us propositions
of the platform was too guarded and reserved to be satisfactory.
The people felt moreover that the deliberate declarations of the
Convention and not the individual expressions of the candidate
defined the policy of the party.

One of the first results of the Democratic position was the withdrawal
of General Fremont from the canvass. As a loyal man he could not
fail to see that his position was entirely untenable. Either Mr.
Lincoln or General McClellan would be the next President and his
duty was made so plain that he could not hesitate. The argument
for Mr. Lincoln's re-election addressed itself with irresistible
force to the patriotic sentiment and sober judgment of the country.
Apart from every consideration growing out of the disloyal attitude
of the Democratic Convention, it was felt that the rejection of
Mr. Lincoln would be regarded by the rebels as the condemnation of
the war policy and would encourage them to renewed, prolonged, and
more desperate resistance. This conviction appealed to patriotic
men of all parties. Mere political feeling largely subsided, and
the people were actuated by a higher sense of public duty. Especially
was every effort made to remove all grounds of difference which
had divided members of the Union party. The Baltimore platform
indicated some dissatisfaction with the Cabinet, and, acting upon
this suggestion, the President requested and received the resignation
of Postmaster-General Blair. It is but just to Mr. Blair to say
that he gave to Mr. Lincoln his earnest and faithful support in
the election.

From the hour of the Chicago Convention the whole course of events
steadily strengthened the canvass for Mr. Lincoln. The turn of
the political tide came with sudden and overpowering force. The
news of the capture of Fort Morgan burst upon the Democratic
Convention while it was declaring the war a failure, and the day
after its adjournment brought the still more inspiring intelligence
that Sherman had taken Atalanta. The swift successes of Farragut
in Mobile Bay, following the fall of the rebel stronghold in the
South, filled the country with joy. Within two days from the hour
when the Chicago delegates separated with the demand for a practical
surrender to the rebellion, President Lincoln was able to issue a
proclamation for thanksgiving in all the churches for the great
Union triumphs; and this was followed by national salutes from
every navy-yard and ars