Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Moses stands pre-eminently high. He received the law from God, and his name is honoured among the hosts of heaven. Was not his greatest act the delivering three millions of his kindred out of bondage? Yet we may assert that Abraham Lincoln, by his proclamation, liberated more enslaved people than ever Moses set free, and those not of his kindred or his race. Such a power, or such an opportunity, God has seldom given to man. When other events shall have been forgotten; when this world shall have become a network of republics; when every throne shall be swept from the face of the earth; when literature shall enlighten all minds; when the claims of humanity shall be recognized everywhere, this act shall be conspicuous on the pages of history. We are thankful that God gave to Abraham Lincoln wisdom and grace to issue that proclamation, which stands high above all other papers which have been penned by uninspired men."

MR.

XXVII.

STILL IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

R. LINCOLN was renominated for a second term in the summer of 1864. There were not wanting leaders who opposed his renomination. He was too slow and too kind to suit them. But their opposition was short-lived. When the National Convention assembled in Baltimore, the current of enthusiasm for Mr. Lincoln swept away all opposition. Intelligence from the army proved that one feeling pervaded the rank and file,—the "boys" demanded the renomination of "Father Abraham." The colonel of a regiment on the Potomac, in which were many Democrats, reported a conversation among his men, as follows:

"Who are you for, Joe?" inquired one of a Democrat. "Father Abraham, of course; a new man would upset things," was the reply.

"Who knows but a new man might hurry up the end of this rebellion!" interjected another.

"But we know who we have now for President," responded the Democrat; "but when you have a new man you must wait to find out."

"That's so," loudly answered a comrade: "no time for an armistice now."

[ocr errors]

Soldiers think too much of Lincoln to swap him off now for somebody else," remarked another,

And so the discussion proceeded, until a German, who had remained a silent listener, spoke:

"I goes for Fader Abraham," he said. "Fader Abraham, he likes the soldier-boy. Ven he serves tree years he gives him four hundred dollar, and re-enlists him von veteran. Now Fader Abraham, he serve four years. We re-enlist him four years more, and make von veteran of him."

The German settled the question in that regiment; and it was about a fair representation of the feeling throughout the Union army.

In the convention, the votes of every State except Missouri were cast for Mr. Lincoln. Her twenty-two votes were cast for General Grant, but, immediately upon the announcement of the ballot, they were transferred to Mr. Lincoln.

In less than two months after his renomination, the President resolved to issue a call for five hundred thousand more troops. On laying the subject before his Cabinet, objections were provoked at once.

"It will prove disastrous," said one.

"It will defeat your re-election, Mr. President," suggested another.

"It will furnish material for your enemies to use against you; the people are tired of the war," added the first-named speaker.

For quite a while the measure was discussed; and the President listened with his accustomed deference, occasionally dropping a word. At length, however, he settled the matter beyond controversy. Rising from his seat, and assuming that commanding attitude so usual when he was about to make a noble stand, he remarked, with profound seriousness, as well as emphasis:

[ocr errors]

"Gentlemen, it is not necessary that I should be re

elected, but it is necessary that our brave boys at the front should be supported, and the country saved. I shall call for five hundred thousand more men, and if I go down under the measure, I will go down like the Cumberland, with my colours flying."

God crowned his noble decision with success. He did not go down like the Cumberland, or any other riddled gunboat. Opposition hid itself before the onward march of his popularity. He was re-elected by the largest majority ever known in presidential elections. His popular majority was 411,428, in a total vote of 4,015,902; and he had 212 of the 233 votes in the electoral college. On being publicly congratulated upon this emphatic endorsement, President Lincoln said,

"I am thankful to God for this approval of the people. But, while deeply grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know my heart, my gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph. I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one; but I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of the people's resolution to stand by free government, and the rights of humanity."

The re-election of President Lincoln was equal to the addition of five hundred thousand more soldiers to the Union army. It destroyed the last hope of the Rebellion. It was staggering when the day of the election arrived; and from that time its fall was rapidly accelerated.

On the 4th day of March, 1865, his second inauguration as President of the United States occurred. A great concourse of people witnessed the imposing ceremonies, and listened to his remarkable inaugural address. According to the national custom, Mr. Lincoln

kissed the open Bible, after having taken the oath of office. Mr. Middleton, who passed the Bible to him, instantly marked the verses touched by the President's lips. They were the 26th and 27th verses of the fifth chapter of Isaiah, and read as follows:

"And he will lift up an ensign to the nations, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth; and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly; none shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken."

The speedy overthrow of the rebellion furnished a remarkable interpretation of these words; and they are choice words of prophecy to be for ever associated with President Lincoln's memory.

His inaugural address on that occasion has been declared to be the most remarkable State paper extant.

It has often been classed with the "Farewell Address " of Washington; as it proved, indeed, the farewell address of Lincoln to the American people. And as Washington's life would be incomplete without the former, so Lincoln's life would lack an essential fact without the latter. The address was brief, direct, and affecting, as follows:

FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN,-At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at first. Then, a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms,

« AnteriorContinuar »