswerelevieduponunderexecutionforthedebtsofhisbusinessadventure。

Ihavebeenthusdetailedinsketchinghisearlyyearsbecauseuponthesestrangefoundationsthestructureofhisgreatfameandservicewasbuilt。Intheplaceofaschoolanduniversitytrainingfortunesubstitutedthesetrials，hardships，andstrugglesasapreparationforthegreatworkwhichhehadtodo。

Itturnedouttobeexactlywhattheemergencyrequired。Tenyearsinsteadatthepublicschoolandtheuniversitycertainlynevercouldhavefittedthismanfortheuniqueworkwhichwastobethrownuponhim。SomeotherMoseswouldhavehadtoleadustoourJordan，tothesightofourpromisedlandofliberty。

Attheageoftwenty—fivehebecameamemberoftheLegislatureofIllinois，andsocontinuedforeightyears，and，inthemeantime，qualifiedhimselfbyreadingsuchlawbooksashecouldborrowatrandom——forhewastoopoortobuyanytobecalledtotheBar。Forhissecondquarterofacentury——duringwhichasingleterminCongressintroducedhimintothearenaofnationalquestions——hegavehimselfuptolawandpolitics。Inspiteofhissoaringambition，histwoyearsinCongressgavehimnopremonitionofthegreatdestinythatawaitedhim，——andatitsclose，in1849，wefindhimanunsuccessfulapplicanttothePresidentforappointmentasCommissioneroftheGeneralLandOffice——apurelyadministrativebureau；afortunateescapeforhimselfandforhiscountry。Yearbyyearhisknowledgeandpower，hisexperienceandreputationextended，andhismentalfacultiesseemedtogrowbywhattheyfedon。Hispowerofpersuasion，whichhadalwaysbeenmarked，wasdevelopedtoanextraordinarydegree，nowthathebecameengagedincongenialquestionsandsubjects。LittlebylittleherosetoprominenceattheBar，andbecamethemosteffectivepublicspeakerintheWest。Notthathepossessedanyofthegracesoftheorator；buthislogicwasinvincible，andhisclearnessandforceofstatementimpresseduponhishearerstheconvictionsofhishonestmind，whilehisbroadsympathiesandsparklingandgenialhumormadehimauniversalfavoriteasfarandasfastashisacquaintanceextended。

ThesetwentyyearsthatelapsedfromthetimeofhisestablishmentasalawyerandlegislatorinSpringfield，thenewcapitalofIllinois，furnishedafittingtheatreforthedevelopmentanddisplayofhisgreatfaculties，and，withhisnewandenlargedopportunities，heobviouslygrewinmentalstatureinthissecondperiodofhiscareer，asiftocompensatefortheabsolutelackofadvantagesunderwhichhehadsufferedinyouth。

Ashispowersenlarged，hisreputationextended，forhewasalwaysbeforethepeople，feltawarmsympathywithallthatconcernedthem，tookazealouspartinthediscussionofeverypublicquestion，andmadehispersonalinfluenceevermorewidelyanddeeplyfelt。

My，brethrenofthelegalprofessionwillnaturallyaskme，howcouldthisroughbackwoodsman，whoseyouthhadbeenspentintheforestoronthefarmandtheflatboat，withoutcultureortraining，educationorstudy，bytherandomreading，onthewing，ofafewmiscellaneouslawbooks，becomealearnedandaccomplishedlawyer？Well，heneverdid。Heneverwouldhaveearnedhissaltasa’Writer’forthe’Signet’，norhavewonaplaceasadvocateintheCourtofSession，wherethetechniqueoftheprofessionhasreacheditshighestperfection，andcenturiesoflearningandprecedentareinvolvedintheequipmentofalawyer。Dr。Holmes，whenaskedbyananxiousyoungmother，"Whenshouldtheeducationofachildbegin？"replied，"Madam，atleasttwocenturiesbeforeitisborn！"andsoIamsureitiswiththeScotslawyer。

ButnotsoinIllinoisin1840。Betweeni83oandx88oitspopulationincreasedtwenty—fold，andwhenLincolnbeganpractisinglawinSpringfieldin1837，lifeinIllinoiswasverycrudeandsimple，andsowerethecourtsandtheadministrationofjustice。Booksandlibrarieswerescarce。Butthepeoplelovedjustice，upheldthelaw，andfollowedthecourts，andsoonfoundtheirfavoritesamongtheadvocates。Thefundamentalprinciplesofthecommonlaw，assetforthbyBlackstoneandChitty，werenotsodifficulttoacquire；andbrains，commonsense，forceofcharacter，tenacityofpurpose，readywitandpowerofspeechdidtherest，andsuppliedallthedeficienciesoflearning。

Thelawsuitsofthosedayswereextremelysimple，andtheprinciplesofnaturaljusticeweremainlyreliedontodisposeofthemattheBarandontheBench，withoutresorttotechnicallearning。Railroads，corporationsabsorbingthechiefbusinessofthecommunity，combinedandinheritedwealth，withallthesubtleandintricatequestionstheybreed，hadnotyetcomein——

andsotheprofessionalagentsandtheequipmentwhichtheyrequirewerenotneeded。ButthereweremanyhighlyeducatedandpowerfulmenattheBarofIllinois，eveninthoseearlydays，whomthespiritofenterprisehadcarriedthereinsearchoffameandfortune。ItwasbyconstantcontactandconflictwiththesethatLincolnacquiredprofessionalstrengthandskill。EverycommunityandeveryagecreatesitsownBar，entirelyadequateforitspresentusesandnecessities。SoinIllinois，asthepopulationandwealthoftheStatekeptondoublingandquadrupling，itsBarpresentedagrowingabundanceoflearningandscienceandtechnicalskill。Theearlypractitionersgrewwithitsgrowthandmasteredtherequisiteknowledge。Chicagosoongrewtobeoneofthelargestandrichestandcertainlythemostintenselyactivecityonthecontinent，andifanyofmyprofessionalfriendsherehadgonethereinLincoln’slateryears，totryorargueacause，ortransactotherbusiness，withanyideathatEdinburghorLondonhadamonopolyoflegallearning，science，orsubtlety，theywouldcertainlyhavefoundtheirmistake。

InthoseearlydaysintheWest，everylawyer，especiallyeverycourtlawyer，wasnecessarilyapolitician，constantlyengagedinthepublicdiscussionofthemanyquestionsevolvedfromtherapiddevelopmentoftown，county，State，andFederalaffairs。

Thenandthere，inthisregard，publicdiscussionsuppliedtheplacewhichtheuniversalactivityofthepresshassincemonopolized，andthepublicspeakerwho，byclearness，force，earnestness，andwit；couldmakehimselffeltonthequestionsofthedaywouldrapidlycometothefront。Intheabsenceofthatimmensevarietyofpopularentertainmentswhichnowfeedthepublictasteandappetite，thepeoplefoundtheirchiefamusementinfrequentingthecourtsandpublicandpoliticalassemblies。

Ineitherplace，hewhoimpressed，entertained，andamusedthemmostwastheheroofthehour。Theydidnotdiscriminateverycarefullybetweentheeloquenceoftheforumandtheeloquenceofthehustings。Humannatureruledinbothalike，andhewhowasthemosteffectivespeakerinapoliticalharanguewasoftenretainedasmostlikelytowininacausetobetriedorargued。

AndIhavenodoubtinthiswaymanyretainerscametoLincoln。

Fees，moneyinanyform，hadnocharmsforhim——inhiseagerpursuitoffamehecouldnotaffordtomakemoney。Hewasambitioustodistinguishhimselfbysomegreatservicetomankind，andthisambitionforfameandrealpublicserviceleftnoroomforavariceinhiscomposition。Howevermuchheearned，heseemstohaveendedeveryyearhardlyricherthanhebeganit，andyet，astheyearspassed，feescametohimfreely。OneofL1，000isrecorded——averylargeprofessionalfeeatthattime，eveninanypartofAmerica，theparadiseoflawyers。IlaygreatstressonLincoln’scareerasalawyer——muchmorethanhisbiographersdobecauseinAmericaastateofthingsexistswhollydifferentfromthatwhichprevailsinGreatBritain。Theprofessionofthelawalwayshasbeenandistothisdaytheprincipalavenuetopubliclife；andIamsurethathistrainingandexperienceinthecourtshadmuchtodowiththedevelopmentofthoseforcesofintellectandcharacterwhichhesoondisplayedonabroaderarena。

Itwasinpoliticalcontroversy，ofcourse，thatheacquiredhiswidereputation，andmadehisdeepandlastingimpressionuponthepeopleofwhathadnowbecomethepowerfulStateofIllinois，anduponthepeopleoftheGreatWest，towhomthepoliticalpowerandcontroloftheUnitedStateswerealreadysurelyandswiftlypassingfromtheolderEasternStates。Itwasthisreputationandthisimpression，andthefamiliarknowledgeofhischaracterwhichhadcometothemfromhislocalleadership，thathappilyinspiredthepeopleoftheWesttopresenthimastheircandidate，andtopresshimupontheRepublicanconventionof1860asthefitandnecessaryleaderinthestruggleforlifewhichwasbeforethenation。

Thatstruggle，asyouallknow，aroseoutoftheterriblequestionofslavery——andImusttrusttoyourgeneralknowledgeofthehistoryofthatquestiontomakeintelligibletheattitudeandleadershipofLincolnasthechampionofthehostsoffreedominthefinalcontest。NegroslaveryhadbeenfirmlyestablishedintheSouthernStatesfromanearlyperiodoftheirhistory。In1619，theyearbeforetheMayflowerlandedourPilgrimFathersuponPlymouthRock，aDutchshiphaddischargedacargoofAfricanslavesatJamestowninVirginia：Allthroughthecolonialperiodtheirimportationhadcontinued。AfewhadfoundtheirwayintotheNorthernStates，butnoneoftheminsufficientnumberstoconstitutedangerortoaffordabasisforpoliticalpower。AtthetimeoftheadoptionoftheFederalConstitution，thereisnodoubtthattheprincipalmembersoftheconventionnotonlycondemnedslaveryasamoral，social，andpoliticalevil，butbelievedthatbythesuppressionoftheslavetradeitwasinthecourseofgradualextinctionintheSouth，asitcertainlywasintheNorth。Washington，inhiswill，providedfortheemancipationofhisownslaves，andsaidtoJeffersonthatit"wasamonghisfirstwishestoseesomeplanadoptedbywhichslaveryinhiscountrymightbeabolished。"Jeffersonsaid，referringtotheinstitution："ItrembleformycountrywhenIthinkthatGodisjust；thatHisjusticecannotsleepforever，"——andFranklin，Adams，Hamilton，andPatrickHenrywereallutterlyopposedtoit。ButitwasmadethesubjectofafatalcompromiseintheFederalConstitution，wherebyitsexistencewasrecognizedintheStatesasabasisofrepresentation，theprohibitionoftheimportationofslaveswaspostponedfortwentyyears，andthereturnoffugitiveslavesprovidedfor。Butnoimminentdangerwasapprehendedfromittill，bytheinventionofthecottonginin1792，cottonculturebynegrolaborbecameatonceandforevertheleadingindustryoftheSouth，andgaveanewimpetustotheimportationofslaves，sothatin1808，whentheconstitutionalprohibitiontookeffect，theirnumbershadvastlyincreased。Fromthattimeforwardslaverybecamethebasisofagreatpoliticalpower，andtheSouthernStates，underallcircumstancesandateveryopportunity，carriedonabraveandunrelentingstruggleforitsmaintenanceandextension。

TheconscienceoftheNorthwasslowtoriseagainstit，thoughbittercontroversiesfromtimetotimetookplace。TheSouthernleadersthreateneddisunioniftheirdemandswerenotcompliedwith。TosavetheUnion，compromiseaftercompromisewasmade，buteachoneintheendwasbroken。TheMissouriCompromise，madein1820upontheoccasionoftheadmissionofMissouriintotheUnionasaslaveState，whereby，inconsiderationofsuchadmission，slaverywasforeverexcludedfromtheNorthwestTerritory，wasruthlesslyrepealedin1854，byaCongresselectedintheinterestsoftheslavepower，theintentbeingtoforceslaveryintothatvastterritorywhichhadsolongbeendedicatedtofreedom。ThischallengeatlastarousedtheslumberingconscienceandpassionoftheNorth，andledtotheformationoftheRepublicanpartyfortheavowedpurposeofpreventing，byconstitutionalmethods，thefurtherextensionofslavery。

Initsfirstcampaign，in1856，thoughitfailedtoelectitscandidates；itreceivedasurprisingvoteandcarriedmanyoftheStates。NoonecouldanylongerdoubtthattheNorthhadmadeupitsmindthatnothreatsofdisunionshoulddeteritfrompressingitscherishedpurposeandperformingitslongneglectedduty。Fromtheoutset，Lincolnwasoneofthemostactiveandeffectiveleadersandspeakersofthenewparty，andthegreatdebatesbetweenLincolnandDouglasin1858，astherespectivechampionsoftherestrictionandextensionofslavery，attractedtheattentionofthewholecountry。Lincoln’spowerfulargumentscarriedconvictioneverywhere。Hismoralnaturewasthoroughlyarousedhisconsciencewasstirredtothequick。Unlessslaverywaswrong，nothingwaswrong。Waseachman，ofwhatevercolor，entitledtothefruitsofhisownlabor，orcouldonemanliveinidleluxurybythesweatofanother’sbrow，whoseskinwasdarker？HewasanimplicitbelieverinthatprincipleoftheDeclarationofIndependencethatallmenarevestedwithcertaininalienablerightstheequalrightstolife，liberty，andthepursuitofhappiness。Onthisdoctrinehestakedhiscaseandcarriedit。Wehavetimeonlyforoneortwosentencesinwhichhestruckthekeynoteofthecontest"Therealissueinthiscountryistheeternalstrugglebetweenthesetwoprinciples——rightandwrong——throughouttheworld。

Theyarethetwoprinciplesthathavestoodfacetofacefromthebeginningoftime，andwillevercontinuetostruggle。Theoneisthecommonrightofhumanity，andtheotherthedivinerightofkings。Itisthesameprincipleinwhatevershapeitdevelopsitself。Itisthesamespiritthatsays，"YouworkandtoilandearnbreadandI’lleatit。"

Heforesawwithunerringvisionthattheconflictwasinevitableandirrepressible——thatoneortheother，therightorthewrong，freedomorslavery，mustultimatelyprevailandwhollyprevail，throughoutthecountry；andthiswastheprinciplethatcarriedthewar，oncebegun，toafinish。

Onesentenceofhisisimmortal：

"Undertheoperationofthepolicyofcompromise，theslaveryagitationhasnotonlynotceased，buthasconstantlyaugmented。

Inmyopinionitwillnotceaseuntilacrisisshallhavebeenreachedandpassed。’Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand。’Ibelievethisgovernmentcannotendurepermanentlyhalfslaveandhalffree。IdonotexpecttheUniontobedissolved。

Idonotexpectthehousetofall，butIdoexpectitwillceasetobedivided。Itwillbecomeallonethingoralltheother；

eithertheopponentsofslaverywillarrestthefurtherspreadofit，andplaceitwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction，oritsadvocateswillpushitforwardtillitshallbecomealikelawfulinalltheStates，oldaswellasnew，NorthaswellasSouth。"

Duringtheentiredecadefrom1850to1860theagitationoftheslaveryquestionwasattheboilingpoint，andeventswhichhavebecomehistoricalcontinuallyindicatedthenearapproachoftheoverwhelmingstorm。NosoonerhadtheCompromiseActsof1850

resultedinatemporarypeace，whicheverybodysaidmustbefinalandperpetual，thannewoutbreakscame。TheforciblecarryingawayoffugitiveslavesbyFederaltroopsfromBostonagitatedthatancientstrongholdoffreedomtoitsfoundations。ThepublicationofUncleTom’sCabin，whichtrulyexposedthefrightfulpossibilitiesoftheslavesystem；therecklessattemptsbyforceandfraudtoestablishitinKansasagainstthewillofthevastmajorityofthesettlers；thebeatingofSummerintheSenateChamberforwordsspokenindebate；theDredScottdecisionintheSupremeCourt，whichmadethenationrealizethattheslavepowerhadatlastreachedthefountainofFederaljustice；andfinallytheexecutionofJohnBrown，forhiswildraidintoVirginia，toinvitetheslavestorallytothestandardoffreedomwhichheunfurled：——alltheseeventstendtoillustrateandconfirmLincoln’scontentionthatthenationcouldnotpermanentlycontinuehalfslaveandhalffree，butmustbecomeallonethingoralltheother。WhenJohnBrownlayundersentenceofdeathhedeclaredthatnowhewassurethatslaverymustbewipedoutinblood；butneitherhenorhisexecutionersdreamtthatwithinfouryearsamillionsoldierswouldbemarchingacrossthecountryforitsfinalextirpation，tothemusicofthewar—songofthegreatconflict：

"JohnBrown’sbodyliesa—moulderinginthegrave，Buthissoulismarchingon。"

Andnow，attheageoffifty—one，thischildofthewilderness，thisfarmlaborer，rail—sputter，flatboatman，thissurveyor，lawyer，orator，statesman，andpatriot，foundhimselfelectedbythegreatpartywhichwaspledgedtopreventatallhazardsthefurtherextensionofslavery，asthechiefmagistrateoftheRepublic，boundtocarryoutthatpurpose，tobetheleaderandrulerofthenationinitsmosttryinghour。

ThosewhobelievethatthereisalivingProvidencethatoverrulesandconductstheaffairsofnations，findintheelevationofthisplainmantothisextraordinaryfortuneandtothisgreatduty，whichhesofitlydischarged，asignalvindicationoftheirfaith。PerhapstothisphilosophicalinstitutionthejudgmentofourphilosopherEmersonwillcommenditselfasajustestimateofLincoln’shistoricalplace"Hisoccupyingthechairofstatewasatriumphofthegoodsenseofmankindandofthepublicconscience。Hegrewaccordingtotheneed；hismindmasteredtheproblemoftheday：andastheproblemgrew，sodidhiscomprehensionofit。Inthewartherewasnoplaceforholidaymagistrate，norfair—weathersailor。

Thenewpilotwashurriedtothehelminatornado。Infouryears——fouryearsofbattledays——hisendurance，hisfertilityofresource，hismagnanimity，weresorelytried，andneverfoundwanting。There，byhiscourage，hisjustice，hiseventemper，hisfertilecounsel，hishumanity，hestoodaheroicfigureinthecentreofaheroicepoch。HeisthetruehistoryoftheAmericanpeopleinhistime，thetruerepresentativeofthiscontinent——fatherofhiscountry，thepulseoftwentymillionsthrobbinginhisheart，thethoughtoftheirmind——articulatedinhistongue。"

Hewasborngreat，asdistinguishedfromthosewhoachievegreatnessorhaveitthrustuponthem，andhisinherentcapacity，mental，moral，andphysical，havingbeenrecognizedbytheeducatedintelligenceofafreepeople，theyhappilychosehimfortheirrulerinadayofdeadlyperil。

ItisnowfortyyearssinceIfirstsawandheardAbrahamLincoln，buttheimpressionwhichheleftonmymindisineffaceable。AfterhisgreatsuccessesintheWesthecametoNewYorktomakeapoliticaladdress。Heappearedineverysenseofthewordlikeoneoftheplainpeopleamongwhomhelovedtobecounted。Atfirstsighttherewasnothingimpressiveorimposingabouthim——exceptthathisgreatstaturesingledhimoutfromthecrowd：hisclotheshungawkwardlyonhisgiantframe；

hisfacewasofadarkpallor，withouttheslightesttingeofcolor；hisseamedandruggedfeaturesborethefurrowsofhardshipandstruggle；hisdeep—seteyeslookedsadandanxious；

hiscountenanceinreposegavelittleevidenceofthatbrainpowerwhichhadraisedhimfromthelowesttothehigheststationamonghiscountrymen；ashetalkedtomebeforethemeeting，heseemedillatease，withthatsortofapprehensionwhichayoungmanmightfeelbeforepresentinghimselftoanewandstrangeaudience，whosecriticaldispositionhedreaded。Itwasagreataudience，includingallthenotedmen——allthelearnedandculturedofhispartyinNewYorkeditors，clergymen，statesmen，lawyers，merchants，critics。Theywereallverycurioustohearhim。Hisfameasapowerfulspeakerhadprecededhim，andexaggeratedrumorofhiswit——theworstforerunnerofanorator——

hadreachedtheEast。WhenMr。Bryantpresentedhim，onthehighplatformoftheCooperInstitute，avastseaofeagerupturnedfacesgreetedhim，fullofintensecuriositytoseewhatthisrudechildofthepeoplewaslike。Hewasequaltotheoccasion。

Whenhespokehewastransformed；hiseyekindled，hisvoicerang，hisfaceshoneandseemedtolightupthewholeassembly。

Foranhourandahalfheheldhisaudienceinthehollowofhishand。Hisstyleofspeechandmannerofdeliverywereseverelysimple。WhatLowellcalled"thegrandsimplicitiesoftheBible，"withwhichhewassofamiliar，werereflectedinhisdiscourse。Withnoattemptatornamentorrhetoric，withoutparadeorpretence，hespokestraighttothepoint。Ifanycameexpectingtheturgideloquenceortheribaldryofthefrontier，theymusthavebeenstartledattheearnestandsincerepurityofhisutterances。Itwasmarvelloustoseehowthisuntutoredman，bymereself—disciplineandthechasteningofhisownspirit，hadoutgrownallmeretriciousarts，andfoundhisownwaytothegrandeurandstrengthofabsolutesimplicity。

Hespokeuponthethemewhichhehadmasteredsothoroughly。HedemonstratedbycopioushistoricalproofsandmasterlylogicthatthefatherswhocreatedtheConstitutioninordertoformamoreperfectunion，toestablishjustice，andtosecuretheblessingsoflibertytothemselvesandtheirposterity，intendedtoempowertheFederalGovernmenttoexcludeslaveryfromtheTerritories。

InthekindliestspiritheprotestedagainsttheavowedthreatoftheSouthernStatestodestroytheUnionif，inordertosecurefreedominthosevastregionsoutofwhichfutureStatesweretobecarved，aRepublicanPresidentwereelected。Heclosedwithanappealtohisaudience，spokenwithallthefireofhisarousedandkindlingconscience，withafulloutpouringofhisloveofjusticeandliberty，tomaintaintheirpoliticalpurposeonthatloftyandunassailableissueofrightandwrongwhichalonecouldjustifyit，andnottobeintimidatedfromtheirhighresolveandsacreddutybyanythreatsofdestructiontothegovernmentorofruintothemselves。Heconcludedwiththistellingsentence，whichdrovethewholeargumenthometoallourhearts："Letushavefaiththatrightmakesmight，andinthatfaithletustotheenddaretodoourdutyasweunderstandit。"

Thatnightthegreathall，andthenextdaythewholecity，rangwithdelightedapplauseandcongratulations，andhewhohadcomeasastrangerdepartedwiththelaurelsofgreattriumph。

Alas！infiveyearsfromthatexultingnightIsawhimagain，forthelasttime，inthesamecity，borneinhiscoffinthroughitsdrapedstreets。Withtearsandlamentationsaheart—brokenpeopleaccompaniedhimfromWashington，thesceneofhismartyrdom，tohislastresting—placeintheyoungcityoftheWestwherehehadworkedhiswaytofame。

NeverwasanewrulerinamoredesperateplightthanLincolnwhenheenteredofficeonthefourthofMarch，1861，fourmonthsafterhiselection，andtookhisoathtosupporttheConstitutionandtheUnion。TheinterveningtimehadbeenbusilyemployedbytheSouthernStatesincarryingouttheirthreatofdisunionintheeventofhiselection。Assoonasthefactwasascertained，sevenofthemhadsecededandhadseizedupontheforts，arsenals，navyyards，andotherpublicpropertyoftheUnitedStateswithintheirboundaries，andweremakingeverypreparationforwar。InthemeantimetheretiringPresident，whohadbeenelectedbytheslavepower，andwhothoughtthesecedingStatescouldnotlawfullybecoerced，haddoneabsolutelynothing。

Lincolnfoundhimself，bytheConstitution，Commander—in—ChiefoftheArmyandNavyoftheUnitedStates，butwithonlyaremnantofeitherathand。Eachwastobecreatedonagreatscaleoutoftheunknownresourcesofanationuntriedinwar。

Inhismildandconciliatoryinauguraladdress，whileappealingtothesecedingStatestoreturntotheirallegiance，heavowedhispurposetokeepthesolemnoathhehadtakenthatday，toseethatthelawsoftheUnionwerefaithfullyexecuted，andtousethetroopstorecovertheforts，navyyards，andotherpropertybelongingtothegovernment。Itisprobable，however，thatneithersideactuallyrealizedthatwarwasinevitable，andthattheotherwasdeterminedtofight，untiltheassaultonFortSumterpresentedtheSouthasthefirstaggressorandrousedtheNorthtouseeverypossibleresourcetomaintainthegovernmentandtheimperilledUnion，andtovindicatethesupremacyoftheflagovereveryinchoftheterritoryoftheUnitedStates。ThefactthatLincoln’sfirstproclamationcalledforonly75，000

troops，toserveforthreemonths，showshowinadequatewasevenhisideaofwhatthefuturehadinstore。ButfromthatmomentLincolnandhisloyalsupportersneverfalteredintheirpurpose。

Theyknewtheycouldwin，thatitwastheirdutytowin，andthatforAmericathewholehopeofthefuturedependedupontheirwinning；fornowbytheactsofthesecedingStatestheissueoftheelectiontosecureorpreventtheextensionofslavery——stoodtransformedintoastruggletopreserveortodestroytheUnion。

Wecannotfollowthiscontest。Youknowitsgiganticproportions；thatitlastedfouryearsinsteadofthreemonths；

thatinitsprogress，insteadof75，000men，morethan2，000，000

wereenrolledonthesideofthegovernmentalone；thattheaggregatecostandlosstothenationapproximatedto1，000，000，000poundssterling，andthatnotlessthan300，000

braveandpreciouslivesweresacrificedoneachside。HistoryhasrecordedhowLincolnborehimselfduringthesefourfrightfulyears；thathewastherealPresident，theresponsibleandactualheadofthegovernment，throughitall；thathelistenedtoalladvice，heardallparties，andthen，alwaysrealizinghisresponsibilitytoGodandthenation，decidedeverygreatexecutivequestionforhimself。HisabsolutehonestyhadbecomeproverbiallongbeforehewasPresident。"HonestAbeLincoln"

wasthenamebywhichhehadbeenknownforyears。Hiseveryactattestedit。

Inallthegrandeurofthevastpowerthathewielded，heneverceasedtobeoneoftheplainpeople，ashealwayscalledthem，neverlostorimpairedhisperfectsympathywiththem，wasalwaysinperfecttouchwiththemandopentotheirappeals；andherelaytheverysecretofhispersonalityandofhispower，forthepeopleinturngavehimtheirabsoluteconfidence。Hiscourage，hisfortitude，hispatience，hishopefulness，weresorelytriedbutneverexhausted。

Hewastrueassteeltohisgenerals，buthadfrequentoccasiontochangethem，ashefoundtheminadequate。Thisseriousandpainfuldutyrestedwhollyuponhim，andwasperhapshismostimportantfunctionasCommander—in—Chief；butwhen，atlast，herecognizedinGeneralGrantthemasterofthesituation，themanwhocouldandwouldbringthewartoatriumphantend，hegaveitallovertohimandupheldhimwithallhismight。Amidallthepressureanddistressthattheburdensofofficebroughtuponhim，hisunfailingsenseofhumorsavedhim；probablyitmadeitpossibleforhimtoliveundertheburden。Hehadalwaysbeenthegreatstory—telleroftheWest，andheusedandcultivatedthisfacultytorelievetheweightoftheloadhebore。

Itenabledhimtokeepthewonderfulrecordofneverhavinglosthistemper，nomatterwhatagonyhehadtobear。Awholenightmightbespentinrecountingthestoriesofhiswit，humor，andharmlesssarcasm。ButIwillrecallonlytwoofhissayings，bothaboutGeneralGrant，whoalwaysfoundplentyofenemiesandcriticstourgethePresidenttoousthimfromhiscommand。One，Iamsure，willinterestallScotchmen。TheyrepeatedwithmaliciousintentthegossipthatGrantdrank。"Whatdoeshedrink？"askedLincoln。"Whiskey，"was，ofcourse，theanswer；

doubtlessyoucanguessthebrand。"Well，"saidthePresident，"justfindoutwhatparticularkindheusesandI’llsendabarreltoeachofmyothergenerals。"TheothermustbeaspleasingtotheBritishastotheAmericanear。WhenpressedagainonothergroundstogetridofGrant，hedeclared，"Ican’tsparethatman，hefights！"

Hewastender—heartedtoafault，andnevercouldresisttheappealsofwivesandmothersofsoldierswhohadgotintotroubleandwereundersentenceofdeathfortheiroffences。HisSecretaryofWarandotherofficialscomplainedthattheynevercouldgetdesertersshot。Assurelyasthewomenoftheculprit’sfamilycouldgetathimhealwaysgaveway。Certainlyyouwillallappreciatehisexquisitesympathywiththesufferingrelativesofthosewhohadfalleninbattle。Hisheartbledwiththeirs。Neverwasthereamoregentleandtenderutterancethanhislettertoamotherwhohadgivenallhersonstohercountry，writtenatatimewhentheangelofdeathhadvisitedalmosteveryhouseholdintheland，andwasalreadyhoveringoverhim。

"Ihavebeenshown，"hesays，"inthefilesoftheWarDepartmentastatementthatyouarethemotheroffivesonswhohavediedgloriouslyonthefieldofbattle。IfeelhowweakandfruitlessmustbeanywordsofminewhichshouldattempttobeguileyoufromyourgriefforalosssooverwhelmingbutIcannotrefrainfromtenderingtoyoutheconsolationwhichmaybefoundinthethanksoftheRepublictheydiedtosave。IpraythatourHeavenlyFathermayassuagetheanguishofyourbereavementandleaveyouonlythecherishedmemoryofthelovedandthelost，andthesolemnpridethatmustbeyourstohavelaidsocostlyasacrificeuponthealtaroffreedom。"

Hardlycouldyourillustrioussovereign，fromthedepthsofherqueenlyandwomanlyheart，havespokenwordsmoretouchingandtendertosoothethestrickenmothersofherownsoldiers。

TheEmancipationProclamation，withwhichMr。LincolndelightedthecountryandtheworldonthefirstofJanuary，1863，willdoubtlesssecureforhimaforemostplaceinhistoryamongthephilanthropistsandbenefactorsoftherace，asitrescued，fromhopelessanddegradingslavery，somanymillionsofhisfellow—

beingsdescribedinthelawandexistinginfactas"chattels—

personal，inthehandsoftheirownersandpossessors，toallintents，constructions，andpurposeswhatsoever。"Rarelydoesthehappyfortunecometoonemantorendersuchaservicetohiskind——toproclaimlibertythroughoutthelanduntoalltheinhabitantsthereof。

Ideasruletheworld，andneverwasthereamoresignalinstanceofthistriumphofanideathanhere。WilliamLloydGarrison，whothirtyyearsbeforehadbegunhiscrusadefortheabolitionofslavery，andhadlivedtoseethisgloriousandunexpectedconsummationofthehopelesscausetowhichhehaddevotedhislife，welldescribedtheproclamationasa"greathistoricevent，sublimeinitsmagnitude，momentousandbeneficentinitsfar—

reachingconsequences，andeminentlyjustandrightaliketotheoppressorandtheoppressed。"

Lincolnhadalwaysbeenheartandsoulopposedtoslavery。

TraditionsaysthatonthetripontheflatboattoNewOrleansheformedhisfirstandlastopinionofslaveryatthesightofnegroeschainedandscourged，andthatthenandtheretheironenteredintohissoul。NoboycouldgrowtomanhoodinthosedaysasapoorwhiteinKentuckyandIndiana，inclosecontactwithslaveryorinitsneighborhood，withoutagrowingconsciousnessofitsblightingeffectsonfreelabor，aswellasofitsfrightfulinjusticeandcruelty。IntheLegislatureofIllinois，wherethepublicsentimentwasallforupholdingtheinstitutionandviolentlyagainsteverymovementforitsabolitionorrestriction，uponthepassageofresolutionstothateffecthehadthecouragewithonecompaniontoputonrecordhisprotest，"believingthattheinstitutionofslaveryisfoundedbothininjusticeandbadpolicy。"Nogreatdemonstrationofcourage，youwillsay；butthatwasatatimewhenGarrison，forhisabolitionutterances，hadbeendraggedbyanangrymobthroughthestreetsofBostonwitharopearoundhisbody，andintheveryyearthatLovejoyinthesameStateofIllinoiswasslainbyrioterswhiledefendinghispress，fromwhichhehadprintedantislaveryappeals。

InCongresshebroughtinabillforgradualabolitionintheDistrictofColumbia，withcompensationtotheowners，foruntiltheyraisedtreasonablehandsagainstthelifeofthenationhealwaysmaintainedthatthepropertyoftheslaveholders，intowhichtheyhadcomebytwocenturiesofdescent，withoutfaultontheirpart，oughtnottobetakenawayfromthemwithoutjustcompensation。Heusedtosaythat，onewayoranother，hehadvotedforty—twotimesfortheWilmotProviso，whichMr。WilmotofPennsylvaniamovedasanadditiontoeverybillwhichaffectedUnitedStatesterritory，"thatneitherslaverynorinvoluntaryservitudeshalleverexistinanypartofthesaidterritory，"

anditisevidentthathiscondemnationofthesystem，onmoralgroundsasacrimeagainstthehumanrace，andonpoliticalgroundsasacancerthatwassappingthevitalsofthenation，andmustmasteritswholebeingorbeitselfextirpated，grewsteadilyuponhimuntilitculminatedinhisgreatspeechesintheIllinoisdebate。

BythemereelectionofLincolntothePresidency，thefurtherextensionofslaveryintotheTerritorieswasrenderedforeverimpossible——Voxpopuli，voxDei。Revolutionsnevergobackward，andwhenfoundedonagreatmoralsentimentstirringtheheartofanindignantpeopletheiredictsareirresistibleandfinal。Hadtheslavepoweracquiescedinthatelection，hadtheSouthernStatesremainedundertheConstitutionandwithintheUnion，andreliedupontheirconstitutionalandlegalrights，theirfavoriteinstitution，immoralasitwas，blightingandfatalasitwas，mighthaveenduredforanothercentury。Thegreatpartythathadelectedhim，unalterablydeterminedagainstitsextension，wasneverthelesspledgednottointerferewithitscontinuanceintheStateswhereitalreadyexisted。Ofcourse，whennewregionswereforeverclosedagainstit，fromitsverynatureitmusthavebeguntoshrinkandtodwindle；andprobablygradualandcompensatedemancipation，whichappealedverystronglytothenewPresident’ssenseofjusticeandexpediency，would，intheprogressoftime，byareversiontotheideasofthefoundersoftheRepublic，havefoundasafeoutletforbothmastersandslaves。Butwhomthegodswishtodestroytheyfirstmakemad，andwhensevenStates，afterwardsincreasedtoeleven，openlysecededfromtheUnion，whentheydeclaredandbeganthewaruponthenation，andchallengeditsmightypowertothedesperateandprotractedstruggleforitslife，andforthemaintenanceofitsauthorityasanationoveritsterritory，theygavetoLincolnandtofreedomthesublimeopportunityofhistory。