ds, Vol. 43, Part 1, p. 26.]

[Footnote 1014: New York _Times_, September 9, 1864; Appleton's
_Cyclopaedia_, 1864, p. 134.]

This story, coupled with recent victories, turned the Democratic
platform into a lie. Instead of being a failure, the war was now
recognised as a grand success, and radical speakers, replying to the
clamour for a cessation of hostilities, maintained that the abolition
of slavery was the only condition that promised a permanent peace.
Brilliant descriptions of Grant's work, aided by his distinguished
lieutenants, were supplemented later in the campaign by the recital of
"Sheridan's Ride," which produced the wildest enthusiasm. Indeed, the
influence of the army's achievements, dissipating the despondency of
the summer months, lifted the campaign into an atmosphere of
patriotism not before experienced since the spring of 1861, and
established the belief that Lincoln's re-election meant the end of
secession and slavery. "There will be peace," said John Cochrane, "but
it will be the peace which the musket gives to a conquered host."[1015]

[Footnote 1015: New York _Tribune_, October 11, 1864.]

Referring to the farewell speech of Alexander H. Stephens upon his
retirement from public life in 1859, George William Curtis, with the
eloquence that adorned his addresses at that period, thrilled his
audience with an exciting war picture: "Listen to Mr. Stephens in the
summer sunshine six years ago. 'There is not now a spot of the public
territory of the United States over which the national flag floats
where slavery is excluded by the law of Congress, and the highest
tribunal of the land has decided that Congress has no power to make
such a law. At this time there is not a ripple upon the surface. The
country was never in a profounder quiet.' Do you comprehend the
terrible significance of those words? He stops; he sits down. The
summer sun sets over the fields of Georgia. Good-night, Mr.
Stephens--a long good-night. Look out from your window--how calm it
is! Upon Missionary Ridge, upon Lookout Mountain, upon the heights of
Dalton, upon the spires of Atlanta, silence and solitude; the peace of
the Southern policy of slavery and death. But look! Hark! Through the
great five years before you a light is shining--a sound is ringing.
It is the gleam of Sherman's bayonets, it is the roar of Grant's guns,
it is the red daybreak and wild morning music of peace indeed, the
peace of national life and liberty."[1016]