toward it--Rival
Candidates for the Nomination--Chase's Achillean Wrath--Harmony
Restored--The Baltimore Convention--Decision "not to Swap Horses
while Crossing a Stream"--The Summer of 1864--Washington again
Threatened--Lincoln under Fire--Unpopular Measures--The President's
Perplexities and Trials--The Famous Letter "To Whom It May
Concern"--Little Expectation of Re-election--Dangers of
Assassination--"A Thrilling Experience"--Lincoln's Forced
Serenity--"The Saddest Man in the World"--A Break in the
Clouds--Lincoln Vindicated by Re-election--Cheered and
Reassured--More Trouble with Chase--Lincoln's Final Disposal of
him--The President's Fourth Annual Message--His Position toward the
Rebellion and Slavery Reaffirmed--Colored Folks' Reception at the
White House--Passage of the Amendment Prohibiting Slavery--Lincoln
and the Southern Peace Commissioners--The Meeting in Hampton
Roads--Lincoln's Impression of A H. Stephens--The Second
Inauguration--Second Inaugural Address--"With Malice toward None,
with Charity for All"--An Auspicious Omen.

The year 1864 witnessed another Presidential election, and one which
was attended by the most novel and extraordinary circumstances. It was
held while a considerable portion of the people were engaged in armed
rebellion against the authority of the National Government; and it was
not participated in by the voters of several entire States. Aside from
these unique features, it marked a most critical epoch in the history
of the country, and in that of Abraham Lincoln as well. The policy and
acts of the administration, even the question of the further
prosecution of the war, were to be submitted to the sovereign tribunal
of the people; and with their verdict would be recorded also the
popular measure of approval or disapproval of President Lincoln. Those
who knew him best during his first official term pronounce him
singularly free from plans and calculations regarding his own
political future. He was too absorbed in public cares and duties, too
nearly crushed by the great burdens resting upon him, to give thought
or attention to questions of personal ambition. It had never been his
aim, during his Presidential life, to look far ahead. He was content
to deal wisely and soberly with important questions as they arose from
day to day and hour to hour; to adapt himself and his actions to the
exigencies of th