siness with him until after the election[1237]." By
November 1, Lyons was so ill that he asked for immediate leave, and in
replying, "You will come away at once," Russell added that he was
entirely convinced the United States wished to make no serious
difficulties with Great Britain.

"... I do not think the U.S. Government have any
ill-intentions towards us, or any fixed purpose of availing
themselves of a tide of success to add a war with us to their
existing difficulties. Therefore whatever their bluster and
buncome may be at times, I think they will subside when the
popular clamour is over[1238]."

In early November, Lincoln was triumphantly re-elected receiving 212
electoral votes to 21 cast for McClellan. No disturbances such as the
_Gazette_ had gloomily foretold attended the event, and the tremendous
majority gained by the President somewhat stunned the press. Having
prophesied disorders, the _Gazette_ now patted America on the back for
her behaviour, but took occasion to renew old "professions of faith"
against reunion:

"Abraham Lincoln II reigns in succession to Abraham Lincoln
I, the first Republican monarch of the Federal States, and so
far as we are concerned we are very glad of it, because the
measure of the man is taken and known.... It is most
creditable to the law-abiding habits of the people that the
elections ... passed off as they have done.... Mr. Lincoln
has four long years of strife before him; and as he seems
little inclined to change his advisers, his course of action,
or his generals, we do not believe that the termination of
his second period of government will find him President of
the United States[1239]."

The _Times_ was disinclined, for once, to moralize, and was cautious in
comment:

"Ever since he found himself firmly established in his
office, and the first effervescence of national feeling had
begun to subside, we have had no great reason to complain of
the conduct of Mr. Lincoln towards England. His tone has been
less exacting, his language has been less offensive and, due
allowance being made for the immense difficulties of his
situation, we could have parted with Mr. Lincoln, had such
been the pleasure of the American people, without any vestige
of ill-will or ill-feeling. He has done as regards this
country what the necessities of his situ