inet what the note contained. In this manner he pledged himself
to accept loyally the anticipated verdict of the people against him.

Mr. Hay's diary relates what took place at the next cabinet meeting
after the election, as follows:

"At the meeting of the cabinet to-day the President took out a
paper from his desk and said: 'Gentlemen, do you remember last
summer I asked you all to sign your names to the back of a paper
of which I did not show you the inside? This is it. Now, Mr. Hay,
see if you can open this without tearing it.' He had pasted it up
in so singular a style that it required some cutting to get it
open. He then read this memorandum (quoted above).

"The President said: 'You will remember that this was written at
the time, six days before the Chicago nominating convention, when
as yet we had no adversary and seemed to have no friends. I then
solemnly resolved on the course of action indicated in this paper.
I resolved in the case of the election of General McClellan, being
certain that he would be the candidate, that I would see him and
talk matters over with him. I would say, "General, the election
has demonstrated that you are stronger, have more influence with
the American people than I. Now let us together, you with your
influence, and I with all the executive power of the Government,
try to save the country. You raise as many troops as you possibly
can for the final trial, and I will devote all my energies to assist
and finish the war."'

"Seward said: 'And the General would have answered you, "Yes,
yes," and the next day when you saw him again and pressed these
views upon him, he would have said, "Yes, yes," and so on forever,
and would have done nothing at all.'

"'At least,' rejoined Lincoln, 'I should have done my duty and have
stood clear before my own conscience.'"

Not the least of his troubles and embarrassments during the trying
period preceding his second election was the overzealous advice,--
persistence, I might say--on the part of certain New Yorkers and
New Englanders who seemed to think that they had the interest of
the Union and the country more at heart than had Mr. Lincoln.

Horace Greeley was one of the most troublesome of this lot. He
was an honest and a most loyal man, but was willing to temporize
upon the most vital questions. At one time he advised that the
"erring sisters" should be permitted to depart in peace. At this
particular time of which I speak