nd a death-roll that staggered the nation. A wail went over the
North. After all, was the war hopeless? Was Lee invincible? Was the best
of the Northern manhood perishing to no result?

Greeley, perhaps the most hysterical man of genius America has produced,
made his paper the organ of the wail. He wrote frantic appeals to the
government to cease fighting, do what could be done by negotiation, and
if nothing could be done--at least, stop "these rivers of human blood."

The Vindictives saw their opportunity. They would capitalize the wail.
The President should be dealt with yet.

XXX. THE PRESIDENT VERSUS THE VINDICTIVES

Now that the Vindictives had made up their minds to fight, an occasion
was at their hands. Virtually, they declared war on the President
by refusing to recognize a State government which he had set up in
Arkansas. Congress would not admit Senators or Representatives from the
Reconstructed State. But on this issue, Lincoln was as resolute to fight
to a finish as were any of his detractors. He wrote to General Steele,
commanding in Arkansas:

"I understand that Congress declines to admit to seats the persons sent
as Senators and Representatives from Arkansas. These persons apprehend
that, in consequence, you may not support the new State government there
as you otherwise would. My wish is that you give that government and
the people there the same support and protection that you would if the
members had been admitted, because in no event, nor in any view of the
case, can this do harm, while it will be the best you can do toward
suppressing the rebellion."(1)

The same day Chase resigned. The reason he assigned was, again, the
squabble over patronage. He had insisted on an appointment of which the
President disapproved. Exactly what moved him may be questioned. Chase
never gave his complete confidence, not even to his diary. Whether
he thought that the Vindictives would now take him up as a rival of
Lincoln, continues doubtful. Many men were staggered by his action.
Crittenden, the Registrar of the Treasury, was thrown into a panic. "Mr.
President," said he, "this is worse than another Bull Run. Pray let me
go to Secretary Chase and see if I can not induce him to withdraw his
resignation. Its acceptance now might cause a financial panic."
But Lincoln was in a fighting mood. "Chase thinks he has become
indispensable to the country," he told Chittenden. "He also thinks he
ought to be President; h