t is for us, the living,
rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who
fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be
here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these
honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they
gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve
that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people,
for the people, by the people, shall not perish from the earth."(31)

XXVIII. APPARENT ASCENDENCY

Toward the end of 1863, Lowell prepared an essay on "The President's
Policy." It might almost be regarded as a manifesto of the
Intellectuals. That there was now a prospect of winning the war
"was mainly due to the good sense, the good humor, the sagacity, the
large-mindedness, and the unselfish honesty of the unknown man whom
a blind fortune, as it seemed, had lifted from the crowd to the most
dangerous and difficult eminence of modern times." When the essay
appeared in print, Lincoln was greatly pleased. He wrote to the editors
of the North American Review, "I am not the most impartial judge; yet
with due allowance for this, I venture to hope that the article entitled
'The President's Policy' will be of value to the country. I fear I
am not quite worthy of all which is therein so kindly said of me
personally."(1)

This very able defense of his previous course appeared as he was
announcing to the country his final course. He was now satisfied that
winning the war was but a question of time. What would come after
war was now in his mind the overshadowing matter. He knew that
the vindictive temper had lost nothing of its violence. Chandler's
savagery--his belief that the Southerners had forfeited the right to
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--was still the Vindictive
creed. 'Vae victi'! When war ended, they meant to set their feet on the
neck of the vanquished foe. Furthermore, Lincoln was not deceived as
to why they were lying low at this particular minute. Ears had been
flattened to the ground and they were heeding what the ground had said.
The President was too popular for them to risk attacking him without an
obvious issue. Their former issue had been securely appropriated by
the Democrats. Where could they find another? With consummate boldness
Lincoln presented them an issue. It was reconstructio