t on Sumter, Mr. Lincoln's
words arrested it, and restored enthusiasm and ardor to all hearts.
Indeed, men of thought and discretion everywhere saw that the course
of the President was fixed, and even if they differed from his
conclusions, they were persuaded that safety could be secured only
by following his counsels, and upholding his measures. Mr. Lincoln
had been throughout his life much given to reading, to argument,
to induction, to speculation, to reflection. He was now before
the world as a man of whom decision and action were required, with
the lives and fortunes of unborn millions depending upon his wisdom,
with the fate of Republican liberty and Constitutional government
at stake upon his success. The history of the world shows no
example of a man upon whom extraordinary public duties and perilous
responsibilities were so suddenly thrust. No antecedent training
had apparently fitted him for his work; no experience in affairs
had given assurance that he could master a situation which demanded
an unprecedented expenditure of treasure, which involved the control
of armies larger than the fabled host of Xerxes, which developed
questions of state-craft more delicate and more difficult than
those which had baffled the best minds in Europe.

Under the inspiration of the message, and in strict accordance with
its recommendations, Congress proceeded to its work. No legislation
was attempted, none was even seriously suggested, except measures
relating to the war. In no other session of Congress was so much
accomplished in so brief a time. Convening on the fourth day of
July, both Houses adjourned finally on the 6th of August. There
were in all but twenty-nine working-days, and every moment was
faithfully and energetically employed. Seventy-six public Acts
were passed. With the exception of four inconsiderable bills, the
entire number related to the war,--to the various modes of
strengthening the military and naval forces of the Union, to the
wisest methods of securing money for the public service, to the
effectual building up of the National credit. Many of these bills
were long and complex. The military establishment was re-organized,
the navy enlarged, the tariff revised, direct taxes were levied,
and loan-bills perfected. Two hundred and seven millions of dollars
were appropriated for the army, and fifty-six millions for the
navy. Some details of these measures are elsewhere presented under
appropria