direction of this policy be devolved by the
President "upon some member of his cabinet," and indicating with modest
significance "it is not my especial province; but I neither seek to
assume or evade responsibility." Lincoln met this proposal in a
magnanimous spirit, saying, "As to the proposed policy, if this must be
done I must do it.... When a general line of policy is adopted, I
apprehend that there is no danger of it being changed without good
reason, or continuing to be a subject of unnecessary debate; still, upon
points arising in its progress I wish, and suppose that I am entitled to
have, the advice of all the cabinet."

Thus Seward came to understand, as the nation later understood, who was
the head of the government, and how wise and capable he was; and this
superiority, Seward was great enough to freely acknowledge two months
later in the words: "Executive force and vigor are rare qualities ...
the President is the best of us."

On April 12 the Confederates fired on Fort Sumpter, and by that act of
aggression unified and aroused the North. Douglas promptly assured the
President of his support and telegraphed his followers that he had given
his pledge "to sustain the President in the exercise of his
constitutional functions to preserve the Union, maintain the government
and defend the Federal Capital." Thus ended the talk of compromise,
conciliation, concession, and also the discussion of the right or wrong
of slavery. The President in his patient, kindly wisdom had
substituted the issue of Union, and had waited until the Confederacy was
the aggressor. On April 15 he called for 75,000 volunteers and called
Congress to convene in extra session July 4.

The response was immediate and resolute. The North, glad that the long
suspense was over, offered hundreds of thousands of men for the Union.
The Confederates threatened to capture Washington and make it the
Confederate capital, and for a few days there was grave fear that they
would do so. The Sixth Massachusetts was assaulted by a mob in the
streets of Baltimore, four soldiers and twelve rioters killed and many
wounded; and the Southern sympathisers in Maryland objected to the
passing of soldiers through that state. The President, as usual
conciliatory and patient but firm, said, "there is no piece of American
soil too good to be pressed by the foot of a loyal soldier as he marches
to the defense of the capital of his country."

Among the President's great