ThatFrenchdemagoguewhomVictorHugoaptlycalledNapoleontheLittlewasaprimefactorinthehistoryoftheUnionandtheConfederacy。TheConfederatesideofhisintriguewillbetoldinitsproperplace。Here，letusobservehimfromthepointofviewofWashington。
Itistoomuchtoattempttopackintoasentenceortwothecomplicateddramaofdeceit，lies，andgraft，throughwhichhecreatedatlastapretextforinterventionintheaffairsofMexico；itisenoughthatintheautumnof1862aFrencharmyofinvasionmarchedfromVeraCruzuponMexicoCity。WehavealreadyseenthataboutthissametimeNapoleonproposedtoEnglandandRussiaajointinterventionwithFrancebetweenNorthandSouth——aproposalwhich，however，wasrejected。ThisMexicanventureexplainswhytheplanwassuggestedatthatparticulartime。
DisappointedinEnglandandRussia，Napoleonunexpectedlyreceivedencouragement，ashethought，fromwithintheUnitedStatesthroughthemediumoftheeccentriceditorofthe\"NewYorkTribune\"。WeshallhaveoccasiontoreturnlatertotheadventuresofHoraceGreeley——thaterraticindividualwhohasmanygoodandgenerousactstohiscredit，aswellasmanyfoolishones。Forthepresentwehavetonotethattowardthecloseof1862heapproachedtheFrenchAmbassadoratWashingtonwitharequestforimperialmediationbetweentheNorthandtheSouth。GreeleywasatypeofAmericanthatnoEuropeancanunderstand:hebelievedintalk，andmoretalk，andstillmoretalk，asthecureforearthlyills。Henevercouldunderstandthatanybodybesideshimselfcouldhavestrongconvictions。WhenhetoldtheAmbassadorthattheEmperor\'smediationwouldleadtoareconciliationofthesections，hewasdoubtlesssincereinhisbelief。TheastuteEuropeandiplomat，whocouldnotbelievesuchsimplicity，thoughtitamask。Whenheaskedfor，andreceived，permissiontopasstheFederallinesandvisitRichmond，heinterpretedthepermitinthelightofhisassumptionaboutGreeley。AtRichmond，hefoundnodesireforreunion。Puttingthisandthattogether，heconcludedthattheNorthwantedtogiveupthefightandwouldwelcomemediationtosaveitsface。ThedreadfuldefeatatFredericksburgfellinwiththisreasoning。HisreportsonAmericanconditionsledNapoleon，inJanuary，1863，toattemptalonewhathehadoncehopedtodosupportedbyEnglandandRussia。HeproposedhisgoodofficestotheGovernmentatWashingtonasamediatorbetweenNorthandSouth。
Hitherto，WashingtonhadbeenverydiscreetaboutMexico。AdroithintsnottogotoofarhadbeengivenNapoleoninfullmeasure，buttherewasnorealprotest。TheStateDepartmentnowcontinuedthiscautionandinthemostpolitetermsdeclinedNapoleon\'soffer。Congress，however，tookthemattermoregrimly，forthroughoutthedealingswithNapoleon，ithadbeenatoddswithLincoln。Itnowpassedthefirstofaseriesofresolutionswhichexpressedthewillofthecountry，ifnotquitethewillofthePresident，byresolvingthatanyfurtherproposalofmediationwouldberegardedbyitas\"anunfriendlyact。\"
Napoleonthenresumedhisschemingforjointintervention，whileinthemeantimehisarmiescontinuedtofighttheirwayuntiltheyenteredMexicoCityinJune，1863。ThetimehadnowcomewhenNapoleonthoughtitopportunetoshowhishand。
ThosewerethedayswhenLeeappearedinvincible，andwhenChancellorsvillecrownedasplendidseriesoftriumphs。InEngland，theSouthernpartymadeafreshstart；andsocietieswereorganizedtoaidtheConfederacy。AtLiverpool，LairdBrotherswerebuilding，ostensiblyforFrance，reallyfortheConfederacy，twoironcladssupposedtooutclasseveryshipintheNorthernnavy。InFrance，100，000unemployedcottonhandswereriotingforfood。ToraisefundsfortheConfederacythegreatErlangerbanking-houseofParisnegotiatedaloanbasedoncottonwhichwastobedeliveredafterthebreakingoftheblockade。NapoleondreamedofashatteredAmericanunion，twoenfeebledrepublics，andabroadwayforhisownschemeinMexico。
InJuneanEnglishpoliticianofSouthernsympathies，EdwardRoebuck，wentovertoFrance，wasreceivedbytheEmperor，andcametoanunderstandingwithhim。RoebuckwenthometoreporttotheSouthernpartythatNapoleonwasreadytointervene，andthatallhewaitedforwasEngland\'scooperation。Amotion\"toenterintonegotiationswiththeGreatPowersofEuropeforthepurposeofobtainingtheircooperationintherecognition\"oftheConfederacywasintroducedbyRoebuckintheHouseofCommons。
ThedebatewhichfollowedwasthelastchanceoftheSouthernpartyand，aseventsproved，thelastchanceofNapoleon。HowcompletelytheBritishministrywasnowcommittedtotheNorthappearsinthefactthatGladstone，fortheGovernment，opposedRoebuck\'smotion。JohnBrightattackeditinwhatLordMorleycalls\"perhapsthemostpowerfulandthenoblestspeechofhislife。\"TheSouthernpartywashardlyresoluteintheirsupportofRoebuckandpresentlyhewithdrewhismotion。
ButtherewerestilltheironcladsatLiverpool。Wehaveseenthatearlierinthewar，thecarelessnessoftheBritishauthoritieshadpermittedtheescapeofship290，subsequentlyknownastheConfederatecommercedestroyer，Alabama。Theauthoritiesdidnotwishtoallowarepetitionoftheincident。
ButcoulditbeshownthattheLairdshipswerenotreallyforaFrenchpurchaser?ItwasinthecourseofdiplomaticconversationsthatMr。Adams，speakingofthepossiblesailingoftheships，madearemarkdestinedtobecomefamous:\"Itwouldbesuperfluousinmetopointouttoyourlordshipthatthisiswar。\"Atjest，theauthoritiesweresatisfied。TheshipswereseizedandintheendboughtfortheBritishNavy。
AgainNapoleonstoodalone。Notonlyhadhefailedtoobtainaidfromabroad，butinFranceitselfhisMexicanschemeswerewidelyandbitterlycondemned。Yethehadgonetoofartorecede，andwhathehadbeenaimingatallalongwasnowrevealed。AnassemblyofMexicannotables，convenedbythegeneraloftheinvaders，votedtosetupanimperialgovernmentandofferedthecrowntoNapoleon\'snominee，theArchdukeMaximilianofAustria。
AndnowtheGovernmentatWashingtonwasfacedwithacomplicatedproblem。WhatabouttheMonroeDoctrine?DidtheUniondareriskwarwithFrance?DiditdarepassoverwithoutprotesttheestablishmentofmonarchyonAmericansoilbyforeignarms?
Betweenthesehornsofadilemma，theGovernmentmaintaineditsprecariouspositionduringanotheryear。Seward\'scorrespondencewithPariswasamasterpieceofevasion。HeneitherprotestedagainsttheinterventionofNapoleonnoracknowledgedtheauthorityofMaximilian。Apparently，bothheandLincolnweredividedbetweenfearofaFrenchalliancewiththeConfederacyandfearofprematureactionintheNorththatwouldrenderNapoleondesperate。JusthowfartheycomprehendedNapoleonandhisproblemsisanopenquestion。
Whetherreallycomprehendingormerelytrustingtoitsinstinct，Congresstookaboldercourse。Twomenprovetheantagonistsofaparliamentaryduel——CharlesSumner，chairmanoftheSenateCommitteeonForeignRelations，andHenryWinterDavis，chairmanofthecorrespondingcommitteeoftheHouse。SumnerplayedthehandoftheAdministration。FieryresolutionsdemandingtheevacuationofMexicooranAmericandeclarationofwarwereskillfullyburiedinthesilenceofSumner\'scommittee。Buttherewasneverthelessoneresolutionthataffectedhistory:itwasaringingcondemnationoftheattempttoestablishamonarchyinMexico。IntheHouse，ajointresolutionwhichDavissubmittedwaspassedwithoutonedissentingvote。WhenitcametotheSenate，Sumnerburieditashehadburiedearlierresolutions。NonethelessitwentouttotheworldattendedbythenewsoftheunanimousvoteintheHouse。
Shortlyafterwards，theAmericanAmbassadoratPariscalledupontheimperialForeignSecretary，M。DrouyndeL\'huys。Newsofthisresolutionhadprecededhim。Hewasmetbythecurtquestion，\"Doyoubringpeaceorwar?\"Again，theWashingtonGovernmentwasskillfullyevasive。TheAmbassadorwasinstructedtoexplainthattheresolutionhadnotbeeninspiredbythePresidentand\"theFrenchGovernmentwouldbeseasonablyapprizedofanychangeofpolicy……whichthePresidentmightatanyfuturetimethinkitpropertoadopt。\"
ThereseemslittledoubtthatLincoln\'scoursewasverywidelycondemnedastimid。Whenwecometothepoliticalcampaignof1864，weshallmeetHenryWinterDavisamonghismostrelentlesspersonalenemies。DissatisfactionwithLincoln\'sMexicanpolicyhasnotbeensufficientlyconsideredinaccountingfortheoppositiontohim，insidethewarparty，in1864。Toitmaybetracedanarticleintheplatformofthewarparty，adoptedinJune，1864，protestingagainsttheestablishmentofmonarchy\"innearproximitytotheUnitedStates。\"InthesamemonthMaximilianenteredMexicoCity。
ThesubsequentmovesofNapoleonareexplainedelsewhere。*Thecentralfactinthestoryishisvirtualchangeofattitude，inthesummerof1864。TheConfederateagentatPariscomplainedofagrowingcoolness。Beforetheendofthesummer，theConfederateSecretaryofStatewasbitterinhisdenunciationofNapoleonforhavingdesertedtheSouth。Napoleon\'spuppetMaximilianrefusedtoreceiveanenvoyfromtheConfederacy。ThoughWashingtondidnotformallyprotestagainstthepresenceofMaximilianinMexico，itdeclinedtorecognizehisGovernment，andthatGovernmentcontinuedunrecognizedatWashingtonthroughoutthewar。
*NathanielW。Stephenson，\"TheDayoftheConfederacy\"。(In\"TheChroniclesofAmerica\")。
CHAPTERXIII。THEPLEBISCITEOF1864
EverygreatrevolutionamongAnglo-Saxonpeople——perhapsamongallpeople——hasproducedstrangetypesofdreamers。InAmerica，however，neithersectioncouldclaimamonopolyofsuchtypes，andeventhelatter-dayvisionarieswhocanseeeverythinginheavenandearth，exceptingfact，hadtheirNorthernandSouthernoriginalsinthetimeofthegreatAmericanwar。Amongtheseisastrangecongregationwhichassembledinthespringof1864andwhichhascometobeknown，fromitsplaceofmeeting，astheClevelandConvention。Itscomingtogetherwastheresultofaloosecooperationamongseveralminorpoliticalgroups，allofwhichwerefortheUnionandthewar，andviolentlyopposedtoLincoln。Sofarastheyhadacommonpurpose，itwastosupplantLincolnbyFremontinthenextelection。
TheConventionwasnotableforthelargeproportionofagnosticsamongitsmembers。Amotionwasmadetoamendaresolutionthat\"theRebellionmustbeputdown\"byaddingthewords\"withGod\'sassistance。\"Thistouchofpietywasstormilyrejected。AnothergrouprepresentedatClevelandwasmadeupofextremeabolitionistsundertheleadershipofthatbrilliantbutdisorderedgenius，WendellPhillips。HesentaletterdenouncingLincolnandpledginghissupportofFremontbecauseofthelatter\'s\"clearsightedstatesmanshipandraremilitaryability。\"
Theconventiondeclareditselfapoliticalparty，underthestyleoftheRadicalDemocracy，andnominatedFremontforPresident。
Therewasanotherbodyofdreamers，stillmoresingular，whowerealsobitteropponentsofLincoln。Theywere，however，notinfavorofwar。Theirpoliticalmachineryconsistedofsecretsocieties。Asearlyas1860，theKnightsoftheGoldenCirclewereactiveinIndiana，wheretheydidyeomanserviceforBreckinridge。LaterthissocietyacquiredsomeundergroundinfluenceinotherStates，especiallyinOhio，anddiditsshareinbringingaboutthevictoriesatthepollsintheautumnof1862，whentheDemocratscapturedtheIndianalegislature。
ThemostseriouschargeagainsttheGoldenCirclewascomplicityinanattempttoassassinateOliverP。Morton，GovernorofIndiana，whowasfiredat，onenight，ashewasleavingthestatehouse。WhenMortondemandedaninvestigationoftheGoldenCircle，thelegislaturerefusedtosanctionit。OnhisownauthorityandwithFederalaidhemadeinvestigationsandpublishedareportwhich，ifitdidnotactuallyprovetreason，camedangerouslyneartoproof。Thereafter，thissocietydropsoutofsight，anditsmembersappeartohaveformedthenewOrderoftheAmericanKnights，whichinitsturnwaseclipsedbytheSonsofLiberty。Therewereseveralothersuchsocietiesallorganizedonamilitaryplanandwithagreatpretenseofarmingtheirmembers。This，however，hadtobedonesurreptitiously。
BoxesofriflespurchasedintheEastwereshippedWestlabeled\"Sunday-schoolbooks，\"andnegotiationswereevenundertakenwiththeConfederacytobringinarmsbywayofCanada。AtameetingofthesupremecounciloftheSonsofLiberty，inNewYork，February22，1864，itwasclaimedthattheorderhadnearlyamillionmembers，thoughtheGovernmentsecretserviceconsideredhalfamillionamoreexactestimate。
Aseventssubsequentlyproved，thesocietieswerenotasformidableasthesefigureswouldimply。Mostofthemenwhojoinedthemseemtohavebeenfancifulcreatureswholovedsecrecyforitsownsake。Whilerealmen，NorthandSouth，werelayingdowntheirlivesfortheirprinciples，thesemake-believemenwereholdingbombasticinitiationsandtakingoathssuchasthisfromtheritualoftheAmericanKnights:\"Idofurthersolemnlypromiseandswear，thatIwillevercherishthesublimelessonswhichthesacredemblemsofourordersuggest，andwill，sofarasinmelies，impartthoselessonstothepeopleoftheearth，wherethemysticacornfallsfromitsparentbough，inwhosevisiblefirmamentOrion，Arcturus，andthePleiadesrideintheircoldresplendentglories，andwheretheSouthernCrossdazzlestheeyeofdegradedhumanitywithitscoruscationsofgoldenlight，fitemblemofTruth，whileitinvitesoursacredordertoconsecratehertemplesinthefourcornersoftheearth，wheremoraldarknessreignsanddespotismholdssway……Divineessence，sohelpmethatIfailnotinmytroth，lestIshallbesummonedbeforethetribunaloftheorder，adjudgedandcondemnedtocertainandshamefuldeath，whilemynameshallberecordedontherollsofinfamy。Amen。\"
ThesecretordersfoughthardtopreventtheLincolnvictoryintheelectionsof1863。EvenbeforethattimetheirleadershadtalkedmysteriouslyofanotherdisruptionoftheUnionandtheformationofaNorthwesternConfederacyinalliancewiththeSouth。TheschemewasknowntotheConfederates，allusionstoitaretobefoundinSouthernnewspapers，andeventheConfederatemilitaryauthoritiesconsideredit。Earlyin1863，GeneralBeauregardthoughttheConfederatesmight\"getintoOhioandcalluponthefriendsofVallandighamtoriseforhisdefenseandsupport；then……calluponthewholeNorthwesttojoininthemovement，formaconfederacyoftheirown，andjoinusbyatreatyofalliance，offensiveanddefensive。\"Relianceonthesupportofthesocietieswasthewill-o\'-the-wispthatdeceivedGeneralJohnMorganinhisdesperateattempttocarryoutBeauregard\'sprogramme。Thoughbrushedasideasameredetailbymilitaryhistorians，Morgan\'sraid，withhisforceofirregularcavalry，inJuly，1863，throughIndianaandOhio，wasoneofthemostromanticepisodesofthewar。Butitendedinhisdefeatandcapture。Whilehisgallanttroopersrodetotheirdestruction，themenwholovedtoswearbyArcturusandtogabbleaboutthePleiadesshowedthefibertobeexpectedofsuchpeople，andstayedsnugintheirbeds。
ButneithertheirownlackofhardihoodnorthedisastersoftheirSouthernfriendscoulddampentheirpeculiarardor。TheirherowasVallandigham。ThatredoubtablepersonhadfixedhisheadquartersinCanada，whencehedirectedhispartisansintheirvainattempttoelecthimGovernorofOhio。TheirnextmovewastohonorhimwiththeofficeofSupremeCommanderoftheSonsofLiberty，andnowVallandighamresolvedtowinthemartyr\'scrowninveryfact。InJune，1864，hepreparedforthedramaticeffectbycarefullyadvertisinghisintentionandcamehome。ButtohisgreatdisappointmentLincolnignoredhim，andthedramaticmartyrdomwhichhehadplanneddidnotcomeoff。
Therestillexistedthepossibilityofagreatuprising，andtothatendarrangementsweremadewithSouthernagentsinCanada。
Confederatesoldiers，pickedmen，madetheirwayindisguisetoChicago。TheretheworshipersofArcturusweretojointheminamightymultitude；theConfederateprisonersatCampDouglasinChicagoweretobeliberated；aroundthatcoreofveterans，thehostsofthePleiadesweretorally。AllthiswastocoincidewiththeassemblingatChicagooftheDemocraticnationalconvention，inwhichVallandighamwastoappear。Theorganizersoftheconspiracydreamedthatthetwoeventsmightcoalesce；
thattheconventionmightbestampededbytheiruprising；thatagreatpart，ifnotthewhole，oftheconventionwouldendorsetheestablishmentofaNorthwesternConfederacy。
AlasforhimwhobuildsontheframeofmindthatdelightsincheaprhetoricwhileRomeisafire!Atthemomentofhazard，theSonsofLibertyshowedthewhitefeather，werefullofspeciouswords，wouldnotact。TheConfederatesoldiers，indignantatthissecondbetrayal，hadtomaketheirescapefromthecountry。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatthisDemocraticnationalconventionwasmadeupaltogetherofSecessionists。Thepeacepartywasstill，asinthepreviousyear，astrangecomplex，amixtureofallsortsandconditions。ItscohesionwasnotsomuchduetoitsloveofpeaceastoitsdislikeofLincolnanditshatredofhisparty。Vallandighamwasamemberofthecommitteeonresolutions。ThepermanentchairmanwasGovernorSeymourofNewYork。TheConventionwascalledtoorderbyAugustBelmont，aforeignerbybirth，theAmericanrepresentativeoftheRothschilds。HewastheheadandfrontofthatbodyofNortherncapitalwhichhadsolongfinancedtheSouthandwhichhadalwaysopposedthewar。InopeningtheConventionhesaid:\"Fouryearsofmisrulebyasectional，fanatical，andcorruptpartyhavebroughtourcountrytothevergeofruin。\"IntheplatformLincolnwasaccusedofalistofcrimeswhichithadbecomethehabitofthepeacepartytochargeagainsthim。Hisadministrationwasdescribedas\"fouryearsoffailure，\"andMcClellanwasnominatedforPresident。
TheRepublicanmanagerscalledaconventionatBaltimoreinJune，1864，withaviewtoorganizingacompositeUnionPartyinwhichtheWarDemocratsweretoparticipate。Theirplanwassuccessful。ThesecondplaceontheUnionticketwasacceptedbyaWarDemocrat，AndrewJohnson，ofTennessee。Lincolnwasrenominated，thoughnotwithoutopposition，andhewassokeenlyawarethathewasnottheunanimouschoiceoftheUnionPartythathepermittedthefacttoappearinapublicutterancesoonafterward。\"Idonotallowmyself，\"hesaid，inaddressingadelegationoftheNationalUnionLeague，\"tosupposethateithertheConventionortheLeaguehaveconcludedtodecidethatIameitherthegreatestorthebestmaninAmerica，butrathertheyhaveconcludeditisnotbesttoswaphorseswhilecrossingtheriver，andhavefurtherconcludedthatIamnotsopoorahorsethattheymightnotmakeabotchofitintryingtoswap。\"
ButtheUnionPartywassofarfrombeingaunitthatduringthesummerfactionalquarrelsdevelopedwithinitsranks。AlltheelementsthatwereunfriendlytoLincolntookheartfromadisputebetweenthePresidentandCongresswithregardtoreconstructioninLouisiana，overalargepartofwhichFederaltroopshadestablishedacivilgovernmentonthePresident\'sauthority。Asanincidentinthehistoryofreconstruction，thiswholematterhasitsplaceinanothervolume。*Butitalsohasaplaceinthehistoryofthepresidentialcampaignof1864。
Lincoln\'splanofreconstructionwasobnoxioustotheRadicalsinCongressinasmuchasitdidnotdefinitelyabolishslaveryinLouisiana，althoughitrequiredthenewGovernmenttogiveitsadherencetotheEmancipationProclamation。CongresspassedabilltakingreconstructionoutofthePresident\'shandsanddefinitelyrequiringthereconstructedStatestoabolishslavery。
LincolntookthepositionthatCongresshadnopoweroverslaveryintheStates。WhenhisProclamationwasthrowninhisteeth，hereplied，\"IconceivethatImayinanemergencydothingsonmilitarygroundswhichcannotbedoneconstitutionallybyCongress。\"IncidentallytherewasafurtherdisagreementbetweenthePresidentandtheRadicalsovernegrosuffrage。Thoughneitherschemeprovidedforit，Lincolnwouldextendit，ifatall，onlytotheexceptionalnegroes，whiletheRadicalswerereadyforasweepingextension。ButLincolnrefusedtosigntheirbillanditlapsed。ThereuponBenjaminWadeofOhioandHenryWinterDavisofMarylandissuedasavagedenunciationofLincolnwhichhasbeenknowneversinceasthe\"Wade-DavisManifesto\"。
*WalterL。Fleming，\"TheSequelofAppomattox\"。In\"TheChroniclesofAmerica\"。
TherewasafactionintheUnionPartywhichwemayjustlynametheVindictives。The\"Manifesto\"gavethemarallyingcry。AtaconferenceinNewYorktheydecidedtocompeltheretirementofLincolnandthenominationofsomeothercandidate。ForthispurposeanewconventionwastobecalledatCincinnatiinSeptember。IntheranksoftheVindictivesatthistimewastheimpetuouseditorofthe\"NewYorkTribune\"，HoraceGreeley。Hispresencetherecallsforsomeexplanation。Perhapsthemostsingularfigureofthetime，hewasoneofthemostirresponsibleandyet，throughhispaper，oneofthemostinfluential。Hehadatrickofphrasewhich，somehow，madehimappearoraculartotheplainpeople，especiallyintheruraldistricts——theverypeopleonwhomLincolnreliedforalargepartofhissupport。Greeleyknewhispower，andhismindwasnotlargeenoughtocarrytheknowledgewell。Furthermore，hiswasthesortofnaturethatrelatesitselftolifeaboveallthroughthesensibilities。
Kiplingspeaksscornfullyofpeoplewhoiftheir\"ownfrontdoorisshutwillsweartheworldiswarm。\"TheyarerelationsinthefullbloodofHoraceGreeley。
InJuly，whenthebreachbetweenthePresidentandtheVindictiveswasjustbeginningtobeevident，Greeleywaspursuinganadventureofhisown。Amongtheleastsensibleminorincidentsofthewarwereanumberoffantasticattemptsofprivatepersonstonegotiatepeace。Withoneexceptiontheyhadnohistoricimportance。TheexceptionisanegotiationcarriedonbyGreeley，whichseemstohavebeentheultimatecauseofhisalliancewiththeVindictives。
InthemiddleofJuly，1864，goldwassellinginNewYorkat285。
Therewasdistressanddiscontentthroughoutthecountry。ThehorribleslaughteroftheWilderness，stillfreshineverybody\'smind，hadputthewholeUnionPartyintomourning。TheimpressionableGreeleybecamefranticforpeacepeaceatanyprice。AtthepsychologicalmomentwordwasconveyedtohimthattwopersonsinCanadaheldauthorityfromtheConfederacytoenterintonegotiationsforpeace。GreeleywrotetoLincolndemandingnegotiationsbecause\"ourbleeding，bankrupt，almostdyingcountrylongsforpeace，shuddersattheprospectoffreshconscriptions，offurtherwholesaledevastations，andofnewriversofhumanblood。\"
LincolnconsentedtoanegotiationbutstipulatedthatGreeleyhimselfshouldbecomeresponsibleforitsconduct。ThoughthiswasnotwhatGreeleywantedforhistypealwayspreferstotellotherswhattodo——hesullenlyaccepted。HeproceededtoNiagaratomeetthereputedcommissionersoftheConfederacy。Thedetailsofthefutileconferencedonotconcernus。TheConfederateagentswerenotempoweredtotreatforpeace——atleastnotonanytermsthatwouldbeconsideredatWashington。
Theirrealpurposewasfarsubtler。AppreciatingthedelicatebalanceinNorthernpolitics，theyaimedatmakingitappearthatLincolnwasbeggingforterms。Lincoln，whoforesawthispossibleturnofevents，hadexpresslylimitedGreeleytonegotiationsfor\"theintegrityofthewholeUnionandtheabandonmentofslavery。\"Greeleychosetobelievethattheseinstructions，andnotthesubtletyoftheConfederateagentsandhisownimpulsiveness，werethecauseofthefalsepositioninwhichtheagentsnowplacedhim。Theypublishedanaccountoftheepisode，thuseffectinganexposurewhichledtosharpattacksuponGreeleybytheNorthernpress。InthebitternessofhismortificationGreeleythenwentfromoneextremetotheotherandjoinedtheVindictives。
LessthanthreeweeksaftertheconferenceatNiagara，the\"Wade-DavisManifesto\"appeared。ItwascommunicatedtothecountrythroughthecolumnsofGreeley\'spaperonthe5thofAugust。Greeley，whososhortatimebeforewasforpeaceatanyprice，wentthewholelengthofreactionbyproclaimingthat\"Mr。
Lincolnisalreadybeaten……Wemusthaveanothertickettosaveusfromutteroverthrow。IfwehadsuchaticketascouldbemadebynamingGrant，Butler，orShermanforPresidentandFarragutforVice，wecouldmakeafightyet。\"
AtaboutthissametimethechairmanoftheRepublicannationalcommittee，whowasaLincolnman，wrotetothePresidentthatthesituationwasdesperate。Lincolnhimselfisknowntohavemadeaprivatememorandumcontainingthewords，\"ItseemsextremelyprobablethatthisAdministrationwillnotbereelected。\"Onthe1stofSeptember，1864，withthreepresidentialcandidatesinthefield，Northernpoliticswerebewildering，andthecountrywasshroudedinthedeepestgloom。TheWildernesscampaign，afterslaughterunparalleled，hadnotinthepopularmindachievedresults。Sherman，inGeorgia，thoughhislosseswerenotasterribleasGrant\'s，hadnotyetdoneanythingtolightenthegloom。NotevenFarragut\'svictoryinMobileBay，inAugust，far-reachingasitprovedtobe，reassuredtheNorth。AbittercryforpeacewentupevenfromloversoftheUnionwhoseheartshadfailed。
Meanwhile，thebrilliantstrategistinGeorgiawaspressinghisdriveforpoliticalaswellasformilitaryeffect。TorousethoseUnionistswhohadlostheartwaspartofhispurposewhenhehurledhiscolumnsagainstAtlanta，fromwhichHoodwasdriveninoneofthemostdisastrousofConfederatedefeats。Onthe3rdofSeptemberLincolnissuedaproclamationappointingadayofthanksgivingforthesegreatvictoriesofShermanandFarragut。
Onthatday，itwouldseem，thetideturnedinNorthernpolitics。
SomehistoriansarecontentwithAtlantaastheexplanationofallthatfollowed；buttherearethreeseparateeventsofimportancethatnowoccurredasincidentsinthecomplicatedsituation。Inthefirstplace，threeweekslatertheradicaloppositionhadcollapsed；theplanforanewconventionwasabandoned；theVindictiveleaderscameoutinsupportofLincoln。
Almostsimultaneouslyoccurredtheremainingtwosurprisingevents。Fremontwithdrewfromhiscandidacyinordertodohis\"parttowardpreventingtheelectionoftheDemocraticcandidate。\"AndLincolnaskedfortheresignationofamemberofhisCabinet，Postmaster-GeneralMontgomeryBlair，whowastheespecialenemyoftheVindictives。
TheofficialbiographersofLincoln*keepthesethreeeventsseparate。TheyholdthatBlair\'sremovalwaswhollyLincoln\'sidea，andthatfromchivalrousreasonshewouldnotabandonhisfriendaslongasheseemedtobelosingthegame。ThehistorianRhodeswritesconfidentlyofabargainwithFremont，holdingthatBlairwasremovedtoterminateaquarrelwithFremontwhichdatedbackeventohisownremovalin1861。ApossiblethirdtheoryturnsuponChase，whosehostilitytoBlairwasquiteequaltothatoftheillbalancedFremont。IthadbeenstimulatedthepreviouswinterbyafiercearraignmentofChasemadebyBlair\'sbrotherinCongress，inwhichChasewasbluntlyaccusedoffraudandofmakingmoney，orallowinghisfriendstomakemoney，throughillicittradeincotton。AndChasewasamanofmightamongtheVindictives。Theintrigue，however，nevercomestotheforegroundinhistory，butlurksinthebackgroundthickwithshadows。OnceortwiceamongthoseshadowsweseemtocatchaglimpseofthefigureofThurlowWeed，themaster-politicianofthetime。Takingonethingwithanother，wemayrisktheguessthatsomehowthetworadicalgroupswhichwerebothrelentlessagainstBlairwereledtopooltheirissues，andthatBlair\'sremovalwasthepriceLincolnpaidnottoonefactionofradicalsbuttothewholeunmercifulcrowd。
*Hisprivatesecretaries，JohnG。NicolayandJohnHay。
Whatevercomplexofpurposeslaybackofthetriplecoincidence，thelatterpartofSeptembersawageneralreunionofthefactionswithintheUnionParty，followedbyaswiftrecoveryofstrength。Whentheelectioncame，Lincolnreceivedanelectoralvoteof212against21，andapopularvoteof2，330，552against1，835，985。
Theinevitablequestionarisesastowhatwastherealcauseofthissuccess。Itissafetosaythatthepoliticalcampaigncontainedsomeadroitstrategy；thatShermanwaswithoutdoubtanenormousfactor；thattheDemocratsmadenumerousblunders；andthatthesecretsocietieshadaneffectotherthantheyintended。
However，therealclueseemstobefoundinonesentencefromaletterwrittenbyLowelltoMotleywhentheoutlookforhispartywasdarkest:\"Themercantileclassesarelongingforpeace，butI
believethatthepeoplearemorefirmthanever。\"Ofthegreat，silentmassofthepeople，thetruetemperseemstobestruckoffinapopularpoemofthetime，writteninresponsetooneofthecallsformoretroops，apoemwithrefrainsbuiltonthemodelofthiscouplet:
\"We\'recomingfromthehillside，we\'recomingfromtheshore，We\'recoming，FatherAbraham，sixhundredthousandmore。\"
CHAPTERXIV。LINCOLN\'SFINALINTENTIONS
ThevictoryoftheUnionPartyinNovemberenabledLincolntoenjoyforabriefperiodofhiscareerasPresidentwhatmaybethoughtofasalullinthestorm。Heknewnowthathehadatlastbuiltupafirmandpowerfulsupport。Withthisassured，hispolicy，bothdomesticandforeign——thekeytowhichwasstilltheblockade——mightbeconsideredvictoriousatallpoints。
Thereremainstobenoticed，however，oneeventoftheyear1864
whichwasofvitalimportanceinmaintainingtheblockade。
Itisaprincipleofinternationallawthatabelligerentmustitselfattendtothegreattaskofsuppressingcontrabandtradewithitsenemy。Lincolnwascarefultoobservethisprinciple。
ThoughBritishmerchantswerefranklyspeculatingincontrabandtrade，hemadenodemandupontheBritishGovernmenttorelievehimofthedifficultyofstoppingit。Englandalsotookthelegitimatepositionunderinternationallawandwarnedhermerchantsthat，whileitwasnoneoftheGovernment\'sbusinesstopreventsuchtrade，theypractiseditattheirownrisk，subjecttowell-understoodpenaltiesagreeduponamongnations。Themerchantsneverthelesscontinuedtotaketherisk，whileboththeyandtheauthoritiesoftheConfederacythoughttheysawawayofminimizingthedanger。InsteadofshippingsuppliesdirecttotheConfederateportstheyshippedthemtoMatamoros，inMexico，ortotheWestIndies。Astheseportswereinneutralterritory，themerchantsthoughttheirgoodswouldbesafeagainstcaptureuntiltheylefttheMexicanorWestIndianportontheirbriefconcludingpassagetotheterritoryoftheConfederacy。Nassau，thenapettyWestIndiatown，wasthechiefdepotofsuchtradeandsoonbecameagreatcommercialcenter。
ToitcamevastquantitiesofEuropeangoodswhichwerethentransferredtoswift，smallvessels，or\"blockade-runners，\"whichtookagambler\'schanceandoftensucceededineludingtheFederalpatrolshipsandinrushingtheircargoessafeintoaConfederateport。
Obviously，itwasagreatdisadvantagetotheUnitedStatestoallowcontrabandsuppliestobeaccumulated，withoutinterference，closetotheblockadedcoast，andtheLincolnGovernmentdeterminedtoremovethisdisadvantage。Withthisendinviewitevokedtheprincipleofthecontinuousvoyage，whichindeedwasnotnew，butwhichwasdestinedtobecomefixedininternationallawbytheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates。
AmericancruiserswereinstructedtostopBritishshipssailingbetweentheBritishportsofLiverpoolandNassau；theyweretousetherecognizedinternationalrightsofvisitandsearch；andiftherewasevidencethatthecargowasnotdestinedforactualconsumptionatNassau，theyweretobringtheshipintoanAmericanporttobedealtwithbyanAmericanprizecourt。Whensucharrestsbegan，theownersclamoredtotheBritishGovernment，andbothdealersincontrabandandprofessionalblockade-runnersworkedthemselvesintoafurybecauseAmericancruiserswatchedBritishportsandsearchedBritishshipsonthehighseas。Withregardtothismatter，theBritishGovernmentandtheGovernmentatWashingtonhadtheirlastimportantcorrespondenceduringthewar。TheUnitedStatesstoodfirmfortheideathatwhengoodswereultimatelyintendedfortheConfederacy，nomatterhowroundaboutthejourney，theycouldbeconsideredasmakingasinglecontinuousvoyageandwereliabletocapturefromthedaytheyleftLiverpool。Earlyin1865，theSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStatesfullydevelopedtheprincipleofcontinuousvoyageinfourcelebratedcasesthatarenowamongthelandmarksofinternationallaw。*
*TheGreatwarhasonceagainledtocontroversyoverthissubject，sovitaltoneutralstates。
Thiswasthelaststepinmakingtheblockadeeffective。
Thereafter，itslowlystrangledtheSouth。TheFederalarmiesenormouslyovermatchedtheSouthern，andfromNovember，1864，theircontinuanceinthefieldwasmadesure。GrimworkstilllaybeforeLincoln，butthedayofanxietywaspast。Inthismomentofcomparativeease，theagedChiefJusticeTaneydied，andLincolnappointedtothathighpositionhisungenerousrival，Chase。
EvennowLincolnhadnotestablishedhimselfasaleadersuperiortoparty，buthehadthesatisfaction，earlyin1865，ofseeingtheranksoftheoppositionbegintobreak。Naturally，theThirteenthAmendmenttotheConstitution，abolishingslaverythroughouttheUnitedStates，appearedtoLincolnasinawaytheconsummationofhislabors。WhentheHousevotedontheresolutiontosendthisamendmenttotheStates，severalDemocratsjoinedthegovernmentforces。Twonightsafterward，speakingtoaserenadingpartyattheWhiteHouse，Lincolnmadeabriefspeech，partofwhichisthusreportedbyhissecretaries:
\"Hethoughtthismeasurewasaveryfittingifnotanindispensableadjuncttothewindingupofthegreatdifficulty。
HewishedthereunionofalltheStatesperfected，andsoeffectedastoremoveallcausesofdisturbanceinthefuture；
andtoattainthisend，itwasnecessarythattheoriginaldisturbingcauseshould，ifpossible，berootedout。\"
AneventwhichinitsfulldetailbelongstoConfederateratherthantoUnionhistorytookplacesoonafterthis。AtHamptonRoads，LincolnandSewardmetConfederatecommissionerswhohadaskedforaparley——withregardtopeace。Nothingcameofthemeeting，buttheconferencegaverisetoalegend，falseinfactandyettrueinspirit，accordingtowhichLincolnwroteonasheetofpapertheword\"Union，\"pusheditacrosstoAlexanderH。
Stephensandsaid，\"Writeunderthatanythingyouplease。\"
ThisfictionexpressesLincoln\'sattitudetowardthesinkingConfederacy。OnhisreturnfromHamptonRoadshesubmittedtohisCabinetadraftofamessagewhichheproposedtosendtoCongress。Herecommendedtheappropriationof$400，000，000tobedistributedamongtheslavestatesonconditionthatwarceasebeforeApril1，1865。NotamemberoftheCabinetapproved。Hissecretary，Mr。Nicolay，writes:\"ThePresident，inevidentsurpriseandsorrowatthewantofstatesmanlikeliberalityshownbyhisexecutivecouncil，foldedandlaidawaythedraftofhismessage……\"Withadeepsighheadded，\"Butyouareallopposedtome，andIwillnotsendthemessage。\"
Hissecondinaugurationpassedwithoutstrikingincidents。
Chase，asChiefJustice，administeredtheoath。Thesecondinauguraladdresscontainedwordswhicharenowfamous:\"Withmalicetowardsnone；withcharityforall；withfirmnessintheright，asGodgivesustoseetheright，letusstriveontofinishtheworkwearein；tobindupthenation\'swounds；tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattle，andforhiswidow，andhisorphan——todoallwhichmayachieveandcherishajustandalastingpeaceamongourselves，andwithallnations。\"
Thatgiganticsystemoffleetsandarmies，thecreationofwhichwasduetoLincoln，wasclosingtightaroundthedyingConfederacy。FiveweeksaftertheinaugurationLeesurrendered，andthewarwasvirtuallyatanend。Whatwastocomeafterwasinevitablytheovershadowingtopicofthehour。ManyanecdotesrepresentLincoln，intheselastfewdaysofhislife，aspossessedbyahighthoughmelancholymoodofextrememercy。
Therefore，muchhasbeeninferredfromthefollowingwords，inhislastpublicaddress，madeonthenightofthe11thofApril:
\"Inthepresentsituation，asthephrasegoes，itmaybemydutytomakesomenewannouncementtothepeopleoftheSouth。Iamconsideringandshallnotfailtoactwhenactionshallbeproper。\"
WhatwastobedonefortheSouth，whattreatmentshouldbeaccordedtheSouthernleaders，engrossedthePresidentandhisCabinetatthemeetingonthe14thofApril，whichwasdestinedtobetheirlast。SecretaryWelleshaspreservedthespiritofthemeetinginastrikinganecdote。Lincolnsaidthatnooneneedexpecthewould\"takeanypartinhangingorkillingthosemen，eventheworstofthem。Frightenthemoutofthecountry，openthegates，letdownthebars，scarethemoff；\"saidhe，throwinguphishandsasifscaringsheep。\"Enoughliveshavebeensacrificed；wemustextinguishourresentmentsifweexpectharmonyandunion。\"
WhileLincolnwasthusarminghimselfwithavaliantmercy，abandofconspiratorsatanobscureboardinghouseinWashingtonwereplanninghisassassination。TheirleaderwasJohnWilkesBooth，anactor，brotherofthemuchablerEdwinBooth。Thereseemslittledoubtthathewasinsane。AroundhimgatheredasmallgroupofvisionaryextremistsinwhommuchbroodinguponSouthernwrongshadproducedanunbalancedcondition。OnlyamorbidinterestcanattachtodaytothestrangecunningwithwhichBoothlaidhisplans，thinkingofhimselfallthewhileasareincarnationoftheRomanBrutus。
Onthenightofthe14thofApril，thePresidentattendedaperformanceof\"OurAmericanCousin\"。Whiletheplaywasinprogress，BoothstoleintothePresident\'sbox，cameclosebehindhim，andshothimthroughthehead。Lincolnneverspokeagainand，shortlyaftersevennextmorning，ceasedbreathing。
Atthesametime，afutileattemptwasmadeuponthelifeofSeward。Boothtemporarilyescaped。Laterhewasovertakenandshot。Hisaccompliceswerehanged。
ThepassageofsixtyyearshasprovedfullynecessarytotheplacingofLincolninhistoricperspective。NoPresident，inhisowntime，withthepossibleexceptionofWashington，wassobitterlyhatedandsofiercelyreviled。Ontheotherhand，nonehasbeentheobjectofsuchintemperatehero-worship。However，thegreatestofthelandwere，inthemain，quicktoseehiminperspectiveandtorecognizehishistoricsignificance。ItisrecordedofDavisthatinafterdayshepaidabeautifultributetoLincolnandsaid，\"NexttothedestructionoftheConfederacy，thedeathofAbrahamLincolnwasthedarkestdaytheSouthhasknown。\"
BIBLIOGRAPHICALNOTE
Therearetwogeneralhistories，ofconspicuousability，thatdealwiththisperiod:
J。F。Rhodes，\"HistoryoftheUnitedStatesfromtheCompromiseof1850\"，7vols。(1893-1906)，andJ。B。McMaster，\"HistoryofthePeopleoftheUnitedStates\"，7vols。(1883-1912)。McMasterhasthemore\"modern\"pointofviewandisexcellentbutdry，withoutanysenseofnarrative。Rhodeshasasomewhatolderpointofview。Forexample，hemakesonlyacasualreference，inaquotation，tothemunitionsproblemof1861，thoughanalyzingwithgreatforceandcandorsuchconstitutionalissuesasthearrestsunderthesuspensionofthewritofhabeascorpus。Theotherstrongpointsinhisworkareitssenseofnarrative，itsfreedomfromhero-worship，itsindependenceofconventionalviewsofNorthernleaders。AstotheSouth，itsuffersfromacertainNarrownessofvisionduetothecomparativescantinessofthematerialused。ThesamemaybesaidofMcMaster。
ForLincoln，thereisnoadequatebriefbiography。Perhapsthebestisthemostrecent，\"AbrahamLincoln\"，byLordCharnwood(\"MakersoftheNineteenthCentury\"，1917)。Ithasakindofcooldetachmentthathardlyanybiographerhadshownpreviously，andyetthiscoolnessisjoinedwithextremeadmiration。ShortbiographiesworthconsideringareJohnT。Morse，Jr。，AbrahamLincoln\"(\"AmericanStatesmen\"Series，2vols。，1893)，andIdaM。
Tarbell，\"LifeofAbrahamLincoln\"，2vols。(1900)。Theofficialbiographyisintenvolumes，\"AbrahamLincoln，aHistory\"，byhissecretaries，JohnG。NicolayandJohnHay(1890)。Itisapricelessdocumentandassuchislittlelikelytobeforgotten。
ButitseventsaresonumerousthattheyswampthefigureofLincolnandyetarenotnumerousenoughtoconstituteadefinitivehistoryofthetimes。Itiswhollyeulogistic。Thesameauthorsedited\"TheWritingsofAbrahamLincoln\"
(BiographicalEdition，2vols。，1894)，whichhassincebeenexpanded(1905)andnowfillstwelvevolumes。ItisthedefinitivepresentationofLincoln\'smind。AbookmuchsoughtafterbyhisenemiesisWilliamHenryHerndonandJesseWilliamWeik，\"TheHistoryandPersonalRecollectionsofAbrahamLincoln\"，8vols。(1889；unexpurgatededition)。Itcontainsaboutallweknowofhisearlylifeandpaintsapictureofsordidugliness。Itsreliabilityhasbeendisputed。NostudyofLincolniscompleteunlessonehasmarchedthroughthe\"Diary\"ofGideonWelles，SecretaryoftheNavy，3vols。(1911)，whichisourmostimportantdocumentshowingLincolninhisCabinet。
ImportantsidelightsonhischaracteranddevelopmentareshowninWardHillLamon，\"RecollectionsofLincoln\"(1911)；DavidHomerBates，\"LincolnintheTelegraphOffice\"(1907)；andFrederickTrevorHill，\"LincolnasaLawyer\"(1906)。A
bibliographyofLincolnisinthetwelfthvolumeofthelatesteditionofthe\"Writings\"。
Thelesserstatesmenofthetime，bothNorthernandSouthern，still，asarule，awaitpropertreatmentbydetachedbiographers。
TwoNorthernershavehadsuchtreatment，inAllenJohnson\'s\"StephenA。Douglas\"(1908)，andFredericBancroft\'s\"LifeofWilliamH。Seward\"，2vols。(1900)。Good，butwithouttherequisitedetachment，isMoorfieldStorey\'s\"CharlesSumner\"，(\"AmericanStatesmenSeries\"，1900)。Withsimilarexcellencesbutwiththesamedefect，thoughstillthebestinitsfield，isAlbertBushnellHart\'s\"SalmonP。Chase\"(\"AmericanStatesmenSeries\"，1899)。AmongtheSouthernstatesmeninvolvedintheeventsofthisvolume，onlythePresidentoftheConfederacyhasreceivedadequatereconsiderationinrecentyears，inWilliamE。
Dodd\'s\"JeffersonDavis\"(1907)。Thelatestlifeof\"RobertToombs\"，byUlrichB。Phillips(1914)，isnotdefinitive，butthebestextant。ThegreatneedforadequatelivesofStephensandYanceyisnotatallmetbytheobsoleteworks——R。M。JohnstonandW。M。Browne，\"LifeofAlexanderH。Stephens\"(1878)，andJ。
W。DuBose，\"TheLifeandTimesofWilliamLowndesYancey\"
(1892)。ThereisabriefbiographyofStephensbyLouisPendleton，inthe\"AmericanCrisisBiographies\"。Mostoftheremainingbiographiesoftheperiod，whetherNorthernorSouthern，areeithertoosuperficialortoopartisantoberecommendedforgeneraluse。Almostaloneintheirwayarethedelightful\"ConfederatePortraits\"，byGamalielBradford(1914)，andthesameauthor\'s\"UnionPortraits\"(1916)。
UponconditionsintheNorthduringthewarthereisavastamountofmaterial；butlittleisaccessibletothegeneralreader。AbookofgreatvalueisEmersonFite\'sSocialandIndustrialConditionsintheNorthduringtheCivilWar(1910)。
Outofunnumberedbooksofreminiscence，onestandsforthforthesincerityofitsdisinterested，ifsharp，observation——W。H。
Russell\'s\"MyDiaryNorthandSouth\"(1868)。Twonewspapersareinvaluable:The\"NewYorkTribune\"foraversionofeventsasseenbythewarparty，\"TheNewYorkHerald\"fortheoppositepointofview；theChicagopapersarealsoimportant，chieflythe\"Times\"and\"Tribune\"；the\"Republican\"ofSpringfield，Mass。，hadbegunitsdistinguishedcareer，whilethe\"Journal\"and\"Advertiser\"ofBostonrevealedEasternNewEngland。FortheSouthernpointofview，nopapersaremoreimportantthantheRichmond\"Examiner\"，theCharleston\"Mercury\"，andtheNewOrleans\"Picayune\"。FinancialandeconomicproblemsarewellsummedupinD。R。Dewey\'s\"FinancialHistoryoftheUnitedStates\"(3dedition，1907)，andinE。P。Oberholzer\'s\"JayCooks\"，2vols。(1907)。ForeignaffairsaresummarizedadequatelyinC。F。Adams\'s\"CharlesFrancisAdams\"(\"AmericanStatesmenSeries\"，1900)，JohnBigelow\'s\"FranceandtheConfederateNavy\"(1888)，A。P。Martin\'s\"MaximilianinMexico\"
(1914)，andJohnBassettMoore\'s\"DigestofInternationalLaw\"，8
vols。(1906)。
Thedocumentsoftheperiodrangingfromnewspaperstopresidentialmessagesarenotlikelytobeconsideredbythegeneralreader，butifgivenafairchancewillprovefascinating。BesidesthebiographicaleditionofLincoln\'sWritings，shouldbenamed，firstofall，\"TheCongressionalGlobe\"fordebatesinCongress；the\"StatutesatLarge\"；the\"ExecutiveDocuments\"，publishedbytheGovernmentandcontainingagreatnumberofreports；andtheenormouscollectionissuedbytheWarDepartmentunderthetitle\"OfficialRecordsoftheUnionandConfederateArmies\"，128vols。(1880-1901)，especiallythegroupsofvolumesknownassecondandthirdseries。
