Lincoln’s Second Presidential Term—­His Attitude toward it—­Rival Candidates for the Nomination—­Chase’s Achillean Wrath—­Harmony Restored—­The Baltimore Convention—­Decision “not to Swap Horses while Crossing a Stream”—­The Summer of 1864—­Washington again Threatened—­Lincoln under Fire—­Unpopular Measures—­The President’s Perplexities and Trials—­The Famous Letter “To Whom It May Concern”—­Little Expectation of Re-election—­Dangers of Assassination—­“A Thrilling Experience”—­Lincoln’s Forced Serenity—­“The Saddest Man in the World”—­A Break in the Clouds—­Lincoln Vindicated by Re-election—­Cheered and Reassured—­More Trouble with Chase—­Lincoln’s Final Disposal of him—­The President’s Fourth Annual Message—­His Position toward the Rebellion and Slavery Reaffirmed—­Colored Folks’ Reception at the White House—­Passage of the Amendment Prohibiting Slavery—­Lincoln and the Southern Peace Commissioners—­The Meeting in Hampton Roads—­Lincoln’s Impression of A H. Stephens—­The Second Inauguration—­Second Inaugural Address—­“With Malice toward None, with Charity for All”—­An Auspicious Omen.

The year 1864 witnessed another Presidential election, and one which was attended by the most novel and extraordinary circumstances.  It was held while a considerable portion of the people were engaged in armed rebellion against the authority of the National Government; and it was not participated in by the voters of several entire States.  Aside from these unique features, it marked a most critical epoch in the history of the country, and in that of Abraham Lincoln as well.  The policy and acts of the administration, even the question of the further prosecution of the war, were to be submitted to the sovereign tribunal of the people; and with their verdict would be recorded also the popular measure of approval or disapproval of President Lincoln.  Those who knew him best during his first official term pronounce him singularly free from plans and calculations regarding his own political future.  He was too absorbed in public cares and duties, too nearly crushed by the great burdens resting upon him, to give thought or attention to questions of personal ambition.  It had never been his aim, during his Presidential life, to look far ahead.  He was content to deal wisely and soberly with important questions as they arose from day to day and hour to hour; to adapt himself and his actions to the exigencies of the present, and in that way to earn security for the future.  He himself said, using a forcible and apt illustration borrowed from his early life:  “The pilots on our Western rivers steer from point to point, as they call it—­setting the course of the boat no farther than they can see; and that is all I propose to do in the great problems that are set before me.”