their earnest prayers to Almighty God that he might
have wisdom and help to see the right path and pursue it. Those prayers
were answered. He guided the ship of State safely through the most angry
storm that ever demanded a brave and good pilot. We can only gaze in awe
on the memory of this man. He seemingly knew in a moment, when placed in
a trying position that would have baffled an inferior mind, just what to
do for the best interest of the nation.

Mr. Lincoln had unsurpassed fitness for the task he had to execute.
Without anything like brilliancy of genius, without breadth of learning
or literary accomplishments, he had that perfect balance of thoroughly
sound faculties which gave him the reputation of an almost infallible
judgment. This, combined with great calmness of temper, inflexible
firmness of will, supreme moral purpose, and intense patriotism made up
just that character which fitted him, as the same qualities fitted
Washington, for the salvation of his country in a period of stupendous
responsibility and eminent peril.

Although far advanced on the question of slavery, personally, he was
exceedingly careful about pushing measures upon a country he knew was
hardly prepared as yet to receive such sweeping legislation. An
acquaintance once said: 'It is hard to believe that very nearly one-half
of the Republican party were opposed to the issue of the proclamation of
emancipation.' Thus Lincoln avoided all extremes, and this quality alone
made him eminently fit to govern. Yet, when necessary, he was stern and
unrelenting. When the British minister desired to submit instructions
from his government, stating that that government intended to sustain a
neutral relation, he refused to receive it officially. When France
demanded recognition by the United States of the government of
Maximilian, in Mexico, he steadily refused. He was firm as a rock; he
would ride post haste twenty miles to pardon a deserter, but under no
consideration could he be induced to suspend hostilities against a
people who were trying to destroy the Union. All sorts of political
machinery was invented to manufacture public opinion and sentiment
against him, but he was triumphantly re-elected in 1864.

The morning of Lincoln's second inauguration was very stormy, but the
sky cleared just before noon, and the sun shone brightly as he appeared
before an immense audience in front of the capitol, and took the oath
and delivered an address, alike