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


CHAPTER XXVIII

Close of the Civil War--Last Acts in the Great Tragedy--Lincoln
at the Front--A Memorable Meeting--Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, and
Porter--Life on Shipboard--Visit to Petersburg--Lincoln and the
Prisoners--Lincoln in Richmond--The Negroes Welcoming Their
"Great Messiah"--A Warm Reception--Lee's Surrender--Lincoln
Receives the News--Universal Rejoicing--Lincoln's Last Speech to
the Public--His Feelings and Intentions toward the South--His
Desire for Reconciliation