CHAPTER XVII

Lincoln's Wise Statesmanship--The Mason and Slidell
Affair--Complications with England--Lincoln's "Little Story" on the
Trent Affair--Building of the "Monitor"--Lincoln's Part in the
Enterprise--The President's First Annual Message--Discussion of the
Labor Question--A President's Reception in War Time--A Great
Affliction--Death in the White House--Chapters from the Secret
Service--A Morning Call on the President--Goldwin Smith's
Impressions of Lincoln--Other Notable Tributes


CHAPTER XVIII

Lincoln and His Cabinet--An Odd Assortment of
Officials--Misconceptions of Rights and Duties--Frictions and
Misunderstandings--The Early Cabinet Meetings--Informal
Conversational Affairs--Queer Attitude toward the War--Regarded as
a Political Affair--Proximity to Washington a Hindrance to Military
Success--Disturbances in the Cabinet--A Senate Committee Demands
Seward's Removal from the Cabinet--Lincoln's Mastery of the
Situation--Harmony Restored--Stanton becomes War Secretary--Sketch
of a Remarkable Man--Next to Lincoln, the Master-Mind of the
Cabinet--Lincoln the Dominant Power


CHAPTER XIX