the blood and
treasure of the North. There is but one way to save us from
demoralisation, discord, and repudiation. No section must be
disorganised. All must be made to feel that the mighty efforts we are
making to save our Union are stimulated by a purpose to restore peace
and prosperity in every section. If it is true that slavery must be
abolished by force; that the South must be held in military
subjection; that four millions of negroes must be under the management
of authorities at Washington at the public expense; then, indeed, we
must endure the waste of our armies, further drains upon our
population, and still greater burdens of debt. We must convert our
government into a military despotism. The mischievous opinion that in
this contest the North must subjugate and destroy the South to save
our Union has weakened the hopes of our citizens at home, and
destroyed confidence in our success abroad."[887]

[Footnote 887: Horatio Seymour, _Public Record_, pp. 85-105.]

Although this message failed to recognise the difference between a
peaceable South in the Union and a rebellious South attempting to
destroy the Union, it is not easy, perhaps, to comprehend how the
acknowledged leader of the opposition, holding such views and relying
for support upon the peace sentiment of the country, could have said
much less. Yet the feeling must possess the student of history that a
consummate politician, possessing Seymour's ability and popularity,
might easily have divided with Lincoln the honor of crushing the
rebellion and thus have become his successor. The President recognized
this opportunity, saying to Weed that the "Governor has greater power
just now for good than any other man in the country. He can wheel the
Democratic party into line, put down rebellion, and preserve the
government. Tell him for me that if he will render this service for
his country, I shall cheerfully make way for him as my successor."[888]
Seymour's reply, if he made one, is not of record, but Lincoln's
message would scarcely appeal to one who disbelieved in the North's
ability to subjugate the South. Later in the spring the President,
unwilling to give the Governor up, wrote him a characteristic note.
"You and I," said he, "are, substantially, strangers, and I write this
chiefly that we may become better acquainted. As to maintaining the
nation's life and integrity, I assume and believe there cannot be a
difference of purpose between you and me. I