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ANOTHER NOTE-In explaining Abraham Lincoln's life, as you find it in this book, his letters, speeches, messages, proclamations, official correspondence, and the like are not particularly considered because they come within the ordinary course of such things, in all Presidential duties and doings.

The book emphasizes the more emphatic acts of his Presidential career. It gives his personality, officially and individually, in the determination of matters significantly important to the United States of America.

In this role consider him, estimate him, value him, and establish his National importance.

HE WAS RE-ELECTED

In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was elected to succeed himself. He was nominated in a convention held in Baltimore. There were, among Republicans, Unionists and War Democrats, no united efforts against him of any political consequence. A few ambitionists, soreheads, and natural kickers threw stones at the frogs, from one viewpoint and another, but were unable to organize any noticeable opposition; and his nomination and election came and went almost as a matter of course. This was just as it should have been. Any other action would have been a mistake a very great mistake.

The Democrats made a great effort in this election. They met in Chicago in September and an immense convention nominated General George B. McClellan as its candidate, upon a platform declaring the war a failure and demanding a suspension of hostilities, that a treaty might be arranged with the Confederacy. The capture of Vicksburg, the victory at Gettysburg, Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman on his way to the sea, and Grant around Richmond were too many answers to the Democratic demand.

HIS SECOND INAUGURATION

The 4th day of March, 1865, dawned upon the City of Washington under very different auspices from the same date four years before. At high noon, the rain having subsided, Abraham Lincoln again stood at the eastern portico of the Capitol and received the oath of office. Upon being sworn, he delivered a wonderful inaugural address. Indeed, it was a wonderful address. Its language, its sentiment, and its thought were all that has ever been claimed for it, and it has been pronounced the greatest of state papers. The gathering of this inauguration was different from that of 1861. The excitement and intense interest of that gathering had ripened into conviction, duty and realization. Wounded soldiers with cane, crutch, emaciated face and form were in evidence. The occasion seemed a conclusion of a great strife, a great struggle, a great national convulsion. The message entreated a speedy termination of the contention that had so nearly rent the Union in twain. President Lincoln must have returned to the White House with a realizing sense of duty done; and his appreciative audience must have echoed a hearty approval.

HE VISITED RICHMOND

Within thirty days from his second inauguration the Confederacy began to dissolve. Grant's unyielding hold upon Richmond, Sherman's great march to the sea, Sheridan's wonderful victory in the Shenandoah Valley had finally accomplished the conclusion of the Southern Confederacy. Surrender became the order of the day. One after another the Confederate armies became dissolving views. Lee at Appomattox handed his sword to Grant and Grant returned it, that it might be forever thereafter a token of peace. President Lincoln, with his son, Thomas, twelve years old, visited Richmond from City Point, the city being occupied by our troops; and later, with Mrs. Lincoln, Vice-President Johnson and several senators, visited the city again. The colored people and the white people paid him great respect. He returned to Washington and a great reception was given him at the White House. Robert T. Lincoln was upon General Grant's staff; but Lee having surrendered, he returned to his home. These visits to Richmond and the surrender of the Rebellion filled his great heart with a joyous gratitude; and, as never before, he felt a thankfulness for a providential realization of the greatest endeavor of his life.

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