



Produced by Mark C. Orton, Charlie Howard, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)









  "If this country cannot be saved without giving up the principle of
  Liberty, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this
  spot than surrender it."

      _From Mr. Lincoln's Speech at Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
      February 21, 1861._

  "I believe this Government cannot endure permanently half slave and
  half free."

      _Springfield, Illinois, June, 1858._

  "I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and
  the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with
  the original idea for which the Revolution was made."

      _Trenton, New Jersey, February 21, 1861._

  "Having thus chosen our course, without guile and with pure
  purpose, let us renew our trust in God, and go forward without fear
  and with manly hearts."

      _Message, July 5, 1861._

  "In giving freedom to the slaves, we assure freedom to the free;
  honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve."

      _Message, December 1, 1862._

  "I hope peace will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to
  be worth the keeping in all future time."

      _Springfield Letter, August 26, 1863._

  "The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here;
  but it can never forget what the brave men, living and dead, did
  here."

      _Speech at Gettysburg, November 19, 1863._

  "I shall not attempt to retract or modify the Emancipation
  Proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is
  free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the Acts of
  Congress."

      _Amnesty Proclamation, December 8, 1863._

  "I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that
  events have controlled me."

      _Letter to A. G. Hodges, April 4, 1864._

  "With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in
  the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to
  finish the work we are in."

      _Last Inaugural, March 4, 1865._


[Illustration]




    LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN,

    SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.


    CONTAINING

    HIS EARLY HISTORY AND POLITICAL CAREER; TOGETHER
    WITH THE SPEECHES, MESSAGES, PROCLAMATIONS AND
    OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF
    HIS EVENTFUL ADMINISTRATION.


    BY FRANK CROSBY,
    MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR.


    "LET ALL THE ENDS THOU AIM'ST AT BE THY COUNTRY'S,
    THY GOD'S AND TRUTH'S; THEN IF THOU FALL'ST
    THOU FALL'ST A BLESSED MARTYR."


    NEW YORK
    INTERNATIONAL BOOK COMPANY
    310-318 SIXTH AVENUE




    DEDICATED

    TO THE GOOD AND TRUE

    OF THE NATION

    REDEEMED--REGENERATED--DISENTHRALLED.




PREFACE.


An attempt has been made in the following pages to portray Abraham
Lincoln, mainly in his relations to the country at large during his
eventful administration.

With this view, it has not been deemed necessary to cumber the work
with the minute details of his life prior to that time. This period
has, therefore, been but glanced at, with a care to present enough to
make a connected whole. His Congressional career and his campaign with
Senator Douglas are presented in outline, yet so, it is believed, that
a clear idea of these incidents in his life can be obtained.

After the time of his election as President, however, a different
course of treatment has been pursued. Thenceforward, to the close of
his life, especial pains have been taken to present everything which
should show him as he was--the Statesman persistent, resolute, free
from boasting or ostentation, destitute of hate, never exultant,
guarded in his prophecies, threatening none at home or abroad,
indulging in no utopian dreams of a blissful future, moving quietly,
calmly, conscientiously, irresistibly on to the end he saw with
clearest vision.

Yet, even in what is presented as a complete record of his
administration, too much must not be expected. It is impossible, for
example, to thoroughly dissect the events of the great Rebellion in
a work like the present. Nothing of the kind has been attempted. The
prominent features only have been sketched; and that solely for the
purpose of bringing into the distinct foreground him whose life is
under consideration.

Various Speeches, Proclamations, and Letters, not vitally essential
to the unity of the main body of the work, yet valuable as affording
illustrations of the man--have been collected in the Appendix.

Imperfect as this portraiture must necessarily be, there is one
conciliatory thought. The subject needs no embellishment. It furnishes
its own setting. The acts of the man speak for themselves. Only such an
arrangement is needed as shall show the bearing of each upon the other,
the development of each, the processes of growth.

Those words of the lamented dead which nestle in our hearts so
tenderly--they call for no explanation. Potent, searching, taking hold
of our consciences, they will remain with us while reason lasts.

Nor will the people's interest be but for the moment. The baptism of
blood to which the Nation has been called, cannot be forgotten for
generations. And while memories of him abide, there will inevitably be
associated with them the placid, quiet face, not devoid of mirth--its
patient, anxious, yet withal hopeful expression--the sure, elastic
step--the clearly cut, sharply defined speech of him, who, under
Providence, was to lead us through the trial and anguish of those
bitter days to the rest and refreshing of a peace, whose dawn only,
alas! he was to see.

Though this work may not rise to the height required, it is hoped that
it is not utterly unworthy of the subject. Such as it is--a labor of
love--it is offered to those who loved and labored with the patriot
and hero, with the earnest desire that it may not be regarded an
unwarrantable intrusion upon ground on which any might hesitate to
venture.

        F. C.

    _Philadelphia, June, 1865._




CONTENTS


  CHAPTER I.

  BOYHOOD AND EARLY MANHOOD.

  Preliminary--Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal from Kentucky--At
  Work--Self Education--Personal Characteristics--Another Removal
  --Trip to New Orleans--Becomes Clerk--Black Hawk War--Engages in
  Politics--Successive Elections to the Legislature--Anti-Slavery
  Protest--Commences Practice as a Lawyer--Traits of Character--
  Marriage--Return to Politics--Election to Congress                  13


  CHAPTER II.

  IN CONGRESS AND ON THE STUMP.

  The Mexican War--Internal Improvements--Slavery in the
  District of Columbia--Public Lands--Retires to Private Life--
  Kansas-Nebraska Bill--Withdraws in Favor of Senator Trumbull--
  Formation of Republican Party--Nominated for U. S. Senator--
  Opening Speech of Mr. Lincoln--Douglas Campaign--The Canvass--
  Tribute to the Declaration of Independence--Result of the Contest   19


  CHAPTER III.

  BEFORE THE NATION.

  Speeches in Ohio--Extract from the Cincinnati Speech--Visits
  the East--Celebrated Speech at the Cooper Institute, New
  York--Interesting Incident                                          34


  CHAPTER IV.

  NOMINATED AND ELECTED PRESIDENT.

  The Republican National Convention--Democratic Convention--
  Constitutional Union Convention--Ballotings at Chicago--
  The Result--Enthusiastic Reception--Visit to Springfield--
  Address and Letter of Acceptance--The Campaign--Result
  of the Election--South Carolina's Movements--Buchanan's
  Pusillanimity--Secession of States--Confederate Constitution--
  Peace Convention--Constitutional Amendments--Terms of the Rebels    60


  CHAPTER V.

  TO WASHINGTON.

  The Departure--Farewell Remarks--Speech at Toledo--At
  Indianapolis--At Cincinnati--At Columbus--At Steubenville--
  At Pittsburgh--At Cleveland--At Buffalo--At Albany--At
  Poughkeepsie--At New York--At Trenton--At Philadelphia--At
  "Independence Hall"--Flag Raising--Speech at Harrisburg--
  Secret Departure for Washington--Comments                           67


  CHAPTER VI.

  THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.

  Speeches at Washington--The Inaugural Address--Its Effect--
  The Cabinet--Commissioners from Montgomery--Extracts from A.
  H. Stephens' Speech--Virginia Commissioners--Fall of Fort
  Sumter                                                              90


  CHAPTER VII.

  PREPARING FOR WAR.

  Effects of Sumter's Fall--President's Call for Troops--
  Response in the Loyal States--In the Border States--Baltimore
  Riots--Maryland's Position--President's Letter to Maryland
  Authorities--Blockade Proclamation--Additional Proclamation--
  Comments Abroad--Second Call for Troops--Special Order for
  Florida--Military Movements                                        108


  CHAPTER VIII.

  THE FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS.

  Opening of Congress--President's First Message--Its Nature--
  Action of Congress--Resolution Declaring the Object of the
  War--Bull Run--Its Effect                                          117


  CHAPTER IX.

  CLOSE OF 1861.

  Election of the Rebels--Davis' Boast--McClellan appointed
  Commander of Potomac Army--Proclamation of a National Fast--
  Intercourse with Rebels Forbidden--Fugitive Slaves--Gen.
  Butler's Views--Gen. McClellan's Letter from Secretary
  Cameron--Act of August 6th, 1861--Gen. Fremont's Order--
  Letter of the President Modifying the Same--Instructions to
  Gen. Sherman--Ball's Bluff--Gen. Scott's Retirement--Army of
  the Potomac                                                        137


  CHAPTER X.

  THE CONGRESS OF 1861-62.

  The Military Situation--Seizure of Mason and Slidell--
  Opposition to the Administration--President's Message--
  Financial Legislation--Committee on the Conduct of the War--
  Confiscation Bill                                                  148


  CHAPTER XI.

  THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

  Situation of the President--His Policy--Gradual Emancipation--
  Message--Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia--
  Repudiation of Gen. Hunter's Emancipation Order--Conference with
  Congressmen from the Border Slave States--Address to the Same--
  Military Order--Proclamation under the Conscription Act            171


  CHAPTER XII.

  THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.

  President's War Order--Reason for the Same--Results in West
  and South-west--Army of the Potomac--Presidential Orders--
  Letter to McClellan--Order for Army Corps--The Issue of the
  Campaign--Unfortunate Circumstances--President's Speech
  at Union Meeting--Comments--Operations in Virginia and
  Maryland--In the West and South-west                               181


  CHAPTER XIII.

  FREEDOM TO MILLIONS.

  Tribune Editorial--Letter to Mr. Greeley--Announcement of the
  Emancipation Proclamation--Suspension of the _Habeas Corpus_
  in certain Cases--Order for Observance of the Sabbath--The
  Emancipation Proclamation                                          190


  CHAPTER XIV.

  LAST SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS.

  Situation of the Country--Opposition to the Administration--
  President's Message                                                199


  CHAPTER XV.

  THE TIDE TURNED.

  Military Successes--Favorable Elections--Emancipation Policy--
  Letter to Manchester (Eng.) Workingmen--Proclamation for a
  National Fast--Letter to Erastus Corning--Letter to a Committee
  on Recalling Vallandigham                                          226


  CHAPTER XVI.

  LETTERS AND SPEECHES.

  Speech at Washington--Letter to Gen. Grant--Thanksgiving
  Proclamation--Letter Concerning the Emancipation Proclamation--
  Proclamation for Annual Thanksgiving--Dedicatory Speech at
  Gettysburg                                                         242


  CHAPTER XVII.

  THE THIRTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.

  Organization of the House--Different Opinions as to
  Reconstruction--Provisions for Pardon of Rebels--President's
  Proclamation of Pardon--Annual Message--Explanatory
  Proclamation                                                       263


  CHAPTER XVIII.

  PROGRESS.

  President's Speech at Washington--Speech to a New York
  Committee--Speech in Baltimore--Letter to a Kentuckian--
  Employment of <DW52> Troops--Davis' Threat--General Order--
  President's Order on the Subject                                   275


  CHAPTER XIX.

  RENOMINATED.

  Lieut. Gen. Grant--His Military Record--Continued Movements--
  Correspondence with the President--Across the Rapidan--
  Richmond Invested--President's Letter to a Grant Meeting--
  Meeting of Republican National Convention--The Platform--
  The Nomination--Mr. Lincoln's Reply to the Committee of
  Notification--Remarks to Union League Committee--Speech at a
  Serenade--Speech to Ohio Troops                                    285


  CHAPTER XX.

  RECONSTRUCTION.

  President's Speech at Philadelphia--Philadelphia Fair--
  Correspondence with Committee of National Convention--
  Proclamation of Martial Law in Kentucky--Question of
  Reconstruction--President's Proclamation on the Subject--
  Congressional Plan                                                 298


  CHAPTER XXI.

  PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1864.

  Proclamation for a Fast--Speech to Soldiers--Another Speech--
  "To Whom it may Concern"--Chicago Convention--Opposition
  Embarrassed--Resolution No. 2--McClellan's Acceptance--
  Capture of the Mobile Forts and Atlanta--Proclamation for
  Thanksgiving--Remarks on Employment of <DW64> Soldiers--
  Address to Loyal Marylanders                                       314


  CHAPTER XXII.

  RE-ELECTED

  Presidential Campaign of 1864--Fremont's Withdrawal--Wade
  and Davis--Peace and War Democrats--Rebel Sympathizers--
  October Election--Result of Presidential Election--Speech to
  Pennsylvanians--Speech at a Serenade--Letter to a Soldier's
  Mother--Opening of Congress--Last Annual Message                   325


  CHAPTER XXIII.

  TIGHTENING THE LINES.

  Speech at a Serenade--Reply to a Presentation Address--Peace
  Rumors--Rebel Commissioners--Instructions to Secretary
  Seward--The Conference in Hampton Roads--Result--Extra
  Session of the Senate--Military Situation--Sherman--
  Charleston--Columbia--Wilmington--Fort Fisher--Sheridan--
  Grant--Rebel Congress--Second Inauguration--Inaugural--
  English Comment--Proclamation to Deserters                         350


  CHAPTER XXIV.

  IN RICHMOND.

  President Visits City Point--Lee's Failure--Grant's Movement--
  Abraham Lincoln in Richmond--Lee's Surrender--President's
  Impromptu Speech--Speech on Reconstruction--Proclamation Closing
  Certain Ports--Proclamation Relative to Maritime Rights--
  Supplementary Proclamation--Orders from the War Department--
  The Traitor President                                              362


  CHAPTER XXV.

  THE LAST ACT.

  Interview with Mr. Colfax--Cabinet Meeting--Incident--
  Evening Conversation--Possibility of Assassination--Leaves
  for the Theatre--In the Theatre--Precautions for the
  Murder--The Pistol Shot--Escape of the Assassin--Death of
  the President--Pledges Redeemed--Situation of the Country--
  Effect of the Murder--Obsequies at Washington--Borne Home--
  Grief of the People--At Rest                                       374


  CHAPTER XXVI.

  THE MAN.

  Reasons for His Re-election--What was Accomplished--Leaning on
  the People--State Papers--His Tenacity of Purpose--Washington
  and Lincoln--As a Man--Favorite Poem--Autobiography--His Modesty
  --A Christian--Conclusion                                          382


  APPENDIX.

  Mr. Lincoln's Speeches in Congress and Elsewhere, Proclamations,
    Letters, etc., not included in the Body of the Work.

  Speech on the Mexican War, (In Congress, Jan. 12, 1848)            391

  Speech on Internal Improvements, (In Congress, June 20, 1848)
                                                                     403

  Speech on the Presidency and General Politics, (In Congress,
    July 27, 1848)                                                   417

  Speech in Reply to Mr. Douglas, on Kansas, the Dred Scott
    Decision, and the Utah Question, (At Springfield, June 26,
    1857)                                                            431

  Speech in Reply to Senator Douglas, (At Chicago, July 10, 1858)    442

  Opening Passages of his Speech at Freeport                         459

  Letter to Gen. McClellan                                           464

  Letter to Gen. Schofield Relative to the Removal of Gen. Curtis    466

  Three Hundred Thousand Men Called For                              466

  Rev. Dr. McPheeters--President's Reply to an Appeal for
    Interference                                                     468

  An Election Ordered in the State of Arkansas                       470

  Letter to William Fishback on the Election in Arkansas             471

  Call for Five Hundred Thousand Men                                 471

  Letter to Mrs. Gurney                                              473

  The Tennessee Test Oath                                            474




LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.




CHAPTER I.

BOYHOOD AND EARLY MANHOOD.

  Preliminary--Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal from Kentucky--
  At Work--Self Education--Personal Characteristics--Another
  Removal--Trip to New Orleans--Becomes Clerk--Black Hawk War--
  Engages in Politics--Successive Elections to the Legislature--
  Anti-Slavery Protest--Commences Practice as a Lawyer